Microsoft has been such a dominating force in the computer industry that it’s only a matter of time for some worthy competitors to start coming forward. The first time we really saw this happen was with Firefox taking a large chunk of Microsoft Internet Explorer’s market share, and it appears as though Apple might be stepping up to the plate in big ways.
Some recent surveys were done by Paul Carton over at ChangeWave, and some interesting results emerged from the 4,427 consumer responses and 2,204 corporate responses. Here’s a quick summary of what they found:
Consumers:
- 6% plan to buy a desktop in the next 90 days
- 8% plan to buy a laptop in the next 90 days
- 28% of those looking to buy a desktop in the next 90 days plan to buy an Apple
- 31% of those looking to buy a laptop in the next 90 days plan to buy an Apple
Corporate:
- 70% plan to buy a desktop in the next quarter
- 73% plan to buy a laptop in the next quarter
- 6% of those looking to buy a desktop in the next quarter plan to buy an Apple
- 7% of those looking to buy a laptop in the next quarter plan to buy an Apple
- Operating System satisfaction:
- 53% of Mac OS X Leopard users are very satisfied
- 44% of Linux users are very satisfied
- 40% of Windows XP Professional users are very satisfied
- 8% of Windows Vista Business users are very satisfied
On the consumer front Apple is obviously pushing the right buttons, but they still have to do some work to appeal to the corporate world. What do you think is keeping businesses from using Mac’s? Is it the expensive hardware, the need to dual boot, or something else? It’s interesting though that the most satisfied corporate users are those running Leopard, and yet they aren’t getting their foot in the door at most businesses.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
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Ryan:
“8% of Windows Vista Business users are very satisfied”
This means that 92% of Windows Vista Business are “Not Very Satisfied”. This is really news to me after reading Microsoft’s comments on how well Vista was doing.
What’s going on?
Omar.-
I would assume it’s the expensive prices that’s stopping businesses from buying Apple computers. I mean, lots of Dell computers with better specs than their Apple counterparts can be purchased for like half the price, so why not save some cash.
I think it’s because OS X is horribly inefficient compared to XP or even Ubuntu.
For me, at least. I’ve tried really hard to get use to the Mac I’ve been using for the past three years in Graphic Design and I can’t.
That may just be me. I know they are more expensive than most computers of the same specs and they lack as much software.
Yup it’s just you.
Well I had been very satisfied with Win XP Pro for years, but since Ubuntu came out and I slowly started to use it full time (I have used other Linux distributions before Ubuntu but none had the drive support or appealed to me) I was more into using my laptop then my desktop as it was fully Ubuntu. After I built my new desktop and installed Ubuntu on it am 100% satisfied. The reason is, I find Ubuntu much easier for me develop web apps, mess around with database, I like having control over my system (which Win XP Pro has to some extent and OS X has none that I know of) mean I can have the theme I want, I can have the icon set I want, etc. Also I need to do my school work once I get started on my Masters (which is going to be in Computer Science). Just my two cents.
But as for Apple, thats good for them, as they seem to have a good OS with bad ass looking hardware (Mac Book line of notebook, and new iMac). I don’t particularly care for the OS too much but it’s good to see that they are gaining some market share.
Most people find Macs a delight to use after Windows, but I understand some don’t like them. Maybe it’s how long you use one for, or when you first jumped on a Mac.
I can tell from my own experience that the corporate world does not want to buy Apple computers because it’s very difficult to support them properly in a business environment built around Windows.
Just think of all the software (incl. licenses bought) they have lying around for you that you then cannot use. They generally don’t have the resources to look for alternatives and setup a 2nd environment for you.
Also security and control is an issue, easy deployment, easy replacement (of parts, or the whole computer). This means that choosing for an Apple when you don’t have the infrastructure setup for it is becoming a business risk.
I’m fighting to get one because I need it for my work, but I’m afraid it’s gonna be a long road.
Rubbish! The only real corporate OSes are Windows 2000 Pro, XP Pro, Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate or SLED OR RHEL. Other OSes LACK FEATURES. What features? Google is your friend.
Though Apple notebooks and desktops are a excellent machine by itself, the total cost of ownership and compatibility is a real issue in the enterprise environment. Apple machines are a premium segment and hence cannot be compared to a Dell or a HP. Probably you can compare it to a Vaio segment. The price difference at the lower segment with a Vaio laptop and a Macbook is hardly at $200 after Apple switched over to Intel systems. For the built quality and design definitely its worth it but what really puts off the Enterprise sector is the add-on costs (additional license costs for office softwares, mail applications, Enterprise business applications etc), compatibility (hardware and software compatibility) and the additional support system environment costs. Its really tough to get the Apple system to work in windows based networking environment (including VPN). The additional resources and support costs may not worth it for a small group of users. It wouldn’t be wise to have a Apple system work in a Windows based IT system.
I suspect that is part of the problem, but Apple does have a contract with Intel where they get the top-of-the-line processors first. So it’s not really possible to buy a Dell with the exact same specs, but then again most people don’t need the latest and greatest hardware.
I’ve heard some people say similar things, but it’s often because they don’t approach the new operating system with an open mind. Some people just aren’t comfortable with change. I’ve only had limited time with Mac’s so I can’t personally comment on this though.
I think some companies that have cross-platform software, such as Adobe, should offer a software exchange system. That way users switching from one operating system to another aren’t burdened with having to rebuy some of the software.
True, but it really depend on what your corporate environment is like. Some corporations, probably the smaller ones, will be able to make do with what Apple has to offer.