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Welcome to Macintosh

The Tables Have Turned as Apple Grows Market Share

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- 2007.12.24

Bong! . . . :-) . . . Welcome to Macintosh!

There was a time not so long ago where the Mac was dismissed by the mainstream because "it had little software, it wasn't a PC, it was inferior." Those were some of the lame excuses I heard many times about Macs vs. PCs. My, my, my . . . how times have changed.

This complete turnaround can be traced back to 1997, when many were predicting the death of Apple. The PC world was ready to eulogize Apple and sweep it away to the dust bin of computer history. But gosh darn it, wouldn't ya know . . . we Mac fans refused to let go of the rainbow.

Bondi iMac

The very next year, here comes the Bondi blue iMac, and the translucent era of Apple. Apple put the personal back in computers with totally cool and awesome styling.

Skip forward a few years to the unveiling of the iPod. It would eventually catapult Apple to the top, and it made people take a second look at Apple and the Mac.

Skip forward to this year and the release of the iPhone and iPod touch. Apple is leading the way, and other companies are struggling to catch up due to their incompetence, laziness, and/or lack of innovation.

While I like the iPod and iPhone, that's not the reason I root for Apple. The iPod and iPhone are just a means to an end, in my opinion. This has been the plan the whole time: The iPod and iPhone were meant to sway Windows users to the Mac side.

The Mac is why I continue to support Apple.

It's funny when you think about it. The tables are turning. Windows is no longer the darling it used to be in the public's eye (especially with Vista!). It's become an eyesore people are shying away from.

The Mac is gaining market share, with many predicting the Mac could reach double digits in the upcoming year or so. Apple is already #3 in US market share.

It's funny how those who trashed the Mac are now curious about it. It's nice to finally see the Mac get its due respect. The tables are turning, and what a great time it is to be a Mac fan.

Still, I'd like to go on the record by saying that I was Apple when Apple wasn't cool!

I'd like to wish all Low End Mac readers and their families a safe, blessed, and merry Christmas!

Recent Welcome to Macintosh articles

IBM Model F: A Great Old Keyboard with an Outdated Layout, 11.19. Although it used a different technology than the revered IBM Model M keyboard, the Model F was a great keyboard in its own right.
IBM Model M: The One True Keyboard, 05.12. Many consider the IBM Model M keyboard the finest computer keyboard ever made. Here's why.
I Still Use My LC, 02.20. An interview with Scott Baret, who has been using the same Macintosh LC since 1991.
Hooked on Classics (Classic Macs, That Is), 02.02. An interview with John Meshelany Jr, who has been hooked on Macs since kindergarten.
More in the Welcome to Macintosh index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: iMac Core Duo, Jan. 2006 - The first Intel-based iMacs ran at 1.83-2.0 GHz, came with 17" and 20" displays.
Group of the Day: Mac Pro List is for those using a Mac Pro.
November 23 in LEM history: 99: Should I buy a USB card? - 01: Can a low-end Mac be an only Mac? - Palm Desktop without a PDA - CyberDog saves the day - 05: How Consumer Reports could compare Macs fairly - Speakers for your Mac - Living with the hi-res 15" PowerBook - Birth of the PowerBook - Daystar 1.9 GHz iMac G4 upgrade - 1.92 GHz PowerBook upgrade
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