KEY POINTS:
If it all seems MacDoom and gloom to you right now, don't worry. Apple is strong, and if you look back on the past history of show attendance, the withdrawal from the Macworld conference looks both predictable and understandable (which doesn't make the fact any more palatable).
Overseas
commenters have been reporting that Mac sales are flat. This is, at the moment and not to put too fine a point on it, hardly material. Apple laptop sales are up 22 per cent as people buy newer models or - aware of the impressive capabilities of the new unibodies - change over to laptops from desktops. While, tis true, Apple desktop sales are down an alarming 38 per cent (according to Reuters, reported by Yahoo.
As many Mac users know, this has little to do with the recession. Mac desktop sales are down because everyone assumes the iMacs will get a refresh on January 4th, meaning the current models will be run out (look for bargains) and the new models will probably be much better for much the same price as those they replace. You'd be a mug not to wait for that, now, wouldn't you?
The mini is also rumoured to be completely renewed, with an aluminium case and faster processors plus more hard drive and RAM capacity, according to Wired; perhaps it will even have better video.
Note that the same Reuters report also says Windows desktop sales are down 15 per cent, as the general shift to laptops prevails. Windows-based laptop sales are also up (at 15 per cent).
As I've said before, Apple makes a big margin from it's laptop sales and remember that it has - literally - billions in the bank. Besides that, new pro software will be released at Macworld, and who knows what else?
Anyway, if the eve of new product releases doesn't do it for you, check out this Christmas MacCheer that Gizmodo has linked [http://gizmodo.com/5112040/the-mactini-the-inevitable-future-of-apple-in-a-post+netbook-world]. It's ironic, pointed and hey - it's funny.
I aim to submit three Mac Planets a week over the Christmas period, despite some camping adventures. As some staff will be on holiday etcetera, posting and comment posting may be a little irregular, but it will happen.
For sure I will be posting immediately on the Macworld announcements, both here on the Herald and on mac.nz - for us that will take place on the morning of January 5th.
If you're travelling and you have an iPhone or iPod touch, check out NZWidgets' new version of the iPhone application Traverter, just updated to version 1.5 and currently available in the App Store at the discount price of $1.29.
Traverter provides international dialling code lookup, currency, and more unit and clothing size conversions (for example, Australian size conversions have been added).
If you're travelling inside New Zealand, I recommend WeatherNZ for weather, surf and tide information, and the interesting NZ native bird-identifying App What Bird NZ.
Please drive safe, play safe and have a terrific holiday
- Mark Webster