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Analysts: iMac to take over 25% of PC sales, Mac to see 31% growth

by Mike Schramm Mar 17th 2010 at 7:00PM

We're only days away from the release of the iPad, and that means analysts are doing crazy business -- they're laying out as many predictions as they can before theory becomes actual numbers. Our friend Gene Munster is first -- he says that despite the introduction of a brand new category, Mac sales will be even better than investors expect this quarter, with a whopping 26% to 31% year-over-year growth. Apparently retail data suggests that Macs are flying off of the shelves, and that Apple should end up with almost 3 million Macs sold in the March quarter.

PC sales in general are also expected to increase, with the iMac carrying a whole quarter of all desktop growth this year. Desktop sales are finally headed upwards for the first time in a few years, and along with bigger sales numbers in terms of netbooks and notebooks, Apple's iMac platform is leading the charge. International sales are also expected to drive the PC market -- if the numbers are right, this will be the first time ever that sales internationally take up 50% of the desktop PC market.

Interesting predictions, all. There's no question, I think, that Apple will make plenty of money this quarter. The question going forward will be whether the iPad steals sales that would have gone to the iPhone or to a MacBook. But if the past numbers with the iPhone are any indication, big interest in the portable devices actually drives Apple's desktop sales as well.

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We're only days away from the release of the iPad, and that means analysts are doing crazy business -- they're laying out as many...
 

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TIm

Am I the only one who can't make sense of that headline? Where in those links does it state that iMac is taking over 50% of PC sales?
The only thing I could find that was remotely close was that the international sales are expected to make up for 50% of all iMac sales?

Well anyways .. I think you got a little carried away with your headline there.

T.

March 18 2010 at 4:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick F

The headline is nonsense, and the author should amend it. They're talking about a quarter of the growth figure, not a quarter of the sales. That's just statistically illiterate to make such a basic mistake.

March 18 2010 at 3:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Nick F's comment
madgunde

THANK YOU! I was going to post the same thing. Surprised I had to scroll down so far to find a comment from someone who actually noticed.

March 18 2010 at 9:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gilles

I don't understand how Mac sales grow 20% to 30% year-over-year and the Mac still has a 5% market share worldwide.

March 18 2010 at 1:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Gilles's comment
Andrew

I'm in the exact opposite position right now. I was surviving perfectly by having my iMac be my work computer, using my macbook air as the "on the go" device, and the iphone the always-with-me device. But now I'm finding it's too limiting to not have access to my iMac and other work tools when I'm out (such as my iTunes library not following me to my gfs house).

So my newest plan is to get a 15" macbook pro - big enough to do editing work and can follow me around when I stay elsewhere and go to editing jobs. But then the iPad will be that "on the go" device. I've recently become utterly addicted to evernote so taking that into Uni to take notes and for other places where the MBP 15" is too big and unwieldly seems like it might work.

Now do I get the wifi ipad or wait for 3G?

March 18 2010 at 12:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Andrew's comment
TIm

I must admit that I am not quite following your logic on this one. You find a mac book air to restrictive as a on the go device, yet you think about investing in an iPad?

The iPad is so much more restricted then the Air that it is not even funny any more plus you basically save nothing in terms of weight nor size when bringing one over the other?

No offense intended by the way .. I was just wondering.

T.

March 18 2010 at 5:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Montana Leet

It's about goddamned time! ...In my opinion.

March 17 2010 at 8:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
e:leaf

I loved my iMacs until it was feasable for me to sit at a desk anymore to do work.

It seems that some make a huge deal over newer Apple products "stealing sales" from other, older Apple products, but every indication I've seen is that Apple products losing sales to newer Apple products is a good thing at Apple.

March 17 2010 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to e:leaf's comment
deluded spider

I really think it's one of the best computers available right now, especially for most users. I like to do a lot of things on a computer (edit movies, light gaming, Photoshop work, webdesign, writing, etc) but I'm just a college student - none of that stuff is work, except maybe essay writing. This was the perfect computer for me - cheaper than a MacBook Pro, moderately portable compared to my old desktop tower, and you really can't beat this 24" screen. I imagine it'll continue to sell well until another computer actually beats it at its own game.

March 17 2010 at 7:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michael Bushnell

I really loved my old iMacs. I have a MBP now, but am seriously considering selling it and buying the 27" and an iPad.

March 17 2010 at 7:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Michael Bushnell's comment
mr nimblewick

I've considered this as well. Or at least waiting until I'm ready to ditch my Macbook. And I've been a laptop user for 15 years...

March 17 2010 at 10:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin Winsness

OUT OF THE PARK on sales this quarter........... again!!!!!

March 17 2010 at 7:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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