Five years ago, only 4 percent of incoming University first-year students owned a Macintosh computer, according to an Information Technology and Communication 2007 First-Year Student Computer Inventory. As of this year, however, that number has increased more than sixfold.
"We are seeing more Macintoshes coming to campus, and this reflects national trends; the Apple market share is going up," said James Hilton, vice president and chief information officer for ITC. "This is not particularly unique to U.Va."
In early September each year, ITC collects computer data from first-year students, said Terry Lockard, ITC director for computing support services,.
"We hire [Computer Advisors], and these CAs go from room-to-room and find out who brought [personal computers] and who brought Apples," Lockard said. "They collect the information and combine that into accurate statistics."
The findings are summarized in the 2007 ITC Inventory, which found 26 percent of incoming first-year students owned Macintosh operating systems, 72 percent owned a Windows operating system and 2 percent owned another system.
Although Macintosh is still far from reaching a majority, University students have noticed the increasing popularity of Macintosh computers.
"I definitely think that Macs have become more popular," second-year College student Haley Bryant said. "I didn't realize how cool Macs were. My next computer will definitely be a Mac."
While students may observe that Macs are becoming more common on Grounds, the reason for this trend is still up for speculation.
"I suspect it was the popularity of iPods and Apple marketing," Lockard said. "I think the products seem cool."
Hilton agreed with Lockard, noting that the increase in popularity may be the result of availability of other Macintosh products.
"I would note that [Macintosh's] sales of computers started going up with iPods," Hilton said. "Some people say it's an Apple halo effect. People decide they like Macs and then try other products."
Even second-year College student Danni Simpson, who owns a PC, said if she had her way she would have a Mac.
"I would prefer having a Mac," Simpson said. "I only use my PC for computer science, but for daily life I would prefer a Mac."
While it may seem like this trend in Apple popularity will continue to gain momentum, Hilton said, it should be remembered that throughout the company's 20-year lifespan, Apple products have been notorious for their waves of popularity. Hilton noted, though, that "they've been on an upward trend lately"
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