Some iPod Fans Dump PCs For Macs

dereklam writes "The popularity of the iPod could be boosting Macs' popularity as well. News.com reports that 6 percent of iPod users have made the switch from PCs to Macs. An additional 7 percent said they are planning to dump their old PC for an Apple machine, according to the survey." I wish the linked story had more details; it's not clear from the results mentioned whether there's a strong causal relationship here.

Of course

[Donut2099]

I bought a Sony Vaio because it has a special connection that allows me to plug my walkman into it and play cassettes through the speakers!

In related news...

[k4_pacific]

In a related story, it was found that 7% of all people who have recently purchased a vintage reel-to-reel player would be willing to purchase a used PDP-11 if the price was right.

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[TPIRman]

I'll admit that I'm Mac-curious now

Y'know, some people swing both ways. Don't be afraid to get in touch with your OSX-uality.

I KNEW IT!

[fullmetal55]

I knew they were planting subliminal messages in my mp3s... because as soon as I got my ipod I started craving other mac products, like an ibook, or an imac. *puts on tinfoil hat* It's a conspiracy and this "study" proves it's working!!

In other news...

[GillBates0]

6% of fresh fruit consumers have made the switch from PCs to Macs. An additional 7 percent of the apple eaters said they are planning to dump their old PC for an Apple machine; it's not clear, however from the results mentioned whether there's a strong causal relationship here.

Count me in there...sort of

[yetanothermike]

Since I purchased my iPod I have recognized the elegance, style and simplicity of Apple products. Even the packaging is sexy!

I would not purchase one of the devices for myself, but I would recommend them to others who don't need to upgrade a lot or tinker. For those who aren't power users, they are a nice package.

Before the iPod I wouldn't have even considered recommending Apple machines to anyone though. So I'm sort of on board.

Dangers of the iPod (or "iPod Madness!")

[BlueThunderArmy]

Does this make the iPod a gateway Mac?

Mac-curious you say?

[Tibor the Hun]

No problem, meet us on the corner of 27th and St. James on Wednesday at 10:00 pm.
Bring your iPod and leather boots...

Re:It makes sense...

[Anonymous Coward]

"Sheeps"? That's a lotta sheep.

Subliminal messages..

[Anonymous Coward]

That's how they're doing it - iPods overlay "buy a mac - you want to buy a mac - buying a mac will make you ubersexy and desireable - buying a mac will make you a better person - vote bush." over your music as you listen to it...

Paranoid Ramblin's...

Re:Only a study of 200 users!

[__aaitqo8496]

Slashdot: a mishmash of stories you read elsewhere ;)

Clearly, these switchers are spending so much time

[Anonymous Coward]

...listening to music, they no longer have any time for gaming.

Just wait...

[RealProgrammer]

until all those iPods start exploding [wired.com] and giving people brain cancer [radar3.com] like cell phones, and getting them arrested [liquidgeneration.com].

Then they will see they were wrong for deserting me. Our product is safe: it doesn't explode, give you cancer, or get you arrested. What is security if not safety? I'm the Chief Software Architect, for it, you know.

I'll show you who is right, and then you'll pay -- you'll all pay!

- Bill G

Is This a Surprise Really?

[Cycline3]

The iPod is killer kit. It's well built and easy to use. Who wouldn't look at a Mac after running Windows and then getting an iPod and realizing, "it doesn't have to suck! Wow I never knew that!"

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[dirtyboot]

The correct term is "iCurious."

Re:Hahahaha.... the fools!

[computerme]

so let me get this straight. Don't buy a mac since you can't "play" with your little "nintendo" shoot'm up games and you can't infringe (steal!) copyrighted material.

how's that spyware working out for you?

Ever think people that don't play ataris anymore or who do not steal music don't see a problem with that?

Re:One Right Here

[rackhamh]

Steve, is that you?

Re:Yup.

[Anonymous Coward]

you have a girlfriend?? whats that like??

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[sokoban]

Just be careful, and make sure you get the right mac for you. It is unwise to be hasty and just go out and buy the cheapest new computer available that runs OS X. I have known a few people who bought a new macintosh computer, only to find it didn't suit their needs. So, consult with your mac zealot and you too can overcome premature eMac-ulation.

Re:Man bites dog

[Mattintosh]

Which is why I would like to point out that this should be from the "It's-working!" dept.

This was the plan all along. Build the bestest gadget, get mindshare, get marketshare. And /. (as a whole) fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Welcome to the cult of the Mac.

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[nospmiS remoH]

There is also this remote [apple.com]. Unfortunately the cheapest model of this remote starts at about $30,000.

