To keep market share, Computer makers aping Apple

04 01 2008

To keep market share, Computer makers aping Apple

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Consumer experience, Competitive strategy, Apple Inc (AAPL), Dell (DELL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iMac Depending on who is counting, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has 5% or 6% of the U.S. personal market. That number might have spiked in December. Now the PC companies are in a mad rush to build products that look like Macs.

According to The Wall Street Journal, “Spurred in part by the success of Apple Inc.’s innovative products, as well as a consumer shift toward notebook personal, PC makers have begun a radical overhaul of their machines’ appearance.” That means thinner notebooks, more colorful housings, better keyboards, and improved processing power.

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) have already launched upgraded machines and are likely to come out with more as the year passes.

But will being “Mac-like” be enough? Probably not. The Apple machine has a sort of aura from being associated with the iPod and iPhone company. Very few people think about Dell a sexy brand.

So, what do the Personal computer companies do? Probably add lower prices to new features. Macs are expensive. A recession is probably coming. “Cool” may be nice, but not when a consumer can’t afford it.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.