Analyst: Windows 7 Could Boost Mac Sales
8:54 am, October 13th, 2009, Ed Sutherland
Credit: Houltmac/Flickr
Rather than hissing each time Microsoft introduces a new version of its Windows operating system, maybe Mac fans should cheer. That’s the opinion of one analyst who says Windows actually boosts Apple hardware sales. “No negative correlation exists on AAPL’s hardware sales when Microsoft launches a new OS,” according to financial analyst Brian Marshall of Broadpoint.AmTech.
Although Apple has parlayed Windows into a highly-publicized nemesis of Mac owners, sales of Cupertino’s computers actually rose when Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98 were released. “Ironically, we believe new OS launches from MSFT may have acted as a ‘delayed accelerant’ to AAPL’s computing sales,” Marshall said.
Apple’s share of the worldwide hardware market could double from 4 percent now to 8 percent by the end of 2014, according to the analyst. A recent survey by consumer research firm NPD Group found 12 percent of U.S. households own Macs, up from 9 percent in 2008.
Marshall cautioned Apple’s success or failure is “largely idiosyncratic in nature,” resulting more on decisions of the Cupertino, Calif. company rather than a result of the actions by others.
Many onlookers expect Apple will soon unveil a “refreshed” line of hardware. Among the possibilities: a highly-anticipated tablet based on Apple’s iPhone OS and an updated iMac with a quad-core processor rather than the current dual-core technology. Apple is expected to release results for the September quarter Oct. 19.
The debate over the Mac OS versus Windows 7 reached a fever pitch when Wall Street Journal tech journalist Walt Mossberg wrote about his experience testing the new Microsoft operating system: “In recent years, I, like many other reviewers, have argued that Apple’s Mac OS X operating system is much better than Windows. That’s no longer true.”
[Via AppleInsider and Gadget Lab]
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News | Comment on this article
Some people care about taste, love Windows only hardware and all its umber ale “bevels”, dislike Macs for its simplicity ( even japanese mass media do not use this very japanese style design ). Some love windows OS, dislike OSX for whatever reason as people like me who detest anything Microsoft.
For others the pocket digging IS way more important, and those are the majority, which they choose?
So, what is the importance of all this Mac vs Windows p.c. brouhaha?
Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira, on October 13th, 2009 at 9:27 am
‘Delayed Accelerant.’ Hilarious. NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, bought a fucking Mac because of Windows 98. Or 2000. Or XP. Vista is a complete pile of shit and can feasibly be considered a catalyst for people switching to Macs, but to extrapolate this over 10-12 years is ludicrous.
Matt, on October 13th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I hate not to hate, but I kinda agree.
I’m forced to live in both worlds due to employment, and if Win 7 is stable under VM or Openbox, I’d cheerfully go back to lugging one laptop through airports.
I tried Vista under Openbox, and it was enough of a hassle that carrying an extra 5 lbs. through security was easier.
Erin's Dad, on October 13th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Matt: Since I’m the cultest most reviled for their language on the blog I won’t comment on yours cept to say it doesn’t help your argument, or entertain.
Now to explain how the Delayed Accelerant works. When windows launches a new version, they pump up the advertising. that increased advertising can generate increased demand is pretty well understood, even by folks who drop completely un-fucking-necessary f-bombs.
What is less well understood is that advertising for a specific product doesn’t always generate demand for that specific product. For example: when I see a Dominoes Pizza ad at dinner time, it may cause me to order a Pizza, but not necessarily one from Dominoes. Because they are, as you suggested appropos of Vista –Shit.
There the advertising triggered demand for a class of product, but not the specific product the advertiser was selling.
Same thing with computers… Lots of windows ads, folka say: “Hey I should get a new computer.” they shop around, some of them buy macs.
Do you fucking understand now?
Leigh McMullen, on October 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am
this really doesn’t make sense at all y would the release of a new windows OS increase the sales of macs
and whats up with the abbreviations APPLS MSFT, dude you are not sending an SMS
Namhar Udba, on October 13th, 2009 at 10:21 am
& wats ↑ with z ABBREVIATIONS [APPL MSFT] u r not ✉ a txt msg
Namhar Udba, on October 13th, 2009 at 10:24 am
@Matt
And what proof (other than foul language) do you offer?
Jim, on October 13th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“In recent years, I, like many other reviewers, have argued that Apple’s Mac OS X operating system is much better than Windows. That’s no longer true.”
BULL!!
and @Namhar Udba
The abbreviations are correct. They are the two companies stock market trading names.
Apple = APPL on the stock market.
Microsoft = MSFT on the stock market.
Andrew Macdonald, on October 13th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@Leigh McMullen
“who drop completely un-fucking-necessary f-bombs.” – HAHA, that gave me a chuckle. And i completely agree with your comment.
Andrew Macdonald, on October 13th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
The only reason I can come up with, in line with Master F-bomb, is that as the release time draws near, this time around people might think “Ooh new version of Windows, time to upgrade. Last version was a bloody nightmare what’s the alternative? Linux or Mac. Linux is a) for serious geeks or b) never heard of it before. Uncle Steve from Apple gave us the iPhone and the iPod and they work great, might take a shufty at their computers, they might be as good if not better than the iPhone. Pricey but heck I was going to buy a new PC and it can run Windows so worst case, I still win either way!”
Fuzzypig, on October 13th, 2009 at 1:30 pm