Apple desktop market share on the rise; will the Mac mini, iPod help?

MacCentral ^ | March 21, 2005 | Jim Dalrymple

[r5boston]

There is good and bad news for Apple Computer's market share numbers in the calendar fourth quarter. The Cupertino, Calif.-based computer company's desktop market share is on the rise, while the portable market is showing a decline. While numbers are not available to show the impact of Mac mini, research analysts expect to see continued good news for the company's desktop market share in 2005 as Mac mini sales increase.

Apple's market share numbers

According to market research firm IDC, Apple's desktop market share in the United States for the fourth quarter of 2004 was 2.88 percent, up from 2.20 percent in the third quarter of 2004 and up year over from the 2.06 percent registered in the fourth quarter of 2003

[randita]

*ping*

[HAL9000]

Apple's desktop market share in the United States for the fourth quarter of 2004 was 2.88 percent, up from 2.20 percent in the third quarter of 2004

That's a pretty big jump over one quarter, especially considering the Great iMac Shortage of 2004. I hope they can get more of those $499 Mac minis on the shelves soon to meet the demand. Right now, even direct purchases from Apple's online store are backordered by a week.

I believe that growing the installed base is more important than growing marketshare against low-quality Windows commodity computers, but Apple is doing well in both categories.

[longtermmemmory]

I still do not see any reason for a business to use Mac.

Only boutique type businesses or niche industries and even then Mac is only a matter of preference not ability.

[HAL9000]

I still do not see any reason for a business to use Mac.

I do. It saves a huge amount of time and money in not having to deal with all of Microsoft's security holes, and it improves business productivity.

[discostu]

Wow, almost 3%... somebody call me when they actually get past the 7% they were at when Stevie came back. At least they're managing to stay profitable, but it still amazes me how much press they get compared to their market share.

[robomurph]

I purchased my mini system on 3/13 and am having to wait until the end of the month to get it. Complete system out he door for about a grand. They also threw in an ipod shuffle.

[antiRepublicrat]

Apparently Morgan Stanley is expecting 5% this year due to almost 20% of iPod users stating their intentions to buy a Mac. Given that saying you'll do it and doing it are two separate things, 5% is probably dreaming. But I think 3% is quite easily reached.