What is Digg?62 Comments
- atdigg, on 10/12/2007, -7/+55you're a moron
- SineNomen, on 10/12/2007, -2/+44Woohoo. Not a Mac user myself, but increasing competition for Microsoft will eventually prompt some good changes.
Monopolies (or near-monopolies) stifle innovation. - qtrader, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21Bias? Just look at the data, it's been clearly referenced.
- habitat2050, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18As a recent winner of a mac book pro i now understand why people love these machines so much. I still use my windows machine as my main computerbut once i get all the editing software and other goodies it came with as part of the package i will most likely switch over. Man is it hot though.
- geminitojanus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16"Apple certainly wouldn't have been their nr.1 priority any more."
Apple was hardly a priority at _all_ for IBM, which is why Apple jumped ship; Apple used to have this really important industry alliance between themselves, IBM and Motorola's semi's unit (now known as Freescale) called "AIM". Each of the vendors got to use the technology developed as part of the alliance, just as long as none of them marketed it the same way. We got PowerPC and Altivec out of this union. (So many people overlook Apple's grasp of the hardware industry; in many ways, Apple shaped computers into what they are today. They helped design both ARM and PowerPC platforms, and have been champions of computer efficiency at high performance for years. Apple still holds a great many patents for engineering concepts in PCBs, processor logic design, and everything in between; they've designed computers from the first screw in the back to the mouse to the operating system the user interacts with).
Eventually, however, IBM bailed on the relationship and Motorola simply wasn't pushing anywhere near the volume they needed to and (as a consequence) splintered Freescale. The problem is IBM wanted to use the architecture created to attract much higher-volume clients (such as super computer customers and game console manufacturers), while Motorola wanted to attract the embedded customers (set top boxes, cars, etc). Neither company was interested in pushing the middle ground, which is what Apple needed to continue to push their platform using PowerPC chips (they needed processors with more capabilities and faster clocks than Freescale's/Motorola Semi's, and they needed more effecient, cooler chips from IBM).
Now Apple's with Intel, who ironically now has one of the best reputations for power consumption and computational efficiency of a modern architecture thanks to P6's legacy, the Pentium M. Intel is the "just right" in the Goldilocks semiconductor tale; IBM is too focused on raw power, Motorola too focused on the low energy devices, Intel is focused on developing for the PC and (this part is important) has the volume manufacturing capabilities to allow Apple to grow their PC business. Quite frankly, Apple couldn't have made their Intel transition at a better time; no more being held back by IBM's delayed shipments and delayed 65nm process (even after partnering with Chartered to help make chips), no more being held back by Freescale's inability to ship a multi-core G4, no more being held back by IBM's high heat producing designs and Freescale's lack of fine-grained power control for saving battery life. Intel had the right chip, at the right time, and with the right volume to take Apple where it wants to go. [AMD is explicitly ruled out because they cannot produce chips in the same thermal window as Intel, and they cannot produce in the volumes needed by Apple, not to mention that they still don't have a "complete" solution in terms of both chipset and CPU, not that Apple is any stranger to shopping around when it comes to chipsets]. - Crackshot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14I've been seeing a lot of these articles surfacing lately and would just like to say that for some mac users (including myself) market share percentages don't mean all that much. I see the validity and importance of supporting a product and its revenue but can still honestly say that even if two copies of OS X were sold a year from the backyard lawn of a trailer park I would still use it because I genuinely prefer it and have experienced good service, nothing more, nothing less.
- Marthinus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14@SineNomen
I am a Ubuntu user, but I can't agree more, any OS that gains market share is FTW.
Not a big Mac fan myself though. - dongiaconia, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I think the excitement for many is that as the market share grows, so will general support for multi-platform applications. If linux market share is also growing, then its a really great thing because it means more competition, more choices, and better overall for the consumer. I know a couple of people that are holding out because of one particular business critical application that isn't available for OSX. Plus all the people that have the 'gaming excuse' which I find somewhat laughable.
I wonder if any of the growth can be attributed to backlash for vista's harsh licensing agreement? Or if it's too early for that to even be a consideration. - colincornaby, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14"How can 5% be so ***** noisy.. And why does anyone listen to them?"
Because all the movers and shakers in the industry, from Linus to the tech pundits, are Mac users? - nixfu, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13Because its actually more than 5% of the net population.... its more like 30% of the home market, aka the ones that actually use their computers to visit places like Digg.
