Mac'em X's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/159358/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/168503-how-apple-s-market-share-will-propel-stock-to-500-part-1?source=feed#comment-728240 728240
That 97% represents MS's share of the PC OS market, yes. But to keep things in perspective, what's MS's share of the PC *hardware* market? ZERO. It doesn't sell PCs.

Similarly, several PC hardware makers can boast of hardware shares that beat Apple's, but what's the PC *OS* share of all those makers *combined*? ZERO. They don't make an OS (other than, in some cases, a Linux variant with still-negligible share).

Apple does have something special going on: it holds a comfortable, profitable, and growing position in both PCs and OSs, something its competitors don't do (and IMO don't have the competence to do). Which, by itself, doesn't tell us Apple's going to $500 or even $250. But always put words by the bombastic Ballmer in perspective: He may prefer his 300 million OS customers to Jobs' 10 million OS customers, but he does NOT prefer his ZERO PC customers to Jobs' 10 million PC customers. Ballmer just "forgets" to mention that. ]]> Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:24:40 -0400
That 97% represents MS's share of the PC OS market, yes. But to keep things in perspective, what's MS's share of the PC *hardware* market? ZERO. It doesn't sell PCs.

Similarly, several PC hardware makers can boast of hardware shares that beat Apple's, but what's the PC *OS* share of all those makers *combined*? ZERO. They don't make an OS (other than, in some cases, a Linux variant with still-negligible share).

Apple does have something special going on: it holds a comfortable, profitable, and growing position in both PCs and OSs, something its competitors don't do (and IMO don't have the competence to do). Which, by itself, doesn't tell us Apple's going to $500 or even $250. But always put words by the bombastic Ballmer in perspective: He may prefer his 300 million OS customers to Jobs' 10 million OS customers, but he does NOT prefer his ZERO PC customers to Jobs' 10 million PC customers. Ballmer just "forgets" to mention that. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/152147-how-much-are-apple-s-45-million-users-worth?source=feed#comment-608292 608292 www.mactivist.com/2009...]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:48:34 -0400 www.mactivist.com/2009...]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148598-microsoft-understands-making-money-the-hard-way-earning-it?source=feed#comment-587570 587570 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:11:23 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147941-do-mac-and-windows-users-read-blogs-differently?source=feed#comment-581927 581927
Yes. Windows users move their lips.

(Ba-dump-ching. Just a joke, all.)

Seriously, the data is interesting, yet not surprising. I have no doubt that Mac users will on average be heavier users of new services. I think the reason's simple: They're highly represented by individual purchasers who chose the Mac on their own, and have the freedom to use it how they like. Whereas while many Windows users will also fit a similarly independent profile, many, many more Window users will be using a machine chosen, owned, and managed by an organization, with accordingly less freedom of use.

That's not a dispersion on the Windows users, just an obvious nod to the platform's overwhelmingly huge presence in corporate deployments and other managed organizational settings.]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:54:30 -0400
Yes. Windows users move their lips.

(Ba-dump-ching. Just a joke, all.)

Seriously, the data is interesting, yet not surprising. I have no doubt that Mac users will on average be heavier users of new services. I think the reason's simple: They're highly represented by individual purchasers who chose the Mac on their own, and have the freedom to use it how they like. Whereas while many Windows users will also fit a similarly independent profile, many, many more Window users will be using a machine chosen, owned, and managed by an organization, with accordingly less freedom of use.

That's not a dispersion on the Windows users, just an obvious nod to the platform's overwhelmingly huge presence in corporate deployments and other managed organizational settings.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/147083-here-s-an-unconventional-idea-sell-apple?source=feed#comment-575542 575542
The $99 iPhone eating into iPod sales? Sure – if the would-be iPod buyer wants a phone and AT&T contract to go with his iPod. And if he does, who wins? Apple again!

Strange. ]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:34:47 -0400
The $99 iPhone eating into iPod sales? Sure – if the would-be iPod buyer wants a phone and AT&T contract to go with his iPod. And if he does, who wins? Apple again!

