Switch To A Mac tag:,2008-01-31:/1 2010-03-11T17:28:42Z Empowering Users To Switch To Apple Macintosh Computers Movable Type 4.13 Autodesk Maya - 2011 version gains 64-bit version for Apple's Mac OS X tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2501 2010-03-11T17:26:52Z 2010-03-11T17:28:42Z switchtoamac From the Maya 2011 Press Release:
"Mac OS X 64-Bit Availability -- Mac OS X users can access considerably more memory to handle larger and more complex scenes with the new 64-bit executable."

Note that the current version, Maya 2010 is available as a 32-bit application for Apple Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, or Microsoft Windows Vista Business.  A 64-bit version of Maya 2010 is supported on Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition operating systems.

By adding a 64-bit version for Mac OS X, Autodesk will enable 3D animation and visual effects professionals to leverage the power of Mac OS X instead of having to rely on 64-bit Windows-based systems.

To learn more about Autodesk Maya or to read the Autodesk Maya 2011 press release, click here.
]]> Enterprise Desktop Alliance survey - Macs cost a lot less than PCs to manage tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2500 2010-03-11T16:48:25Z 2010-03-11T16:57:57Z In an article posted to CIO.com, Tom Kaneshige highlights a newly released survey from Enterprise Desktop Alliance that 'Macs were cheaper in six of seven computer management categories.'... switchtoamac In an article posted to CIO.com, Tom Kaneshige highlights a newly released survey from Enterprise Desktop Alliance that 'Macs were cheaper in six of seven computer management categories.' We'd like to highlight the following sections from the article:
"Macs in the enterprise aren't just cheaper to manage--they're a lot cheaper, according to a new survey released today by the Enterprise Desktop Alliance."

"Enterprise Desktop Alliance is a group of software developers who've bandied together to deploy and manage Macs in the enterprise. The group surveyed 260 IT administrators in large U.S. companies with both Macs and PCs who are involved in some degree with IT cost calculations"

"The survey found that Macs were cheaper in six of seven computer management categories: troubleshooting, help desk calls, system configuration, user training and supporting infrastructure (servers, networks and printer). Nearly half of the respondents cited software licensing fees as roughly the same for both platforms"

"A whopping 65 percent of respondents said it costs less to troubleshoot Macs than PCs, 19 percent said they spent the same on both computers, and only 16 percent said they spent less to manage PCs than Macs"

"Even more impressive, a majority of the respondents citing the low cost of Macs in nearly all categories said Macs were more than 20 percent cheaper to manage than PCs"

"The cost of management appears to be a key driver for Macs in the enterprise. Nearly half of respondents said they brought in Macs mainly because of their low total cost of ownership and ease of technical support."

"Macs, of course, cost more than most PCs. However, many companies told CIO.com that the low cost of managing Macs more than makes up the cost difference between the computers."

You can read the full article here.]]> Valve Announces Steam and game library coming to Apple's Mac in April 2010 tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2499 2010-03-11T16:46:40Z 2010-03-11T16:47:43Z switchtoamac "As we transition from entertainment as a product to entertainment as a service, customers and developers need open, high-quality Internet clients," said Gabe Newell, President of Valve. "The Mac is a great platform for entertainment services."

"Our Steam partners, who are delivering over a thousand games to 25 million Steam clients, are very excited about adding support for the Mac," said Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development at Valve. "Steamworks for the Mac supports all of the Steamworks APIs, and we have added a new feature, called Steam Play, which allows customers who purchase the product for the Mac or Windows to play on the other platform free of charge. For example, Steam Play, in combination with the Steam Cloud, allows a gamer playing on their work PC to go home and pick up playing the same game at the same point on their home Mac. We expect most developers and publishers to take advantage of Steam Play."

We are treating the Mac as a tier-1 platform so all of our future games will release simultaneously on Windows, Mac, and the Xbox 360. Updates for the Mac will be available simultaneously with the Windows updates. Furthermore, Mac and Windows players will be part of the same multiplayer universe, sharing servers, lobbies, and so forth. We fully support a heterogeneous mix of servers and clients.

