End of Windows 10 bodes well for Mac’s future

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As Microsoft winds down Windows 10, more and more companies are looking at macOS instead.
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With Microsoft winding down Windows 10, many companies could take the opportunity to switch to macOS, according to an industry analyst.

The prediction comes as U.S. Mac sales are already spiking, up a whopping 25.9% in the fourth quarter. This made Apple the third-largest computer maker in the U.S. market.

Upgrade from Windows 10 to macOS

Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025,” warns Microsoft. After that date, there’ll be no more new versions, nor will there be any security or reliability updates. Win10 tech support also stops. Microsoft wants all PC users to move to Windows 11, of course, but that’s not the only option.

“The Windows refresh cycle provides fertile ground for Apple to target both consumers and businesses that may be open to switching operating systems,” noted Greg Davis, an analyst with Canalys.

The theory is that companies that already must go through the hassle and expense of moving to a new operating system will consider options beyond Windows, including macOS. Leaving Windows 10 behind will often require new hardware, even for those what stick with a Microsoft OS. That purchase could be from Apple, rather than HP or Dell.

“Historically, manageability and compatibility issues were highlighted as reasons for larger commercial customers to eschew Apple products,” said Davis. “However, many of those issues have been addressed by Apple, and along with more competitive pricing and a revamp of its channel partner program later this year, 2025 is set to see Mac make market share gains within the commercial segment.”

Mac sales are on a tear in the United States

The boost may already have begun. Canalys data shows U.S. Mac sales in the final quarter of 2024 shot up 25.9%, compared to the same quarter of 2023. That gave the Mac maker 17.1% of the U.S. market for desktops and laptops, putting it ahead of Lenovo.

“Apple enjoyed 26% annual growth for Mac shipments to the US, breaking the 3-million-unit mark in Q4,” said Davis.

The company shipped 10.3 million units in the U.S. during all of 2024, a 15% increase.

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