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GSixZero · Feb 2, 2005, 05:45 PM

Ok, so I was walking to lunch after talking to my brother for a long time about his 'new' 500Mhz iBook that he just got. He's been a big windows guy for a long time, and just recently picked up this mac. He totally loves it, he's only had it for a few days and he's already sensing a switch happening.

I think that this is pretty common. Even the most die hard PC users are easily converted once they see how much better OS X working with Apple hardware is than windows. I realize that macs aren't for everyone. There are people out there who have XP and really like it, it runs the software they need, games, and is pretty inexpensive. That works for them, and that's great for them.

So my question is, what percentage of PC users would switch if they were given the capacity to? Not every PC user is going to pick up a new or second hand machine to try out OS X, but say you could force every PC user to use an OS X machine for a month. What percentage would go back to windows afterwards? How many would keep their macs? Would 80% go back to windows? 50%? 25%?

spacefreak · Feb 2, 2005, 06:18 PM

This is a very good question. Personally, I don't like the "switch" marketing strategy. Why can't a person or family have multiple machines? It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I think the "switcher" marketshare is somewhere around 5% of computer users. However, I think the market for an Apple machine is much higher... say 20+%.

I have no scientific figures here to base this on. It's just a hunch.

For instance, I have a friend who is a telecom salesman. He is not computer-savvy at all. His Windows box works fine with his computer at work, and that's all he cares about. His wife loves to make mix CDs, play around with digital photography, and is generally a creative-at-heart. She also enjoys Real's music service, which for like $9 a month, she pretty much has access to an entire world of music.

There is no reason they can't have an additional machine - a Mac - in their home. They don't need to "switch". They won't "switch". But they would surely enjoy having a Mac.

Are they potential switchers? No. Are they potential Mac buyers? Absolutely.

paully dub · Feb 2, 2005, 06:32 PM

I was wondering something along thses lines as well. How many of Mac users are switchers from another platform as opposed to those who've only owned or worked on macs.

I worked on Macs for years and then went over to the pc world in the mid nineties for a few years and then came back over to Mac around the OS 9 days pretty much for good. Am I a switcher?

far200 · Feb 2, 2005, 06:33 PM

All the people I know that use windows always say to me the two things that keep them from using a mac is the cost and the games.

Now mac must have heard this before becouse the cost keeps going down on their machines and there is more game titles out there now for the mac. I know of two people going to buy a mac this year.

I don't like the word switch either..... I still use my PC with XP for some programs that just work better on the windows platform, But my mac works much better with my day to day computer needs. So I always tell people that if there going to buy a new computer ( other than for gaming.) to consider a mac.

As for the big "switch" I'd say in the next few years maybe 25% will buy a mac instead of upgrading their PC. This is only on the people I talk with and no national servey.

Mafia · Feb 2, 2005, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by paully dub:
I was wondering something along thses lines as well. How many of Mac users are switchers from another platform as opposed to those who've only owned or worked on macs.

I worked on Macs for years and then went over to the pc world in the mid nineties for a few years and then came back over to Mac around the OS 9 days pretty much for good. Am I a switcher?

i am a switcher, i used my parents computer's till about 14 (always a windows) when i was 14 i got a job and realized that my own computer wasn't out of reach. i started saving for an imac, i think it was 800 mhz g4 at the time. i was at about 600 dollars and wussied out and built my own windows computer. about 8 monthes later i was working during the summer and quickly saved up 1500 dollars and bought my 867 mhz powerbook. i sat on that laptop for 15 hours straight probably, within days i knew that macs were my thing. i used my powerbook as my main computer for a year and here i am today with my powermac. the next summer i saved up about 2000 and bought the powermac. i do have a windows computer for developing games but i am rarely on it and even use a mac keyboard with it. so i guess i'm a switcher.

Spliff · Feb 2, 2005, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by far200:
I don't like the word switch either..... I still use my PC with XP for some programs that just work better on the windows platform, But my mac works much better with my day to day computer needs.

I'm curious, which apps work better on your PC than on your Mac? MSN Messenger is an obvious one, but what are some others? I'm always being asked this question by Mac-curious PC users but I don't have a PC so I can't answer.

BLAZE_MkIV · Feb 3, 2005, 12:41 AM

Visual Studio works better on the PC

sworthy · Feb 3, 2005, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by Spliff:
I'm curious, which apps work better on your PC than on your Mac? MSN Messenger is an obvious one, but what are some others? I'm always being asked this question by Mac-curious PC users but I don't have a PC so I can't answer.

Though obviously a garbage app in general, internet explorer is necessary for some websites (some I've run into recently are while doing grad school applications online).

Apple Pro Underwear · Feb 3, 2005, 06:02 AM

How big is the switcher market?

Since Apple has 2%... that leaves 98% of all computer users a Mac candidate.

Part one of Apple's job is to make a superior product (arguably someething that has been done already) and second is to convince them to switch.

willed · Feb 3, 2005, 06:58 AM

I'm surprised that anyone could be switched by OSX running on a 500MHz iBook! It's what I use, but it's sometimes a bit of a chore!

jlemons · Feb 3, 2005, 11:55 AM

I met a switcher in Florida over the weekend. He was in the Orlando Apple store buying a mac for the first time. He seemed very excited. I believe people are finally catching on.

olePigeon · Feb 3, 2005, 04:46 PM

Absolutely every single PC user I know personally would switch to a Mac in a heartbeat if it had games. That's the only thing keeping them from using a Mac.

A friend of mine has a souped up PC for games and a bunch of really old Macs he got for free. He tinkers with his old Macs (mostly running System 7 or he tries to get various UNIX or Linux on them) but that's about it. He'd use a full blown Mac if he could play Counter-Strike or Star Wars Galaxies on it.