“It’s looking like it may be a slow holiday season for PC Plus, an independent retailer in Austin, Texas, that sells Toshiba and Acer computers,” Jim Finkle reports for Reuters. “Weakening U.S. consumer confidence presents a challenge to PC Plus, along with larger companies such as Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. They’re struggling to pump up sales volume to compensate for sharp retail price declines.”
Finkle reports, “Besides struggling with falling prices and a weak economy, the two largest U.S. PC makers, Dell and HP, are fighting the iPod phenomenon. Demand for the market-leading digital music player has created a resurgence in sales of Apple’s Mac computers. In contrast to Austin’s PC Plus, Apple stores across the nation are often filled with shoppers. ‘People sort of walk in an Apple store to buy iPods and say ‘Hey, look at this other stuff,” says Matt Reise, assistant manager at Boston Mac dealer Computer Loft.”
“Apple may be poised to take a bigger bite out of Dell. Macs are posting their strongest growth in years, mostly driven by iPod sales. The company has two new models on store shelves — a tiny ‘nano’ version and one that plays video,” Finkle reports. “Apple computer shipments climbed an estimated 45 percent in the third quarter, based on units sold, beating the 17 percent industry average, according to research firm IDC. Dell shipments rose 12 percent, while HP’s were up 10 percent.”
Full article here.
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just because i want to know. that’s why. HP rose 10%. of what? Dell rose 12%. ……12% of what? I don’t think Apples 45% equals Dells 45% or HP’s 45%. aren’t these %s relative? relative to what each did a year ago or last quarter or whatever? If it’s what i think, then even though Dell rose 12% that must be an enormous volume because it’s relative to their own sales. right? or maybe i’m wrong. can someone help out here?
apple/mac feels so good… mdn, safari just zippy…. sweet.
deedubya, there is no new distribution medium after digital delivery, as long as the DRM is flexible enough, you can transfer your AAC files to whatever new digital medium comes. No need to buy a new technology.
reader X, HP rose 10% on the same volume of PC sales year to date that they did for 2004, like wise Dell rose 12% year to date. Apple did a 45% increase on what they shipped for the same time last year. capesh?!
Problem with Windows XP and windows computers made in the last 3 years is that they work better than previous versions and thus last longer.
I´ve got Macs and PCs and my 3 PCs are 1 – 4 years old running on XP and running fine, no reason to get anything new.
Plus Intel has not brought out a faster processor in the last 1+ years so no windows user has a reason to buy new.
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The big test is the new Mactels or IntMacs. This could cause lots of people to switch…..but only if programs run much faster…
And the caveat to that is GAMES. Mac is dead in the games area; solve that situation and there will be more switchers.
I recently went to the Apple Store in Regent Street LONDON and, If I hadn’t used the free email/Internet service there I would have thought my wife had left me. She missed a flight from Australia because of storms. We met up a day latewr and had a great holiday.
Thanks apple for providing that service to all who enter the store.
We don’t have anything like that in Australia. When and where is our first Mac store going to be?
I will be there day one. Get it on Apple! Bring it on, we are ready!
“It’s looking like it may be a slow holiday season for PC Plus, an independent retailer in Austin, Texas, that sells Toshiba and Acer computers. Business has dropped off significantly in the past month, says the company’s president, Austin Bollfrass, who blames the decline on consumers’ fears of a slowing economy in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a protracted war in Iraq, and higher energy prices.”
I find it interesting that Mr. Bollfrass said nothing about the black plaque of Viruses, Infestations, Spyware, Trojans and Adware that tend to worm their way into Windows PCs. I wonder if that could have something to do with slowing sales?
Here’s an interesting paragraph:
“Demand for the [iPod] digital music player has created a resurgence in sales of Apple’s Mac computers. In contrast to Austin’s PC Plus, Apple stores across the nation are often filled with shoppers.”
Why aren’t Apple customers concerned about a slowing economy in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a protracted war in Iraq, and higher energy prices?
ICrystal Lite,
You posting is so funny! That’s the best laugh I have had in a couple of days!
Thank you!!