>> "We've done research to determine who *buying new products from us* >> is using Classic. You really can't find hardly anyone who does >> anymore." > > This quote is either bunk, or their researchers aren't asking the >right people or the right questions. I've bought three new macs in the >last two years, and I still use Classic.
I'm sure there is a percentage of people that do. I know I will when I buy a new Mac. The question is, what percentage is it? And then within that group of people, what percentage of them would not buy a new Mac if Classic was no longer available. And then, within that group, what percentage would not buy a new Mac at all, compared to those that will just buy the last PPC Mac Apple makes. The difference being, those that will simply not buy an Intel Mac, but will buy a PPC Mac will have a different opinion about Classic another 3-5 years after they buy their PPC Mac. So in the end, if Apple is doing their research correctly, what they are looking for is, what percentage of Mac users will cease to be Mac users if Classic ceases to exist on the Intel Mac platform. I've not seen any numbers, and I've not done even an informal personal check... but I'd not be surprised if, once you get to the percentage of the percentage of the percentage that points to the loss of Mac customers because of no Classic... that Schiller's statement probably is correct. There probably is a very small percentage of users that would leave the Mac if Classic is removed in the Intel machines. Anything less then about 5% and Apple is't going to care about them. And that number may be significantly higher depending on how much time/resources/money it will cost to get Classic working (the higher the cost of Classic, the higher the percentage of lost customers they will tolerate... it is all about doing what is best financially for Apple in the long run). There will be some losses because of the loss of Classic. Some people are going to decide if they have to upgrade a large amount of software, they might as well upgrade to Windows versions and get cheaper machines (and probably half those people will regret the decision within a year, and some of them will come back to the Mac). Of course, I'd also not be surprised to find a large percentage (very large percentage) of people will balk at the loss of Classic. In fact, I suspect if Classic is being killed, once that becomes firm and common knowledge (probably some time before the first Intel Mac ships), you will hear a huge outcry. But people complaining is not to be confused with people failing to buy the machines. A massive number of people complained about OS X replacing OS 9, and Apple is doing great (better then they were in the OS 9 days). A large number of people complained about loosing Dual Boot... and Apple is doing great (better then they were during the Dual Boot days). So be sure not to confuse complaining, with leaving the Mac. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net> -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
