News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

September 7, 2006

hardware

Macs penetrating the college-student market

Posted Sep. 7, ’06, 1:17 PM PT by Scott Silverman
Category | Hardware

Apple StudentNow that I’m all settled in on my college campus, I’ve returned to posting—with quite a few observations on the Macintosh-at-college. So why delay? Let’s get right down to it.

There are a surprisingly high number of new Macs here at school (I attend Tufts University). I would guess two in every five computers is a Mac—quite a good ratio for Apple’s 7% market share.

A good number of these Macs are MacBooks, but there are also a surprisingly high number of MacBook Pros (I haven’t seen a desktop to-date). This really took me by surprise. A MacBook and a MacBook Pro are practically identical computers, save one thing: graphics. I know that 90% of these students will not need the dedicated graphics card of the MacBook Pro. If the student plans on editing video in FCP, playing games, or working in Photoshop/Aperture, I see the Pro as justified.

It perplexed me: why did so many students choose to spend $700-$1000 more than they had to for a college computer? Not to mention the MacBook’s smaller size, greater durability, and overall sleeker design. Mind you, the MacBook Pro does have a 2” bigger screen, but that’s not something I can see most people shelling out more than half a grand for.

A little asking around was conclusively inconclusive. Some of the answers I received were: “my parents were willing to pay for it,” “I liked the bigger screen,” “it was prettier,” or “I don’t know.” So much for educated college students.

I’ve also been very surprised at the low-level of Mac knowledge. Students are dazzled when I show them Exposé, setup Apple Mail with their email accounts, or demonstrate how easily you can import your photos and nearly instantly have a beautiful iPhoto slideshow. This low level of OS X knowledge confirms one more thing: most of these Mac users are Switchers. Could Apple’s marketing be working after-all?

I’ll keep you updated from the college campus, where Macs shall one day rule.


13 Comments

Ward Author Profile Page said:

I'm pretty sure most students with any laptop wouldn't know how to set up their e-mail client or use a photo cataloging/editing program.

Also, you missed a couple of extra points on the MBP: backlit keyboard, ambient light sensor and the availability of matte screen. Those are extras I'd hate to turn down, especially if someone else was footing the bill.

September 7, 2006 2:08 PM
Chris Hokanson said:

Here at Texas A&M, our Mac user base is quite small (though I don't know what the percentage is against our 45,000 enrollment.)

Around campus, I typically see 1 Mac laptop out of every 15-20 laptops.
Most seem to be iBooks and Powerbooks, and every once in awhile I'll see a MacBook or MacBook Pro.
Typically, the Mac users I see are fairly seasoned (though I myself was a switcher not too long ago.)
But every time I pull my Powerbook out, two or three people ask me about how I like it, how they've been thinking about buying a Mac, etc. There's definitely a lot of interest, but we're still stuck in Dell Hell down here in College Station.

September 7, 2006 2:11 PM
Wes said:

Being a new college (university here in Toronto) student, I haven't seen many macs on my campus, possibly because it appears that Dell won the contract to outfit the entire school's computer system, and also lend/sell them to students. I'm working on converting them all, its a slow process.

September 7, 2006 2:13 PM
Dan--the man said:

College students are the future for Apple. Older PC guys are too stuck in their ways and younger kids are coerced by their older PC-using parents. College students are away from their paretns, learning contantly about new technology, and looking to make changes since their whole life is pretty much changing already. Also, Apple is definitely marketing straight to them, with some significant student discounts, the "Get a Mac" commercials and even the software that comes standard on a Mac is just more appealing to college-age kids more so than adults and younger kids.

September 7, 2006 3:03 PM
Dillon K. said:

Well... that's basically what Windows idiots are like... most people just know how to use their computer... that's it. They're not nerds like us... get used to it.

September 7, 2006 4:01 PM
shadownight said:

It doesn't surprise me that so many people are non-tech savvy. While on the web, the Mac community is very savvy, most Mac users will never visit tech-related site, and will only go on YouTube, MySpace, etc. I often have to help a Mac-using friend, and she keeps forgetting what the desktop is...

September 7, 2006 6:45 PM
topgun414 said:

I have been trying to sync my email account here at Colorado College with Mail for days, i cant figure out how to do it though? HELP

September 7, 2006 7:53 PM
topgun414 said:

I have been trying to sync my email account here at Colorado College with Mail for days, i cant figure out how to do it though? HELP

September 7, 2006 7:54 PM
topgun414 said:

sorry i should clarify, i think i have an exchange mail program (we check it on the web) and i dont no the server names that i am supposed to input where do i find them?

September 7, 2006 7:57 PM
Chris said:

My brother headed off to college this fall. He wanted a black MacBook. I specifically talked him out of it to get a MacBook Pro. Why? Because the graphics card DOES make a genuine difference in everyday performance. The hard drive and processor are also faster. If you're going to shell out $200 for what amounts to a coat of paint, why not spend the extra money to get a nice machine that will be powerful for a few years?

September 8, 2006 5:08 AM
Brian said:

I have the pro instead of the regular macbook. The big reasons are the nicer keyboard with backlight, the matte finish on the display, and the metal housing instead of plastic.

I would love if those features would be integrated into a smaller product, but until then, I have the larger machine.

Are these features worth an extra grand to me? Definitely. Just like I don't drive the cheapest car around. I don't look for the cheapest possible route. I prefer a quality product for my needs.

September 8, 2006 6:43 AM
Tim Author Profile Page said:

You would find the server names with whatever email provider you use. If its comcast, goto their site and click the help button, etc. Whoever your provider of your email is should be able to tell you what the server is.

September 8, 2006 6:52 AM
rueyeet said:

Never underestimate the power of the pretty. :)

But seriously--this is probably the last time most of those students' parents are going to pay for a computer for them. Those laptops are going to have to last them YEARS. Under those circumstances, I'd go for as much computer as they're willing to buy me, too.

Not that it sounds like that was their reasoning, but still.

That, and I bet being able to pick one up in the familiar setting of the mall is a factor. And the ability to play around with them before buying can't be ignored, either. I was in the Annapolis Apple Store last week, and it was JAMMED with random teens fooling around on the store Macs. Just checking their MySpaces or email or whatever. That's another side to Apple's store strategy--get kids used to using the store's Macs for free, and they might be more likely to want one when mom & dad are buying them a school computer.

September 8, 2006 11:03 AM

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