Mac OS Gains in December

Though Windows remains the overwhelming leader in operating systems, December browser data shows a surge by Apple, iPod and Linux, says Net Applications.

The Mac OS was in use by 7.3 percent of users, up from 6.8 percent in November. The iPhone nudged up to 0.12 percent, up from .09 percent in November.

Microsoft’s Windows still dominates, with a 91.8 percent share.

Net Applications’ monthly surveys represent data from visitors to some 40,000 websites operated by the firm’s clients.

The Linux operating system also showed strong growth, up better than 10 percent to hit a .63 percent share.

Apple to Gain Share

Apple's Macintosh computers are poised to make sizable market share gains in the coming months, according to ChangeWave Research.

ChangeWave says it sees continuing momentum for Apple's Macs among both consumer and business customers.

ChangeWave recently conducted two surveys that gauged PC-buying plans over the next 90 days, a period running from the holiday shopping season into first-quarter 2008. It polled members, who tend to be more tech-savvy and have higher disposable incomes than the general public.

The latest poll found that 29 percent of likely notebook and desktop PC buyers in the next 90 days are planning to get a Mac. That's higher than consumer purchase intent for HP laptops (21 percent), HP desktops (24 percent) and Dell laptops (28 percent).

Two years ago, 16 percent of likely notebook PC buyers and 11 percent of desktop PC buyers planned to buy Macs. Demand for Macs has risen steadily ever since.

More consumers are buying Macs because they're turned off by PCs using Microsoft's Windows operating system, Changewave analysts say.

A separate ChangeWave poll of corporate PC buyers found increasing demand for Apple as well. For companies planning to buy computers next quarter, seven percent of laptop buyers and six percent of desktop buyers plan to get Macs. That's up from four percent of laptop buyers and three percent of desktop buyers two years ago.