“Much, if not all, of the attention regarding Apple has been focused on the iPhone… Certainly the iPhone is relevant to Apple’s performance, but ostensibly it’s the Macintosh computers that will have the most impact. Specifically, the Mac’s ability to run Windows natively has the potential to be a colossal catalyst for boosting Mac market share,” Turley Muller writes for Seeking Alpha.
“Apple released Bootcamp, which allows Mac users to install and run Windows just like one would on a PC. Apple’s new OS, OS X 10.5 “Leopard”, slated for release this November will include Bootcamp software. Additionally, third party software [Parallels Desktop for Mac and VMWare Fusion] allows users to run Windows and Mac OS simultaneously,” Muller writes.
“The Windows capability has not yet been aggressively publicized by Apple, and analysts and investors have been relatively quiet on this issue. Yet, for more than two decades, the lack of Windows compatibility has been the primary reason behind consumers’ decision to NOT purchase a Mac computer. Now that Windows can be installed on Macs, sales could really explode. I believe that this aspect of Apple should garner more attention,” Muller writes.
Apple has “enormous room for potential growth from seizing share from the Windows PC makers- Dell et al.,” Muller writes. “Why would someone choose a Dell or Gateway when they can buy a Mac, and not lose Windows functionality, yet gain all the benefits of Mac OS? I think that is a very central question. Especially since Mac prices have become more competitive.”
“We have seen a dramatic increase in Mac sales and market share, yet I perceive the general consumer is unaware of the Windows capability. I am confident that when a more aggressive publicity campaign occurs, Mac sales will react robustly,” Muller writes. “Just from anecdotal evidence, people I have surveyed exhibit little awareness. Eventually that will change with time, and the impact on Apple’s revenues will be much greater than the iPhone or iPod… It’s not unreasonable to predict that Apple can progress to 10% share soon.”
Much more in the full article here.
Look for new Apple I’m A Mac ads, where PC is a puppet for Mac. i.e. running Windows.
just a hunch
I would think that spreading the word that you needn’t run Windows on a Mac would be sufficient to boost Mac Market Share!
MDN Magic Word: “average” – the average consumer does not yet realize there is an alternative to the nightmare that is Windows.
I think publicizing that Macs run Windows is a bit of a detriment with all the craptacular Windows issues that are out there
It is odd toe that this is considered to be suc a hughly important feature, especially since it is something that you could do for quite some time if you really wanted or needed. I ran virtual pc on my powerPC mac for years. Was GREAT but it was a solution for the one or two win apps i needed.
The other thing, i know very few mac users that even care about this feature or have ever used it.
The types of people who would want, or need, to run Windows should just buy PCs. Too many of their kind on our platform already, the inevitable result being Mac application travesties such as “Macintosh Explorer.” So what’s the over/under on seeing a Mac version of BeigeMaker Pro 2000? Ugh! Just keep them out.
boy bummer i can’t edit my last post. Typing on an iphone maybe isn’t the best…
i seem to recall a Get A Mac ad that went something like this:
Mac : “I’m a Mac”
PC” “and I’m a PC”
Mac: “and I’m a PC too”
then it ended up with PC whining about depreciating. classic. =)
@uiuuu
Are you drunk? Anyway, the ability for a Mac to run Windows is an incredible selling point, and it’s one that I employ regularly for apps like Microsoft Access and Visio. I need to be able to access and collaborate with them, and it’s GREAT to not have two machines for this purpose.
GODDAM FOOLS!!!
Microsoft has ALREADY closed the door with Apple hardware running Windows in the future.
It’s called DIRECTX. Which hardware running it will have to get a license from Microsoft.
Now try running the full version of Vista or 3D Windows games on a future version Vista without DirectX.
Also Microsoft can tap EFI to keep Windows only on hardware it wants too.
Microsoft will protect it’s hardware vendors from a Apple assault trust me.
Apple can’t supply or won’t supply the worlds vast needs for computing hardware anyway. Either for outrageous profits or simply can’t supply that much demand.
Look at the glossy screens, you have to take a glossy new MacBook or iMac OR FSCKING ELSE. No choice of matte and no choice = bad.
Windows doesn’t suck because it runs on HP or Dell. It won’t suck any less on a Mac. Its sucks because, well, it sucks. A Mac won’t help. Get a Mac because OS X is far superior to Windows. Tell people that.
