Thread: Mac sales still up, despite iPad release

If the iPad is going to cut away at the audience for more full-featured computers, it's not going to be the Mac audience, apparently. Even though Apple introduced a tablet earlier this year, Mac sales are still up 35%, showing that the iPad is much more a new category all to itself than a subset of desktop or laptop users. NPD data from the month of May hints that Macs may see 19-23% growth year-over-year this year, which would top Wall Street's estimates.

If there's an issue in Apple's line at all, it's the iPod -- that device is set up to be down 13% year-over-year, which is a higher drop than expected. But that's not a huge worry -- the iPad sells for more than the older, smaller devices, and rumor has it that Apple is going to refresh that line with new functionality anyway, from a cloud-based iTunes to better camera integration.

So it looks, according to the data so far, like Apple has done what it wanted to: successfully created a new kind of computer, something that sits in between the mobile functionality of the iPhone and the full OS of the MacBook.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

So it looks, according to the data so far, like Apple has done what it wanted to: successfully created a new kind of computer, something that sits in between the mobile functionality of the iPhone and the full OS of the MacBook.

I agree and its doing a great job, but only when you understand the limitations of the device.

That's exactly the point -- I never understand the gripes of those luddites who desperately want iPad to be everything a netbook is? If that's what you want, buy a netbook, and STFU.

It's less an issue of 'the limitations of the device', but rather that those aren't limitations to those that purchase an iPad based on its strengths (which have been repeatedly pointed out - speed, security of a curated environment, stability, etc..).

For those consumers looking for that kind of computing solution, iPad has replaced the need for a netbook (and the near synonymous shrinkage of the netbook market bears that out); for those who still need additional flexibility and features, there's the laptop market (led by the MacBook series in its category). I'm sure that Android tablet market will get to where iPad is in the next 2-3 years.

I have to totally agree with you. I have macs and pcs