The Mac's share of the personal computer business in the U.S. continues to grow and I mean really grow, as in up a whopping 64% in unit growth. Apple did even better in the revenue area, posting an even larger growth rate, during the same period, of some 67%! The bottom line is that the Mac took a full 14 percentage points of the entire U.S. market and an incredible 25% of the total dollar share of all US-based retail sales, according to the market research firm of NPD. (Click above graph for larger view)
Of particular note were the sales of Mac laptops. Laptops grew some 67%, as compared to 55% for desktops, which, by the way is much, much better than the national PC average of just 9% growth rate in unit sales and some 5 % in revenue increase. In the laptop area it appears that the doom sayers, those who diced the recently released MacBook Air, spoke just a little bit too soon, as Andy Hargreaves, of Pacific Crest Securities, added, "Macbook Air sales appear to be additive to total sales, rather than replacing Macbook Pro sales." Mr. Hargeaves also added, "We believe a new set of corporate customers make up a meaningful portion of MacBook Air buyers."
Well, now what I want to know is where are all those people, you know, the Windows fan boys, or for that matter, those Linux fan boys that have been so smug, over the years, and kept assuring me that the Mac and Apple where simply not relevant any more and, just as equally sure of themselves that Apple was going out of business any day now? No, the Mac is not only back, but it is back big time baby! Of course, the world economy and that especially of the U.S. is of concern, but not just for Apple, but equally, if not more so, for the rest of the industry! Still, analyst's are saying that Apple is the most likely firm in high-tech to be able to ride out any troubling financial storm.
It is interesting that even though the entire industry is growing, Apple among a few others such as HP, Lenovo and Acer are clearly out gunning the rest of the pack. Unlike HP, Lenovo and Acer, Apple is growing mostly due to innovation; the rest of the industry is growing more by sacrificing profit margins in order to compete among each other simply based on price alone! Already Apple has changed the whole landscape of several industries by introducing OS X, the iPod and the iPhone. Not to mention, the iTune store and now, with Apple TV, the way in which movies are view and distributed as well.
The question on a lot of inquiring minds, of course, is what is Apple cooking up in the kitchen as we speak to keep on growing? Only God and Steve know that one, but I remember that Apple filed several patents for some really cool concepts. A few of these, of particular note to myself, are a two-way monitor and a computer case that changes colors! The two-way monitor is really interesting as it not only displays information - it collects it as well! In other words the whole monitor doubles as a high-definition web cam and copier! The Apple patent shows a monitor with millions of sensors, of various sizes, that is better capable of collecting light then your typical web cam. The monitor also can be used as a type of photo copier by simply holding something up to it's surface. The color changing case, on the other hand, would be able to change colors by comparing it's surroundings and adapting to it. I'm not sure what practical use it really has, but it certainly is a very cool concept. For example, when you receive an email, the monitor could change to a color of your choosing, let's say red. Or you could even specify one particular color, or combination there of, for certain individuals such as your wife or boss! Of course, there is a lot more that Apple is cooking up as you can see reported here.
In conclusion, the new monthly figures bode well for Apple. After years of being the underdog, Apple has emerged, under Jobs, as one of the most respected companies of all time; Apple is a true electronic giant and one that is constantly changing the very course of entire industries, be they in music, movies, computers or now, in the mobile space. If all goes well, Apple should continue to grow and the day is coming where it is possible not only that Apple could catch up to Microsoft and Windows, but it is now beginning to look like may even surpass it!
And that's my 2 cents this Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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Chart: Apple Insider
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