Computer & AV Solutions, a leading privately-held technology rental company, has announced record-setting Q2 rental sales based on phenomenal demand for Mac OS-based computers. Hot on the heels of a very strong first Quarter, overall Mac earnings in the Second Quarter saw a jump of 121.3%. Rentals of existing PowerMac models increased by 348.7%. These sales figures are the largest Quarter over Quarter increase since ComputerRentals.com started to offer Apple Macintosh computers in 1989.
ComputerRentals.com has been able to leverage demand generated by Apple Computer advertising by creatively approaching the existing Mac user base looking for more horsepower and the Windows customers thinking about changing computing platforms. “Apple Computer has cornered the market on innovative and eye-catching advertising,” Said ComputerRentals.com CEO Cuyler Tremayne in the press release. “The ‘I’m a Mac- I’m a PC’ campaign has captured everyone’s attention. We’re seeing strong Mac interest from the elusive enterprise market. Several of our high profile clients have been investigating migrating entire departments to Apple technology. This new demand is helping to drive our growth.”
Demand was seen across all sectors but a successful marketing campaign emphasizing solutions designed for the Creative Professional and targeted on Mac OS community websites was instrumental in increasing rental sales among first time Mac renters. Starting in May 2006, the new marketing campaign increased traffic to the ComputerRentals.com website by 300% over the previous two months. Website page views increased by over 400%. The highly targeted internet advertising received over 35 million impressions in the 30 day period ending in June, 2006.
Rental packages were designed to attract users of the wildly popular desktop video editing software Final Cut Pro and priced at a low rental rate of $95 per week for either a mobile or desktop editing station. Punctuated by ComputerRentals.com tagline “Try Before You Buy,” rental customers were able to test drive systems and software before ultimately making the larger expenditure of purchasing a new Mac.
IT Manager Scott Zeitlin has known about the benefits of ComputerRentals.com for years. “Renting [computers] lets me put new computers on desks without straining my budget. Several of the department heads have been asking about using Macs to run both Mac OS X and Windows XP” referring to Apple’s Boot Camp technology that allows new Intel-based Macs to run both operating systems. “We can set-up several test systems and integrate them with our inventory without having to make a massive investment. ComputerRentals.com is also great because I also get 24/7 help with deployment, troubleshooting and help desk support. They’re like an outsourced tech support team”
Increased cultural demand for Macs also spurred ComputerRentals.com Entertainment Industry clients looking for Mac ‘prop’ computers for the television and film production. Although a very small percentage of rental sales, the use of Apple equipment in popular entertainment is a leading indicator for the overall marketplace. The entertainment industry has learned that characters in movies and popular television shows can be portrayed as smart, hip consumers by the products they use on-screen. This on-screen use of Apple computers further reinforces the market buzz and ultimately leads to increased sales and rentals.
Looking forward, ComputerRentals.com is eagerly anticipating the announcement of an Intel-based replacement for the PowerMac line of desktop computers. Although the current models are renting at a record level, the demand for more computing horsepower is growing at a tremendous rate. “When Apple released the MacBook Pro, the phones started ringing off the hook,” said ComputerRentals.com CEO Tremayne. “We couldn’t get the machines into our rental inventory fast enough.” The powerful laptops, based on Intel’s Core Duo technology, met the demands of rental customers nationwide. Whether used for on-the-fly video editing or attached to an LCD Projector for a corporate presentation, the MacBook line of computers satisfied the most demanding mobile professionals.
Expectations for an Intel-based desktop computer from Apple are running strong. High performance software like Aperture, Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite and Shake require ever increasing processing strength. Tremayne continued “Our clients are demanding workstation level performance and we can’t wait to get it to them. We’re already seeing rental budgets getting allocated and the machine is still months away. That kind of pent-up demand is unprecedented and very exciting. That’s what we are all about at ComputerRentals.com, we get today’s technology on your desk tomorrow.”
Founded in 1980 in Los Angeles, CRE — Computer & AV Solutions is a nationwide leader of computer and laptop rentals, audiovisual rentals, plasma rentals and more for corporate and special events with services throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.computerrentals.com
MacDailyNews Take: Yes, it’s a niche market. Yes, it could be just a random anomaly. But, it could also be early evidence of something else entirely. Is the personal computing renaissance finally dawning?
Remember: Now is the time to welcome Windows. Many people really believe that they actually need Windows. Fighting it hasn’t worked. It’s too ingrained. So, give them what they think they want; loudly trumpet the Mac’s ability to run Windows. Mention Intel, that helps, too. Embrace now and the extinguishing will take care of itself soon enough.
Advertisements:
• Introducing the super-fast, blogging, podcasting, do-everything-out-of-the-box MacBook. Starting at just $1099.
• Get the new iMac with Intel Core Duo for as low as $31 A MONTH with Free shipping!