Portal 2 will be Valve's first simultaneous release for Mac and Windows. "Checking in code produces a PC build and Mac build at the same time, automatically, so the two platforms are perfectly in lock-step," said Josh Weier, Portal 2 Project Lead. "We're always playing a native version on the Mac right alongside the PC. This makes it very easy for us and for anyone using Source to do game development for the Mac."

You can read the full press release here.]]> 2010 Oscars - 9 out of 10 of documentary nominees used Apple's Final Cut Studio tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2498 2010-03-11T16:35:57Z 2010-03-11T17:29:50Z In a March 7, 2010 article titled, 'Final Cut Pro the Apple of Oscar's eye', Jim Dalrymple reported that ninety percent of this year's Oscar documentary nominees used Apple's Final Cut Studio.... switchtoamac In a March 7, 2010 article titled, 'Final Cut Pro the Apple of Oscar's eye', Jim Dalrymple reported that ninety percent of this year's Oscar documentary nominees used Apple's Final Cut Studio. Quotes from the article:
"In fact, 9 out of 10 of this year's nominees in the "Documentary Feature" and "Documentary Short" categories used Final Cut Studio to make their films," Dalrymple reports. "Final Cut Studio includes Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color, Compressor, and DVD Studio Pro, essentially giving filmmakers all of the tools they need to make a movie."

"One of the big draws about Final Cut Studio for all of the people we spoke with is its ability to do a variety of tasks. Like most jobs, Filmmakers and editors are expected to do more tasks these days before the movie is handed off for post production."

"According to market research firm SCRI International, Final Cut Pro has almost 50 percent market share in the nonlinear editor space, outperforming competitors like Avid."

"Final Cut Pro can do most everything that the million dollar systems can do and it costs you below $15,000 (this includes the cost of a Mac, Final Cut and video cards)"

Read the article in it's entirety.]]> After years of speculation and anticipation, Apple releases a table device - the Multi-Touch 'iPad' that starts at $499 tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2497 2010-01-28T04:50:26Z 2010-01-28T05:02:12Z switchtoamac "a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad's responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds-- thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499."

According to Apple CEO Steve Jobs:
"iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."

ipad_2up_hometimes.pngiPad in depth
The iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs 1.5 pounds and is lighter than any netbook on the market.  It sports a 9.7-inch display and includes a new to market 1GHz Apple A4 processor that includes not only the CPU but also the graphics.  At the event unveiling the device Jobs stated, "Everything is one chip, and it screams."  The iPad sports up to 10 hours of battery life while watching video and is capably of a one-month standby when fully charged.  It sports a a 9.7-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology and has a 178-degree viewing angle that supports 1024x768 pixel resolution display at 132 pixels per inch.  The iPad also includes an accelerometer, compass, speakers, microphone, and a 30-pin dock connector.

The iPad comes in two flavors at a given capacity, one with Wi-Fi and the another with both Wi-Fi and 3G. The iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR connectivity.  The 3G versions are capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks.  3G capable models will be sold unlocked and are able to use GSM micro SIMs. In the U.S., AT&T and Apple have teamed up to offer free access to AT&T's Wi-Fi hot spots.  At&T will offer two data plan options.  At $14.99 users are allotted 250MB of data per month whereas the $29.99 per month price point provides unlimited data consumption. A contract is not required.   In total, there are six different iPad versions as demonstrated below:

ipad-versions-jan2010.png
Standard Applications
The iPad includes applications uniquely designed for the device including an address book, calendar, e-mail, Safari, Google Maps, Notes, and a special iTunes version.  When Steve Jobs unveiled the iBooks application, he called out Amazon's Kindle device and stated that Apple wants to "stand on their shoulders and go a little further." The accompanying iBookstore - features content from well known publishers including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Macmillan, and Hachette Book Group.

iWork on the iPad
New iPad-specific versions of the company's iWork applications (historically used on Macs) were unveiled.  Apple's Phil Schiller highlighted and demonstrated  the Multi-Touch capabilities of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The iPad iWork applications will cost $9.99 each.

