Will Steve Jobs outrun a bear?

Since mid October it seems as if there is less consumer confidence. With Bail outs and job losses, it seems as if this may be an even harder season than back in 2000.

Also, Apple hadn’t dropped its price to 800 or 900 for macbooks.

Any new conclusions? Will apple be able to rely on the Middle Class who is hurting right now?

Magnificently confirming the analogy of indirectly “outrunning the bear,” Gartner Group reported today that Apple’s share of the US market grew 29.4% in the 3rd quarter year-over-year, six times greater than the total growth of the US market, which is 4.6%. Therefore, it doesn’t matter much if the US market shrinks–Apple’s share of the pie is growing much faster than the pie is shrinking, so the guys who will get hurt are the runners-up.

I am constantly amazed at peoples reactions to Apple whenever the unveil new products and updates. It seems as though many people simply react emotionally and forget to check out facts. I am not going to presume that I know all the facts. I can intelligently state that I support BOTH Windows and Macintosh computers, and that I strongly lean towards the Mac side in a toe-to-toe debate. Dollar-for-dollar and pound-for-pound, I firmly believe that Apple puts out the most consistent performers and at competitive prices. Apple is not selling computers, but an experience, period. Microsoft sells software and some hardware, and Dell, HP, et. al., sells hardware. None of them sell an experience. The total package. The irony here is that not everyone likes that…and THAT is what makes choice so awesome. For all you fine folks that want a CHEAP laptop that may be relevant for three or four years, go find the cheapest one out there, and six, seven, even eight years from now, when you are on your third or even fourth cheap laptop, I will STILL be using my MacBook from 2008.

smz…

I used to work for Dell and I know how cheap they are made. I’ve recently purchased a Mac and love it. I will never buy a Dell again.

Why would I buy a Mac? It runs more software than any Windows machine, it’s almost virus free, it’s far easier to use, the Safari browser actually conforms to web standards, and it’s about the same price when configured similarly to a Windows machine.

Oh yea, now I remember why I’d buy a Mac.

Are you kidding me? The article reads “This year, consumers seem likely to be excited about laptops that are thin and lightweight yet affordable.”. It’s a bit of an insult to the consumer market to put out more overpriced macbooks and macbook pros when most of us don’t really have the money to buy them. Another push for consumers to live way beyond their means may not work this time around. This is what bothers me even more… “And analysts expect Apple will lower prices in a nod to tough economic times – entry-level MacBooks will cost as little as $800 or $900, nearly 20 percent less than the current prices.” Yeah, good luck on getting Apple to cut their profit margins. Why spend $1300 on a Macbook if one can get a Thinkpad T400 for $800-900? I think consumers will get excited about staring at a $2000 Macbook Pro on display and check it out at an Apple store. But honestly, I think this year (and holiday season) belongs to the netbooks – Acer One, Lenovo s10, Asus 1000, and MSI Winds, and listen Dell and HP’s are not winning here either. Myself, I’m getting a 6-cell battery MSI Wind for less than $500 and putting Leopard OS X on it, and will he very pleased with my a.k.a. Mac netbook. I spent 4 hours on my friend’s MSI wind macbook outside on campus and was sold. I’m more excited about this ultra-portable than I ever was about an Apple product. I am able to do everything I need to do with this netbook which is thin, lightweight, AND actually affordable. Or I could get a $399 Lenovo s10. For Xmas, I plan on gettting 2 more Atom CPU netbooks for my family members who need a cheap portable laptop. One could say I am cheating Apple by running Leopard OS X on a cheap and beautiful well-built MSI Wind that resembles a mini-white macbook. But it’s Apple who’s been cheating me all this time making me pay premium for components I could get at a half price. Honestly, I’m tired of getting ripped off. I think consumers are too… especially when articles like this keep reminding us how Apple “makes something like 25 cents on the dollar” for every computer it sells. I think Jobs is good at knowing what consumers want (or think they want), but not what they need.

I’ve had my iMac for 3 yrs & it has been worth every penny. I went thru 4 PCs before switching to iMac & was constantly spending money for upgrades, virus protection, geek squad to come in & get rid of viruses that bypassed virus protection. I’ve had no serious problems w/ my iMac. Once in a while there might be a brain freeze which I can usually resolve w/out any tech support. I do not think I would ever buy a PC again. Especially not a cheap PC. There are always hidden unforeseen costs. As they say you get what you pay for & a cheap PC just gets you aggravation. W/ Mac you know exactly what it costs & what you’re getting & that you don’t have to worry about aggravation. Sure if I was a techy maybe I’d get a cheap PC because I could always fiddle w/ it but I am not a techy & it takes me 4 times as long to fiddle as it would a techy to fiddle so I am done w/ PCs since I do not have the time or inclination to waste huge amounts of time fiddling w/ a PC to get it to work, not usually correctly, but just to work at all.

I purchased a 17″ Dell Studio 17″, 4GB, Core2, etc, etc, which is a briliant computer, Vista and all. Its sleek and more customizable than the Mac, including the color (I got blood red).

Vista has been out several years and is not the annoyance it is portrayed to be in the commercials. Mac is about image.

A more pungent way to phrase the opening is this:

“Apple doesn’t have to outrun the bear, it just has to outrun Ballmer.

“Great article, I love the opening.”