• Get the MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo for as low as $47 A MONTH with Free Shipping!
• Apple’s new Mac mini. Intel Core, up to 4 times faster. Starting at just $599. Free shipping.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
Related articles:
What Microsoft has chopped from Windows Vista, and when – June 27, 2006
UBS maintains ‘buy’ rating on Apple shares with price target of $90 on strong Mac demand – June 21, 2006
Windows Live head leaves Microsoft less than 24 hours after launch – June 21, 2006
BusinessWeek: big market-share gains coming for Apple’s Macintosh – June 15, 2006
Bill Gates to transition out of a day-to-day role in Microsoft – June 15, 2006
Analyst: Apple set for ‘breakout’ fourth quarter – June 13, 2006
Analyst: Apple Mac market share primed to explode; iPod Halo Effect to become increasingly important – June 13, 2006
Analysts: Apple Mac market share to surge by end of 2006 – June 07, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Analysts expect Apple’s new MacBook to drive market share gains in near future – May 17, 2006
Many believe Mac market share increases coming now that Apple Macs can run Windows applications – April 25, 2006
Apple ready to take back market share; may debut Windows virtualization in Mac OS X Leopard – April 21, 2006
Pre-Boot Camp report: Apple could double market share on Microsoft defections – April 13, 2006
Apple Mac primed for market share gains as consumer portable market grows – April 12, 2006
Analyst: Apple Boot Camp could be an opportunity for Mac market share gains – April 06, 2006
Apple’s ‘Boot Camp’ a watershed, could dramatically expand Mac market share – April 05, 2006
Dude, you got a Dell? What are you, stupid? Only Apple Macs run both Mac OS X and Windows! – April 05, 2006
Why buy a Dell when Apple’s Intel-based computers will run both Mac OS X and Windows? – June 08, 2005
InfoWorld 2006 Tech awards: Best Workstation: Apple Power Mac G5 Quad, Best OS: Apple Mac OS X – January 02, 2006
InfoWorld: Nothing can compare to Apple’s new Power Mac G5 Quad – true workstation at desktop price – October 24, 2005
We can only hope this trend is mirrored in market share figures over the next few quarters and beyond.
Hah! Proof that the much-maligned ad campaign is actually working.
How much do these people charge per day for something like a MBP? They do not list any sort of price schedule online.
Looks like really good news. How much of a broad
industry indicator do you all think this will
turn out to be? Anyone?
I think that more than any of the other signs we’ve seen so far (PC journos switching, analysts forcasting etc.), this is the most significant. Solid proof that recent Apple strategies are having a big effect in the computer marketplace. Countdown has finished and blast off has begun.
What’s a ‘rental sale’, from the first sentence? Is that like a rental?
‘That’s what we are all about at ComputerRentals.com, we get today’s technology on your desk tomorrow.”
I’m no advertising guru but wouldn’t it sound better as
‘That’s what we are all about at ComputerRentals.com, we get tomorrow’s technology on your desk today.”
I got the car note, the furniture note, and now this…
Dirty–
It would sound MUCH better that way, I think. About this being a sign, it sure is. It’s unlikely that these rentals are all from regular folk. These are businesses who are open-minded and nimble enough to try out the Macs. If they work, expect these numbers to continually grow.
Can’t wait to hear Apple’s financials– they’re in July, right?
David: “What’s a ‘rental sale’, from the first sentence? Is that like a rental?”
I’m pretty sure that a rental sale is when a rented machine is subsequently purchased by the renter. This turns a rental into a sale.
Can’t wait to add to Apple’s next quarter by purchasing a C2D MB(P). 😀
I’m a bit pissed at MDN’s “Windows sucks. Period.” mentality. There are many things that you just can’t get on the Mac. Yes the OS itself sucks but it’s the software that counts. And yes, MDN, some people do NEED Windows. They can try to do a complete switch as much as they want, some people just have to have Windows.
Renting 1 last quarter and 4 this quarter is a 300 or 400% increase (you do the math). I am not impressed with percentages. Give us some real numbers.
MDN is lovin` running Windows XP on their Macbook and playing computer games.
But they would never admit it.
Best of both worlds? What exactly is best about the Windows XP world? More applications. That’s it. Some developers make Windows-only applications. Of course, if they’re good and/or popular apps, they are usually found on both platforms, but there are some exceptions (AutoCAD, custom apps for businesses, etc.). Mac OS X has tens of thousands of applications available, but, still, WIndows does have more. Everything else however, from UI to stability to security to attention to detail, is “best” in Mac OS X. So the only thing Windows offers that Mac doesn’t is that it’s more “popular,” therefore it has more applications. And Fords have more aftermarket cup holders available for them than BMWs do, too. So, ironically, the only reason for the use of the word “best” in “best of both worlds” in regard to Windows is based on quantity, not quality.