iPad SDK
Apple today released a new Software Development Kit (SDK) for iPad, so developers can create amazing new applications designed to take advantage of iPad's capabilities. The SDK includes a simulator that lets developers test and debug their iPad apps on a Mac, and also lets developers create Universal Applications that run on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Accessories
Optional Apple designed accessories for the iPad include:
  • iPad Dock
  • iPad Keyboard Dock
  • iPad Case
  • iPad Camera Connection Kit
  • iPad USB Power Adapter

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to start selling the iPad worldwide in March at the prices (US) listed above.  The iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores, and from Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple has indicated that international pricing and availability will be detailed in the future.  The iBookstore will be available in the US once the product goes on sale.
]]> Apple adds Windows 7 support in Boot Camp 3.1 tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2496 2010-01-20T16:37:34Z 2010-01-20T16:50:19Z switchtoamac ]]> boot_camp_01.pngWhat is Boot Camp?
Boot Camp a utility in Mac OS X that facilitates the installation of Microsoft Windows operating system on Intel-based Macs.  Following the repartitioning of the Mac hard drive and subsequent Windows installation, an Intel Mac can be booted into either Mac OS X or Windows.  Thus, it provides a dual boot option for Intel-based Mac users.

About Boot Camp 3.1
The update adds support for Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate), addresses issues with the Apple trackpad, turns off the red digital audio port LED on laptop computers when it is not being used, and supports the Apple wireless keyboard and Apple Magic mouse.

Boot Camp 3.1 (in 32-bit and 64-bit and versions) requires an authentic copy of Microsoft Windows 7 (or Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade), Windows Vista SP2, or Windows XP.   Apple highly recommends the update for all Boot Camp 3.0 users.

Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade
In a related download, Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade, Apple has created a utility to help address a Windows Vista to Windows 7 upgrade for Boot Camp users.]]> Apple Issues Mac OS X Security Update 2010-001 for Snow Leopard and Leopard tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2495 2010-01-20T15:48:13Z 2010-01-20T15:53:49Z switchtoamac
  • Security Update 2010-001 (Snow Leopard) (21.90 MB, Requires Mac OS X 10.6.2)
  • Security Update 2010-001 Client (Leopard) (159.58 MB, Requires Mac OS X 10.5.8)
  • Security Update 2010-001 Server (Leopard) (248.11 MB, Requires Mac OS X 10.5.8)
    • Note that these security updates will be rolled into the next Mac OS X update for Snow Leopard but you are encouraged to install the security update now given that a release of 10.6.3 is not imminent.]]>     Apple issues invites for Jan. 27 media event to show off 'latest creation' - Tablet device expected tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2494 2010-01-18T17:56:21Z 2010-01-18T18:10:04Z switchtoamac Sites including Engadget and Arstechnica indicate that Apple has sent out invitations for a media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco scheduled for 10:00 AM Pacific Time on January 27th.  Below the invite graphic the tag line reads "Come see our latest creation."

    ]]>
    27jan2010-invite.png

    The January 27th event was rumored earlier this month when it was first reported by the Wall Street Journal's Digital Daily site.  Apple has long been rumored (years!) to have been working on a tablet-like device.  The media event on the 27th will likely bring an end to this speculation as Apple executives including CEO Steve Jobs are expected to unveil the device.  Let the countdown begin!

