It is reported that one in six of US laptop sales was an Apple this June on NPD sales (retailers). Its overall market share at 5.6% (taking into account direct channels etc) put it in joint third place. My impression is that it has replaced the Thinkpad as the quality laptop of choice. I am one of those who still think IBM made a major overall branding mistake in disposing of its interests here. In hindsight I think that decision will be seen as one of process based, reductionist analysis overcoming sound holistic business judgement.
Of course, once you have experienced a Mac and OSX in particular you are unlikely to want to return to the darkside. Todate that those who have moved from the dark been a minority, but it could be reaching a tipping point. If so I think it will mark a major step in maturity within the technology sector. Firstly because just for once the better technology might win (remember betamax/videotext, Mac/PC, OS2/Windows where the reverse was the case). Secondly and more importantly because I think people are starting to buy capability, rather than technology. The laptop is just a tool, you open the box and it works.
Comments (5)
Hi Dave, I am not sure I ever mentioned this to you, not even sure whether I had the chance till now. Remember our conversation in Houston at the Houstonian hotel back in May, where you provided me with a nice demo of how your Mac machine worked? Well, that has been one of the many reasons why I have joined the Mac side myself for the last couple of days.
And I am loving the experience quite a bit. No doubt! Over at my blog I am starting to detail here and there some further insights on what the experience has been and more importantly the transition of my work tools from the Windows to the Mac. So far that transition has been rather painless and have felt the boost in productivity from day one!
I still need to consolidate a few other tools I am using in my Windows machine, but I just couldn't have agreed more with you: once you make the move there is no way back. I don't want to go back! ;-)
Posted by Luis Suarez | August 30, 2007 12:18 PM
Posted on August 30, 2007 12:18
I saw on your blog Luis - I was impressed for an IBM man! Welcome (and Ecto is worth it by the way)
Posted by Dave Snowden | August 30, 2007 12:22 PM
Posted on August 30, 2007 12:22
There are a fair number of moving parts in the 'equation' leading up to the tipping point to which you allude. The iMacs have just gotten cheaper. If iTunes ever opens itself up API-wise, then Apple TV will get a lot more interesting and the Mac .. laptop or desktop .. will get even mopre compelling as the living room Web interface / pivot of choice.
The reduction in price of the most recent versions of the iMac also reportedly has more corporate IT managers looking at them as the corporate desktop, and nudges in that direction are being reinforced by the growing use of SaaS and standard knowledge work productivity apps living on the Web.
It would be lovely to see a case where superior design and manfucturing wins out over the long term. We have only had widepread use of personal / desktop computers for 20 years or so, a mere hiccup of a blip in time.
Posted by Jon Husband | August 30, 2007 5:09 PM
Posted on August 30, 2007 17:09
Dave, you would be surprised about the good amount of IBMers who are starting to flock to the Mac, compared to the past. I tell you, in the last recent conferences I have attended I have seen people carrying their Macs and not Windows ThinkPads. Yes, I know! Shocking!!! But it is happening and, like Jon said, it is a far superior product. Only challenge would remain whether you would be able to use it for your work as well. And so far it is meeting my needs, although some more to explore.
RE: ecto, yes, I know. A few folks have recommended that I give it a try, and I have, but so far the simplicity from Qumana rules, and I guess Jon could tell you some more about that ;-) (Since he is using it as well)... Something tells me that I may in the end stick with ecto, but we shall see...
Posted by Luis Suarez | August 30, 2007 8:21 PM
Posted on August 30, 2007 20:21
I am in the hunt for a new laptop, and will seriously consider these points. Give the utility afforded me by my new iPhone, I imagine I have been missing out by sticking to Dell all these years. I just attended a conference in downtown DC, and the only machine I needed for web surfing, note taking, contacts management, calendar checking, and providing music to my car speakers... Was this amazing Apple cell phone.
Do you really think I'd stop rubbing that in, friend?
Posted by JB | September 1, 2007 4:53 PM
Posted on September 1, 2007 16:53