Dear Mom and Dad: It’s PC Decision Day
For more than six months, The VAR Guy’s parents have asked him one key question: Which PC should we buy? And for more than six months, The VAR Guy has offered the same answer: Wait until October 22 and then go out and make an informed decision involving Windows 7 or Mac OS X. The VAR Guy suspects conversations like this have been happening across the globe. Today, the talk is over and the evaluations begin.
Now, for the irony. The more things change the more they stay the same. Apple and Linux have certainly gained some desktop momentum since the Windows Vista debacle. But for the vast majority of users, Windows remains the main game in town. And assuming Windows 7 really fixes five core problems found in Vista, Microsoft should be able to generate impressive sales in North America. (Emerging markets are a different story, especially as low-cost Linux systems pressure Microsoft.)
Still, some market shifts are occurring in North America. Apple’s niche is growing, and quarterly sales jumped 24%. Apparently, consumers like to buy quality products. Who would have thunk it? Heck, even a few Managed Service Providers are building Apple-centric businesses.
Meanwhile, high-tech heavyweights like IBM are weighing in with Linux alternatives — the latest move involves IBM partnering with Canonical on Ubuntu Linux. And small PC makers like System76 and ZaReason are gearing up for the Ubuntu 9.10 launch, expected on October 29. Competition, competition, competition. The VAR Guy is lovin’ it.
Microsoft on Main Street
Sure, The VAR Guy runs Ubuntu, Mac OS X and Windows XP. And he’ll give Windows 7 a try. But this blog entry isn’t focused on The VAR Guy. Instead, it’s written for Mom and Dad, and Main Street USA.
And today, Main Street USA — and the rest of the world — finally get to kick Windows 7’s tires. Windows Vista is dead. Long live customer choice and innovation. Mom and Dad, take a ride to your local retailer and give Windows 7 a look. Then, head over to the Apple Store and hang out at the Genius Bar for a bit. Ask lots of questions. Think about how you actually want to use a computer.
The VAR Guy will be interested to know which system you buy, and why.
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Ah, the old MAC vs PC war is heating up on the VarGuy’s blog! Next thing we know, the VGuy will be in one of those trendy Mac/PC commercials (incognito, I assume). But which side will he take? Hmmm. But I digress from the question at hand.
Main Street is gradually shifting loyalties from PC to the Mac OS platform in record numbers. And Apple’s earnings reflect this. Apple execs on last week’s call used words like “phenomenal” and “spectacular” (words not often heard on staid earning calls). Their global Mac sales were up 17% and US sales up over 11%. The message of simplicity and ease of use still resonates.
But more interesting is to look not at Main Street, but to enterprises, especially SMEs. More and more are shifting to Mac OS or allowing employees the choice of PC or Mac. Even large organizations like Cisco have avid Mac users (some 8,000 strong). So mom and dad and enterprise users have something in common: shared devotion to simplicity and a computer virtually virus free. Hint to the VarGuy’s portfolio: buy Apple and VMWare! Loraine Antrim
Hi Loraine: Thanks for the well-constructed comment. The VAR Guy respects readers who come armed with data points. And yes, our resident blogger noticed Cisco’s corporate IT department now supporting Macs. Impressive, indeed.
I’ve got a friend who’s currently in hospital. He has a four-year-old Acer Aspire that came with Windows XP, and he’s not in a financial position to buy a new machine. I entertained him during one visit with the games on my Eee 701 (running Ubuntu Jaunty). He was so taken that he accepted my suggestion to take his PC and put the same system on it (dual-booting with Windows, of course).
I got that done a couple of nights ago. Everything worked fine, and he even gets some 3D graphics effects now. But I couldn’t get the on-board modem to work (he’s still on dialup Internet). Turns out it’s a Motorola SM56, which is a “winmodem”, so no Linux drivers. Just for fun, I tried searching Microsoft’s “Windows Seven Compatibility Center”, but no mention of it there, either. So Linux is offering him at least as good an upgrade path as Windows.
Lawrence: Please tell your good friend to get well soon. -TVG