    ]]>     2010 - What's in store for the Mac? tag:switchtoamac.com,2010://1.2493 2010-01-04T17:43:04Z 2010-01-27T18:46:35Z switchtoamac
    1. Apple releases Mac OS X (version 10.6) Snow Leopard - The microprocessor industry's transition to multicores is the heart of Mac OS X moving forward starting with Snow Leopard.  Marry this with enhanced 64-bit support and Apple has laid the foundation for Mac OS X and Mac innovation for the next decade.  
    2. Apple rebrands the 13-inch aluminum MacBook as a MacBook Pro - The rebranding of the aluminum MacBook as a MacBook Pro clearly demonstrated the closeness/overlap of the MacBook and MacBook Pro models.  Each MacBook revision brought it closer to the MacBook Pro.  I knew several people how would question the need to purchase a MacBook Pro over a MacBook.
    3. MacBook Pro models updated with built-in batteries - This is a vertical integration play that ties back to Apple's differentiation strategy in that it aligns with the company's internal activities of doing things differently.  Not only does it help on the bottom line in terms of profit margins but it also helps Apple differentiate the Mac against competitor offerings.  Expect more of the same for Apple and the Mac moving forward because vertical integration has implications for Apple's overall strategy.
    What's in store for the Mac in 2010? - My top seven things to watch/predictions for the Mac in 2010:
    1. New hardware - tablet device expected
    2. New Westmere processors from Intel - mobile and desktop versions
    3. Mac updates
    4. Continued MacBook and MacBook Pro divergence
    5. More Mac applications from third-party vendors
    6. Switchers and more switchers
    7. Mac shipments will reach new records
    1. New Hardware - tablet device expected
    It is widely expected that Apple will release a table type hardware device in 2010.  Many have not only questioned but also criticized Apple for failing to enter the netbook market.  Perhaps Apple has other plans in store for the device.  Several of Apple's tablet-centric patents have been uncovered by Apple watchers over the past few years and a result, it's not a question of 'if' Apple will release such a device but when.   So the next question, how will the device be classified?  Will it be a Mac that runs Mac OS X or an iPhone variant that runs iPhone OS?

    I expect that it will be classified as a Mac because of the following changes and new features in Mac OS X Snow Leopard:
    • Quicktime X - the latest iteration of Apple's Quicktime application now includes virtual player controls that could easily be used by a touch sensitive device.
    • Expose via the Dock - Enabling Expose directly from the dock eliminates the requirement of a physical keyboard, mouse, or use of a trackpad gesture.
    • Stacks visibility -  all items in a Stack are visible and no longer need the Finder.
    • Freehand drawing - Mac users are able to draw characters via a Mac portable's trackpad. When Apple demonstrated the feature it stated that it would allow the drawing of Chinese characters.  The technology even recommends characters based on what has been drawn.  Couple this with the predictive text technology in the iPhone and it's within the realm of possibility that Apple could morph these two features into a revolutionary technology for a portable device's text input.
    2. New Intel processors - Westmere
    Intel's new Westmere processor represent the 32nm version of the Nehalem microarchitecture.   Specifically, Clarkdale is targeted towards desktops and Arrandale for portables.  Some of these processors should find their way into Apple's Macintosh computers.

    3. Mac updates
    A new year means that the Macintosh lineup will experience at least one and perhaps two product updates during 2010.  As stated above, the new Intel processors should show up in new 2010 Mac models.  Expect continued innovation for the Mac and additional vertical integration moves that impact the Mac.

    4. Continued MacBook and MacBook Pro divergence
    Apple's clear separation of the MacBook from the MacBook Pro at a physical level sets the stage for continued divergence.  Apple now has the opportunity to separate these two lines on a feature level.

    5. More Mac applications from third-party vendors
    As Mac penetration has increased third-party vendors have begun to take note.  Heck, even Microsoft has decided to roll out Outlook for Mac in 2010, a clear sign that Mac use in the enterprise is likely to increase and gain traction in 2010. It's also a move against Apple's built-in support of Exchange in Snow Leopard's Mail application.  Intuit should (finally!) have a revamped version of Quicken out in 2010.  Expect more companies to release Mac-capable versions of their software.

    6. Switchers and more switchers
    Most of Apple's Mac growth and market share gains have been the result of switchers.  Expect more people you know make the switch to a Mac this year due to word of mouth, positive experience with Apple products including the iPhone and iPod, and the willingness to try something other than Microsoft Windows.  This in turn will lead to record Mac shipment records in 2010.

