Tim O’Reilly, founder O’Reilly & Associates, has posted an editorial to the O’Reilly Network Mac DevCenter entitled Mac OS X Switcher Stories. O’Reilly examines the effectiveness of Apple’s Switch ad campaign and notes an interesting trend in who is switching to the Mac.
O’Reilly suggested through his own anecdotal evidence that switching from other platforms to Mac OS X is a strong trend particularly for what he calls “alpha geeks” — people who are key decision-makers or influencers on technology development and policy. Many of these “alpha geeks” appear to be trading in Wintel iron with Linux installed on it for Mac OS X instead. And while many of them appear to be continuing to depend on Windows for work, they’re using Mac OS X on their own time or for special projects they would have used Linux boxes for, not too far in the past.
Noting that it’s easier to dominate a niche that could double the company’s market share than it is to go after a market that is too big to digest, O’Reilly said, “Apple may be wise to target Unix/Linux rather than Windows in their switch campaign.”
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.