“Something is going on with the Macintosh,” David Pogue blogs for The New York Times.
Pogue writes, “The best theory I’ve heard is: ‘Windows Vista.’ When people found out they’d have to buy a new computer and learn a new interface, a certain slice of them just said, ‘Well, if I have to buy a new machine and learn a new interface, I may as well get the cool-looking, virus-free one.'”
Pogue writes, “But could that effect explain this gigantic 35 percent leap in just 12 months? It’s still an expensive proposition to switch platforms once you’ve got an investment in software and peripherals.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, those switching due to Vista disappointment and for other reasons must realize that they can also slum it with Windows XP (or even the dreaded Vista) on their beautiful new Macs. Therefore, since they’re buying a new computer anyway, there is no “expensive proposition to switch platforms,” since they’re able to utilize their Windows software on their new Macs via Apple’s Boot Camp or via fast, inexpensive virtualization from Parallels (Desktop for Mac) or VMWare (Fusion).
Buying a Mac gives users OS-unlimited machines. No OS-limited PC box assembler can match the value; HP, Dell, etc. simply can’t offer Mac OS X Leopard, iLife, iWork, etc.
Because Apple provides a means for the sufferers to bring along their Windows insecurity blanket with them, they can switch to the Mac versions of their WIndows apps over time as part of their normal upgrade cycles. Also, their printers, drives, scanners, and other peripherals are quite likely to be USB and therefore Mac-compatible, too.
When it comes time to buy a new computer, smart people get themselves Macs. We expect the Mac surge to continue and accelerate over time as more and more people become informed.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Linux Guy And Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
‘overpriced proprietary toys that can’t play games’
Yeah, I love that one too.
We all know that ONLY The Real Business Computer™, can play games.
Roger Ebert: …since any reasonable person would choose a Mac over a PC, Apple’s market share does provide us with an accurate reading of the percentage of reasonable people in our society.
Let me reiterate my first post on this thread. Read the comments. They are the real story here. They are better than the article itself. They are the reason I sent in the story to MDN .
After much time spent looking into a lot of has been said regarding windows V Mac os X i have the conclusion that many points made by windows user are some what of a contradiction in terms of windows is good for games then why did M/S spend so much on the x box in the long run it can only damage windows as a computer os the hardware business is a very superficial market there a few designs that stand the test of times and as far as i am aware a box is still a box so it makes logical sense to a OS and a Box (all be a nice box) which where designed to work with each other would you buy car made by ashton martin with a engine made by toyota answer no but you would buy a toyota simple terms buy a Mac which if needs be will run windows if you want to play the odd game it will work fine If you want to play lots of games get a console its the only choice Microsoft still sells a os to the mass market (running under os x) Apple becomes the public choice because of ease of use design and more secure and sony and nintendo keep us all playing games everyone wins …
Glad to see all the switchers on MDN today. Congratulations and welcome to the bright side!
I believe the New York Times is in the midst of running the longest Apple ad of all time…,and… NO bashers. I must be dreaming!
Ding dong the witch is dead
Which old witch
The wicked witch
In December I switched to MAC.
Why did I do it?
1. Bought an iPod a few years ago and got interested.
2. Intel MAC – can run Windows apps – haven’t needed to yet.
3 Promise of more stable and easier – very happy to say it is true
I agree – the comments – and the number of them – tell the true story.
Look out PC, your days are numbered…
Lots of things have contributed to the Macs’ surge in ownership. I think the Apple Stores have played a large role. Think about it. The Apple Stores are in extremely high traffic malls or streets, where not many tech stores are normally found. Does your mom stop into Best Buy to look at the computers? Nope, not mine, but she did stop into an Apple Store in the mall, because it was so damn inviting. She already owned an iPod, so looking at a Mac didn’t seem like such a leap to her. Would she have gone to a computer store before? Not for a special trip, she wouldn’t have. Having the Apple Store so convenient in a nice mall made it possible.
Quote :
“Why did I do it?