    7. Mac shipments will reach new records
    Apple sold a record 3.053 million Macs during the company's 2009 fiscal fourth quarter (July, August, September).  This represents a near 17 percent increase over the comparable 2008 quarter when Apple sold 2.61 million Macs.  See the image below for Mac shipments over the past four years (sixteen quarters).  Apple just completed it's 2010 fiscal first quarter (October, November, December) and will be releasing earnings in a few weeks.  I expect the number of Macs shipped to be in the 3.15 to 3.27 million range.  Regardless of the exact number, the three million Mac unit floor has been set and Apple is positioned to set new quarterly and yearly Mac shipment records in 2010.

    mac_q409.png
    Now for some speculation!  I've listed two things that may happen for the Mac knowing that these are simply stretches of my imagination:

    Speculation 1 - Apple adopts AMD processors
    Ok, this one is out there but not outside the realm of possibility.  By adopting AMD processors, Apple could open several doors for the Mac.  I highlight two:
    • It could strengthen Apple's bargaining position with Intel over microprocessor supply and prices.  A pure play on buyer and supplier power.
    • Differentiation - Adding AMD as a chip supplier will allow Apple to further differentiate and segment both the portable Mac lineup and its customers.  This segmentation could occur at the feature and price sensitivity levels.  The precedent was set when Apple lowered Mac prices in 2009.  It's no secret that the MacBook and MacBook Pro models do not differ substantially (see Apple's comparison table) even though Apple rebranded the 13-inch aluminum MacBook as a MacBook Pro in June 2009 and now classifies the white polycarbonate model as the only MacBook.  Adding a new microprocessor supplier could help differentiate the portable lineup.

    Speculation 2 - Apple branded processor(s)
    2010 may provide additional insight into or perhaps the release of an Apple-branded processor.  Mark Papermaster, (a former IBM employee with expertise in microprocessor architecture), Apple's as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering has been leading Apple's iPod and iPhone hardware engineering teams since April 2009.  IBM even sued Papermaster to prevent him from joining Apple on a non compete basis and the parties eventually settled.  Now tie the hiring of Papermaster with Apple's 2008 acquisition of PA Semi, a microprocessor design firm, and things get interesting on the processor front.  If Apple releases a chip in 2010 will it drive the aforementioned tablet-like device (very likely), iPods (likely), iPhones (likely), or some new hardware (a Mac perhaps? - not likely) in the future.

    There are over 360 days left in the year, plenty of time for Mac related developments, product announcements, and news.  Here's to a noteworthy 2010 for the Mac!

    ]]>     Ars Technica reviews the 27-inch iMac tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2492 2009-12-15T22:36:50Z 2009-12-15T22:38:41Z switchtoamac
    • 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    • 2560 x 1440
    • 4GB RAM
    • 1TB hard drive
    • 8x SuperDrive
    • ATI Radeon 4670 with 256MB
    • $1,699
    The review is segmented into the following sections:
    1. In the box
    2. Screen
    3. Bonus external monitor included! (Some restrictions may apply)
    4. Ports
    5. Performance
    6. Conclusion

    We'd like to highlight a few quotes from the review
    "aside from the obvious portability offered by a notebook, the sleek machine offers more bang for your buck than a mobile, but without any of the ugliness that typically comes with a desktop machine".

    "More important than the screen size itself is the fact that the new displays are finally LED-backlit like the rest of Apple's notebooks and cinema displays. Again, this is the first time Apple has added LED backlighting to the iMac, allowing the screen to go both brighter and dimmer than the previous generation".

    "If you liked the previous iMac, you'll like the new iMac--especially the 27" version. The single largest improvement is by far the screen, both in its size and its LED backlighting, which gives you tons of space for work and play on a crisp-looking display. And if you've dreamed up some scenario in which you need both an all-in-one computer and an external display for use with a notebook on the same desk, then this is practically your dream machine."

    You can review the extensive review in its entirety here.]]>     AdweekMedia names Apple 'Brand of the Decade' tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2491 2009-12-15T22:08:09Z 2009-12-15T22:13:13Z AdweekMedia, in their "Best of the 2000s" advertising awards, gave Apple top marks in six categories including "Brand of the Decade", "Marketer of the Decade", "Campaign of the Decade", and "Product of the Decade".... switchtoamac AdweekMedia, in their "Best of the 2000s" advertising awards, gave Apple top marks in six categories including "Brand of the Decade", "Marketer of the Decade", "Campaign of the Decade", and "Product of the Decade". adweekmedia_2000.pngBrand of the Decade (Apple) - "Though the brand almost petered out in the '90s, last year consumers told Interbrand that Apple was the thing they couldn't live without and the one they found most inspiring".  Adweek also make mention of Apple CEO Steve Jobs' marketing brilliance.

