Apple’s brand image can’t beat tight holiday budgets
There’s nothing worse than working really hard to become the best at or most recognized for something, only to realize that nobody cares. That’s where Apple currently stands. Though consumers are finally starting to embrace Apple computers, they certainly couldn’t do so at a worse time.
The Alley Insider is reporting that Apple’s popularity is up significantly, but even an improved image won’t be able to move computers during a budget-tight holiday season. Apparently, approximately only 34 percent of people who bought computers last year this time intend to do so this year. Not surprising by any means.
Though gas prices might be low for the time being, food prices have shot through the roof, and the cost of travel hasn’t really declined, at least for airlines, not to mention the cost of attending college. For most, stimulating the economy by purchasing an Apple computer isn’t what you might call a wise financial investment.
The Insider argues that Apple’s share in the market will continue to grow, despite economic woes. Though it is feasible that consumers might see the intrinsic value of purchasing Apple computers over others’ offerings, it’s hard to deny that the price tags of Apple machines is a bit steep. At least in comparison to the competition.
All of this is purely hypothetical and based on survey results that can’t really be worth more than a whimsical speculation. I don’t think that a few studies or projections by lesser-known analysts will throw Apple’s share values for a loop. iPhones and iPods are still selling like hotcakes. The computers will continue on as they always have, slowly and steadily creeping up in market share percentage. Let’s reconvene after the holidays to see what the consumers have to say about Apple computers’ value in an economic recession.
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December 11th, 2008
“Only 34% of people who bought a laptop last Christmas are going to buy one this Christmas”. With most people making a laptop last 2-3 years in the good times before they replace them, this actually sounds like a pretty good statistic. Why do 1 in 3 people need a new laptop within a year of buying their current one?
December 11th, 2008
Many are looking at Netbooks.
December 11th, 2008
@Dick Exactly.
I am hoping for th ipod touch this christmas but NOT because it’s an Apple product but because it’s Awsome.
December 11th, 2008
http://biz.yahoo.com/ibd/081210/tech.html
From a different right up of the same ChangeWave survey data:
“On the plus side, demand for Apple’s products, especially its new MacBook notebook computers, appears strong.
The ChangeWave survey showed that 33% of likely notebook PC buyers planned to get an Apple. That’s unchanged from a year earlier.”