For the past month I’ve been thinking about investing in Apple. In this entry I want to discuss why it would be wise, at least from my standpoint, to invest in the computer company. Let’s start with a little history lesson.
Apple started out more than 20 years ago making computers. Microsoft also started out around the same time and made operating systems for computers. About ten years later Microsoft started becoming really popular with its operating system and by the time Windows 98 came out Microsoft was leading the world in computer operating systems. While Microsoft was enjoying this, Apple was struggling. Steve Jobs was fired from the company he started and went and created NEXT Computers and Pixar. He then came back to Apple and started working on Mac OS X.
After releasing the new operating system to the public, the Apple team decided to create a hard-drive based MP3 player, the iPod, which we all know and love. The creation of the iPod was sort of the product that brought Apple back in the know as before that Apple computers were mostly used by schools and creative people. The iPod became a huge hit all over the world and still is. Apple kept on working on Mac OS X and released it in 2001. They also made a number of new computers.
Lately Apple has been gaining momentum in the computer market. While Microsoft doesn’t seem to be going anywhere as of right now, Apple is climbing up and the percentage of people using a Mac rather than a Windows box is increasing. Microsoft is currently working on the next version of its operating system, Windows Vista, which is supposed to be out sometime in late 2006 (or later). From what I have seen of it so far (note that it is still in rather early stages) I am not impressed with anything. The GUI of Vista looks just as relatively crappy as previous versions of Windows, if not worse.
Apple’s operating system, on the other hand is definitely the most aesthetically appealing OS out there and I must say it works quite well too.
So let’s get to the point, why would someone want to invest in Apple right now? This June, Apple decided to switch from IBM PowerPC CPUs to Intel for their upcoming computers. What does this mean for us? The reason a lot of people have second thoughts about switching from Windows to Mac is because a lot of the programs available for Windows are not available for Macs. The reason for this is the different processor. Windows runs on x86 chips while Macs do not. But with Apple switching to the x86 platform, either with none or with only a little tweaking, everyone will be able to run Windows apps on a Mac. Heck, they might even be able to install Windows on the same hard drive and switch between the two.
The first of these x86 Intel Macs will be coming out June 2006 and from the hype I’ve seen from Windows users and the lot, it’s going to be a hit. What this will do for Apple is dramatically increase their market share in the computer market as floods of “switchers” will swarm from Windows to Macs. Windows will be releasing Vista in late 2006 but unless whatever they unveil will be so dramatic, those people will not switch back.
Now don’t take me wrong. Windows may release a killer operating system and send Apple to the graveyard (highly unlikely!) but I don’t think so.
Not many of you might trust some 14-year old on stock tips, I’m not sure if I should trust myself on buying Apple stock but I think it should be given a try. I just have this gut feeling that Apple is going to go way up in share price soon and you wouldn’t want to miss out.
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I don’t entirley agree with you. I think Windows Vista looks better than any other windows OS out right now. Except for my tweak xp lol. I love the Royal theme.
Anyway back to my point. I do believe that MS will hurt Apple when vista comes out and you are overlooking something else. MicroSoft release its X-Box 360 this novemeber. So Apple might have the iPod and all that but this is a whole gaming console that looks amazing from what i saw. If anything , MS will still top apple no offense. Hell, I’d love a G5 for myself but i don’t have the money.
The only reason people will be buying Vista is because they are used to Windows and what, like 90% of the world’s computers run Windows and won’t be able to run Mac OS X with their current hardware. I still believe Microsoft will make a lot of money from their operating system, software and gaming consoles.
I think I was focusing on how people are starting to leave the Windows world because of viruses, annoyances and stuff like that. Apple computers have their own set of problems and I acknowledge that. I still believe it would be wise to invest in Apple as their switch to Intel processors will allow people to run Windows apps no problem.
But as of now, it’s still a Windows world and I am writing this on Windows XP because I have no money for a Mac :(