I agree

Interesting to think that Apple just might consider lowering the price on the best laptop in the world. I’m a Mac user, always have been, always will be. However, even as I am reading your article, I am also reading on the Apple site that the price of the new MacBook 13″, the “bottom of the line” or entry level model is starting at $1299.00

If this is true, (their online store site is being updated so I can’t confirm price) I’m somewhat disappointed. I’m ready to purchase my very first laptop, and was hoping (after I read your article) that the price would be lower than the $1099.00 that I paid for my daughter’s MacBook 13″ back in March.

Sometimes, when Apple has upgraded a model in the past, it seemed like the consumer got more bang for their buck with the newer computer. For instance, way back, when I bought my first iMac – the graphite G3 line – a few months later, Apple upgraded the line and the cost remained the same as what I paid for mine!

I know the newer laptop is better equipped and worth every penny, but I was holding out hope that I may actually pay less for this one than the last one!

I agree with the point made by Ernie. Dell makes fine computers, I own two of them. The problem is the Vista operating system. I switched back to my older Dell which still runs XP and will use it until I buy a MacBook. I am no longer willing to live with the frustration of Vista.

Steve has to realize that it’s not only about the design and looking fly at cafés. What really matters is the performance to price ratio…

Apple enthusiasts are willing to pay more to get more. Apple’s products are slick and refined, compared to their clunky Windows counterparts. The lack of annoyances is certainly worth any extra bucks. Apple users don’t deal with viruses, don’t have the annoyance of repeated warnings from McAffee software, don’t get a list of options when they plug in a CD (it just appears on the desktop), don’t need dancing puppy dogs and paper clips, and have never dealt with spyware.

apple is running all right.
However, you have to count in a ression,how many people will pay $2000
for a $900 laptop that they can find in HP and DELL with same spec. yes, thinner and stylish, but only in good days can people afford the extra.
People will start using coupons and stuff in recession and looking for bargin rather than style.
And also, have you check with DELL and HP’s new line of more stylish computers? They ain’t ugly and heavy no more but still has the same low price. My M1330 is only 3 pounds and Lennovo has even lighter computer with more stuff build in to the computer instead of add-on with wires.
Yes, my computer fits in a brown envelope also just like the macbook air
but mine fit into a smaller envelope dude.

Some folks just don’t get it. Yes, I (we) realize that we can get more PC hardware for the money. No doubt. That’s why I have a quad core PC running some apps. But Apple isn’t just about the hardware.

As a recent convert to the Mac side…I can’t say enough about how wonderful the overall software environment is on the Apple machine. Tight integration….creativity unleashed. And the looks are smashing as well.

No, it’s not about the hardware…but about the software, lack of head aches, lack of lock ups, enhanced creativity, etc.

I wasn’t a believer until I tried one…

the big problem with Dell PC(s) is called Windows Vista.

Just bought my college student a Mac Book to replace his old Sony. With discounts, it was 1200.00 including the MS OFFICE look-alike software which I thought very reasonable since I don’t have to add Norton utilities that are absolutely necessary for a PC. The Mac is much faster, virus free, and easy to use. I’m waiting for Tuesday and may pick up the new model. In the meantime, I’m holding my Apple stock.

“I recently bought Core2 Duo 2 Ghz 250GB HD, 4Gb mem, DVD burn, webcam, vista prem, 15.4″HD screen, 512MB ded graphics for 525 Dollars in 6 lb laptop. Go price an equivalent Macbook. Its well over 2 grand. Apple is doomed.”

Let me know how that is running in couple years. Its more than just the computer its the software too.

Introducing new products before the shopping season is a good way to boost sales (hopefully they moved all their old inventory too). And if Apple introduces a sub $1000 laptop then they’ll be able to hang with the other PC makers come Christmas time since nearly all of them already offer laptops below that price line.

Even in these bad years, I believe, people will still buy Apple’s computers, because we just can’t live without it now.

Great article, I love the opening.

So. What is the point of your article exactly? Take away the fluff and what are you saying that is worth the effort to write, or read? You’ve done better. Why lower standards?

A vast market for the $800 price target if it contains the good stuff the higher priced Apples go for. I think its a winner for those who dont have or want to spend much moola right now.

Reaching for my credit card, I can’t wait to get one of these new Apple notebooks. I will never go back to generic PC computers, they just don’t compare to the Mac. Mac is the real deal, Windows is just a bad, me-too knockoff.

Oh dear! Referencing analysts. Haven’t you learned your lesson. Do some real research instead blindly following the blind.

I think Apple can manage an entry level laptop under $1000 without diminishing the brand. But it’s a thin line to walk.
What’s more important? The legions of college students who’ve adopted Macs as their preferred computer. In the beginning someone tells two friends, they tell two friends – and so on. The numbers are small for a few rounds. Then they become astronomical.
-Murphy Mac

I recently bought Core2 Duo 2 Ghz 250GB HD, 4Gb mem, DVD burn, webcam, vista prem, 15.4″HD screen, 512MB ded graphics for 525 Dollars in 6 lb laptop. Go price an equivalent Macbook. Its well over 2 grand. Apple is doomed.

You’re sadly mistaken if you think Apple will present a $900 notebook. Both AppleInsider and MacRumors confirmed that this new product will be a 24″ apple cinema display. There will be no el-cheapo computers from apple and thus the pipedream of outrunning the competition in a bear market wont come true this year.