MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Jan 01, 09 - 02:09 pm Comment from: R

Movin' right along...!

I'll be buying 2 macs this spring, I think-- if the mini is updated, for sure. Doing my part to empty my wallet for the benefit of the world economy so that I can eventually get more back from the system than I paid into it.

Just sayin.'

Jan 01, 09 - 02:41 pm Comment from: Cubert

I don't know who is more masochistic - the people still using Winblows 95 or ME. ME was HIDEOUS!

And Wintrolls say that OS X looks something from Fisher-Price.

Jan 01, 09 - 02:43 pm Comment from: DogGone

These are impressive stats. Intel Macs now outnumber PowerPC macs three to one in usage. What is even more impressive is that the PPC % usage has been around 2.5% for a while now, indicating that legacy Macs not being thrown out. Apple are clearly increasing their install base and not just relying on current users replacing their old PPC macs.

I expected Apple to reach 10% market share in 2010. If they really are adding 3% per year, Apple could reach 15% market share by year end 2011.

Jan 01, 09 - 02:45 pm Comment from: Cubert

I think I'm going to try to be the last PowerPC user so that it always stays at 0.01% like Sun OS.

I wonder if anyone is still running BeOS - OS X before there was OS X.

Jan 01, 09 - 02:49 pm Comment from: Cubert

@DogGone,
10% by 2010??? I think they'll reach 10% next month!

If you add in the iPhone and iTouch percentages, Apple is already over 10%.

So, using these figures, combined iPhone/iPod (0.52%) after less than two years has almost reached that of Linux (0.85%). Looks like Desktop Linux should be deemed the alternative that never was. All Apple systems together have now reached the magic 10% level, and Mac alone should reach that level shortly.

I agree with the MDN take that trends are more important than the actual percentages in any one snapshot. There are some interesting trends not noted in the MDN take.

Vista has only risen to 21.12%. Is Vista also suffering from OS/Browser restricted websites? Or is Vista still not getting widespread acceptance?

XP lost 9.88 points over the last year. Non-XP-non-Vista Windows lost 2.09 points over the same period. Vista gained 9.15 points. Vista is gaining less share than other Windows versions are losing.

OS X (PowerPC) lost 0.82 points. OS X (Intel) gained 2.88 points. OS X (Intel) is gaining more share than OS X (PowerPC) is losing.

OS X (PowerPC) has retained a larger share than all non-XP-non-Vista versions of Windows combined.

The iPhone is grossly over represented on the net compared to its competitors Windows CE and Blackberry when the number of units in use is considered.

OS X (Intel Macs, PowerPC Macs, iPhone, iPod Touch) gained the lion's share (2.41 points) of the share lost by all versions of Windows (2.82 points).

There is no way to tell how much of the OS X gains are due to an increase in OS X machines in use, and how much is due to an increase in websites used in the survey being OS X compatible. Still, the numbers look positive for OS X and not so positive for Windows. The main drain on Windows seems to be that Vista is not pulling its weight and is not capturing all the users who abandon older versions of Windows.

Apple has the edge right now... When Vista is done, it will be a new game... Windows 7 is been reviewed by many as amazing... Nothing short. With PCs having the best hardware.... Apple has a lot to do to maintain/grow in 2009... Snow will be need to be FAR superior and Apple's hardware better be killer if it wants to continue the growth... The longer Vista stays in town... The better for Apple. As soon as a new platform from Windows 7 comes... I think otherwise. New battleground. Microsoft is learning from its mistakes... All review sites who tested the beta version say its a massive improvement.... The final stage will be the true test for Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6

Marco
Windows 7 has had positive reviews BUT not "massive improvements" merely incremental. It is still stuck supporting all the legacy code and crapware that has been sold as Windows compatable for years, Microsoft must keep corporate America happy beause that is its cash cow. No massive changes.Apple, for better or worse, has made massive OS changes in the past and will still do so, which actually hurts its standing with the IT departments of corporate America.

Gerry,

Check your review sites. You will see several sites saying "Massive Improvement"

It is gonna be a fierce battle when Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6 come out... I am excited to see which will be better... I want to see if Mac or Windows go up or down... Time will tell!

