Social Influences Related to College Students' Use of Macintosh Computers on an All-PC Campus

Authors

Michael W. Firmin, Cedarville UniversityFollow
Ruth L. FirminFollow
Whitney Muhlenkamp Wood
Jordan C. Wood

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2010

Journal Title

Computers & Education

Volume

55

Issue

4

First Page

1542

Last Page

1551

Abstract

In the present qualitative research study, 35 Mac users were interviewed in a university campus that exclusively supports PC machines. We particularly explored the Mac-users’ social influences, saving technological and other influences for future reports. Results showed Mac users to possess significant connections with other Mac users on the university campus. The Mac users in our study indicated that positive, past exposure, including Apple’s advertising of Macs, had sharp influences on their decisions to become and remain Mac users.

Keywords

Mac, Macintosh, Apple, Computers, Qualitative research, Social influences

Recommended Citation

Firmin, M., Firmin, R., Muhlenkamp Wood, W., & Wood, J. (2010). Social influences related to college students' use of Macintosh computers on an all-PC campus. Computers & Education, 55, 1542-1551.