IDC analyst Richard Shim contributed some “analysis” for Jennifer LeClaire’s MacBook Air article for NewsFactor:
“Performance is obviously important to all users; however, the emphasis or the main feature of the MacBook Air is portability. As a user, you have to understand that you are going to sacrifice certain key capabilities, but you are gaining thinness.”
MacDailyNews Take: Good, so far.
Shim also said, “Apple set a new standard for thinness in the industry. This type of product hasn’t really done well with consumers in the past. However, we’ve never gotten to this level of thinness before. If this product resonates with the market, we will see more competition in this area.”
MacDailyNews Take: Fair enough.
Shim also said, “In our research with focus groups, thinness catches the eye. However, when you show consumers thin products you don’t show them a price. So the question is, will they be willing to pay a premium for a smaller form factor? Apple has been successful with unconventional form factors in the past.”
MacDailyNews Take: That’s fine.
The LeClaire reports, “Shim expects students and travelers to appreciate Apple’s latest computer innovation the most. Students who need to carry a notebook from the classroom to the lab to the dorm room, he said, will understand the benefits. Travelers will, too, he said, but Apple’s market is not the typical executive because they often carry notebooks using the Windows platform.”
MacDailyNews Take: What?! Either LeClaire misunderstood Richard Shim (note the lack of quotes attributed to Shim here) or he doesn’t know that Apple Macs can run Windows natively via Boot Camp and/or via fast virtualization. Regardless, this article should be corrected as it makes both of them sound totally out-of-touch.
Full article here.
Contact info:
• NewsFactor Network via Web form
• Richard Shim:
Sounds like a Shim Sham to me.,….
Most executives I’ve met are technologically impaired. I guess it stands to reason since I’ll bet a significant portion of them have not even set foot in an Apple Store.
my $.02
I run WIndows Vista Ultimate along with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Works nicely for me!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Shim Shady
Us workerbees are forced to carry two laptops on travel – our personal Macbook and the standard, company issued, H(d)ell laptop that we have to use for work. How am I suppose to video chat with my wife with the H(d)ell laptop? And after using the H(d)ell all day long, I just can’t wait to get back my Macbook.
Peace.
Shim deserves a wedgie.
Mmmm… chocolate éclairs…
While we all know that Macs run Windows flawlessly (relatively, that is; there may be flaws, but they ain’t Apple’s fault), it still seems as though the conservative corporate culture has not yet embraced Apple computers. Whether it’s iMacDave’s astute assertion on the technically-challenged nature of CEOs, or some moribund grey flannel suit mindset, I don’t know. Anyone execs here see attitudes changing?
Some blame must be given to Apple. Apple doesn’t advertise very well that intel macs can run Windows. Actually for years Apple hasn’t been very good hawking the “meat and potatoes” advantages of the mac platform, Apple is more into ‘cool’ branding ad campaigns. It’s beginning to change though with the nice quick time movies showing the advantages of various new products.
Mmmmmm, Jennifers.
For those of you who seem unable to compose yourselves:
http://www.jenniferleclaire.com/
It’s beginning to change though with the nice quick time movies showing the advantages of various new products.
Time for a new ad, with PC John Hodgman trapped inside Justin Long’s Mac?
“Time for a new ad, with PC John Hodgman trapped inside Justin Long’s Mac?”
I don’t think they could air that on TV in the US…
“What?! Either LeClaire misunderstood Richard Shim (note the lack of quotes attributed to Shim here) or he doesn’t know that Apple Macs can run Windows natively via Boot Camp and/or via fast virtualization. Regardless, this article should be corrected as it makes both of them sound totally out-of-touch.”
– I’m not sure what MDN is complaining about. MDN quite often “forgets” that Macs can run Windows natively whenever they complain that software and services that are only Windows compatible are somehow excluding Mac users.
Jennifer must be Demoterrorcrat.
With Vista soon becoming the defacto operating system worldwide, combined with the fact that is has had significantly less security issues than open source software and OS X.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple offered a choice of either Vista or OS X upon installation.
*ducks*
Ok already, I was doing a Zune Tang…
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Windows NEVER!!!
I don’t think executives are the market for the MBAir. At least not for their primary work computer. Not road warriors either.
It is for someone that already has a home computer (and some disposable family income) that wants something light to take on the go.
MDN quite often “forgets” that Macs can run Windows natively whenever they complain that software and services that are only Windows compatible are somehow excluding Mac users.
I think you’re forgetting that not all Macs can run Windows.
“I think you’re forgetting that not all Macs can run Windows.”
– Not all Macs can run Leopard either. <shrug> What’s your point? The fact that all new Macs can run Windows, and thus Windows-only applications, means that Mac users are not excluded.
some PC magazine rated the best window running lap top,
What company made the best lap top??
“Most executives I’ve met are technologically impaired. I guess it stands to reason since I’ll bet a significant portion of them have not even set foot in an Apple Store.”
Or just plain impaired.
I know the focus of the article is on whether Macs run windows. But I have to disagree that one of the target markets for the Air is students. Yes students would love how light it is and how cool it is. But I think that what students need is a desktop replacement. A Macbook would probably better serve their needs. I suspect the Air will be a second computer for at least 95% of it’s owners. People who travel A LOT and have some disposable income.
Almost all executives I have met have a dog leash tied to them which is held (through their chain of command) by their CEO who in turn is merely a hand puppet for a windos freak of an IT manager – you know, the one who is a diehard Gates/Ballmer fan and advises his charges through ignorance to avoid Apple as it is not a serious corporate computing platform and the iPhone is not secure blah, blah, blah…
The times are a changing and these IT managers will face a tough time as they head towards retirement. A minority of executives will tug on the leash and given them a hard time.
If the students can part with their $500 worth of Abercrombie & Fitch wardrobe for the day…they can part with $1800 for Air…MacBook Air. Otherwise most are poor.
first! ;-0