Opps! I just ran out of chill pills. Anybody got a couple fist fulls for Smart Fellow?
Good for comforting the new buyer…
No-one uses Windows on a Mac after the first week…
Yeah, and I could sell my soul to the devil – but is it worth the price?
Oh good, the glossy screen comments have started. Keep ’em coming, posters!
Anyway, back on topic. Why would I destroy the magnificent Windows experience by using XP or Vista on Apple’s toy hardware? Windows on a Dell
is nirvana. It’s pretty damn good on HP or even Gateway hardware too. Apple doesn’t have a clue when it comes to hardware. Dorks.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Yeah what’s up Smart Fellows ass anyway.
YEP, I would say you put that one on right.
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As far as the article, “Now that Windows can be installed on Macs, sales could really explode. ”
What kind of Kool Aid is this guy drinking??? 🙁
The average guy loves windows (ps what is that? Is that the buttons on the front or the screen that looks like a window?). So of course he will buy anything with windows on it. Of course it has to be the cheapest unit on the market, say $250. but have the biggest specs. (what ever those are. Say, are “specs” the same as my daddys glasses???
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I remember a “computer smart” person telling me they knew all about computers and that to turn off the computer, they just pressed “this” button (it was the power button for the monitor).
Jep, joe average will rush out and buy them fruit computers (oranges, lemons, er, whatever) cause they will now run windoz. Say, isn’t apple some software that goes inside their Dell so that it runs better???
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en
This is why Apple will not suddenly be accepted quickly.
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“http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid/” Its a hoot of a site.
en
This is why Apple will not suddenly be accepted quickly.
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“http://www.rinkworks.com/stupid/” Its a hoot of a site.
en
Parallels gave me the courage to switch but it didn’t take long before I realised I didn’t actually need Windows and now I open it up just to show how clever my Mac is – rather than to use classic Windows.
Windows looks very subordinate on a Mac – in a window in a Parallels VM.
Most of you are really myopic. The VAST majority of computer users know VERY little about Macs, and what they do “know” is 20 years of FUD. For the first time in 15 years there are good things being reported widely about Macs and Apple. But that is not enough for most Windows users to abandon a platform that they have become familiar with– regardless of how much you and I, and even they themselves, believe that platform has problems. The security of having the “fall-back” capability of running all those Windows apps that you think you can live without on a new Mac removes a huge barrier to change. Inertia is a law of physics that carries over to human behavior. It takes a lot to get people to make a change, even when the benefits of that change are recognized. Most people are just too lazy. The author is 100% correct. Building awareness of Windows capabilities on Macs would definitely bring Macs into the consideration process when current Windows users are shopping for a new computer. And don’t think MS will limit this. They sell software and they don’t mind if it running on a Macintosh. It’s one more license sale to them, and usually at full retail price.
PS, I love reading people’s articles who suddenly discover Apple. Its like, WOW, look at this. Does anyone else know about this??? Shouldn’t we tell someone???
LOL . . . . just LOL !
en
Smartfellow–
What you’re suggesting would be considered an abuse of Microsoft’s monopoly. Were Microsoft to try such a thing, they would get spanked. Hard.
Also, you clearly need to go educate yourself on what is involved with the purchase and installation of Windows–A license to run Windows is part of the package, and that includes the whole package, including DirectX.
Re: rinkworks.com
Funny stuff!
I especially liked this one:
“I used to do tech support for a company that made computer accessories and video game accessories. We had a pay-for-access web site for one of our products. The site was full of special codes and cheats. One day, a customer called, asking how to access the site.”
Tech Support: “Well, just go to [URL].”
Customer: “How do I do that?”
Tech Support: “Type it in in your web browser.”
Customer: “Huh?”
Tech Support: “Ok…sir…do you have Internet access?”
Customer: “Huh? No. No Internet. I don’t even have a computer.”
Tech Support: “Ok, sir, you need a computer and an Internet account to access web sites.”
Customer: “Oh. Well, it didn’t say that when I mailed in the membership card. I want my money back.”
It’s not a cup holder either, people.
“Were Microsoft to try such a thing, they would get spanked. Hard.”
Just now Ballmer’s ears perked, his eyes glazed over and a slight but crooked grin with a small amount of drool in each corner appeared on his face.
Apple won’t heavily publicize the ability to run Windows because it would give the impression Macs are superior *because* they can run Windows; a move that would make the Mac OS appear second class.