Re:Yup.

[Anonymous Coward]

warm apple pie.

Re:Oxymoron

[Fulcrum of Evil]

vi with eye-candy, that's an oxymoron.

What are you on about? vi is all about eye candy. Real programmers use ed.

The jedis are in full swing

[Anonymous Coward]

"6 percent of iPod users have made the switch from PCs to Macs. An additional 7 percent said they are planning to dump their old PC for an Apple machine, according to the survey.""

And if you take the percentages and add real world numbers, it equates to about 10 people out of 1,000,000 who are switching. Hallelujah.

Long live LINUX gurus and Mac Jedis.

Re:Apple Can Not Supply...

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple is a company, not a religion and speaking negative things about Apple isn't hearsay.

No, hearing someone talk about someone else who was speaking negative things about Apple is hearsay [reference.com].

Speaking negative things about Apple is heresy [reference.com]. ;-)

Re:Well...

[Anonymous Coward]

You've obviously never used any OS seriously than what Microsoft offers. I've used VMS, Unix variants (on 5 different hardware platforms), p-system, AppleII (whatever their os was), MacOS, MacOSX, BeOS, DOS and Windows*.

If you've used Mac OSX for any length of time, I'd say there's a better chance of you hitting the lottery than you wanting to switch to a Windows OS. That is unless your idea of an OS is an application that lets you change your window theme to match your outfit of the day.

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[AugstWest]

Not necessarily, but be careful -- you could soon find yourself driving either a Jetta or a new Beetle, and thinking about buying either a mountain bike or a kayak.

It is only a matter of time before you find yourself stopping at a florist on the way to work to make sure there's a fresh flower in your dashboard vase.

Macs will infect you pretty quickly. The only real antidote is going broke.

Re:Only a study of 200 users!

[corbettw]

Slashdot: a mishmash of stories you read elsewhere ;)

Yeah, right, like you read Slashdot for the articles.

Re:Well...

[kelzer]

I notice that the article doesn't mention any people converting from apple to microsoft. Is this number zero?

Well, there's at least one [slashdot.org]!

Re:Yup.

[Anonymous Coward]

Warm apple pie with mood swings, an insane family, and twisted view of reality.

Relative value...

[runamok1]

I guess after you've shelled out $250 to $400 for an MP3 PLAYER a Macintosh seems like an absolute bargain!

Perhaps I could also try to market a Mac Hammer TM for $500.00 to these folks.

Wait, that's been done.

might be a small margin...

[-O.ster_66]

but those are HUGE computers!

how much do 14'-17' computers weigh? more than 8 lbs i bet :)

Re:Still a small margin

[waynelorentz]

Comparing eMachines to Apple is like comparing a Cavalier to a Jaguar. Both do the job. One is built better, works better, and does does the job with style.

Re:Money, money, money

[waynelorentz]

I can't imagine spending that much on a gizmo. I use a $10 Sony Walkman. Works great. I also couldn't even begin to consider buying an Apple. People who have that much disposable income are a completely different market segment than the general population.

I can't imagine spending $10 on a Sony Walkman. I hum tunes in my head for free. Works great. I also coudn't even begin to consider buying a Sony. People who have $10 disposable income are on a completely different plane of reality than the general public.

Re:Money, money, money

[Anonymous Coward]

I hum tunes in my head ...

Wow, you're rich. I can't even afford to hum tunes in my head. The RIAA has ruled that's a concert and wants me to pay the broadcast fee since all my other personalities get to hear the tune also.

Re:Bought my iPod Mini on Monday

[waynelorentz]

Aren't Mac people more likely than the general population to be artsy-types, socially-liberal, and homosexual?
Does this mean that an IPod can turn you gay? :)

Just like Windows users are more likely to live in their parents' basements and work at the 7-Eleven on the corner.
Does this mean that Windows will make you a failure? ;)

Re:Mouse buttons

[Anonymous Coward]

Those are some big expectations...

Do you honestly expect a PC user to be able to use two hands at one time?

Re:Only the rich

[pressman]

If having about $600 total in the bank and a DP 1.8GHz on my desk count as rich, well then the economy is in worse shape then I thought!

Reasonable comparison

[xgamer04]

How many thousands of /. posts have there been about people who still use Windows because it's the only "game" OS? Now when there's some marginal number of people who bought a Mac because they have an ipod, people are all "OMG SO NOT TRUE!11". What's the deal, man?

Re:Money, money, money

[MysteriousPreacher]

It's all right for Mr Moneybags who can afford to be sued by the RIAA for unlawful reproduction of copyrighted works.

Me, I just tap my head with a stick.