I cant wait till Monday however... I want a new iMac or Mac mini.... 4 more days!!!

"Microsoft is learning from its mistakes."
That will be a first, but nice to see.

"All review sites who tested the beta version say its a massive improvement."

From the first page of results of a Google search for "Windows 7" and review:

"Over the weekend I finally managed to play with the build…. but disappointed."

"You can see that Microsoft is aiming to fine tune this release as the case in XP rather than technological advancement as in 2K."

"I have seen the future, and it is bleak. Windows 7, the next big version, the one that was supposed to fix everything that was wrong with Vista, is here (at least in pre-beta form), and I can now say - with some confidence - that Microsoft has once again dropped the ball."

"When it comes to Windows 7, Microsoft hasn't just learned from the mistakes of Windows Vista. It has picked up a thing or two from Apple's OS X, judging by first impressions."

"It's not clear how big the changes are so far. If you put the beta-build of Windows 7 side-by-side with Windows Vista, you'd be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Yes, some of the icons look slightly different and there's no sidebar, but it's essentially still the Vista look and feel. But that changes when you start to use Windows 7.
For a start the OS won't nag you as much; many notifications are banished to a control panel, you get to approve icons before they show up in the system tray and Microsoft has reined in Vista's useful but annoying UAC prompts; you can choose which ones you want to see or turn them off altogether."

"Initially Windows 7 looks similar to Vista, but there a lot of new features that have been added. Under the skin, Microsoft has been working hard. Boot times have been reduced, and certainly the review laptop Microsoft provided has a fairly snappy boot time.
Microsoft has been working with OEMs to improve battery life - simple things such as reducing the timer frequency can improve battery life by up to 10 per cent. The networking stack has had new diagnostics added to help users figure out exactly where the problem lies."

"So, is this all a big deal? It's not a change to the fundamental core of Windows, and most of the improvements sound relatively small. But taken together, they seem to address many of the issues people have had for Windows. I'm looking forward to trying it out, starting this afternoon."

"We checked out an early beta of Windows 7, and though at this point many features are either missing or works in progress, the improvements to everything from user interface to memory management look highly promising."

"Of course, some of the promised features are things that Microsoft has pledged - and failed to deliver - before."

"Unfortunately, most of what makes the new Taskbar intriguing isn't yet ready for beta - let alone prime time. The preview version of Windows 7 has the old-style Taskbar. Still, judging from our brief hands-on time with the new Taskbar, it could make life in Windows more pleasant in meaningful ways that Vista's splashy effects never did."

Not bad, but not overwhelmingly positive. And note that many of the nice things were said about features Microsoft has said it will include but has not actually delivered into reviewers' hands yet. As one reviewer alluded, Microsoft has a long history of promising the moon and delivering cheese.

In twenty-one minutes you've gone from "All review sites who tested the beta version say its a massive improvement," to "Check your review sites. You will see several sites saying "Massive Improvement."

So which is it? "All" or "several"?

Jan 01, 09 - 03:41 pm Comment from: qka

@ DogGone, Passerby, et al.

My PowerBook G4 is still going strong, doing what I need it to do. Why would I want to replace it, especially in this economy?

Apple builds 'em good. They last longer than WinTrash computers. That's a mixed blessing for Apple, wonderful for the users.

Professionally, I have seen companies still using early G3 OS9 Macs. They do what they were bought to do, no problems, so why replace them? Not so fast? The limiting factor in their use is the speed of the person at the keyboard and mouse!

Jury is still out on Macro. This character tends to spread a careful bit of FUD, either intentionally or unintentionally in a lot of his posts. Whenever challenged, he likes to present how many Apple products he owns to justify his criticisms against the company. I have better things to do than debunk some of his 'objective arguments.' I'm no police here, nor wish to be, but we've seen characters like these in the past, which makes many of us cautious.

Anyway, here's a link if anyone's interested about the trend for the iPhone alone. The interesting bit is the spike from Mid October till December and rising. It'd be fascinating to see the Christmas spike whenever they may make that available.