1. Bought an iPod a few years ago and got interested.
2. Intel MAC – can run Windows apps – haven’t needed to yet.
3 Promise of more stable and easier – very happy to say it is true “
My story of switching is EXACTLY the same, even for the fact that so far I didn’t have to run any windows apps.
We said we were riding the wave over on macCompanion as we championed the cause ( http://www.maccompanion.com ). And we still are. Sweet!
Jobs obliterated each argument against choosing a Mac. Then he got examples of what an Apple product’s like to use daily into consumers’ hands. Microsoft just tries to make stuff that looks like Apple stuff, it has no identity of its own. The Zune is soulless. Why should 99% of the world continue to use their miserable Windows?
Why the jump? 3 words:
IT
JUST
WORKS.
I switched 10 months ago, and like “Wasted” I shoulda done it sooner. I will say that opening up to the Intel platform is what initially paved the way. My BIOS up and dying in my Dell is what sent me to the store.
I’m a Mac guy all the way, but, unfortunately, I still have to run a Parallels XP VM for work due to all of the Windows-only programs that I have to use. I can’t wait for Mac to cross the 25% market-share line so that pretty much all of the major software companies will have to start writing cross-platform suites/apps. AutoCAD is probably the biggest issue, but there are still a lot of others. I’d love for this trend of web-based apps/interfaces to continue (and improve) so that it doesn’t matter what OS you run.
Yes, I know that there are plenty of Mac CAD programs, but none of them will read/write .dwg files natively. They all use a kludgey converter/importer. Vectorworks is definitely looking better and better, though.
Don’t tell anyone sir. Otherwise everyone will want one.
The reason is a combination of Apple making steady progress in improving Mac OS X while Microsoft releases a dud called Vista after many years of promises. After the success of iPod and iPhone, more Windows users are willing to at least consider getting a Mac as a choice, instead of automatically choosing the least expensive Windows machine. I think being able to run Windows apps on a Mac has less to do with it. After all, the switchers are trying to get away from Windows… Why would they buy a Mac and then run Windows on it?
This a obviously very bad news for Dell, HP, and the rest. Their reliance on Microsoft means ongoing customer dissatisfaction, no matter how good they make their hardware.
Oh no are the Wraith waking up?
@ ZuneTang®
“The superiority or the Windows platform speaks for itself.”
yep – speaks for itself! I am sure you will retort that it was a typo, when WE all know it was a Freudian slip and a moment of stark realisation!
Your Pain, Our Pleasure!
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MizuInOz,
I don’t recall ever seeing the Zunester make an error like that before. Verrrry interesting.
sex
Kudos for those software houses that offer both Mac and PC versions of each product on the same CD. If enough companies do this (and some already do), a major obstacle in switching would vanish.
After all, in the long run, they may be best served by maintaining some independence from Microsoft’s whims.
I was flying to Denver last week and had to watch 2 poor guys with the pc’s crash while watching a movie. and it got me to thinking as we were taking off–I sure am glad bill gates never went into the airline business!
I sure am glad bill gates never went into the airline business!
And that would’ve been close, with Boeing in the WA area!
Speaking of which, are MS and Boeing sharing managers and engineers?? Look at the hopelessly promised and increasingly delayed 787 Dreamliner. It’s turning into an aircraft industry Vista.
Wonder if it’ll ask the pilot for conformation to do anything…
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The tipping point.
Can it be? Could we be seeing the Dawning of a New Era?
I hope so – I really HATE windows.
LGAMPS is right. The comments are amazing.
“It’s not one thing about Windows — Vista, bugs, viruses, etc. — but the Windows negative gestalt: complexity, confusion, etc. In so many words, the pain that the Windows world inflicts on its citizens. As more apps become web-bound and with the options to run Windows apps on the Mac, I think that eventually only masochists will use Windows.
— Posted by Richard”
“Suck it, MACtards.” “Sounds like somebody needs a hug.”
Or a canister vacuum cleaner and a jar of Vaseline. (And some privacy.)