Mac sales growth stalls -- here's why Apple doesn't care

Mac sales growth rate (Graph by Computer World)

By Gregg Keizer in Computer World

Computerworld - Apple's Mac has been punished by shifting consumer tastes just as has the overall PC industry, data from the company's earnings statements show.

But in the end, Apple may not care.

"I think PC, and Mac, volumes will continue to shrink as this trend grows stronger," said Sameer Singh, an analyst at Tech-Thoughts. "But Apple is positioned well to take advantage of it."

Over the past four quarters, Mac sales gains have languished at 7% or less, and over the last three, at 2% or less. The worst was the fourth quarter of 2012, when Mac sales were down 22% compared to the same period the year prior.

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HP shift on PCs could boost rivals - Computerworld

HP shift on PCs could boost rivals - Computerworld

Computerworld - With Hewlett-Packard (HP) likely spinning off its PC manufacturing business, other major vendors will almost certainly be looking for a way to get a bigger piece of the hardware pie.

HP announced on Thursday that, among other moves, it is may sell its PC manufacturing business. That news rocked the hardware industry since HP is by far the dominant PC maker in the world.

So while HP decides just what to do, PC makers like Dell, Acer and Lenovo should be plotting their next move, say industry analysts.

Rob Enderle, an analyst with the Enderle Group, said HP's shift could easily be great news for other major vendors who want to take advantage of it. After all, companies and consumers may not be so quick to buy HP desktops or laptops if they feel the company or products are in flux.

That could mean more business for the other top vendors.

"Whoever takes over HP's PC business could, if it is successful, emerge in 18 months as very powerful. But, for those 18 months, the others will be able to gain share at HP's cost," said Enderle. "The leader is weakened until the divestiture stabilizes, and there is no certainty it will be successful. This will focus the others on HP's share."

All of these changes come just as the PC market isshifting into a slower pace.

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