Sorry, forgot the link: http://tinyurl.com/a53xvv
:o )
Happy new years!

no matter how amazing something is from another company. u will always find faults. its the Apple cult. like seriously,... I use Apple and non Apple products. They have some good stuff, not everything Apple makes is super amazing. I can give you my fair share of stories! If Apple made the Zune, you guys would love it to death... So please... Give credit where it is deserved.
Several sites said Windows 7 was a massive improvement...

PS... I typed Windows 7 in google and didn't get the same result you did.... Is that from some micky mouse person using a 1998 computer? Come on folks...

Show me the site you are referring to.... I will show you mine... Kinda like show and tell

Krquet... what is your email?
I will send u a pic right now of my Mac stuff... maybe that will simmer you down....

what is your email or anyone else who wants a pic... I will prove it.... I will even take it with this website on my Mac to prove it....

Any takers?

Re: Windows 7 comments.

Windows 7 is actually (internally) Windows 6.1, i.e. - Vista with interface fixes and more drivers. All the DRM stuff that made Vista slow as molasses is still there, and the compatibility is better only because it's still Vista, so all the drivers done over the last year or two will work with Windows 7. This situation is the classic "bait and switch" scam and everyone is falling for it (willingly even.)

It's slightly faster than vista because they have had time to tune it. If it was a brand new OS, it would not be as fast. The difference between Vista and Windows 7 is basically exactly the same as the difference between OS-X Leopard (10.5.0) and Leopard a year later with patches (10.5.6). Bully for MS for improving Vista, but shame on everyone for acting like Windows 7 is anything but Vista 1.5.

here is one review from a trusted source... enjoy...

Closing thoughts

"I like Windows 7, a lot. Microsoft seems to have put a lot of effort into developing a core operating system that is free from the pointless frills of the likes of XP and Vista. The OS is solid and fast and based on what I’ve seen so far I’d have no problems in rolling out beta 1 and using it daily."

Mac OS 10.6 has to be far superior than 10.5 if it wants to grow further.

Correct me if wrong...

Isn't Apple building on 10.5 for 10.6? I thought I read that they are making it faster with little new features compared to 10.5... I think that goes the same for Windows 7 over Vista... They are tweaking it!!!

Why, yes, I would like to see pictures of your Mac stuff. Please also send me information on great opportunities in multi-level marketing. Also, my cock could be longer.

Here's my email address:

Looks like 10.15% to me for the MacOS.

exactly what i thought!
When the proof is offered... you run because you know you will look stupid... It's too bad... As soon as I correct you guys, you guys simmer down... Oh well. I have a pic here ready to go :(



Sorry to hear your C*ck is small. Sad for the women who play with it. Is that a bug? Maybe so!

anyhow on a serious note... do you think the new iMacs will be at MacWorld Expo? IF so, you think they will have an LED display? Any thoughts?

2:08 p.m. All
2:29 p.m. Several
2:59 p.m. One

Marco, how do you manage to get dressed in the morning without getting both socks on one foot or your underwear outside your trousers? You sometimes can't follow one line of argument for the length of a single post.

Jan 01, 09 - 04:10 pm Comment from: Jubei

These are good gains, but look how long it took. 10 years.. It's not easy to compete against a monopoly. Until thats broken, Apple or anyone else will never get significant share.

im not sure it just happens...

the All means excluding Mac sites... check
the Several means a mix of sites who use both Operating systems.
the One was an example I gave.... I posted one example...

Hope that helps you understand now!

P.S I don't wear underwear for that reason. LOL JK

@Marco:

I don't need to see your pix, thank you though. I have no problem accepting that you have Mac products, and why wouldn't you? They are considered to be superior to most alternatives according to 'several review sites,' I hear.
However, the caution kicks in what with a few of Windows responses to the Mac ads created on Macs: http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/5518/ and lest we forget: http://www.winandmac.com/news/microsoft-ads-are-made-by-mac-where-is-pc/.
Just because you use Apple products, doesn't automatically make you one with objective opinions.
Anyway, here's taking your word for it that you are indeed who you claim you are. I say we call a truce and ring in the new year as a beautiful year for the Apple family. Let there be peace in the world too.

