According to a new survey the Mac/PC divide isn't as great as we've been led to believe. Although there are undoubtedly a growing number of Mac users, in about nine out of ten homes they still share desk space with a PC.

A US based survey from the NPD Group has found that approximately 12 per cent of all computer owning households own an Apple computer, a three per cent rise against last year's figures. Of those 12 per cent, nearly 85 per cent also own a Windows-based PC.

However, this possibly says more about the nature of Mac owners than it does about PCs. The survey suggests that Mac owners were twice as likely to own three or more computers than their PC using equivalents and were more likely to own a netbook, computer or a laptop - 72 per cent in comparison to PC owners' 50 per cent. Not only this, but they also appear to earn more money and spend it on expensive gewgaws like iPods.

"Thirty-six per cent of Apple computer owners reported household incomes greater than $100,000, compared to 21 per cent of all consumers," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis.

"With a higher household income, though, it's not a surprise that those consumers are making more electronics purchases. The average Apple household owns 48 CE devices whereas the average computer household owns about 24."

How the other half iLive, eh?

05 Oct 2009