Right now, Apple owns less than 5% of the computer market place in new computer sales. (Ever notice they never measure installed user base, those with older computers still in use? Apple would be WAY over 5% if they measured that one.) Many writers on the Mac web write columns and articles on what Apple could/should do to increase that number. Apple never reads those articles, of course, nor do they (Apple) really care what opinion we hold on the matter. But every week, on at least one Mac centric website, some writer is telling us how Apple can get a larger market share.
OS X on Intel machines
Windows on Mac natively
Get rid of the Motorola partnership
Much more advertising
And the list goes on.
I, however, don’t care about any of the above. Like any other Mac user, I do try to get people to buy Mac when they come to me for computer buying advice. I know how great it is, and I know they would love a Mac, too, if they only gave it a chance. But I know my efforts are pretty much wasted.
Question. WHY do we want to see the market share of Mac’s grow? Is it because we really love these machines, and want our fellow computer users to know and understand the real joy of computing? If that is the case, why do so many Mac users argue with die-hard PC users? There is no chance the Mac user will ever convince the PC user to switch, and the opposite is also true.
So what do we care? Is it a defensive action on our part as Mac users, to try and justify to ourselves the purchase decision we made when we paid money for a computer most other computer users do not use?
Whatever the case may be, I am actually quite happy with my Mac. I am also quite happy with the market share the Macintosh holds. One of the reasons I like the Mac so much is its superior design and function. I like having tools (programs) not every one else has. I like showing an iMovie I made to a PC using friend, to see their eyes light up, only to find out they cannot do that with their PC, that you need a Mac to do it with. And that the software used to create the film is actually free!
If everyone had a Corvette, would it still be as special as it is? If you owned one, and half the people on your street did as well, would the prestige still be there for you?
If you lived in a twenty-room mansion, and everyone else did as well, would the living in a mansion still have the appeal it would otherwise?
If everyone were a millionaire, would being a millionaire loose its meaning?
If everyone used a Mac, would you spend as much time as you do talking up the Mac to your PC using friends?
I like the Macs market share just fine, thanks. I like knowing I can do much more with my computer easily than most PC users. I like knowing I own the best. I love to hear all the problems PC users have with viruses, with machines always breaking down, with crappy beige boxes gathering dust under the floor of their desk.
I like owning a Mac, because doing so actually does say something about who I am.
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