- Kypt, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13I believe that. I managed to get my mom to by a powerbook last year. Now everyone she knows that is out looking for a new computer is considering (actually pretty much decided but since they haven't bought it yet, its still a "considering") buying a mac. Mostly macbooks/imacs. Since my mom has actually learned how to use it and do everything she needs she can't shut up about it to everyone she knows. Her biggest selling point "I don't have to wait for my son to come home on vacation to fix it" lol
- theone3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8"That's my random theory."
Clearly you have no idea what you are doing. - nixfu, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11What I wouldn't give to know what the HOME MARKETSHARE is vs the business marketshare.
If you remove the business market, and focused only on the HOME PC market, then Apple would be probably 30% or more.
The problem with these big marketshare numbers (aka total unit sales) is your including all those business PC's in there and very few businesses will ever switch for Mac's because they have so much invested, they move to slow to change etc..
But the rate of adoption in the Home market can be MUCH faster because people can switch fairly easy for their home usage.
Does anyone know if there are specific numbers available for HOME vs BUSINESS marketshare?
It is not inconcievable that what is really going on in the PC business:
35% home marketshare + .20% business marketshare = This total marketshare number of 5.21% which does not tell the whole story I think. - pathy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9I'm curious as to where you get that 30% of home users are using Macs.
I'd also like to point something out - Using statistics from sites such as Digg, Slashdot, etc, are not a good way to find out what the average number of internet users is using, it's a very specific audience.
I think a better idea would be, and this may even have happened, would be to get Google, Amazon, eBay, and a few other of the bigger sites on the web, to release their OS Percentages.
While I'm sure Apple are shipping a lot of units, I doubt they've got in to 30% of the computer users homes, which is dominated by people like Sony and Dell. Of course, that could be possible in just America, but I'm thinking globably here. - aptmunich, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8I'm sure IBM wouldn't have minded another paying customer, but Apple certainly wouldn't have been their nr.1 priority any more.
- qtrader, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6What are you talking about? That's how NetApplicatons breaks down the operating systems.
For example, they don't classify the Windows variants as just "Windows". They break it down into XP, 2000, 98, ME, and NT.
They are simply doing the same thing for Mac OS breaking it down into Mac OS and MacIntel. - bugfaceuk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5It all comes down to MS need competition, Apple and Linux are all we have to give them that. If you need a reason why they need competition, just look at what AMD did to Intel. Not sure what the stats mean, not sure that they fundamentally matter except that if Apple don't become a company that could be self sufficient without the iPod (I know, it's not all their revenue, but it's a big part of the reason that they have such a cash surplus right now), that competition won't last.
I switched almost 2 years ago now, and one of the most positive elements of switch platforms is how easy it was. After all, in 2 years time, I may want to switch back.
Change is good. - lilzaphod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5@habitat2050-
Do a search for smcFanControl. This is a program that will allow you to increase the speed of your fans. My mbp has dropped from 80C to an average of 36C because I run the fans faster. You will lose a little bit of battery power, (around 15 mins) but you will be able to use your notebook as a laptop now without melting your skin. - cannibaljp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5i have seen long time windows users step away from the os and buy a mac several times this year. i've encountered a number of IT guys that are carrying around a MacBookPro that still smells new.
10% is still a long way off, but it's not impossible.
the vista roll out along with the leopard launch is going to have people talking about the platforms. comparing the two, and making decisions... - allenb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6SCMacUser - I'm afraid that's wrong. The chips in the consoles wouldn't have been suitable PPC chips for Macs.
Apple was frustrated with IBM mainly because they weren't working hard enough on getting chips to run in consumer equipment - so the fabled G5 PowerBook never materialised.
If IBM had been putting all their muscle behind getting the G5 chip (or an immediate successor) into a notebook, then I don't think Apple would have gone Intel. At least, not so soon. - lilzaphod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Actually, the switch to Intel and the ability to run windows in either bootcamp or parallels is what allowed my team to convince our boss to let us switch to MBPs.
I had an old powerbook that I used to show some of our software to our clients, but I needed windows for some of my day to day work. Now that I can do both on one machine, i was able to force an upgrade as it's cheaper to support one machine than two.
We've had about 40% of our team switch to MBPs, and more and more people are thinking about doing the switch as the time for new equipment comes. - ScrabbyDoo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5>I'd also like to point something out - Using statistics from sites such as Digg, Slashdot, etc, are not a good way to find out what the average number of internet users is using, it's a very specific audience.
