Microsoft Should Fear Apple’s Buzz
March 27th, 2007 at 3:00 PM - News by John Martellaro
Apple has become smarter about competing with Microsoft. That and the switch to Intel should be cause for concern by Microsoft, according to ComputerWorldis Scot Finnie on Wednesday.
"The switch to Intel was just such a chess move.... It solves a performance problem Apple had. It creates a better experience for Intel-Mac owners because it better supports Windows applications.... Perhaps most significantly, though, all these advantages appeal to potentially millions of Mac-curious Windows users because it makes the Mac more familiar," Mr. Finnie wrote.
The buzz that Apple has been able to create has resulted in many IT managers slowly coming to appreciate Mac OS X instead of disparaging the Mac platform. "The Mac is experiencing a renaissance," Mr. Finnie reported. "Itis about Intel inside. Itis about Unix at the core. Itis about virtualization technology. Itis about the surprising availability of software. Itis about a superior operating system, and attractive hardware. Itis about serious buzz."
The net result of all this has been a certain undefinable atmosphere. To be sure, Microsoft retains vast market share and isnit likely to lose any of it very soon. However, PC users were expecting Vista to be a home run, and it was much less. Meanwhile Apple is hitting home runs with every product.
Along with this, Microsoft seems to be involved in one failure after another and shouldnit rest too easy. Mr. Finnie observed that "[Microsoft] has had huge problems with security this decade. Through its own inattention to Internet Explorer, it allowed Mozillais Firefox to gain a bridgehead on browser market share. Even dyed-in-the-wool Windows enterprises are fed up with me-too Microsoft upgrades, the never-ending blizzard of security patches, the increasing hardware requirements for Vista, volume licensing snafus, and a litany of other complaints and sore points."
The bottom line is that itis all about perception and buzz. Apple has somehow managed to gain the upper hand in every area of marketing buzz. The author concluded, "How do you measure buzz? You donit. Itis something that experienced people in this industry can just feel. And thatis the condition Microsoft should fear. Because buzz can turn into something much harder to combat than sheer numbers."
That may be why, these days, whenever Steve Ballmer is interviewed, heis asked about Apple products.
Recent Headlines - Updated November 22nd
- Fri, 7:07 PM
- Games - Soccer Sim Championship Manager 2010 Released for Mac
- 6:47 PM
- Games - EA Publishes Original Monopoly for iPhone
- 6:15 PM
- News - Original Apple I on Ebay for $50K, w/Letter from Steve Jobs
- 6:11 PM
- Games - New iPhone Games: Secret of the Lost Cavern Ep 1, New DJ Nights, More
- 5:47 PM
- Games - Star Trek D-A-C Game Headed to the Mac Next Month
- 4:57 PM
- Product News - TidBITS Releases “Take Control of Syncing Data in Snow Leopard”
- 4:26 PM
- John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/20) Stationery Pads Go Poof
- 2:59 PM
- Free on iTunes - Musée du Louvre, Art Lite, SketchBook Mobile X and More.
- 1:50 PM
- Deal Brothers - Acer P215H bmid 21.5” Widescreen LCD Monitor: $139.99
- 11:24 AM
- TMO Appearances - Jeff Gamet Shares More Holiday Gift Ideas on MacJury
- 10:43 AM
- Product News - Cocktail 4.5 for Leopard Adds QuickLook Cache Clearing
- 10:06 AM
- News - Hack Enables Mac OS X 10.6.2 on Netbooks
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
OWC: Get the Right Memory / Ram for your Mac. Top Quality, Competitive Prices, Lifetime Warranty. Expert Support and Video Installation Guidies too! 4.0GB Matched Sets from $87.99, Options up to 32GB. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.


The Evolved Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Camera: $583.03 Delivered - $16.00 Drop
Panasonic Lumix 10MP Digital Camera: $275.95 Delivered - Additional $6 Drop!