“Higher energy costs are forcing consumers to cut back on their discretionary spending this summer, and consumer electronics could be the first category to feel the pinch,” Alan Wolf reports for The Week In Consumer Electronics (TWICE).
“That’s the projection of ChangeWave Research… which identifies and quantifies ‘change’ in industries and companies through its quarterly surveys of thousands of business executives and professionals in more than 20 industries,” Wolf reports.
“According to the latest survey, conducted June 6-12, 42 percent of 2,627 respondents said they’ll spend more overall in the next 90 days compared to a year ago — down 2 points from the previous survey in March. Another 25 percent said they’ll spend less, an increase of 3 percent over March,” Wolf reports.
Wolf reports, “CE spending is where respondents say they’re cutting back most over the next 90 days. Only 24 percent said they’ll spend more on electronic devices — down 5 points from March — while 34 percent said they’ll spend less — up from 31 percent in the last survey. Indeed, respondents consider CE significantly more dispensable than car purchases, dining out, home durables, travel, home repairs/improvements and assorted services (fitness, summer camp, lessons, etc.).”
“The retrenchment doesn’t appear to be affecting PC sales, however. A total of 18 percent of respondents said they purchased a computer within the last 90 days, up 2 points from March, while another 18 percent said they plan to buy a computer in the next 90 days — a 4 point jump from the previous period,” Wolf reports. “Looking ahead, 33 percent of respondents said they’re more likely to buy an Apple in the future thanks to the inclusion of Intel chips, and 6 percent plan on buying some iteration of iPod in the next 90 days.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: 33 percent of respondents said they’re more likely to buy an “Apple” in the future thanks to the inclusion of Intel chips. It’s too bad they didn’t ask the respondents why they think the use of Intel processors in “Apples” [Macs] makes a difference to them. Hilarity would’ve likely ensued as the vast majority blinked unknowingly with mouths agape, a bit of drool running down their chins. They like the sound the chimes make in the ads most probably.
People love that Intel processors are included in “Apples” now. It really makes ’em wanna buy them “Apples!” Just don’t ask them why.
We want to know the percentage of those respondents who know that a different operating system, one that is 
not Windows, will be booting up on their Intel-powered “Apple” the first time they turn it on. What percentage would you guess? How much would you give to see their reactions after they open the FedEx box and power up that MacBook or iMac for the first time? “There’s no ‘blue e’ to click, Marge! These Apple things don’t even have the Internet!” We really have to wonder, how many send that “Apple” right back the next day? Let’s face it: most people aren’t very tech smart; just look at the most popular OS for proof.
Perhaps we’re being too hard on the average Joe. Maybe he really would say “Performance per Watt” or “Dual booting at native speeds with the option of fast virtualization” or “Economy of scale” or something along those lines. Somehow, though, we highly doubt it. What do you think?
They will say:
“Because now they can run Windows”
Of course, most of those people will never get around to running Windows, because OS X is prettier, and just works.
Having worked at an Apple store for years I can confirm the MDN take. People seemed more concerned with the marketing-speak than reality when it came to making decisions. I could have almost told them anything laced with technobabble and they would have nodded in that I-dint-understand-but-dont-want-to-look-stupid kinda way.
Fact is most people don’t know what an OS is, they dont know how applications work they dont know much of anything.
example:
Q: What kind of programs do you use?
A: Um we use IBM
Q: What version of Windows do you have?
A: uh, we use Dell
Q: What internet service do you use?
A: We have Explorer
All I know is that my new Intel Core Duo based Mac is far faster than any PPC based Mac I ever owned…
“What do you think?”
I think MDN needs to turn off the computer, go outisde a breathe the fresh air, or go out with his significant other tonight and get some.
In the pre-Intel era a workmate of mine had been agonizing over whether to get an Apple or Toshiba laptop when in the course of the conversation I asked if he really needed Windows. “Um, what’s Windows?” he asked.
People’s ignorance works both for and against Apple.
