12% of US homes have Macs; most also have Windows
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Mon October 5, 2009
NPD shows Mac use in US on the rise
Over 12 percent of all US homes have at least one Mac but aren't exclusive to the platform, the NPD Group found in its latest Household Penetration study. The number is a large jump from nine percent just last year, but about 85 percent of these also have at least one Windows PC as well. These homes are also more likely to have three or more computers, at 66 percent, versus just 29 percent for Windows-only homes.
The research attributes these in part to Mac users typically having above-average income levels, which also translates into other electronics. Mac users are appropriately much more likely to own Apple handhelds: 28 percent own an iPod touch versus 9 percent of Windows homes, while 63 percent own some other iPod variant compared to 36 percent of the rest. However, these also tend to own two times as many devices as a whole and own more flash-based camcorders (20 percent versus 5), digital SLRs (32 percent versus 12), 50-inch or larger HDTVs (18 percent versus 8) and GPS units (49 percent versus 30).
Mac users are also noticeably more likely to be portable, as 72 percent of them have at least one notebook where just 50 percent of Windows users claim the same.
As a result of the study, the analysts suggest that companies look to Mac users as early adopters and thus likely indicators of what devices and technologies are about to become popular.
I'm not average...
10/05, 01:20pm reply
It seems that I'm not an average MacUser: I don't own an iPod or iPhone, I don't own a flash-based camcorder, I don't own a 50"+ Flatscreen television and I don't own any form of SatNav-GPS equipment. I do have more than 10 Apple computers, so where do I fit in. I don't own a Windows based PC either!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
maybe its accurate
10/05, 02:48pm reply
I seem to fit the bill. I have multiple PCs (5+) and a Mac. I also have a couple of iPods, iPhone, GPS equipment, various game consoles, large DLP TV... hmmm...
What is this study really trying to figure out? That mac users are more likely to be geeks like me? lol
DeezNutts
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
I have one
10/05, 02:56pm (1 reply) reply
I have a Windows PC, we use it all the time. We turn it on during down time.....then laugh at how clunky and how it tries to copy the Mac OS in every way. We then use it as a doorstop or something warm for our cat to sleep on during the winters.
slapppy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
What???
10/05, 03:23pm reply
They're saying that Mac users tend to be more affluent than PC users? I can't believe that.
Next thing you know they'll release a survey saying Lexus owners are more affluent than Toyota owners. And those who buy jewelry from Tiffany's are more likely to own high-priced items than those buying at Kay Jewelers.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
yes testudo
10/05, 03:45pm (1 reply) reply
people with a little more money to spend enjoy the finer things in life. good wine, good food, good computers...
but then again, that's obvious. why you had to restate it is the mystery isn't it? well, not really. your's is a bad whine.
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Why is this such a surprise?
10/05, 06:34pm reply
The truth of the matter is that both machines have their pros and cons. I do most of my creative work on the Mac, but I still hold true to the PC for admin stuff. I own two of each. And even in the creative field, there are times when you need to look at your work on both machines and various browsers. Frankly, I'm disgusted by what I refer to as "Mac-attudes" - people who bought Mac and are suddenly better than the rest of society. Arrogance is NOT becoming. And there needn't be a choice to make. We can have both, and the ability to know how to use and maintain both machines is far more attractive than the popular 'tude, "I'm a Mac person." So f'ing what?
LaFemCreative
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2009
re: Nat to Testudo
10/06, 11:21am reply
Nat, Testudo was pointing out that most of the article was trite, in that, it IS obvious that more expensive products are purchased by more affluent people...duh.
It's just too bad there isn't a cheaper alternative for more folks so we OSX users didn't need to use Windows even once in a while, like checking that our photos still look good on our less affluent friends computers.
bluejammm
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006