“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.
Spark, you said, “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.”
But if that is the case, why oh why, would anyone spend more than say $350 on a computer. Afterall, cheaper is better and if you buy a Mac, then you have to “actually pay” for Windows instead of getting it free ( LOL) like with a Dell. After all Dell sells more, so it has to be better, right.
en ps, check out the link in my first post. Real postings from real — average— users. 🙁
en
I have one point to make guys, how many of you on this site are Windows -> Mac Switchers?
You switched because you either found Windows to be practically unuseable or you just found Macs were much better right?
Well you can bet Ballmer doesn’t want people to geet a Mac as their next machine with a ‘doze comfort zone as it allows people to directly compare the two OSs and the majority will just eventually replace most or all of their Win softare and keep away from ‘doze altogether… It means lost M$ customers in the future.
But as theconfused1 pointed out they can’t legally do anything to prevent one manufacturer running doze as we are talking more antitrust suits.
It’s all good MacHeads!
Maybe if a organization developed a way to convert DirectX to Open GL, sort of like a project called WINE and what if people, like the folks at Crossover, made it available to the general public?
Nah, you’re so smart you’d have known about something like that.
I’d like to see Apple spoof the old “I’m a Mac / I’m a PC” commercial, but use special effects to put both heads on the Mac guys’ body. They could put a hat on him that says “Bootcamp.”
When PC guy asks where his body is, Mac replies, “You don’t need a PC to run Windows. I used Bootcamp to set up a Windows partition on my hard drive. If I need to run a Windows application, I just reboot into Windows XP or Vista.”
Then a third voice speaks up, “I’m a PC too!” PC asks who it is and Mac says, “Oh, that’s just virtualization. Using special software, I can run Windows applications without actually booting into Windows. that makes it easier to share data, too.”
Virtual PC guy could be a head on Mac guys abdomen, like Total Recall, or he could be a little head that pops out of his pocket.
Now wouldn’t that be a cool commercial? Copyright by King Mel (send me the money, Apple).
Why will people pay more for a Mac, because Windows sucks, and that’s what you face buying Dell or Gateway etc. Running Windows on a Mac will be awful too. Yet, at least there is not a choice one or the other with Macs. Enjoy the Mac OS and when you have to use windows for some reason you have it taken care of.
I would hear it all the time- “don’t biy a Mac, no one uses them, no software”
or “why do you want a Mac? are you a graphics designer? Movie editor?” Then you don;t need one.
Many consumers want all the wonders of Mac os, but since their work uses some proprietary Windows software they have to stick with windows.
That’s the case with me. I have 6 PCs, 2 that work. They don’t last a year. If that. They get so corrupted or process get hung up on the back ground causing the CPU to drain 100% for 10 hours that I’m at work just to come home and find the box near a melting point. I want a new Mac, but since I have to shell out 2K every year for a new PC or two (laptop It hasn’t happened. All I know is my Mac has been running 4 years straight. On, running, maybe use it once a week, but it’s never crashed, and I only have had to reboot to install system software.
Windows- At work, home, school, gotta reboot min 2x a day.
And the BSOD- F-that.
When leopard comes out I will buy a new Mac and that’s where I will be sitting. And I can retire my PCs to the museum of Windows abused devices.
@@Spark– You write:
“But if that is the case, why oh why, would anyone spend more than say $350 on a computer. Afterall, cheaper is better and if you buy a Mac, then you have to “actually pay” for Windows instead of getting it free ( LOL) like with a Dell. After all Dell sells more, so it has to be better, right.”
1. The point is not to buy a Mac to use as a Windows machine. It’s to buy a Mac to use as a Mac while knowing that you can easily fire up a trusty Windows app that you just can’t live without. That one app that has kept you from even considering Mac, lo all these years, because it did not have a Mac version.
2. I do not for a minute accept that “cheaper is better”. At least not in the scenario you set up. And the “Dell sells more, so must be better” is so specious it’s laughable. So what if I can get 20 Yugos for the price of one Aston Martin? Don’t try to argue that the Yugo is a better car or a better value. There are probable more accurate analogies, but you get the point.
ooops
@Smart Feller
Any Mac is a legit PC.