    Marketer of the Decade (Steve Jobs) - Apple CEO Steve Jobs is described as "visionary, iconoclastic and fearless".  "His inimitable blend of competitive skill and design savvy hasn't just saved a fading brand, it's recast two businesses that used to have nothing to do with computers: music and mobile phones."

    Product of the Decade (iPod) - Apple clearly redefined the way consumers listen to and manage music.  "Prior to the iPod launch, the devices on the market were ugly, weak and could barely hold one album. Apple added more capacity, stronger batteries and a space-age case by designer Jonathan Ive to the mix. What really drove it, though, was iTunes, Apple's music store, which became a de facto standard for digital music. As Apple did its best to close off iTunes to competitors, the company enjoyed a near monopoly for most of the decade."

    Campaign of the Decade ("Get a Mac") - The ads which debuted in 2006, created in conjunction with TBWA/Chiat/Day's Media Arts Lab, helped Apple reposition the Mac in consumer's mindset.  According to Adweek, "the campaign managed the neat trick of making the brand look laid back and cool while it mercilessly skewered its rival."

    Out-of-Home Ad of the Decade ("Silhouettes") - These ads, launched in 2003, were also done in collaboration with TBWA/Chiat/Day's Media Arts Lab.  The unique approach of the ads helped to increase the awareness of the iPod.  "The treatment (which racked up a shelf full of industry honors including a Grand Effie in 2005) not only made the digital music player instantly recognizable in any language and culture, but it also achieved what in branding is the nearly impossible: defining a product without showing what it even looked like up close."

    Digital Campaign of the Decade (Nike Plus) - NikePlus was a joint venture between Nike and Apple that leveraged the iPod as a tool for athletes interested in tracking and share their training.  "Since its launch, Nike Plus runners have logged more than 100 million miles--enough for more than 400 roundtrips to the moon. It's little coincidence that Nike steadily increased its running shoe market share from 48 percent in 2006 to 61 percent in 2008.

    You can read the full list of categories and awards at the Best of the 2000s page.
    ]]>     October 2009 - Apple grabs top U.S. spots for retail desktop and notebook sales tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2490 2009-12-05T00:45:09Z 2009-12-05T00:46:14Z A CNet article on December 4, 2009 highlights a NPD Group report which details that Apple's Macintosh computers grabbed the top spot in both the desktop and notebook categories.... switchtoamac A CNet article on December 4, 2009 highlights a NPD Group report which details that Apple's Macintosh computers grabbed the top spot in both the desktop and notebook categories.

    ]]> A few key quotes from the article

    "The recently introduced 21-inch iMac was the top-selling desktop for the month, Stephen Baker, NPD's vice president of industry analysis, said in an interview. Apple's high-end iMac 27-inch model took the No. 3 spot in the desktop category, he said."

    "The company also took the top spot in the notebook category in October, with the $1,199 MacBook Pro, Baker said. Overall, Apple took 4 out of the top 10 positions for notebooks in U.S. retail for the month, according to Baker. In addition to the top-seeded MacBook Pro, Apple also secured the 8, 9, and 10 positions."

    Note that NPD data only encompasses online and retail stores, not direct sales.

    You can read the entire article here.

    ]]>     Analyst details how Apple outgrew the PC market seven fold tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2489 2009-12-05T00:28:15Z 2009-12-05T00:44:44Z switchtoamac Philip Elmer-DeWitt, in a blog post on Fortune, highlights interesting Apple Mac growth analysis put forth by Charles Wolf, a Needham & Co.'s senior analyst.  The analysis explains how Apple's recent Mac growth was seven times the growth rate of the overall PC market.