Mac parody, too funny
http://www.badjojo.com/daily/video.php?var=6.07.17/08.wmv
“…We want to know the percentage of those respondents who know that a different operating system, one that is – – not Windows, will be booting up on their Intel-powered “Apple” the first time they turn it on. …”
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if a few stupid people will buy a Mac because they now have Intel chips feel duped when they turn it on for the first time and not see Windows XP boot up.
Intel chips means no more sluggish performance (and denial thereof), and the opportunity to access windows-only apps.
If that’s what people perceive they want, then it’s Apple’s job to give it to ’em. It’s called, “Marketing.”
@ anonymous coward
your right on the money there.
A lot of my wife’s friends are like that. A computer is a tool provided by and used at work. Anything more than that like connecting a camera to one is for “nerds” who know about computers (aka ME).
Jim, The independent voter,
In case you haven’t noticed the people who run this site do so for a living. See the advertisements? This is their job. You and I on the other hand are making no money by reading this.
If you have something relevant to add please do so. Otherwise why don’t you go outside and get some?
“Perhaps we’re being too hard on the average Joe”
Well, I think MDN has now begun to abuse the potential converts to OS X and the mac, something they are usually chastising Apple for doing in their ads.
The fact that most people are not tech-savvy is not enough reason to make fun of them. The fact that most people eat french fries that clog their arteries because they don’t know is not reason to disrespect them, and I don’t believe there could ever be any justification to accost future customers (in this case future MDN readers) For once, lets not make fun of people and lets just be happy more are likely to buy “them Apples”.
Go to any Windows-centric web site or forum and you can still find volumes of FUD being spread about the Mac by the most arrogant windows apologists alive.
These people will NEVER GO AWAY.
They are too freaking stupid to ever leave the bug and virus infested Windows OS.
Only those with enough brains to think for themselves and actually TRY a Mac, will learn the truth.
The rest of them will continue to believe their own BS about the Mac and expend their countless hours of worthless personal time trying to keep their PC working.
In a way… That is exactly how it should be and what they deserve.
Yeah–Apples are sweeter than Lemonsoft.
Whatever – the general computer buying population (the herd) judges a computer by it’s price.
Cheaper is better – so that is how they buy.
There is a certain lure of the $499.00 laptop. Until you (not the herd) realize it won’t run OS X – but then not everyone knows what an OS is.
Then some think they know what an OS is and buy Windows anyway – to hell with the 100K software problems. I only paid $499.00 they’ll exclaim.
Do you know how much a Mac thing costs?! But, it does have Intel now, hmmm….
Moo…
same mac vs. windows parody as linked to by ‘artist’ without the NSFW advertisements:
People are sheep. It’s more politically correct to believe otherwise, but reality keeps intruding on my dreams.
I think MDN needs to turn off the computer, go outisde a breathe the fresh air, or go out with his significant other tonight and get some.
I got some for the last few nights, thus I haven’t been here to vent my fustration like stevejack@macdailynews.com does on a daily basis.
Imagine having to spin this Apple propoganda on a daily basis?
I think it would drive me fscking nutz.
MDN has got to be owned by Apple’s Minister of Propoganda.
“There are no American tanks in Bagdad, buy a Mac and praise ALLAH!!”
FSCK MDN, I’m here to try to save you from insanity.
I give you “Whack a Mole”
The herd member has spoken.
Well, I’m suddenly unemployed. The Macs I have are starting to look pretty good for my future freelance life.
MW: happened, $&#xit; happened
Sorry to hear that Ampar. . . What the hell happened?
Note to all old people out there…
When someone asks you if you have a cable internet connection, they don’t mean a TELEPHONE CABLE.
They wanted younger and cheaper.
I got fscked.
i got six months severance for 13 1/2 years work.
I recently got reassigned to a boss that was in the ninth grade when I started there. I introduced PDF to this company. I saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’m looking for new work in the bikini contest area.
The saving grace is I know HTML, XHTML, Flash, ID CS2, Ilus CS 2, and, oh yeah, MacPaint! YEAH! Bring it.
P.S. is MDN hiring? <crap>