Everywhere around the world, apparently, Apple sales are up for both desktop and laptop computers. But they can't their act together in Japan for like the last 2 years.
According to Apple Insider, "Apple Japan continued to "frustrate" Apple, accounting for just $283 million in revenues, down 8 percent year-over-year. This included the sale of 79,000 Macs, down 4 percent year-over-year."
Why do Apple's sales continue to suck ass here? This is the second largest consumer market in the world!
Part of the problem, according to some Japanese friends, is related to the ease of Windows Japanese text entry system, compared to the Mac's Kotoeri system. I've only used Kotoeri, so I can't compare. However, I'm told the system on Windows is more established and gives you better Kanji choices after typing in the alphabet.
Another issue is the COMPLETE LACK OF AN ACCEPTABLE PORTABLE COMPUTER. You've heard me say it before. I'll say it again until Apple gets it right. The MacBooks are fine machines for performance, but their weight and size are outrageous in comparison to other options. Ultraportable Windoze laptops are coming in with 12" screens, Core 2 Duos, and 1.5 - 2.0 kg - many even lighter. That's not to say that all the Windoze laptops in Japan are microscopic, but the preference for public commuters is SMALL. Even the 13-15" laptops are lighter than Apple's.
And don't give me this nonsense about "it would cost too much", because it's not so. If ASUS can do it, so can Apple.
What makes things worse, is that recent reports suggest Apple has put their ultraportable project on the backburner, perhaps not until next January. WTF!
I can't respect a company that makes a freaking phone a higher priority than its computing systems.
I'll be looking for a Windows ultraportable in June if Apple can't make one and hope to get OSX running on it to make it useable.
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