Dec. 10, 2007 ( Investor’s Business Daily delivered by Newstex) — Apple’s Macintosh computers are poised to make sizable market share gains in the coming months, according to a research firm that tracks PC purchase intent. ChangeWave Research says it sees continuing momentum for Apple’s AAPL Macs among both consumer and business customers.
ChangeWave recently conducted two surveys that gauged PC-buying plans over the next 90 days — a period running from the holiday shopping season into first-quarter 2008. It polled members of its alliance, which includes technology and business executives with leading companies in select industries. Its members tend to be more tech-savvy and have higher disposable incomes than the general public.
The Rockville, Md.-based firm’s poll results have proved prescient, predicting the rise in PC sales for Apple and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) HPQ and the downturn for Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) DELL in recent years. The latest ChangeWave consumer poll found that 29% of likely notebook and desktop PC buyers in the next 90 days are planning to get a Mac. That’s higher than consumer purchase intent for HP laptops (21%), HP desktops (24%) and Dell laptops (28%).
But Dell had higher demand for its desktops (31%). The trend line is clearly up for Apple. Two years ago, 16% of likely notebook PC buyers and 11% of desktop PC buyers planned to buy Macs. Demand for Macs has risen steadily ever since. Analysts credit the “halo effect” from the company’s popular iPod portable music players and iPhone smart phones. People that buy and like iPods and iPhones are inclined to try Macs.
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