7 Reasons Why Boomers Are Switching To Mac

Cory Galbraith
Cory is CEO of Galbraith Communications.

I recently broke down and bought my first Mac. It was an exciting moment. I delighted at the useful software and couldn’t believe how easy it was to install programs.

Then, all of my 50-something friends and business associates decided to do the same thing. But we’re far from alone. Apple’s Mac business has just had its best 3 months ever, shipping 5 and a half million Macs in the last fiscal quarter, up 20 per cent from the year before.

This at a time when PC sales are going down.

Why are long-time PC diehards turning away from their beloved machines in favor of Macs?

My speculation is not based on any research. But here’s my gut feelings on why my generation is migrating.

1. We can finally afford it: The 50-somethings finally have money. When you’ve worked hard all your life, you don’t want same-old, same-old. Give us a brand new shiny toy. We couldn’t afford a Mac when we were young. We can now.
2. Boomers want stability: While Windows 8 is the most stable Windows platform yet, years of PCs acting up and crashing have worn down their owners. Tired of rewarding failure, PC owners just want their computers to work. We deserve that after years of frustration, no matter how good we’re told Windows has become.
3. Too many PC changes: Windows 8 came as a huge shock to PC owners, especially baby boomers who have spent years in the familiar XP/Windows 7 environment. There is comfort in using a system that stays the same but improves with age. One friend told me, “I want revenge on Windows 8.”
4. Make me young again: Baby boomers are looking to stay young. There’s a belief out there that if you buy a Mac, you’ll somehow be cool and youthful again. PCs are for old people.
5. Years of MAC ads have finally kicked in: I haven’t seen a commercial for a Mac in a while, but I remember the ads of 20 and 30 years ago. The short-term memory of aging baby boomers may be shot, but our long-term memory is in high gear! I remember the Mac ads like it was yesterday, and now, I’m finally getting around to following them.
6. Steve Jobs died: I was never an Apple nut, and Steve Jobs was just a good executive in my mind. Then, he died – reminding me and my contemporaries of our own mortality. Something inside me wants to help keep his memory alive, just as I would like to be remembered after I’m dead and gone. It may sound odd, but buying a Mac plays into this.
7. Curiosity: After years of hype, I wanted to find out for myself, what the Mac was all about. I have not been disappointed.

I do love my new Mac, but I have a little secret to tell you. I still use my PC to get serious work done. Not because the Mac can’t compete – but because I still have not found the time to learn all about how it works.

Some of my friends have their Mac sitting on a table, largely unused. They just stare at it and feel good about owning it. But they don’t actually use it.

That’s the next step.

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