Danny Gorog14 June 2007, 1:45 AM
The third largest ISP, iiNet, has announced a 24 hour dedicated Mac support team, while JB Hifi is reporting that Macs are selling 'like hotcakes'.
You know the Mac is gaining market share when Australia's third largest ISP,
iiNet, adds a 24/7
specialised team of dedicated Mac support staff 24/7.
According to the latest iiNet newsletter, all Mac support staff have received OS X training developed and delivered by Apple.
The new Mac team will be able to assist users in setting-up their Internet connection as well as troubleshooting ADSL network functions in OS X.
When calling iiNet Mac users even get their own number to press for support to avoid ending up with some clueless call centre drone who wants them to reinstall the Windows 95 TCP/IP stack.
I've had plenty of experience with three of the biggest ISPs (Bigpond, Optus and iiNet) and in my book iiNet wins hands down for support. Their techs seem to know what they are talking about, and getting through to support isn't infuriatingly complex.
JB, you've done it again
Talking about Mac market share, you may also be interested to know that JB HiFi is now selling the full line of Macs.
JB has long been benefiting from the boom in the iPod economy, but only recently added Macs to their computer line-up.
I visited my local JB on the weekend and was talking to a sales assistant who noted that Macs were 'selling like hotcakes'.
He said lots of people were asking for them and they were actually easier to sell to consumers then their PC counterparts.
I also asked him about the Apple TV which was on display and he was less enthusiastic but said that sales had picked up recently.
Surprisingly, he'd even caught up on the news that Apple had announced support for YouTube on Apple TV and that had generated lots of enquiries.
I know all of the above is only circumstantial evidence of the growing importance of the Mac economy, but it still helps me sleep better at night knowing that Apple's on the way up with Macs, not just the iPod.