In other words, when evaluating Macs in Japan, don't just consider them within the "overall PC trend driven by corporations"; instead, focus on the strong consumer support. Expectations for user experience value, such as creative applications, iPhone integration, quiet operation, and power efficiency, underpin this preference. Globally, Mac shipments recovered through 2024, and at one point, Apple led in growth rate on a quarterly basis, demonstrating how a strong product cycle year can significantly boost its presence.

The "optimal choice" varies for businesses and individuals: Which should you choose?

First, let's understand the actual corporate demand. In fiscal year 2024, domestic PC shipments for businesses reached 10.021 million units (9.113 million units excluding GIGA-related demand), far exceeding 3.518 million units for individuals. The reality is that the Japanese PC market is driven by corporate demand.

Meanwhile, tablets showed a trend of 84% Wi-Fi usage and 91.8% for screens 9 inches or larger. Indoor Wi-Fi use in education and offices became mainstream, and the need for cellular models decreased. This also explains the overwhelming support for iPads.

General Guidelines

• Business (with many Windows-based assets)

  • The basic choice is a Windows laptop. Prioritize Office/internal system compatibility, peripheral compatibility, and device management.

  • Surface is suitable for departments with hybrid PC/tablet use or frequent external presentations.

• Individual (general, learning, hobbies)

  • iPad offers high satisfaction for content consumption, learning, and pen input.

  • Mac can create a "great purchase experience" with its iPhone integration, quiet operation, and longevity.

Summary of Key Data (Calendar Year 2024, Japan)

The table below summarizes key points, focusing on domestic shipment data for "calendar year 2024", for easy reference. Please refer to it along with the explanations in the main text.

※Since the numbers for "calendar year" and "fiscal year" are mixed for both tablets and PCs, this is noted in the table. The text specifies the context in each instance.

Smart second-hand purchases: Price, TCO, and actual resale value

iPads are a safe bet even when bought used due to their abundance, accessories, and app ecosystem, and their resale value is stable. Macs offer the advantage of high build quality, quiet operation, and durability, making them satisfying to use for a long time. For Surface devices, since the minimum CPU/memory configurations vary by generation, aim for "8GB RAM or more and 256GB SSD or more" as a baseline.

Minimizing expenditure is essentially about looking at "purchase price - resale price (or residual value)." For iPads/Macs, timing your purchase to coincide with older models can reduce initial costs and benefit future resale. For Windows machines, since market prices can be unpredictable in years with large corporate upgrade waves, it's safer to buy from a store that understands market trends.

Recommendations by Use Case (Quick Chart): Start Here if You're Undecided

Learning, Family Sharing, Secondary Device

• iPad series: Offers a wide range of screen sizes and prices, easy for learning apps and family sharing. The memo-taking experience with Apple Pencil is hard to replace.
  PRODIG's Used iPad Series List here
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipadseries

Mobile Work (Office-centric / Windows-based corporate assets)

• Surface (2-in-1) or Windows Laptop: Integrated keyboard operation + Windows compatibility leaves little room for doubt. Suitable for departments with frequent presentations or external meetings.

Creative Work, Focused Tasks, Quiet Operation Preferred

• MacBook: The comfort of quiet operation, power efficiency, and Retina display is effective for long work sessions. Rational with iPhone integration for AirDrop/calls/note sync.

Large-Screen Document Viewing, Split-Screen, Light Editing

• iPad Air series: Thin, light + large screen. Air is the choice for long-term use.
  PRODIG's Used iPad Air Series List here
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipad-air

High Refresh Rate, Serious Pen Drawing

• iPad Pro Series: Comfortable viewing and drawing with ProMotion and wide color gamut.
  Click here for PRODIG's used iPad Pro series lineup
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipad-proseries

For Corporate Clients: Practical Solutions for Procurement and Operations (B2B/Rental/Inventory Adjustment)

Gathering a large number of units in a short period, wanting to try a pilot introduction, or using rentals until a decision is made—addressing these real-world needs makes overall optimization easier.