Actually, if you consider the original question "Why are mac users so friggin noisy?", those stats would be valid. Where else are they able to make noise but at places like digg and slashdot? I reckon any general OS-agnostic tech website would also show a higher percentage of Mac users. - profJohn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Thank you for this remark! While it's possible to imagine an overly fractionalized and chaotic OS market, we're a long, long way from there. At this point, competition helps everyone, no matter what your OS ilk.
- MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Before we as Mac users start breaking vertebrae by patting ourselves on the back too hard, let's keep some perspective. Whether the number is 5.21 (an absurdly exact number) or Gartner's 6%, it isn't exactly catching the world on fire.
Some have pointed out that Vista and Leopard are around the corner. I agree. Let's see a few more quarters before we start declaring the end (as if this was something anyone wanted) of Microsoft. Even if Apple could replace MS as the dominant platform, would you want Apple with its infamous amount of lock-down on hardware in control of the computing industry?
Be careful what you wish for. - iDrinkKoolAid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I hope Apple regains the 10% market share it once enjoyed. They need to improve their quality control on the notebooks first though...
- badtz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4At work, I convinced the brass to change out their aging linux servers with 2 Xserves and an iSCSI box from a 3rd party, and the maintenance and turnaround has been much quicker.
- Boondoggle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I don't think there is much question of Apple replacing MS. I think people are excited about more competition and a market share number for Apple that puts any questions ( i.e. *FUD*) about it's viability to rest.
- danielwsmithee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I would be happy If MS market share was down to 50-60%. Even happier if it were around 30%, but I don't ever want any OS to hold over 70%.
- Escamillo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3How far does Mac's share need to rise before MS can no longer be called "monopoly", at which point the they can end the DOJ oversight and more importantly tell the EU to go screw themselves?
Remember, Microsoft was ruled to have a monopoly in the market for "desktop OSes running on intel-compatible CPUs". Guess what, OSX is in that same market now, so its share increasing would mitigate MS's "monopoly" status. - SCMacUser, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7I think this shows that ditching PowerPC was the smartest move that apple was forced to do.... IBM stopped giving them chips. All of the chips that were to go to Apple were put towards the next gen consoles.
- habitat2050, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2-lilzaphod
much obliged, thanks for the recommendation - Dracos, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Leopard, combined with the severe limitations and non-value of Vista, will surely contribute to increased Mac sales. Once Adobe release Intel Mac versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, etc, all the people who have been holding on to their XP boxes or PPC Macs will start buying too.
The industry is probably underestimating Apple's momentum. Vista is almost a non-event, with much the same impact as a light bulb burning out. Multimedia and other creative vertical markets have always been some of the Mac's strong markets. Market forces are aligning in Apple's favor. By the end of Leopard, they could have 10% or more market share. - iamcool, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3What I want to know is how you convinced them to change.
Most places I've seen pride themselves on being an MS shop. I'm not so convinved they went with MS because of it's technical merits as they are afraid to try anything else. - Kypt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Honestly I think the growth is all because of Intel and perhaps a bit because of Vista's delays. Wait till it comes out and then we can see how many people just got disappointed and went apple.
- wheezl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Have you tried looking for your printer driver here?
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3 - pyrates, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1year-over-year? Stupid marketdroids. It's one year. Saying year-over-year makes it sound like more then one year when it isn't at all. How bout we see a story that compares apple market share from say 2000 and on.
- whiteguysamurai, on 10/12/2007, -3/+45.21?
That's cute. - bbardlbradd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In this case (windows changing to keep people from looking for what they really want/need... osx) the "good" change is making a copy of osx w/ a start menu...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Wow...what a "spike" snicker,snicker.And the worldwide share is only 2 percent ! The MSFT-Linux deal is going to drive a "spike" right into the heart of Apple.
- CrankyMcGuy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Opinions aren't facts? The fact is, I don't care about your opinion! :p
- hakro807, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I assume this is US numbers. On a global scale Apple still seem to wooble around the 2-2.5 percent range.
- iamcool, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3"By the end of Leopard, they could have 10% or more market share."
I don't know about 10% but it is rising. I remember coworkers thought I was nuts for buying a mac, and an ipod soon after. It wasn't but over a year later they were buying ipods and looking at macs. - habitat2050, on 10/12/2007, -6/+5according to this one i did a while back im guessing a little over 1155
http://www.digg.com/apple/I_USE_MAC/ - nufoto, on 10/12/2007, -1/+05% sales per year..... well not ever one buys a new computer every year!
- pkulak, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Good luck getting printer drivers for that OS though. Maybe when OS X hits 5 percent I'll get drivers for my ML2250.
-
Show 51 - 62 of 62 discussions
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is