“Older folks use Macs too! A whole heck of a lot of them, actually,” Jacqui Cheng reports for Ars Technica.
“Mac users ‘enjoy’ the stereotype of being young, hip, and annoyingly artistic at times—I mean, after all, look at Justin Long! However, much to the surprise of many, a rather large percentage of Mac users are over the age of 55. As in, a larger percent of Mac users are over 55 than any other computer company,” Cheng reports.
Cheng reports, “46 percent of Mac users are over 55, according to the MetaFacts 2006 Home PC Brand Profile Report, with only 25.2 percent of PC users being over 55.”
Full article here.
More on MetaFacts 2006 Home PC Brand Profile Report: http://www.metafacts.com/pages/media/tupan06_announce_061129.htm
44, and I have been using Macs since the original Intel iMac 20″. Matter of fact, I’m still using it…
I just bought an iMac recently (my first Mac ever actually… call me a “switcher”) and my father (age 60) loved it. So much, in fact, that just this week he bought one too!
All it takes is for someone to SEE what Macs are all about. He has been frustrated with his Windows PC for years. He just wanted something that “just worked” and would allow him to do basic tasks without getting in his way – he switched without hesitation.
Young or old – Macs work for everyone. I know I’ll never look back!
68 years here. I get my heart started each morning by flipping on my new 24″ iMac. That’ll wake anybody up!
Been using Macs since 1990, starting with an SE-30.Use a PC w/ XP at work & can’t wait to get home each night.
Just burned my first CD off iTunes last night. I feel 10 years younger!
Maybe it just takes that long for people to “see the light” and get fed up with Windows bugs and viruses etc…
Im 24, and ive used an Apple since my Apple IIe in 1988 when i was 6!
53 with a soft spot for the ol’ luggable SE.
Ok, let’s get some more demographics on MacDailyNews readers.
1. You MOST closely relate to- A). Austin Powers B). Dr. Evil
2. ZuneTang is serious- A). agree B) disagree
3. You know how the “popcorn” and “baked potato” settings on your microwave actually work, you don’t think it is “magic”- A) true B) false
Jeffrey has a point though. No doubt Apple is acutely aware of this demographic inconvenience.
Most of us old farts have been using Macs for years (1985) and, unless Apple does something really stupid, are captive customers till death.
It thus make sense for Apple to strongly target the young.
Better admit my age I guess….fifty mumble.
WTF….you cannot be hip when over 55? What kind of crap is that? I just hit 50 and mykids tell me that all the neighbourhood kids like me BECAUSE I am hip….well actually I transliterated their term “immature” into meaning hip.
using Macs sine 1986.
Been using a Mac for over 10 years-never went with Windows. I am 56 years and I must say the user experience has been quite enjoyable.
A R
1)A
2)B
3)π
Ah yes, but with age cometh hipdom, mountain biking and canoe trips out of school vacation times!
Actually not the latter just yet — as a *mature* Dad, one sprog is still at school, ho hum.
Still, just turned 60 and cruisin’ with Macs that include this MBP and an iMac G5.
Talking of age, an old 145b lurks in the airing cupboard and an SE/30 in the loft. Both of ’em still work OK.
Best regards to all you older Macheads
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I a good chunk of us who are Steve’s age, started with his Macs when they were cutting edge in the early tech days, and never saw a reason to switch to a PC. Now the rest of the world is catching up to us.
My count for Mac users over 50 that I personally know, is 28. And about another 30 are between 30 and 50.
Just turned 67.
Mac user since 1985.
Looking forward to iTV
Just got my 7th switcher hooked up with broadband.
I think that’s not bad for a sexy-genarian.
Always Rights:
Shouldn’t it be
1. You MOST closely relate to- A). Herman Munster B). Lindsay Lohan
2. ZuneTang is a dork- A). agree B) agree
3. You know how “scripts” and “avi to mp4 conversion” work on your computer. You don’t think it is “magic”- A) true B) false
4. You are surprised to learn that just by visiting a site on the web, that that site swill send you a cookie. You wonder if it has wheat, nuts or other allergens in it. A) true B) false
I just turned 40 (yes – on top of the hill!) and my father is a recent switcher (thank the Lord) – he’s helping to push up that median age, that’s for sure!
Someone just over 55 now was only just over 23 when the first Mac was sold. Macs have always captured young buyers, it’s just that most of them never switch to another system but remained loyal to Macs.
59 – using a Mac since 84. The Mac made my ad agency a fast, smooth creative shop – no IT guy EVER hired. Networking was a breeze, wireless a 15 minute install. Yeah – I’m an oldie – and get off my lawn you young kids!
You bet your ass sonny boy. I’m 48, or so, and have been using Macs since 1985 – And proud of it too.
I am 32 now… I started with an ColorClassic as soon as it came out.
Sixty. MDN Word: french. Soisante
I started using macs back in 18 and 37, through the gold rush, the war, the crash of ’29, another war, the depression, Elvis, walking on the moon, disco, and Pokemon.
What time is it? Beavers and ducks. I have to crap.
I carried my Lisa on my back to school in the snow-six miles. Uphill both ways.
It was called a backtop in those days-not a laptop.
MW- gone, as in – gone are those days.
28 here. Older guys are hot!!!
16 here. Mac user since jan 2005