In the academic market, it went from more of 33% to about 30% of computer sales. I think it is hovering around 35% of retail counter sales at UB. As for departmental sales, Windows still dominates. However there has been a surge in sales for use in departments, still not enough to make them a true force in education. I think price, unfamiliarity with the Apple platform, and limitation of configuration are the big reasons for this.
And correct. If it wasn’t for the success of the iPod, it is doubtful that they would be as huge as they are. iPod put them on the map, and now they basically get a ton of free promotion and marketing every time they release a product due to the hype that it generates. Sadly, they are not the originators of half of the products that they release. Archos and Creative release MP3 players with features built in before Apple does. Sony released a thin platform notebook YEARS ago.
But the saddest part of it all is when students come in to buy a computer and they buy an Apple with NO previous experience with one. They think they are pretty. Happens on a daily basis.