With legally purchased software… (Vista, XP)
why would Microsoft CARE what machine it runs on?
MS should MAKE money in this Apple/Windows venture.
It’s yet another WIN, WIN, WIN scenario. Good for the customer, good for Apple, good for MS.
Basically you are WRONG. Technologically sound – yes… yet
If MS even tries this tactic they will fail when brought to court.
Blocking the use of MS software on a PARTICULAR hardware is something very wrong and dangerous to do. There is Direct X support now in the iMac Aluminum when running Bootcamp and Visita.
HAVING Windows on a Mac is a wonderful thang!
Oh, yes… Apple states very clearly that OSX is designed only for Mac hardware…. Apple does not wish PC users to hack the software OS to run on PCs… YET they DO NOT USE ANY software to stop it from happening.
When you BUY the OS… you can run it on whatever machine.
There may not be 100% support… but then the consumer has been warned.
@everyone BUT Zune Tang.
Interesting comment here by the ZT. Dell, HP, Gateway, seems to me that some of those companies use Intel chips, the same chips that Apple uses.
Well Zune Tang may be right about Apple not having a clue about making hardware, but look at the bright side, that is still intellectually speaking, light years ahead of Microsoft’s offering.
Of course you may remember a few years ago Zune Tang going on “Just you wait till Microsoft makes a computer THEN you’ll see.”
Waiting, waiting waiting. Actually the odds of Microsoft making a personal computer are about as good at Zune Tang reaching grade 3.
Waiting waiting waiting…™
I have already taken the liberty by informing Microsoft Corp. that you have been using the Microsoft tag line without the appropriate legality and/or permission.
Furthermore, you are intentionally misleading your positioning statement; since you truly are Pro-Apple, I can honestly say you are causing confusion to true Window Customers. Simply put, you have now been warned and must no longer use the MS tag line.
For your information, Purina is presently in court with Microsoft over this very matter. It is quite serious, even if you are wishing to have fun with it all – you have been selected as a possible abuser to the MS tag line usage.
http://www.purina.com.au/youcare/
You have been WARNED… Action has been taken!
No – simply confess… YOU LOVE THE MAC and APPLE!
OR you will be in big doggie doo!
WIN WIN situation. Sued by Purina… or Sued by MS.
Your Choice. My Hobby.™
I have already taken the liberty by informing Microsoft Corp. that you have been using the Microsoft tag line without the appropriate legality and/or permission.
Why would a mega-morass like MS even THINK of giving half a rat’s about a less-than-pissant nobody like zt?
Then again, if the MS Gestapo does go after zt, we all should start using MS trademarks! They can’t stop everyone, and it’d be hilarious to see mighty MS break itself trying.
Zune Tang is harmless.
Some even get a huge chuckle over his comments.
Please be gentle. Hahahaha that last comment was so so funny.
Purina puppy chow. “Your Pet. Our Passion.”@
So similar to Microsoft’s line that Zune uses.
I thought he made it up. He is a fairly clever guy.
I vote to leave Zune Tang alone. No one takes him seriously anyways – do they?
Microsoft will protect it’s hardware vendors from a Apple assault trust me.
Vendors like Dell, who’d readily sell Mac OS with their PCs if given the chance?
Trust me, MS wants Windows everywhere, and if that means being on Apple’s hardware then so be it.
MS should be delighted to sell high-margin boxed Windows installs to Mac users.
BTW, I LOVE GLOSSY, YEAH!
First, the statement made does not come from Redmond.
As it clearly says, “by informing Microsoft”.
Secondly, I believe the statement was intended only to expose Zune Tang’s side of the industry. I for one, think Zune Tang is ProMac.
Thirdly and lastly, Does anyone really care? I mean, Zune Tang is entitled to comment on anything he wishes. ProMac or ProWindows. I think the comment made at him – basically was in fun. Not serious at all – “you will be in big doggie doo”. But then again, I am only making assumptions on whomever wrote that entry.
Don’t get your knickers tied in a knot.
Perhaps you “Sosumi” are really Zune Tang” himself.
Similarly, my ability to host influenza viruses should greatly enhance my appeal.