Apple still not at peak computer market share

[ritmomundo]

So I was doing some research for a business class project, and I found it interesting that back in 1985, Apple had a 15% market share of computers in the US. Granted, this was the time when most computers were used in businesses, rather than for personal use. Then this declined to 10% in 1990 before finally an all-time-low of 2.7% in 2000 (3 years after bringing Steve Jobs back to "revive" the struggling company). Finally, today, in 2011, Apple has just under 11% of the market share (still much less than I would've ever guessed).

Of further note, their increase in market share began just after the release of the original iPod (in 2001). I think it was the iPod that really revived Apple, and brought consumer attention back to the company and eventually, back to its computers. I really think that if it weren't for the original iPod, Apple most likely would have declared bankruptcy within the past decade, or at the very latest, during this recession.

Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/29/technology/apple_anniversary/ (an interesting read, especially as its written before the iPhone)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...rket_rises_to_nearly_11_on_strong_growth.html

 

[iStudentUK]

The halo effect of the iPod, iPhone and now iPad has been great for Apple and Mac sales. I think we will see Mac's market share increasing over the next few years.

However, I don't think we will see Mac reaching 50%, probably not even a quarter. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The biggest factor is still price, Mac has done well in the US (~10%) but is only about half that in other countries where Macs are more expensive.

 

[*LTD*]

Not at peak, not by a long shot. We're transitioning to a new era in computing, one which is already witnessing the decline of PCs, but interestingly enough, not a decline in Mac sales.

In this regard, it should be interesting to watch the MacBook Air.

 

[ritmomundo]

Agreed. Even today, the craze that's around the iPhone and iPad (like the long lines, month-long sell outs/backorders, etc) simply doesn't exist for their computers. I think they'll reach 15% in a few years, and maybe peak around 20%, unless they offer more variety in products and pricing. PCs simply have a greater variety in quality and pricing (even reaching the low hundreds of dollars). You've got one company basically competing with an entire industry (against all the PC makers).

Looking back now, getting in on Apple shares at $7.44 in 2001 just as they started to take off would've been amazing. Even $60 in 2006 (as mentioned in that first article I linked) would've been great.