– MacDailyNews Take, June 23, 2006
*COUGH*
The reason for the LARGE increase and interest of Mac’s at first was directly related to the powerful G5 processor being introduced.
Nobody at the time had anything like it, then Apple put two of them and then 4 cores in one box.
Supercomputers were built using Mac’s (remember ‘Big Mac’?) and video professionals, who demand as much performance for price as possible, of course took to the Mac hard.
Let’s face it, powerful processors sell hardware. So does software. Operating systems choice is irrelvant almost.
Now out comes the Intel Core Duo’s, which Apple puts into laptops. It’s about equal to most G5 processors 3 years ago. So the mobile video folks go nutz. they can get their work done faster. Having the option to run Windows is just a bonus. But it shows Apple is finally noticing what the market wants.
Now what many people don’t know is Intel has a Quad processor called Kensfield. It’s slightly more powerful than a PowerMac Quad (two dual core G5’s).
SO WHAT HAPPENS IF APPLE PUTS OUT A DUAL QUAD CORE MAC PRO AND SERVERS?
That’s right kiddies, the video folks who use Apple’s software goes bananna’s. But the rest of the market can buy these machines cheaper from Dell and HP, as they will have the same processors. So this might not translate into increased hardware sales like the G5 processor machines were.
SO WHAT? You SAY?
What if Apple put out a QUAD CELL PROCESSOR MAC PRO? That’s right, nobody will have anything like it and it would render video and process 3D scientific tasks like there was no tommorrow.
Repeat the massive hardware buy from large buyers, supercomputers and the scientific world.
Question is, will Apple take the chance on Cell or stay behind with Intel as AMD kicks their butt?
You listen, I decide. Amen.
Static,
People on this board have reminded you time and time again that THE CELL PROCESSOR DOES NOT WORK IN EXISTING COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY. How difficult is that to understand?
To continue, I show you this article
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/06/26/woodcrest_offered_by_150_oems/
Woodcrest offered by 150 OEMS.
That’s right, a powerful processor going right into the hands of all the other server makers with Apple having no advantage over the others, especially with a crippled Server software.
IF APPLE ADOPTS INTEL FOR MAC PRO’s and SERVERS THEY CAN KISS THEIR SALES GOODBYE!!!
Apple will adopt the Cell processor and the reason Adobe is taking so long with a Universal verison is that they have to adopt Photoshop to run on the specific Cell architecture.
Too much coffee, eh, static?
People on this board have reminded you time and time again that THE CELL PROCESSOR DOES NOT WORK IN EXISTING COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY. How difficult is that to understand?
You haven’t been reading up on the changes to the Cell architecture that now makes it very attractive.
Yea the first Cell was not good, but the Cell+ is a different story.
You do know the main core of the Cell is a PowerPC based general processor?
I’m telling you, Apple is going to adopt the Cell+ in Mac Pro’s and Servers. They will sell tons.
Nobody else will have them and they will totally kick butt. You’ll see.
Ok, I might alter my argument a bit.
Apple may offer both Cell based and Kensfield based Mac Pro’s.
Apple is all about being “first” and not following the crowd.
You don’t know the history of Apple like I do.
Rendering HD video requires some kick butt processing and the Intel roadmap is seriously crippled, they only produce office level type processors.
The Cell is a great leap of technology that Apple would be a fool to ignore if they cherish staying ahead in the video professionals market.
I’m telling you the future is Cell as everyone else will have Intel Kensfields
OK WISE ASSES, YOU THINK YOU KNOW SO MUCH
Tell me this, why hasn’t Apple put out a Quad Core PowerMacTel?
They have the processors right? Two Core Duo’s and they are off.
Apple isn’t seling very many PPC Quads right now because everyone is waiting for the MacTel Pro’s.
So they might as well discount the Quads and go ahead with the MacTel Pro’s. But they are not. Why?
Because they are going with the Cell.
This is just one interesting sample as to what is happening in the IT world w/r to the Apple Macintosh. People who travel by airplane a lot are seeing noticeably more MacBook/MacBook Pros, particularly in the 1st class cabin. But we will have to wait for Apple’s quarterly guidance for more solid evidence of the building Mac tsunami. The average Wall Street Anal-ist seems to be blind to the coming revolution. I’ve got the bulk of my $$$ in AAPL. While nothing is certain, I have a hard time seeing Apple not doing at least very well, but I expect far greater success than that.
Some day the business schools will look back and see how obvious the coming revolution was and how quickly the ancien régime of Microsoft collapsed under the assault of Jobs’ legions.
static mesh, intel has already been drafted to make the powermac mother board, so id say your wrong lol, im the wise ass
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Back OT…
How much does ComputerRentals.com charge for a rental?
They have a form to fill out so we can get called and nagged, whether the rates are good or bad.
Has anyone done business with them?