    ]]> The report includes data and graphs from Interactive Data Corporaqtion (IDC), a market intelligence firm.  Here are some interesting quotes from the blog post:

    "Needham's Charlie Wolf was as surprised as anyone when Apple (AAPL) reported that it had sold a record 3.05 million Macintosh computers in its fiscal fourth quarter -- a 16.4% increase compared with just 2.3% growth in the PC market."

    "The twin drivers of the Mac's rebound," he writes in his executive summary, "were the home market's continued share gains in the PC market and the Mac's share gains in the home market itself. Shipments in the worldwide home market increased 18.1% compared to an 11.5% decline in all other PC segments, while Mac shipments in the home market increased 28.8%. In the Western European home market, shipments rose an impressive 58.9%.

    "In the remainder of his long report, Wolf makes the case that there's an iPhone "halo effect" that's even stronger than the original iPod halo, especially in Europe. And he applauds Apple's management for ignoring the advice of the many pundits who warned that it would lose share if it didn't abandon its premium pricing structure."

    "Apple stuck to its guns, and it paid off. Its dollar share of the home market is growing even faster than its unit share. Today, Apple gets one out every ten dollars spent on home computers worldwide. (See below.) In the U.S., its dollar share is more than one in five."

    You can read the blog post along with the charts and data here.

    ]]>     Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac Released tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2488 2009-11-06T03:07:13Z 2009-11-06T03:09:34Z switchtoamac released Fusion 3), Parallels has also released a new version of their Mac virtualization program, Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac.  The update includes over 70 new features and significant performance improvements. ]]> parallels_desktop_5.pngNew Features and Enhancement Include:
    • Full Windows 7 experience including AERO for Window 7 and Vista
    • Easily copy and paste formatted text and images between Windows and Mac
    • Install Window XP, Vista or 7 in 3 easy steps
    • Effortlessly organize multiple windows and even Windows application with Expose and Spaces
    • Secure virtual machines with powerful administrator tools
    • Optimized for Mac OS X Snow Leopard
    Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is priced at $79.99, upgrade pricing is $49.99 for current Parallels users.  Customers that purchased an Upgrade or a Full Version of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac on October 1, 2009 or later are eligible for a Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac upgrade.

    Customers that purchase in September 2009 are asked to email 2upgrade@parallels.com for special update pricing.]]>     VMware Fusion 3 for Mac Released tag:switchtoamac.com,2009://1.2487 2009-11-06T00:56:50Z 2009-11-06T03:10:20Z switchtoamac vmware_fusion3.pngFusion 3 boasts over 50 new features and now packages a Migration Assistant for Windows.

    Highlights of the release include:
    • Supports more than 140 guest operating systems supported, including Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server, Linux distributions. and Ubuntu
    • Optimized for Snow Leopard
    • Effortless Migration from Windows PCs to Mac
    • Ultimate Experience for Windows 7 Guests
    • 3D Graphics Now Supports More Applications and Games
    • Performance. Finely Tuned.
    • Unity More Mac-Like Than Ever
    • Virtual Machine Library
    • Full Screen View Improvements
    • User Interface Refinements
    • Automatic Updates
    • Multiple Display Improvements
    • Shared Folders and Mirrored Folders Improvements
    • Copy and Paste, Drag and Drop Improvements
    • Full Support for Mac OS X Leopard Server and Snow Leopard Server as Guests
    • Keyboard Improvements
    • Virtual Hard Disk Improvements
    • Networking Improvements
    • Shared Smart Card
    • Remote Management
    • Select Startup Device
    Migration Assistant
    As a site that promotes the Switch to Mac, we like the revamped Migration Assistant that helps you copy over an entire Windows PC to your Mac into a virtual machine via an Ethernet connection.  VMware indicates that it works "just like" Apple's Mac OS X based Migration Assistant for setting up or restoring a Mac.

    Fusion 3 retails for $79.99.  If you're an existing Fusion 1 (not sure why because Fusion 2 was a free upgrade for Fusion 1 users!) or Fusion 2 user, the upgrade costs only $39.99.  You can opt for the $59.99 upgrade that includes major version upgrades free for the next 12 months.]]>