As of recent I have received numerous e-mails about my previous blog article entitled "The Next Byte". If you have not read the article, please read: The Next Byte, part one. This series of articles speaks of Apple’s history, and where they are likely to go in the future. History shapes all of us - and that does not exclude businesses such as Apple.
This article will cover two further areas from the previous article, judged by what was requested in the e-mails:
- Apple Market Share
- Pricing Scheme of Apple Products and Services
Continued after the jump…
Apple Market Share
Apple boasted a 7.8% market share of personal computers in 2007 (source: AppleInsider), and 57.3% of the music player industry (source: MacDailyNews). Let’s take the personal computer statistic. With 7.8% in 2007, we could compare this to early 2006, where it’s market share was almost half at 3.8% (source: Mac Rumours). Doubling in a year, no doubt to it’s famous "Get A Mac" ads and new releases of products, has allowed Apple to show just how serious it is for market share in the technology infatuated world. Users of such technology are always after what is known as the "latest and greatest" - and won’t settle for second best. With Apple releasing new products throughout the duration of the year and not at one solo event (although most are released at Macworld), it is easier for them to keep a constant market share rather than one that has highs and lows.
With the release of the most revolutionary operating system yet - Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard - last October, along with the new Macbook Air, new release of the MacBook Pro and the new line of iMacs, it is likely that this year’s results are likely to be higher once more. With the move to Intel by Apple, now a year and a half ago, more users were comfortable with swapping to a Mac knowing they are able to run applications on Mac, and if all else fails, run Bootcamp to use those Windows native applications.
Apple’s market share is likely to keep rising, as Apple focuses heavily on their image provided to their consumers. Steve Job’s often mentions market share statistics in his Keynote presentations, so now is the time we sit back and watch in awe as Apple leads the road of technology.
Pricing Scheme of Apple’s Products and Services
Apple have always had a high price for their products and is very unique in the way that they manage to increase in market share, but still recieve the price they want for their worthwhile appliances. The most recent release, that of the MacBook Air, has been heavily criticized due to it’s price. However, many Mac enthusiasts manage to maintain the viewpoint of "the price is worth it for quality technology". I agree with this wholeheartedly - I’m willing to pay more for a computer/music player that I know does what I need and have the piece of mind that the technology I’m using isn’t likely to go out of date any time soon, and if it does, the equipment is still relatively new in the technology world as a whole.
It’s people with viewpoints such as these, however, that allow Apple to set their price high for their products. Whilst I may agree that the price is worth it, I also agree with those who believe Apple products should be lowered in cost. This would help Apple’s market share and would bring a new flurry of users to the operating system we all know and love - Mac OS X.
Where will this go in the future? Only Apple executives could give you an honest area. I expect that the prices will remain at the same level, as there is nothing prompting Apple to drop them at the current time.
Please feel free to leave comments on your view of The Next Byte, and please digg if you enjoyed.
If you haven’t read part one, please read it here.
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