Apple shouldn’t/won’t spin off the Mac into a standalone company

Writing for ZDNet, David Gewirtz says that Apple should consider spinning off the Mac into its own company. Sorry, but that’s a bad idea — and it certainly won’t happen.

Gerwirtz’ argument (which does have its merits): 

Apple finally introduced a pro-level machine, and updated its iMac line in 2017. However, many Macs, including the Mac Pro and the Mac mini, haven’t been updated in years. While these machines have marginal demand when compared to the iPhone, they’re certainly important to Mac users ….

What would happen if a bunch of hungry Apple engineers were let loose on the Mac? What would happen if a whole company were imbued with the fanatic attention to detail Apple is known for, and the fanatic love for the Mac that Apple has cultivated for decades?

Would we finally get a new Mac mini? Would there be a touch-screen Mac? Would we have a Surface Studio-like mounting for the iMac? Would there be something new and exceptional introduced to the PC market?

There are a couple of things wrong with this argument. One: while overall personal computer sales are “flagging,” Macs have gained global market share for 35 out of the last 36 quarters. In fact, the Mac is the second most profitable hardware division at Apple — after the iPhone, but before the iPad (which is interesting if we’re truly in a “post-PC” world). 

It makes a ton of money. According to interviews Apple did with analysts this summer, Apple sells $25 billion worth of Mac products each year. As Gerwirtz notes, that’s slightly more than McDonald’s makes ($24.6 billion).

Two: Apple continues to integrate its widespread ecosystem by making the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and the Apple TV all work more closely together.

So, nope, the Mac and macOS will remain an integral part of Apple for a long time to come. That said, Gerwirtz is right about one thing: the Mac needs more love — and innovation — from the tech giant.