Strange. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/143199-big-in-japan-apple-retail-experience?source=feed#comment-546933 546933
I've found great service in other stores, to be sure – and when there's a friendly, knowledgeable person helping out at a big-box retailer, you have to award extra credit for knowledge of such a wide range of products. But it's very hit-and-miss, and in my experience a matter of lucking out and finding the right individual. At a typical big Tokyo retailer, I find plenty of floor staff who can only read specs off of labels or brochures, or toss up the easiest answer and skedaddle away.

I won't be surprised if you get some "Apple fanboi" guff from people who just don't believe a good experience like this can exist. Yet there's nothing miraculous about it; it's really just ongoing passion for good products and good selling, matched by ongoing action. The only mystery is why PC makers and Microsoft still can't or won't do the same. ]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:04:26 -0400
I've found great service in other stores, to be sure – and when there's a friendly, knowledgeable person helping out at a big-box retailer, you have to award extra credit for knowledge of such a wide range of products. But it's very hit-and-miss, and in my experience a matter of lucking out and finding the right individual. At a typical big Tokyo retailer, I find plenty of floor staff who can only read specs off of labels or brochures, or toss up the easiest answer and skedaddle away.

I won't be surprised if you get some "Apple fanboi" guff from people who just don't believe a good experience like this can exist. Yet there's nothing miraculous about it; it's really just ongoing passion for good products and good selling, matched by ongoing action. The only mystery is why PC makers and Microsoft still can't or won't do the same. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/142706-nokia-faces-uphill-climb-in-launch-of-n97-smartphone?source=feed#comment-544800 544800
For better or worse, Apple placed priority on removing those drawbacks. And while it hasn't been widely reported, the company knows that the decision will cost it the highly-sought-after Economyst market. "We'll just have to make do with the rest of the planet", Schiller replied after a grilling by shareholders. ]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:52:12 -0400
For better or worse, Apple placed priority on removing those drawbacks. And while it hasn't been widely reported, the company knows that the decision will cost it the highly-sought-after Economyst market. "We'll just have to make do with the rest of the planet", Schiller replied after a grilling by shareholders. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/133115-looks-like-we-re-still-a-blackberry-nation?source=feed#comment-477826 477826
Perhaps so - "same league" is a subjective term - but the products are in the same market, and analogies related to their shared market are understandable.

I prefer the iPhone and agree with you that it'll take the lead, for reasons including those you mention. But making comparisons between it and competitors is valid (and will remain valid even when the iPhone is firmly on top. : )]]> Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:17:36 -0400
Perhaps so - "same league" is a subjective term - but the products are in the same market, and analogies related to their shared market are understandable.

I prefer the iPhone and agree with you that it'll take the lead, for reasons including those you mention. But making comparisons between it and competitors is valid (and will remain valid even when the iPhone is firmly on top. : )]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/132943-how-soon-can-apple-s-market-cap-surpass-microsoft-s?source=feed#comment-475974 475974 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:43:23 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/132621-state-of-the-iphone-strong-very-strong?source=feed#comment-475712 475712 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:52:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/131955-is-apple-stuck-in-a-trading-range?source=feed#comment-470949 470949
Problem is: The article you quote DOESN'T argue that. It points to a past period of massive returns and argues for some future growth, but makes no claim that the SAME growth will come again.

Further, that article pegs the past growth at 5,460%; why are you quoting it as 57,400%? (Perhaps the author used the figure you quote, then later corrected it; is that the case?)

Other than the above, your article provides food for thought (though it'd be interesting to hear whether you think the Mac's "still plenty of room to grow its market share" factor isn't important). But as a humble suggestion, avoiding juvenile terms like "fan boy articles", and learning how to use "it's", will make future posts look more professional.
]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:33:17 -0400
Problem is: The article you quote DOESN'T argue that. It points to a past period of massive returns and argues for some future growth, but makes no claim that the SAME growth will come again.

Further, that article pegs the past growth at 5,460%; why are you quoting it as 57,400%? (Perhaps the author used the figure you quote, then later corrected it; is that the case?)

