Apple Store Remains Most Popular Destination to Purchase a Mac in the United States

Apple Stores continue to be the most popular destination to purchase a new Mac in the United States, according to a recent survey conducted by research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

mac apple store
Apple's retail locations and online store accounted for roughly 40 percent of Mac sales between October 2016 and September 2017, based on 2,000 survey respondents who purchased a Mac during that period.

When the first Apple Stores opened in 2001, Apple was still known as Apple Computer, and the Mac was its primary product. Nowadays, of course, there is the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and beyond.

"Since Apple designed its stores originally to promote Mac computers, it is not surprising that that they continue to account for roughly 40 percent of Mac sales," said Josh Lowitz, co-founder of Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

While it's generally unsurprising that Apple is the most popular Mac retailer, given it creates the computers, it is still notable given there are often better deals available from third-party resellers like B&H and MacMall.

By comparison, the survey found only around 20 percent of iPads and 10 percent of iPhones were sold directly by Apple.

cirp mac apple store
"Best Buy actually sells more iPads than Apple," added Lowitz. "And, carrier stores have become a significant retailer of tablets."

In terms of the iPhone, Apple had the lowest share of iPhone sales in the 12 months ending September 2017. Roughly 77 percent of customers made their purchase through a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, according to CIRP.

The research firm said sales can fluctuate based on the timing of product launches and during the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

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Top Rated Comments

macTW Avatar
104 months ago
For my friends and I, it’s the easiest place. Best Buy, for example, doesn’t even list the GPU on their macs, let alone can offer customized configurations.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheShadowKnows! Avatar
104 months ago
My Apple buying habits definitely do not match this distribution, except for the iPad:

(New) Mac: B&H, all the way! (awesome Black Friday deals ever. And no taxes to boot.)
(BTO) Mac: Apple (full retail+taxes, sigh)
iPad: BestBuy (Black Friday)
iPhone: Apple (cash and carry, unlocked)

Just my own ways to feed Cook's insatiable bounty, while minimizing hurt.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lcseds Avatar
104 months ago
I prefer to deal with Apple directly in case I want to return something. Many other venders will give you grief on a return. Apple is no problem.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SAIRUS Avatar
104 months ago
Online tax free is the way to go, unless you get an education/corporate discount.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
obiwan Avatar
104 months ago
And in other news... McDonalds is the most popular destination to purchase a Big Mac.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SeminalSage Avatar
104 months ago
I would disagree that other retailers have the best prices. Especially if you get the education discount (and the Barclay Card financing/rewards program on top of that).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)