Why do you need someone's personal email to share a picture with them. I know you have iPhoto and iWeb. You have so much Mac stuff and those come free with every Mac. Do you not have a MobileMe account or any other website? Why not use flickr or PhotoBucket? Why don't you put your money where your mouth is? You don't require anyone's private email to share pictures. Use the web. (It's that thing you're reading this on.)

That line-graph would be more interesting and informative if they would overlay the M$ share of OS during the same period.

I agree ... krquet

I just don't like when people gang up on me when I make an opinion. It may not be what they want to hear. But accept it. We are human and have the right to think what we want. I do own a lot of Apple products and do like there products. I just had some bad experiences with my iPhone/iMac's. I do own Microsoft products too, so I like both. I won't lie. I think both products are good for different reasons....

People need to accept that people have opinions that are different than there own....

Peace to you too and Happy new years too!

Marco here's a tip...

Try using hard returns instead of "..."

@marco... If you need to cover who you are... Sad.
I don't use mobileme... its still in beta testing as far as I am concerned...

I offered to give my pic because I think some people here don't believe I own Apple products. I own a lot actually. Probably more than some here.... Enough said...

"I say we call a truce and ring in the new year as a beautiful year for the Apple family. Let there be peace in the world too."

Screw that. Dog pile on the troll! (Macro, not krquet.)

thanks for the tip Gag...

You can use you own tips...

I will do what I feel comfy with....

i believe this @marco/@krquet is a troll... hiding under the covers... lovely... Oh well... 2009 is a bad start for you it seems...

Come out of the closet... it's okay! I will accept you.

hey krquet...

I would like to know your predictions for the Expo... what do you think will be the highlight?

I want an LED display from Apple... I was hoping that a new iMac would come out with it... You think they may?

If not I am hoping to get a Mac mini with it...

Jan 01, 09 - 04:39 pm Comment from: DLMeyer

Marco, just in case you are not a TOTAL troll: Snow Leopard is certainly built on the same base that Leopard is - Unix, that is. At the next level up, they are dropping the code that lets it run on a PPC platform and tweaking the code for the Intel platform. In the process, a whole lot of stuff owners of Intel Macs want to see gone WILL be gone. There will certainly be a number of minor features added in, but the biggest improvement will be in the flaws that were dropped by the way-side.
This will be the second update since Vista was launched and failed to "compete" with "Tiger". The first - "Leopard" - offered many new features and this - a bigger task despite the lack of significant new features - carries the Mac even further ahead.
Of course ... it is STILL based on the current version of Unix. But don't tell my wife that. She got me a T-shirt for Christmas with a big "X" on the front and the statement "It's a Geek Thing, you wouldn't understand" on the back. I turned it back around and noticed it was X-Windows, not OSX. Tried to explain it, even that she had it on her iMac ... her eyes glazed over. "It's a Geek Thing".

I am new to Mac... I got my first iMac in August... So I am not sure of the differences as I am a newbie to Mac... Thanks for the info... It helps!

"the All means excluding Mac sites... check
the Several means a mix of sites who use both Operating systems.
the One was an example I gave.... I posted one example..."

InfoWorld—not a well known Mac site last I checked:
Windows 7: Oops! Microsoft did it again!

PC Advisor—not a well known Mac site last I checked:
Windows 7 review
(A positive review that warns most of the things they like are not yet available for review.)

ZDNet.co.uk—not a well known Mac site last I checked:
Windows 7: Mixed reviews from PDC attendees

It is obvious to anyone who spends even 10 seconds with Google that not all non-Mac-sycophant sites say Windows 7 will be a "massive improvement". The first use of 'all' is sloppy. Defending it in the face of clear evidence smacks of dishonesty. You're going to end up saying "All websites which said Windows 7 will be a massive improvement said Windows 7 will be a massive improvement." That's not saying anything at all.