Other than the above, your article provides food for thought (though it'd be interesting to hear whether you think the Mac's "still plenty of room to grow its market share" factor isn't important). But as a humble suggestion, avoiding juvenile terms like "fan boy articles", and learning how to use "it's", will make future posts look more professional.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/131171-apple-product-pricing-holds-steady-ipods-iphone-sales-healthy?source=feed#comment-466468 466468
(One complaint: For the love of all that's holy, it's "iPods". Not "iPod's".)

Looking forward to more - ]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:31:40 -0400
(One complaint: For the love of all that's holy, it's "iPods". Not "iPod's".)

Looking forward to more - ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/130562-coming-to-america-mitsubishi-s-all-electric-car?source=feed#comment-460368 460368 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 09:37:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/128611-microsoft-vs-apple-monopolist-vs-innovator?source=feed#comment-447778 447778
You'll want to recheck who your comment is aimed at. I said nothing about motherboards, video cards, or any such thing.

If gaming is your thing, then your dream gaming rig will certainly be something custom made, and not anything off-the-shelf from Dell or Apple or anyone. Build that custom machine! And you might as well top it off with a gaming OS, Windows.

Those of us wanting computers for business or other professional pursuits will often do better with a solid UNIX-based OS - and, for maximum software flexibility, on top of hardware able to run any OS. That might make for the ultimate professional machine, if not the ultimate gaming machine.

Why, it's almost as if different products were ideal for different people! Imagine that!]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:32:40 -0400
You'll want to recheck who your comment is aimed at. I said nothing about motherboards, video cards, or any such thing.

If gaming is your thing, then your dream gaming rig will certainly be something custom made, and not anything off-the-shelf from Dell or Apple or anyone. Build that custom machine! And you might as well top it off with a gaming OS, Windows.

Those of us wanting computers for business or other professional pursuits will often do better with a solid UNIX-based OS - and, for maximum software flexibility, on top of hardware able to run any OS. That might make for the ultimate professional machine, if not the ultimate gaming machine.

Why, it's almost as if different products were ideal for different people! Imagine that!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/128611-microsoft-vs-apple-monopolist-vs-innovator?source=feed#comment-447240 447240
Unfortunately for MS, the world is wising up. And unfortunately for PC makers, even gamers are saying, "Wait a sec, with Mac hardware I can run *all* games, for Windows, OS X or Linux."]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:14:27 -0400
Unfortunately for MS, the world is wising up. And unfortunately for PC makers, even gamers are saying, "Wait a sec, with Mac hardware I can run *all* games, for Windows, OS X or Linux."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/128611-microsoft-vs-apple-monopolist-vs-innovator?source=feed#comment-446264 446264
The claim of "twice the price" is false. Yes, Apple hardware is much more expensive than a no-name PC. But a Sony or other name-brand PC is also more expensive than a no-name PC. You need to back up a claim like that with real numbers. (Also, the article is about Apple vs Microsoft, and MS doesn't sell PCs. The product the two have in common is OS software. It's worth noting that at retail, MS's OS costs *more than* Apple's OS.)

The comments about Apple's loyal user base seem to get things backward. I see no reason to claim that Apple gains the freedom to be creative and make a better product because it enjoys a friendly, loyal user base. Rather, it enjoys the friendly, loyal user base because it's creative and makes a better product.

And so on. The conclusion isn't wrong, but the arguments supporting it seem to come out of nowhere. ]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:33:08 -0400
The claim of "twice the price" is false. Yes, Apple hardware is much more expensive than a no-name PC. But a Sony or other name-brand PC is also more expensive than a no-name PC. You need to back up a claim like that with real numbers. (Also, the article is about Apple vs Microsoft, and MS doesn't sell PCs. The product the two have in common is OS software. It's worth noting that at retail, MS's OS costs *more than* Apple's OS.)

The comments about Apple's loyal user base seem to get things backward. I see no reason to claim that Apple gains the freedom to be creative and make a better product because it enjoys a friendly, loyal user base. Rather, it enjoys the friendly, loyal user base because it's creative and makes a better product.

