According to data from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), MacBooks have solidified their dominance within Apple’s computer lineup, accounting for an impressive 86% of total Mac sales. This figure highlights a clear consumer preference for portability, as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air together drive the vast majority of Apple’s computer business.
Specifically, CIRP’s findings indicate that the MacBook Pro leads the pack with a 53% share of Mac laptop sales, while the MacBook Air follows closely at 33%, reflecting their appeal across both professional and casual users who value power and lightweight design. This trend underscores a broader shift in the market, where laptops have become the go-to choice for their versatility and mobility.
In stark contrast, Mac desktops constitute just 14% of total Mac sales, per CIRP’s analysis, signaling a significant decline in demand for Apple’s stationary systems. Among these, the iMac holds the largest portion at 10% of overall Mac sales, making it the most popular desktop option, albeit still a minor player compared to laptops. The Mac Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Studio trail far behind, with shares of 3%, 1%, and a mere 0.5%, respectively, suggesting that these models cater to increasingly niche audiences, such as high-end professionals or specific creative workflows. This disparity reflects a broader consumer move away from desktop setups, as modern laptops like the MacBook Pro offer comparable performance in a more convenient form factor.
The overwhelming preference for MacBooks — 86% versus the desktops’ 14% — points to a strategic focus for Apple, which has heavily invested in refining its laptop offerings with innovations like the M-series chips and sleek, portable designs. CIRP’s data suggests that this focus aligns with evolving user needs, where the line between professional-grade power and everyday usability continues to blur, reducing the necessity of desktop Macs for most buyers. Meanwhile, the shrinking desktop market share may explain Apple’s slower pace of updates for models like the iMac or Mac Pro, as the company prioritizes resources toward its laptops, which clearly dominate sales and consumer interest. This shift not only shapes Apple’s product roadmap but also mirrors broader industry trends favoring mobility over traditional fixed computing solutions.
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no compelling reason to buy the desktops.
I know several people who would like to purchase a new iMac with a screen size larger than 24 inches. Unfortunately, Apple no longer makes a large screen iMac.
The update that I would like to see: 30 inch iMac with the same microprocessor and memory options as a MacBook Pro.
I am still using my 27 inch iMac. Several associates are also using five to ten year old 27 inch iMacs. Why? The large screen iMac is the perfect executive computer. It has a nice sleek, clean appearance and fits nicely on a desk. There isn’t a bunch of cables messing up the desk or inviting someone to trip on. Part of the magic of Apple is esthetics. The Mac mini is not about esthetics – it is all about a box you can toss somewhere. I left Dell because I liked the power and esthetics of Apple’s large screen all in one iMac.
The Mac Studio or Mac mini with a Studio display is overpriced and is the wrong form factor for me. By eliminating the large screen iMac Apple has killed my reason for buying a second computer.
If I am going to be stuck with a box and cables, I will just use my existing Macbook Pro 16 and have the same mess of cables as a Mac Mini or Mac studio.
For some a basic 24 inch iMac is fine. Unfortunately, Apple Silicon hasn’t been good to me. The larger screen iMac may not be a hot seller but I know several individuals who have yet to switch to Apple silicon because they like their large screen iMacs.
Obviously I’m in the minority, but…
When Apple debuted AirPort I swore I’d never buy another desktop
When Apple debuted the iPad I swore I’d never buy another laptop
I now have an iMac + iPad
I just took delivery of a Mac Studio M4 Max 16 core, 64GB, 4TB. It is awesome! I use an iPad for times I need something portable. With the Mac Studio I can separate purchases of the monitor and the computer. I had a 27” iMac. The display is awesome. I wish I could keep it, but the i9 Intel is really slow.
Geekbench.
i9 ~700
M4 ~4000
I’ve been running assorted MacBook Pro laptops for well over a decade, using plug-in big screens for work back at base.
I’m in publishing and media, and the MBPs have worked very well with my words and pictures.
An iMac with 30-inch screen would be attractive, but the current screen is not big enough.