Apple Worldwide Market Share at 2.3%


Apple's worldwide market share stands at 2.3% for the most recent quarter, down from 2.7% on year-ago figures, but up from 2% in the previous quarter, notes c|net Asia.

The numbers are based upon figures released by IDC. Gateway has fared worst, with shipments down a massive 24% on previous quarter figures. However, Gateway still commands 4.2% of the US market, although this represents a fall of 1.9% on year-ago figures.

Dell and HP have experienced double-digit percentage improvements in their shipments, with a 'race to the bottom' between the two, as they both strive to increase market-share in the sub-$600 desktop PC bracket.

The c|net Asia article contrasts this with Apple's approach, which is to diversify its business into iPod and the iTMS. Apple has sold its 1 millionth iPod, while CFO Fred Anderson said that iTMS was "close to break-even" in its first quarter of operations. The Windows version of iPod is expected to be released before the end of the year.

c|net quotes Needham analyst Charles Wolf as saying that Apple could expect to reap up to $600 million per year in revenue from its iTMS.

Analysis: Interestingly, analysts are finally beginning to say what Mac users have known for years: stop measuring market share; feel the demographics. Apple addresses only part of the market - but it's generally the high end of the market, both consumer and pro. The G5s are clearly aimed at creative pros who will pay the price of the DP 2GHz. Similarly, Apple's 17" iMac and PowerBook G4s are the 'Hondas' of PCs, while other PCs sell 'Fords' (personally, we think the BMW motif is more appropriate, given the market share and the clientele, but that's just us).

Still, there's still not enough acknowledgement out there of the all-important installed base. There are a lot of PCs out there as well, but the bulk of them end up in the dumpster. Me? I've just ordered yet another Lombard battery from Apple. And at least a proportion of that installed base is going to be replaced by new Macs.