And so on. The conclusion isn't wrong, but the arguments supporting it seem to come out of nowhere. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/128197-new-microsoft-ad-targets-high-cost-of-macs?source=feed#comment-442398 442398
Mac buyers choose Macs for value. Productivity. Performance. The combination of OS and hardware offers all of those. The "cool" straw man is an excuse offered by competitors that can't match the value, and a sour-grapes complaint by PC buyers who find they got less than what they paid for.

MS blows another small fortune on an ad campaign that can't find a single positive word to say about actual MS products. Does it get much sadder? ]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:17:58 -0400
Mac buyers choose Macs for value. Productivity. Performance. The combination of OS and hardware offers all of those. The "cool" straw man is an excuse offered by competitors that can't match the value, and a sour-grapes complaint by PC buyers who find they got less than what they paid for.

MS blows another small fortune on an ad campaign that can't find a single positive word to say about actual MS products. Does it get much sadder? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127225-palm-no-middle-ground?source=feed#comment-436472 436472 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:20:44 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/126433-dell-s-adamo-laptop-too-sexy-for-the-times?source=feed#comment-430358 430358
The comment about Apple customers buying "a fashion statement" is a dead-wrong myth. Apple buyers are springing for performance, not fashion, beginning with powerful, stable, virus-free software. Yes, the hardware happens to look great too, but that's NOT the real draw.

On that performance front, Adamo ships with the Vista millstone around its neck. Not a good start at all. ]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:14:17 -0400
The comment about Apple customers buying "a fashion statement" is a dead-wrong myth. Apple buyers are springing for performance, not fashion, beginning with powerful, stable, virus-free software. Yes, the hardware happens to look great too, but that's NOT the real draw.

On that performance front, Adamo ships with the Vista millstone around its neck. Not a good start at all. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/125809-apple-netbook-will-fill-newspaper-void?source=feed#comment-424269 424269
Nice try, Jay!]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:27:04 -0400
Nice try, Jay!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/123593-a-good-time-to-buy-apple?source=feed#comment-410805 410805
What's a real differentiator, something we can put a finger on? Product quality and innovation. There's no saying that those'll factor properly into share price in the short run, either. But long run, there's nothing better than "products that knock the competition into the dust" as an indicator of where to place your money.

There's no sense in listening to the clueless who say things like "people are going to pay double for a Mac laptop than a PC even though the Mac isn't any better...it's just 'cool.'" No no no. People never bought any computer because it's "cool", and there's no indication that they're about to start. People buy for performance and value, and that's why the PC and phone markets are moving to Apple.

Short term? Who knows. Long term? AAPL.]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:49:22 -0500
What's a real differentiator, something we can put a finger on? Product quality and innovation. There's no saying that those'll factor properly into share price in the short run, either. But long run, there's nothing better than "products that knock the competition into the dust" as an indicator of where to place your money.

There's no sense in listening to the clueless who say things like "people are going to pay double for a Mac laptop than a PC even though the Mac isn't any better...it's just 'cool.'" No no no. People never bought any computer because it's "cool", and there's no indication that they're about to start. People buy for performance and value, and that's why the PC and phone markets are moving to Apple.

Short term? Who knows. Long term? AAPL.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/122586-microsoft-phenomenal-value-for-a-tech-stock?source=feed#comment-404199 404199 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:25:31 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/120755-how-about-a-piece-of-the-apple-pie?source=feed#comment-390239 390239
Perhaps so. But is there actually any *reason* to think this?

"Apple has always bordered on a cult..."

No. That meme is and always has been nothing more than the lazy journalist's crutch. Let's give it up already.

What binds Apple customers to the company is *perceived value* of the products. It's true: there actually are companies that produce great, unique products, and customers who seek those out. Though for some reason, pundits find this so hard to believe in the tech industry that they resort to religion-themed fantasies instead.

Otherwise, Mr Gordon, some good points in there!]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:28:56 -0500
Perhaps so. But is there actually any *reason* to think this?

"Apple has always bordered on a cult..."

No. That meme is and always has been nothing more than the lazy journalist's crutch. Let's give it up already.

