14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is growing. Apple itself knows it's growing, thus it will reinforce its lineup of products, particularly desktops and notebooks, particularly (again) MacBooks using "a complete MacBook touch with touchscreen keypad features" to get everyone's attention. Why? Well, first of all because it's a given - the company uses the portables it creates to pave the way for Mac adoption. Second of all, because analysts are seriously considering it as a possibility.
"Looking into 2010, we expect Apple to advance its touchscreen technology, known as multi-touch, from simple trackpad features to a complete MacBook touch with touchscreen keypad features," analyst Gene Munster told investors. "Discussions we have had with component suppliers indicate that Apple is already testing full multi-touch Macs, but the software requirements will likely lead to a launch timeframe of 2010," the man said, according to AppleInsider.
Munster's forecasts concern the lovable iMac and the thought-to-be-dying Mac mini. The Piper Jaffray analyst reckons it's happening within three months as of now, as Apple is likely to perform upgrades on its MacBook and MacBook Pros in time for the educational buying season.
As far as Apple's paving the way for Mac adoption... "In 2004, the iPod's third full year of sales, Apple sold more than twice as many iPods as it did Macs. And in the December 2007 quarter, Apple sold more iPhones than it did Macs," Munster said. "Clearly, these devices have enabled Apple to significantly expand its user base, which we believe will drive demand for Macs."
There is but one aspect keeping Mac sales behind iPod/iPhone sales, according to the same analyst: "We took a closer look at some specific examples of buying comparably appointed Macs and PCs and found that on average, PC desktops are priced 16 percent lower than Macs, while PC laptops are priced 9 percent lower. This compares to similar checks we conducted almost 2 years ago in which we found PC desktops were 13 percent cheaper than Macs and PC laptops were 10 percent cheaper than Macs," he wrote. "We believe computer shoppers are willing to pay a premium (10 percent to 15 percent) for a Mac, and Mac sales would benefit if consumers realized that the actual premium is in fact 10 percent to 15 percent, as opposed to the perception that Macs are 20 percent to 30 percent more expensive."
Doesn't anyone even take into account that people are simply afraid of change? It's a fact. We're afraid of adopting new stuff. Unless, of course, we're guaranteed loads of fun, simplicity and ultimate success. What am I saying here...? Surely Apple is up to the task.