Marketshare is very relevant, because it places demand for software and in result it ultimately decides who a software publisher will code for: Windows or OS-X. Just compare the amount of software for the PC vs. Apple....there is NO comparison.

I have no doubt Macs do a nice job with video editing and few other things, but thats about it. Heck, Apple wouldn't even have a good productivity suite if Microsoft had not of coded one for Apple.

And Apple has what, 4% of the PC market? :rolleyes: Sorry but please let me know where, "Macs are in many businesses"...maybe yours but thats about it :D

Though I am not completely disagreeing with 'ya, you are making an incogruent argument.

For MOST end-users, a computer is just a machine they use to open their email, Word docs, web pages, and pictures. That's it. They are not setting up networks, VPNing into work, running an Apache server, using the machine as an MP3 server, accesssing their machines remotely, none of that...

So, s/he may have to learn to click "Start" > "Program Files" as opposed to opening the app from the Dock on OS X? Big deal! After the application is open (Word, Excel, IE, Firefox, Photoshop, even Outolook/Entourage), all the menus are identical! There is no learning curve. So, the user may have to learn that "Ctrl" in Windows is "Command (or Apple)." Again, big deal. I use Windows at work, and Mac at home. I have yet to find a Mac application that is a drastic departure from its Windows version.

My 12-year old has only used Windows machines; when he wanted to borrow my wife's iBook, it took him a whopping 30 seconds to figure out the concept. I think we're making too much of the argument that if a child uses Macs, then s/he'll be at a disadvantage later in file if s/he has to use Windows. I simply don't buy that. The concept is NOT that much different. Remember MS "borrowed" Apple's design for Windows 3.0. Before that, PC users were typing away at their DOS prompts. They certainly process things differently, but the actual user interaction is not that different.

Juan

Fair enough Juan, but there are a lot of other tasks that people need to do on a routine basis that are quite different amongst the OS's. Creating a shortcut on the desktop, for example. Deleting a document in a printer queue. Adding a new piece of hardware to a machine. Installing software. Clearing cookies on a website. Who knows, those are just some of the ones off the top of my head. At some point and time a user is going to experience problems, whether it be a Mac or a Windows PC. At some point a user won't have immediate access to a technical support person. Troubleshooting skills are good to have, and as long as you are not a CEO I don't believe you'll always have someone waiting on you hand and foot to take care of any issues one may have.

...and I was one of the few that liked DOS :D I miss the good 'ole days when only intelligent people were on the 'net....circa 1990!

Chris

CJ said that he needed his machine for basic operations. The only time I think that a Windows PC is going to be better is if it is going to be used for Engineeing or some serious networking. Even then, a lot of the time, basic functionality can still be retained with a Mac OS.

The end user could care less about market share he just wants to get some work done with as little hassle as possible. I've heard the arguments about how much software is avaliable. Again all the average user usually needs is a word processor an E-mail program internet access and a few other odd an ends. When he goes out to buy a computer I don't believe he or she ask a saleman what's it's marketshare. he just wants to get some work done. But in the end I guess Steve Jobs said it best
"Apple's market share is bigger than BMW's or Mercedes's or Porsche's in the automotive market. What's wrong with being BMW or Mercedes?

Oh and by the way; In 2003 Macintoshes were used by 83 percent of graphic designers, 77 percent of corporate design departments, and 65 percent of ad agencies. In 2005 that number has grown thanks to the G5.

My 2 day old ASUS Z70Va laptop is awesome. Y'all don't know what you are missing. There isn't a better all around machine out there for the money in its class--size, power, gpu. :thumbup:

People SHOULD ask about marketshare. Let me ask you this -- does Best Buy, COMPUSA or any other big chain carry MACINTOSH parts? Of course not! You can't just go and buy a Apple motherboard, you have to go through apple and bend over hard with their pricing! "Ahhhhh you say, that's why I bought that AppleCare warranty!". Well hey great for you! I'd rather replace my own motherboard thanks, and not pay $1500 for a replacement. It all comes down to greed....and you feed into Apples grand scheme of things quite nicely!

Twist the numbers and this post all ya want, but I stated that Apple has about 4% of the marketshare of PCs, I never denied the fact that their systems are good for graphic design. But tell me this -- how often are they used in other business? LOL I'm sure thats a impressive statistic!

Remember, if the IPOD was not successful where would Apple be now? Probably in deep water. And regardless of what you think, Apple is NOT the BMW or Mercedes of the computer market. My PC will run circles around the Mac with the exception of video editing. I can do everything you can and lots more because of MARKETSHARE and the fact I have peripherals available for my system that you do not! :p

They screwed themselves when they decided to be greedy and try to keep the marketshare all to themselves. Good luck to them! I started off with an Apple IIGS (remember those babies? 5 grand!) and sold it for a PC. Best move I ever made for me.

The fact is Apple without the Ipod would be doing fine, their computer market share has been growing every year. And many people and company do use it for business. Also most if not all popular softwares run on both Mac and windows, and the number will rise as Apple moves toward intel. For the past 15 years Analysts have predicted the fall of Apple. The fact is when steve Jobs came back, they became profitable way before the Ipod came along with the imac. They were also the last company to get into the MP3 market. I think one should celebrate such a company, which has revolutionized the computer industry over and over. And yes better product are more expensive, BMW's are more expensive than GM cars, because they are better.

Hey man, I'm not knocking Apple at all. More power to them! However, there are a lot of Mac enthusiasts that just think its the best thing since sliced bread. I'm sorry but thats not the case! Apple has its fault just like any other company. Mac owners tend to have a elitist attitude which I just find rather humorous.

So somewhereinla, explain to me how Macs hardware is better than PCs? Does the Dow Jones run on Macs? :D

I like the freedom to be able to add /upgrade hardware when I need, can you do it in Mac?