Post-PC era? No such thing, according to Apple Mac Sales
Apple is apparently defying predictions with a satisfied smirk, as Mac sales soar in spite of the “post-PC” era, a concept that seems to mean different things to different companies.
As Apple holds a steady 13% share of the worldwide PC market, as reported by IDC Senior Analyst Jay Chou, the consumer tech manufacturer shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to surprise the market with impressive products like the iMac Retina and sometime in 2015, a new 12-inch Macbook (Air?).
Apple’s renewed interest in lower-end consumers is likely to be a contributing factor, as seen from the recent cuts in Macbook Pro and Macbook Air prices. Easier access to the best technology has noticeably pushed sale numbers, yet, there is one unlikely element that becomes apparent when looking at these trends: mobile devices.
In a “post-PC” era, it’s odd to see mobile devices actually “helping” desktop devices gain traction, but one could look at this scenario in a way that makes sense, if considering what Apple has done with Mac OS X Yosemite and iOS. With features like Handoff and Airdrop, Macs and iOS devices are now aware of each other, which makes the presence of a Mac even more relevant in the household.
Quite honestly, no one truly believes we live in a “post-PC” era. It’s certainly not a true statement according to sale numbers, nor common sense. This year, Apple reported the sale of 5.5 million Macs, a whole million more units sold than last year. The number is even more outstanding when looking at how Apple has been able to reach higher revenues, during a time in which low-cost devices like the Google Chromebook have been providing a very affordable option for the consumer on a budget.
The reality is that we now use our devices differently, including PCs. We have the ability to take our data with us, in iPhones and iPads, access it remotely, perform tasks, and we have the choice of doing so at home, on an iMac, or on the go, with a Macbook Air or Apple Macbook Pro. It’s not about extinction, it’s about a choice.
Another important piece of evidence that the PC is not about to go away, is the recent compartmentalization of Hewlett Packard, now split into two entities, one of which is still primarily focused on building desktop PCs, a market obviously here to stay, in one form or another.