01/07/2009, 1:20pm, EST
Wednesday, January 7th
MS claims 77% Mac Office use, blasts 'Apple tax'
Roughly 77 percent of American Mac users are running some form of Office for Mac on their computers, Microsoft's Mac Business Unit claims. The proportion is thought to be unusually high, particularly in light of Apple's first-party iWork suite, which offers functionality similar to Office and has been available for several years. Microsoft admits, though, that there is little to compare the 77 percent figure against, given that it has not conducted such studies in the past; similarly, there are no numbers available for countries outside the US.
The company meanwhile continues to criticize Apple for its alleged "Apple tax," a higher retail cost for computers which otherwise have the same specifications as a Windows system. In an e-mail sent to journalists this week, Microsoft argues that a low-end Mac mini is approximately 16 percent ($100) more costly than an equivalent PC, while a low-end iMac is 25 percent ($300) more expensive.
Microsoft further attacks Apple for offering only "modest" discounts on its computers at any given time, at best around 10 percent; the strategy is said to be particularly egregious in the context of a global recession. Premium branding in this context may in fact be harming the company, as the NPD Group observes that Mac sales fell 1 percent year-over-year in November, a dramatic change from the continuous growth of years past. Windows-based PC sales jumped 7 percent in November.
Filed under: computers, industry, Apple
Other story tags: Microsoft, Office
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windows "snivel"
We suck so we have to bash the Mac. What this idiot fails to realize is that MAC's come with the OS and a whole bunch of really good software you can use. Where as a PC usually comes with VISTurd preloaded (you have to buy the full version later) and a whole suite of Malware, spyware and bloatware.
check the numbers
They're probably counting users with MSN Messenger installed, since that is technically part of the Office Suite.
what about ms tax?
77% pay it.
huh?
Seriously, why exactly is MS criticizing Apple for this? I mean, if they think that Apple charges too much and doesn't discount enough compared to Windows PC's, isn't that ultimately a good thing (more people choosing PC's and getting Windows, Office, etc.)?
Outside of that, one would be hesitant to point out that Windows-loaded PC's cost more than Linux-loaded ones (especially noticeable with netbooks).
Either way, it just seems silly. Apple charges what they can and what the market will bear. If Dell or Gateway/Acer or HP could get away with charging more, they would too.
Marketing Dogs
Spin Spin Spin.
So Apple users are willing to pay more to use an Operating System that is not Windows.
I appreciate M$ taking Apple seriously. As for iWork, well, I run M$ Office, it's what is run at work, what my professors used when I was in school, what my sister's school uses in her grad program, and it still is the Office Suite standard. I'm sure iWork has it's place and I can appreciate the Apple touch, but I'm pretty comfortable with office and I know it's probably what other are running. There's a lot of alternative Office Suites now to include Lotus Symphony, Open Office Org, and Google's offering. Apple's iWork is just another suite and Apple has offered an office suite as AppleWorks for a long time. In fact, didn't/doesn't M$ have some entry level office suite.
Reading between the lines
Sounds like their last gasp before the layoffs hit. They probably think that it is all Apples fault that they are cutting 15,000 heads.
OK MS
Want to talk about "Tax"? Let us discuss your server solutions....
hypocrisy
So, what kind of discount does Microsoft offer on its OS at any given time?
;-)
Apple Tax ROFL!
The Apple Tax? What a freakin' joke!
Mac OS Family pack update/upgrade at $199 for 5 computers vs how much for a single Vista upgrade?
How much is a CAL for Windows Server? Any version? versus Apple's Mac OS X Server unlimited license?
Even when compared to Apple's 10 client limit Mac OS X Server every damned flavour of Windows Server costs far more than Apple.
QuickTime streaming video vs Windows Media streaming license fees?
Yeah.. I have ONE copy of MS Office on ONE of my 5 Macs at home.. it hasn't been updated in 6 years - and I can't see EVER buying a newer version. My family pack of iWork has been upgraded legally with every update released since it was announced and the cost has still been less than that for the single copy of Office X I have.
iWork apps are set as the default to open every Office document I may receive. I think the last time I used an Office app was more than a year ago.
Ballmer and his MS lot can kiss my foot and 2 joints higher. If that ain't my ass, he can call me a liar.
Apple Tax!
Value
By not offering heavy discounts on its computers, Apple maintains the resale value of their products. Think of it as a favor to its consumers rather then a tax.