Gartner: 'Apple should quit hardware biz'


Quoting a just-released Gartner study, ZDNet reports that the Mac's share of the US market has shot up remarkably to 6.1 percent. However, perhaps the most-shocking bit contained in Gartner's paper is their assertion that the mothership should quit the hardware business.

"Apple should leverage its close relationship with Intel and team up with Intel's closest ally, Dell," the report states. "We recognize that this move would surprise and even shock many. We are aware that Steve Jobs cancelled previous Mac licenses when he took over at Apple and that he guards the Apple brand zealously."

Today's Gartner numbers put the Mac's share at about 1.4 percent higher than earlier reports indicated. IGM reported last week that the Mac's share of the market, at least according to internet researcher Net Applications, had risen in September to 4.72 percent from 4.33 percent in August.

Steve Jobs has previously pooh-poohed the perceived importance of market share for the fairer platform.

Editor's note: Dumping its hardware portfolio would indeed be a bold move, but would it be the right move?

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