@marco... talk to me when you are out of the closet.... Hiding in the closet is not worth my time....

I will ignore post from ya... you are a troll in my books.

P.S Those tips and negative feedbacks will improve Windows... MS will read them... Guaranteed. PC users will thank you for bringing them out LOL.... Smile You did something good today! You get one brownie point! Kisses to you in the closet!!!

That's right! It's troll versus troll!

I know you are, but what am I?

Stop hitting yourself.
Stop hitting yourself.
Stop hitting yourself.

<sigh>

Someone else take over. I'm bored with this odious little troll.

I want that nickname. I should copy it lol

I am a Mac user and my name is marco... MACRO!

I see a lot of talk how Windows 7 will change everything. I'm not so sure.

Perhaps Microsoft's most powerful weapon is legacy. New versions of Windows can run software written for old versions of Windows. Actually, this isn't as universal as many people claim, but it is a strength when marketing the Windows OS even as it is a weakness when building the Windows OS.

Microsoft broke legacy a little bit with Vista. The result, as I noted above, is that Vista has not gained as much share as older Windows versions have lost. If present trends continue, Vista will continue to lose share until replaced by Windows 7.

Windows 7 is built on Vista, so it inherits the small legacy break. If it truly goes forward and strives to be a clean, modern OS it will exacerbate the legacy break and weaken Microsoft's hold on unsatisfied customers. If it entrenches instead, it will have to add significant overhead to mimic modern features.

Eventually, a legacy based OS will not be able to compete with an evolving modern OS even with the powerful aid of legacy. It would be better for Microsoft to make the break at 90/10 when they can afford to lose large numbers of customers and then engage in winning them back than at 60/40 when large customer loss might put them in a death spiral. Does Microsoft management have the courage to suffer pain now, or do they think they can put it off indefinitely (or at least until they retire)?

@ Marco Marco

I have at least 30 clients running 5 year old Macs running Leopard VERY nicely. I have 10 instances of 5-8 year old Macs running Leopard nicely.

"Vista has outsold any previous OS of Microsoft."

Um, how is that possible when Vista is at 21.12% of total share and XP is at 65.22%? Do you mean in rate of sales? Vista is ~25% of Windows installed base. XP is the bulk of the rest. Vista's share came largely from XP. So the total units sold are roughly 4:1 for XP. XP was released in 2001. Vista was released January 2007. XP was available for sale the entire two years of Vista's availability. So the sales periods are 8 years to 2 years or 4:1.

I can see Vista having some months in which it sold more units than any previous Windows versions, even some quarters, but i can't see it having a significantly faster rate of sales than XP over the life of the product.

It certainly can't have sold more units than any previous Windows version. It still comprises only 25% of the Windows installed base. Many of those sales were XP sales before they were Vista sales (upgrades). In fact, some of them are Vista sales before they are XP sales (downgrades.)

What is meant by "outsold"?

Jan 01, 09 - 06:46 pm Comment from: ken1w

@ Marco Marco

> In all fairness... Vista has outsold any previous OS of Microsoft.

Except that Microsoft is now counting licenses used for XP downgrades as Vista sales.

> It will be 50 years before Apple will overtake MS if they can.

Except that Apple will probably adjust its business model and start some type of licensing of Mac OS X once Mac market share reaches 25% to 30%. Currently, Apple is not completing with Microsoft; it is competing with HP, Dell, etc. In that contest, Mac OS X does not need to beat Windows for Apple to be #1.

Jan 01, 09 - 06:51 pm Comment from: twilightmoon

marco (aka windows troll): "Windows 7 is been reviewed by many as amazing... Nothing short."


This is just laughable. Are you trying to take Zune Tang's schtick? Show us some links? Windows 7 has repeatedly been called "warmed over Vista" by many windows tech reviewers.

How is it "amazing"? Unless your CNet and are paid by Microsoft to glowingly idolize all things Microsoft.

Seriously you need your head examined marco, I've yet to see anything useful spewed forth from it.

But keep trying.

BTW are you paid by the post? The word? Or by the hour? Or how does it work?

my name used to be pederson... once