What binds Apple customers to the company is *perceived value* of the products. It's true: there actually are companies that produce great, unique products, and customers who seek those out. Though for some reason, pundits find this so hard to believe in the tech industry that they resort to religion-themed fantasies instead.

Otherwise, Mr Gordon, some good points in there!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/119185-connecting-the-dots-in-a-jobs-less-apple?source=feed#comment-383231 383231
I can't go on; this is too depressing. Apple is _so_ doomed without Steve! ]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:20:23 -0500
I can't go on; this is too depressing. Apple is _so_ doomed without Steve! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/119383-apple-upgraded-jobs-may-not-be-crucial-to-company-s-future?source=feed#comment-382092 382092
I can't go on; this is too depressing. Apple is _so_ doomed without Steve! ]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:47:03 -0500
I can't go on; this is too depressing. Apple is _so_ doomed without Steve! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/118240-is-windows-7-just-a-vista-service-pack?source=feed#comment-375350 375350
> Myself and others who have tested build 7000 (current public
> beta) all agree that thus far Microsoft has definitely taken some
> steps in the right direction with 7.

Myself am looking forward to it!]]> Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:28:06 -0500
> Myself and others who have tested build 7000 (current public
> beta) all agree that thus far Microsoft has definitely taken some
> steps in the right direction with 7.

Myself am looking forward to it!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/117076-microsoft-s-windows-7-is-a-threat-to-linux-but-watch-out-for-google?source=feed#comment-369705 369705
Huh? Of every 100 comments about Vista I've heard, about... oh, 100... have said that it was too little and too late. ]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:59:16 -0500
Huh? Of every 100 comments about Vista I've heard, about... oh, 100... have said that it was too little and too late. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113069-zune-bug-further-blemishes-microsoft-s-consumer-hardware-reputation?source=feed#comment-345916 345916
Some say that in recent years, Microsoft has spread its business activities and its marketing messages too wide and thin. I (and my happy 4-year-old iPod) think otherwise. Every seemingly-uncoordinate... activity and apparently-haphazard campaign put forth by Microsoft is actually part of a laser-focused strategy to emblazon a single thought in every mind on Earth:

"MicroWHO?"]]> Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:40:19 -0500
Some say that in recent years, Microsoft has spread its business activities and its marketing messages too wide and thin. I (and my happy 4-year-old iPod) think otherwise. Every seemingly-uncoordinate... activity and apparently-haphazard campaign put forth by Microsoft is actually part of a laser-focused strategy to emblazon a single thought in every mind on Earth:

"MicroWHO?"]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/100267-can-zune-compete-with-ipod?source=feed#comment-284393 284393
The result at the time of my check: there was a Zune at #14 on the list, followed by another around #47:
www.microsplot.com/blo...

Which is pretty much the same sad status as two years ago:
www.microsplot.com/exp...

As you'd expect, the top numbers are heavily dominated by iPods.

Of course, the above makes for one tiny data point, and Amazon rankings can jump wildly, so don't make too much of it! But in any case, there it is. ]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:22:50 -0400
The result at the time of my check: there was a Zune at #14 on the list, followed by another around #47:
www.microsplot.com/blo...

Which is pretty much the same sad status as two years ago:
www.microsplot.com/exp...

As you'd expect, the top numbers are heavily dominated by iPods.

Of course, the above makes for one tiny data point, and Amazon rankings can jump wildly, so don't make too much of it! But in any case, there it is. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94765-mcdonald-s-lapping-the-field?source=feed#comment-250254 250254
And yet - here in Tokyo, McDonalds' ¥100 coffee is a heck of a deal for someone who just wants to sit down with a decent cup. Add an apple pie and a hamburger, each for the same price - the whole thing costs less than one SB coffee or one sandwich! McDonald's is taking away a lot of SB business with that pricing.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:16:25 -0400
And yet - here in Tokyo, McDonalds' ¥100 coffee is a heck of a deal for someone who just wants to sit down with a decent cup. Add an apple pie and a hamburger, each for the same price - the whole thing costs less than one SB coffee or one sandwich! McDonald's is taking away a lot of SB business with that pricing.]]>