“For years on this section’s tech pages… I’ve been the Windows guy,” Dwight Silverman reports for The Houston Chronicle. “And even though I recently bought a MacBook, it will stay that way for a while. The vast majority of computer users own Windows-based PCs. I live to serve them.”
Silverman reports, “I’ve never been one to make predictions. I learned very early in my journalistic career that making pronouncements about the future may look wise but, more often than not, it’s quite foolish… But, I am going to go out on a limb here.”
“Vista has been out for a while now… To use a trendy word overused by online cynics, Vista isn’t so much ‘Wow!’ as Microsoft advertises, as it is ‘Meh,'” Silverman reports.
Silverman reports that he hears “from more and more Windows users who are thinking about getting a Mac when they buy their next computer. In my immediate sphere, I know of four people who’ve bought a Mac since I got my MacBook — that’s just in a couple of months time.”
“When I go into an Apple Store, I try to spend time eavesdropping on sales conversations. Again, this is anecdotal, but almost all the discussions I’ve overheard between customers and sales reps have been about the differences between Windows and the Mac OS. These are Windows users actively shopping for Mac desktops and notebooks. And Apple’s stores are packed these days,” Silverman reports. “Try it yourself. Head down to your nearest Apple retail outlet this weekend. You’ll be amazed at what you hear.”
“Here’s my prediction: There’s a major shift coming. Microsoft may have blown it with Windows Vista, leaving it vulnerable in the marketplace,” Silverman reports. “The Mac is about to make dramatic inroads in the consumer market, partly because it can also run Windows. That’s a comfort zone for those who are interested in switching, and it’s Apple’s not-so-secret weapon. Windows users will come for what they know, but they’ll stay because of the Mac OS.”
More in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Shinobi” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: Embrace and extinguish.
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Stampede? I hope it is not as deadly as the Running Of The Cows on ‘South Park’…
People are getting tired of spending their hard earned money to buy a $1,000 computer that is nothing more than a digital billboard for Microsoft and its cronies to spy on you, serve up ads to you, and just make your computing life full of headaches and suffering.
People are finally beginning to realize the nirvana that is called Macintosh.
Actually What I read/see in trends is that browsers (yes browsers) will take over for most everything a OS can do.
EFI based computers can allow for this to happen because it makes the OS rather irrelvant.
EFI is a powerful firmware level that loads before the OS (or a browser) does.
Of course comes the problem of getting OEM installs of hardware with a browser OS only.
But the future may be that people can download a browser of their choice and apps run inside that and dump the primary OS.
This will allow further competition and improvement without being tied to hardware.
World Domination!!!
i’ve seen (and heard) the same in the apple stores in NYC and NJ
Apple now the “personal” computer and Dell, etc the workplace computer
Wonder what percentage of “personal computer” sales Apple currently has in the US ?
To answer my own question, if browsers do take over instead of OS’s, Apple’s of course would be the very best and therefore negate the competition possiblitiy.
Of course Apple would tie it to their own hardware to generate sales.
But that doesn’t mean someone couldn’t copy it for generic PC’s.
Darn, it’s only Wed. Ok I’ll shutup now.
The “Ow!” starts now.
-c
MW: ‘wanted’ (dead)
Of course, the truly foolish and delusional will continue to use Windows.
A lot of people I know are fed up with Windows, but are hesitant to switch because they’re afraid of having to learn to use another operating system.
What these people may not know is how friendly and knowledgeable employees are at both the Apple Stores and CompUSA. Apple needs to get the message out that it’s okay for people to come by their stores and ‘kick the tires’ on the machines. Advertise that they have free ‘switching to Mac’ classes and the like.
The more geekish among computer consumers already know of Mac’s reputation and strong suits; Cupertino needs to get the message out to everyone else.
Of course every one in an Apple store is switching from Windows. 95% of computer users are Windows users. And those 4% of Aplle users are the “creative type” that use macs because that’s what they use at work. Go to best buy and all the customers are Window’s users as well.
A guy I work with just put Vista on his computer at home. He keeps saying it’s great…except the security prompts like in the commercial. But, I’m biting my tongue because I know this isn’t going to last. Every review I’ve read for Vista has been lukewarm at best, nothing special. The thing is, he used to program for Microsoft so I guess he’s used to all the bad code and maybe this is a step up for him! Best quote – ‘it has a really good feeling of just not being there’ referring to the OS and how it functions. I don’t believe it. I want to say so badly ‘then you’d love the macs!’
Oh well.
Meh is too kind. It’s more of a little fart noise like pffft. A glossy, translucent, floating fart.
Glad to see Enuz trotted out the tired, old, 1990’s stereotype of Mac users. Good for you Enuz. But hey, it’s 2007… get with the times. On top of that, you misread the anecdote… WINDOWS users are switching to Mac. These aren’t Apple “creative” types buying computers, but WINBLOWS users.
What if Microsoft is bought by Apple and we made Steve Jobs CEO of that company?
What would Steve do?
I, for one, welcome our new fruit-based overlords!
Isn’t majority market share what Microsoft always wanted? Stampede or not, Microsoft will be in business for a long time, but, it has to feel pretty hollow having the most, but not being the best.
Why do you think Bill & Steve in Redmond seem so irritated in actions, statements and interviews lately?
It’s quality, not quantity that matters.
Eight months ago he wrote: “I want it because it will run Windows — and therein lies the genius in Apple’s strategy” http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/10556/P50/
MDN take: “Hoooly Dogcow, Batman! We had to read this one several times over until we could believe he wasn’t joking. We are now 100% convinced that anyone can get a job as a “tech reporter” at a newspaper. Does he take his Ferrari over to Home Depot to pick up a couple yards of manure for the garden each spring, too?”
Genius in Apple’s strategy was right
Microsoft. I’ve heard of you. I heard you were dead.
It’s kind of funny when the term “creative” is used in contempt – as though creative people are not quite as serious or important “business” types. Synonyms for creative are inventive, original, imaginative.
Reminds me of the spin put on the term “liberal” – which means “open to new behavior or opinions”.
Good Lord save me from a “creative liberal” – someone who is inventive, imaginative and open to new behavior and ideas. Especially when we can not just stay the same and do nothing. Thats much safer.
I was acutally told this once – “Son, we’ve been doin’ it this way for 30 years and we ain’t about to change now.” I don’t work there anymore.
wiseguy = andy = macdude = 14 years old paranoid trusted computing wacko
Way to comprehend, Enuz.
Basing observations on Apple stores or conversations with Mac users are not accurate, I keep waiting for the sales numbers to move. What’s keeping these people from moving over, inertia or ignorance?
Ooops. Wasn’t being to inventive when I said …”when we can not just stay the same.”
Meant to say – “…when we can just stay the same.”
My apologies.
“Windows users will come for what they know, but they’ll stay because of the Mac OS.””
That is beautiful.
Good slogan, right there.
Ayup.
I imagine a commercial with those words being spoken by Willford Brimley.
Black-a-duck ina mi muckluck.
“Asinus asinum fricat.”
The motto of the Turtle Boy and Fester Freak Show. It’s tattooed on their buttocks.