• B2B Consultation Desk: One-stop consultation from requirements definition, inventory securing, kitting, to warranty design.
  Corporate Inquiry Desk (PRODIG)
  https://prodig-shop.com/pages/b2b-reception

• Rental: Flexible support for events, training, and short-term projects. Check compatibility with a pilot program first.
  Rental (PRODIG)
  https://prodig-rental.com/

• Sale (at replacement): For inventory adjustment and generating cash during generational changes. In-store purchases only (mail-in and online appraisals are currently not available).
  Purchase (PRODIG)
  https://prodig-kaitori.com/

Used Device Checklist to Avoid Failure: Condition Ranks and Key Points to Check

Buying used is a way to avoid mistakes if you know what to check. Make sure to check at least the following:

• Condition Rank

  • S Rank: New, unopened item.

  • A Rank: Very good condition. Very minor scratches or signs of use. Overall clean.

  • B Rank: Scratches or small dents from general use. No functional problems.

  • C Rank: Noticeable scratches or paint peeling but no impact on functionality.

• Battery: Charge/discharge cycles / degradation level (for iPad/Mac, charge cycles and maximum capacity).

• Storage: SSD degradation and insufficient capacity directly lead to increased operating costs.

• Accessories: AC adapter, cable, pen, keyboard, and other peripherals needed for practical use.

• Warranty: Period and scope of initial defect coverage. For business use, extended warranty should also be considered.

Rankings are "appearance guidelines." Even within the same A rank, value differs by battery and accessories, so check the description and inspection items.

Image suggestion: Visual card of condition ranks (simple illustrations showing the difference between S/A/B/C)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Between iPad and Surface, which is more advantageous as a 2-in-1 "keyboard-first" device?

A: If prioritizing Windows app compatibility and existing corporate assets, Surface is more rational. It offers fewer concerns for Office-centric tasks and VPN/peripheral compatibility. On the other hand, for handwriting with a Pencil, learning, or home use, iPad often wins in comfort. In many cases, Wi-Fi is sufficient for connectivity, and tethering is enough when outside.

Q2: Between Mac and Windows, which has better resale value for personal use?

A: While market prices depend on timing, Mac tends to have predictable residual value due to chassis quality and stable demand. iPad is similarly strong. Windows machines have greater variation in configuration and models, with RAM/SSD capacity directly impacting residual value.

Q3: For large-scale tablet deployment in corporations, is cellular connectivity necessary?

A: Wi-Fi configurations have increased to 84%, and indoor Wi-Fi plus some tethering is sufficient in most cases. Prioritizing operational design with MDM/zero-touch and limiting cellular to specific use cases is more cost-efficient.

Q4: What will happen in 2025? When is the best time to buy?

A: For PCs, the peak of corporate renewal (Windows 10 EoL) and GIGA device updates will coincide, likely causing fluctuations in supply and prices. For individuals, securing end-of-model clearance sales is a sure bet. Macs become significantly more appealing with new chip releases, so weigh the product cycle against your current dissatisfactions.

Reading Data and Notes ("Calendar Year" vs. "Fiscal Year")

• This text uses multiple perspectives, such as the total number of PCs and tablets for the calendar year 2024 (Jan-Dec) and the breakdown for individuals/corporations in fiscal year 2024 (Apr-Mar of the following year). Since Japanese surveys often present both calendar and fiscal year data, this was clarified as needed.

• Shipment figures and market share are based on public data from sources like MM Research Institute, referencing figures such as tablets: 3.277 million iPads (51.6%), approximately 538,000 Surface units, total PCs: 12.394 million units, and Apple's 16.8% share in the personal market (FY2024).

Finally

The key points are simple:

• Tablets are dominated by iPad. For home, study, or as a secondary device, "starting with an iPad" is generally a safe bet.

• Surface is strong for Windows requirements as a "PC × tablet" hybrid.

• Mac maintains strong support in the personal market. You're less likely to regret it if you choose based on experience value like iPhone integration, quiet operation, and power efficiency.

Before buying, try to list your budget, purpose, and residual value. If you're unsure, consulting a specialist with inventory, warranties, and market knowledge is the fastest route.

• Click here for PRODIG's used iPad series lineup
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipadseries

• Click here for PRODIG's used iPad Air series lineup
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipad-air

• Click here for PRODIG's used iPad Pro series lineup
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/ipad-proseries

• List of Sale Items
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/sale

• Junk/Discounted Items (for experiments/parts)
  https://prodig-shop.com/collections/junk

• Corporate Inquiries
  https://prodig-shop.com/pages/b2b-reception

• Rental
  https://prodig-rental.com/

• Purchase (Store)
  https://prodig-kaitori.com/