toggle

AAPL Stock: 562.29 ( -3.03 )

Microsoft unexpected beneficiary of Apple's fortunes

updated 07:30 am EDT, Tue September 6, 2005

MS benefits from Apple


Microsoft may be and the iPod revolution: "As Apple enjoys rebounding popularity among computer users rejecting the dominance of Microsoft-one of the biggest beneficiaries is — oddly enough — likely to be Microsoft," according to The LA Times. The report says that outside of Apple itself, Microsoft sells more software for Apple's flagship Macintosh computers than any other company. "With sales of Macintosh machines rising sharply, archrival Microsoft stands to bolster its long-standing business selling Office and other programs for Mac. 'We're ecumenical people,' said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. 'We have to run everything. Our first graphics interface was on the Macintosh. We've always done well on Macs.'"


by MacNN Staff

print
email
(12)

TAGS :

 industry

Related Articles

Recent Articles

toggle

Comments

  1. crayola

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jul 2003

    0
    09/06, 07:41am | report spam | Reply |

    ugh...

    i could've done without that quote from gates. now excuse me while i wipe up my vomit

  1. bdusen

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    09/06, 08:08am | report spam | Reply |

    Office is the moneymaker

    It's been known for a while now that Microsoft doesn't make that much money on Windows but rather most of its money comes from Office and other consumer and professional software. Yes, it likes to have its OS dominant because then it has more leverage over emerging technologies (as it is trying to use that leverage to, unsuccessfully, dominate the digital music industry with its DRM system). It wouldn't make sense for them to stop selling Mac software because, in reality, they don't think of the Mac as a threat. If Apple opened up the Mac OS to run on any Intel box then maybe they would, but as long as the OS is tied to Apple hardware, MS will continue cranking out Mac products to maintain its dominance in other arenas.

  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

    0
    09/06, 09:04am | report spam | Reply |

    ecumenical?

    If M$ is so ecumenical, how come they don't offer Office for Linux?

    I find it hard to believe they don't make more money selling windoze licenses to Dell.

  1. jimothy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2000

    0
    09/06, 09:08am | report spam | Reply |

    Benefits for a short time

    Until computer users realize that, much like Windows, Office (for both Windows and Mac) is bloated and has a crappy interface. OpenOffice is somewhat of an alternative, but it's fatal flaw is that it tries too hard to emulate MS Office. Free bloatware is not much better than expensive bloatware.

    If/when the rumors Numbers application is added to the iWork suite, Apple will have what is the first credible (for most folks) alternative to Office with a truly innovative and usable interface. Sure, it won't have the laundry list of features that Office comes with, but for most people, it'll give them what they need and want, and not drown the truly useful features in menus and dialogs full of stuff that's simply not needed.

    Then, Microsoft will cry, "We're not making Office for Mac anymore!" And not a soul will care.

  1. denim

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Jun 2000

    0
    09/06, 09:20am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: Benefits for a short

    I'll care. I have no interest in iWork, but Office has Word and Excel. I tried using AppleWorks 6 to replace Office, but AW6 just doesn't cut it.

  1. koolkid1976

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2003

    0
    09/06, 09:20am | report spam | Reply |

    Wrong Assumption

    Microsoft doesn't see selling more copies of Office for Mac as a benefit for losing mindshare and mark share to Apple.

    1. The average Mac consumer is less likely to buy Office than the PC consumer due to having iLife. So they are not benefiting more.

    2. A Mac means a loss Windows and Office sales, as well as QuickTime and iTunes being chosen over Windows Media player, etc.

    3. MS investors get jittery when the giant can't conquer its competition with one blow. MS has to constantly explain to investors what they intend to do to compete with iTunes/iPod.

  1. Okonomiyaki

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2003

    0
    09/06, 09:31am | report spam | Reply |

    As opposed to...?

    "Our first graphics interface was on the Macintosh."

    That's weird, I wonder why they didn't come out for Windows first... Oh yeah, that.

  1. zac4mac

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0
    09/06, 10:12am | report spam | Reply |

    misquote?

    seems to me the quote should be "our first graphics interface was FROM the Mac"

    Z

  1. chulitomio

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2004

    0
    09/06, 10:20am | report spam | Reply |

    Uh...

    "Our first application with a graphical interface was on the Mac."

    And I'm so happy to see Microsoft working toward worldwide Christian unity. It's also comforting to know Microsoft works towards worldwide Christian unity.

  1. whelkboy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2003

    0
    09/06, 11:32am | report spam | Reply |

    Pages/Word/OpenOffice

    Whilst it's useful to carry over some similarities from one app to the next, for familiarity reasons, just copying because somebody else has a particular feature doesn't produce great software.

    Nor does adding in a zillion options when you've conjured up one feature. Who removes the horizontal and vertical scrollbars from their spreadsheets? Anyone?

    Pages is truly wonderful and as an interface designer myself, an inspiration (especially in the PC market where we operate).

    Must say that Microsoft Messenger is an ace app and not bloated nearly as much as its PC counterpart. :o)

Show More Comments

Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

MacNN Sponsor

Recent Reviews

iHome iW2 AirPlay speaker

iHome generally isn't known as a luxury brand when it comes to audio, but it is prolific -- the company's docks and speakers are every ...

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

One of the iPad's main weaknesses has always been productivity. It's not a question of apps; while it has taken a little time for a na ...

Logitech UE Air Speaker

If maybe a little more slowly than Apple would like, AirPlay is becoming a staple of the wireless speaker market for iOS devices. The ...

toggle

Most Commented

 

Popular News