iPad Brings iPod Sales Down, But Not Macs
Apple's iPad is causing iPod sales to go down, but it is not a threat to its Macintosh computers, according to a research report.
Figures from the NPD Group on Monday showed a 17-percent year-to-year decrease for April iPod sales. On the other hand, Mac computer sales grew a healthy 39 percent over the same period. Analysts believe these are early signs that the iPad is chomping down the iPod but has little or no effect on the Mac.
This is not at all surprising since the iPad is not really a full-blown computer but more of a media-access device. Thus, people tend to give up buying new media players but not notebooks or desktops. This may mean a corresponding decrease in sales for the iPhone especially in light of recent leaks on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone by Gizmodo.
Ever since the iPhone came out in 2008, iPod sales have declined steadily. Many are seeing a discontinuation of the iPod classic coming soon. The classic will probably be laid to rest before the year ends.