Apple Going After Microsoft?

[rs2sensen]

I was just thinking about Apple and Microsofts relationship, and several things just clicked in my mind. I have a theory I'd like everyone to hear, and I'd like to hear everyones input on it. I know this was kinda posted by me in another post, but I want to hear people's input specifically on this. BTW, I don't personally think Apple can "win" per say, but I think they will gain considerable ground as far as market share.

My theory: Apple has and is currently acting out a plan to directly "take Microsoft down."

Why I think so, arranged as main points:

1. Apple releases the iPod. Taking over the music industry and getting the world's attention. Along with the iPod comes iTunes, which completely blows Windows Media Player out of the water.

2. They release their new operating system, OS X around the same time as Microsoft releases XP, creating competition.

3. They spend millions on advertising, bringing attention to their products other than the iPod.

4. Their products take on a sleek look. Something other than "weird stuff" that conventional people will buy.

5. They release a "cheap computer" so that everyone who wants a mac can get one.

6. They switch to Intel processors. Bringing their products in line with the competition in cost. Consumers can now directly compare Ghz speed with the competition.

7. Apple will release a new version of OS X at the same time Windows releases their new "revolutionary" operating system, Longhorn.

Apple completely changed around 2001. I believe that this is directly related to Steve Jobs becoming CEO in 1997. It would have taken that much time for Apple to get their technology ready to have the plan I mentioned above. And, Jobs has had a long and bad history with Microsoft and Bill Gates.

This seems crazy, but I think it is definately plausible. When I mentioned it to a friend of mine, he replied with a "steve jobs, you magificant (person who's parents weren't married when he was born)"

Then he said "the sad thing is that i can see you becoming some huge computer empire that will end up competing with apple" which made me laugh, lol.

 

[iMe]

I can agree with you at some extent but you have to look at it this way. Yes, Steve is doing everything in his power to win back the marketshare, and I applaud him for that. But, the marketshare is divided into 2 parts. Home, and Business. Now, I kinda think this "Apple taking for Microsoft" stuff is crap (sorry I cant think of a nicer word). For one, although Mac OS X dominates Windows in ALOT of areas, the business marketshare is the heart and soul of the computer world. Apple still has alot of work that needs to be done before tackling this segment. But, I also applaud Apple for trying to win back the educational marketshare as well. I like the idea of schools putting macs in, and not windows.

I guess I can kinda of see it as Mac taking over Windows from a Mac's point of view, but when you look at it from a Windows point of view, It can be kind of silly.

 

[MacAddikt]

i think people are giving this too much thought. Heres what I see happening in the next few years:

Apple grows to 8-9% market share, then stabilize and be happy as can be because they doubled their consumer base. Microsoft is happy because all those home users went to OS X instead of Linux and will still be tied down to buy Microsoft Office (large portion of M$ steady income) because it is the industry standard. win-win and no computer revolution. sorry

 

[Graphite]

I didn't read the whole posts.. but apple is a hardware company, microsoft is a software company.. if we forgotten.. but of course the competitor would want to be taken down.

 

[badmojo]

I suggest the original poster go out and get a copy of "iCon Steve Jobs : The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business". This is a terrific book and really gets you inside the head of Jobs. You'll see where Apple's headed after reading this.

 

[PowerBookG4]

Its a good theory, and I agree with it in some parts, I do believe that they want to do better in their bussness then microsoft but I don't think it is that they want to bring microsoft down they just want to make money like any other company and microsoft happens to be their commpetition.

 

[Graphite]

Its a good theory, and I agree with it in some parts, I do believe that they want to do better in their bussness then microsoft but I don't think it is that they want to bring microsoft down they just want to make money like any other company and microsoft happens to be their commpetition.

correct they are all about money like every other company out there. There is no special calling or anything other than money. they are succeeding in getting us to be die hard mac fans.

 

[Ex_PC_Puke]

My take here is that Apple will pursue the following path(s)

Near Term-
- Continue the consumer push with new Intel/Apple systems that are just plain superior to standard XP PCs -- goal is to just get more macs in more houses -- playing big on the ease of use - security - entertainment


Long Term -
- Integrate into Leapord a "full classic (XP) windows emulation" capability that is very optimized for business apps. (not gaming etc.) -- this would allow many businesses the ability to run both and OS X and or a windows environment -- goal start to get macs into the biz environment


Keep in mind this will be in the '06 - '08 time frame --- I know that the CPUs Intel will be producing then will have some amazing capabilities for mega-multi-threading and running multiple OS copies


Yes MSFT has most of the marbles right now -- but thats how you play marbles --- you take your opponets marbles one at a time. Apple will never crush MSFT but I do believe they and even things out a bit

 

[rman]

Long Term -
- Integrate into Leapord a "full classic (XP) windows emulation" capability that is very optimized for business apps. (not gaming etc.) -- this would allow many businesses the ability to run both and OS X and or a windows environment -- goal start to get macs into the biz environment

I believe that is wishful thinking. If you can purchase VPC. Why make it part of the environment. Also would Apple want to pay royalties to M$ (XP). I don't think so.

 

[damontgo]

I see apple becoming the staple for family computers, focused around easy management of your digital photos, your music, movies, etc. I think by that time we will have reduced a lot of the compatibility issues, so you can do some work from home, or run a small business. I think Apple will take ahold of the home and small business markets. I think Windows will always hold onto their grip of the corporate sector, but every employee will be coming home to their Mac, and I think b/c of that, people will be developing a lot of solutions to fix compatibility issues.

 

[Ex_PC_Puke]

""I believe that is wishful thinking. If you can purchase VPC. Why make it part of the environment. Also would Apple want to pay royalties to M$ (XP). I don't think so.""


Why would Apple have to pay MSFT royalties for an excellant emulation / compatibility mode ??? As long as it would run true x86 windows apps in a XP like environment --

 

[Graphite]

Your all forgetting again... Apple is a HARDWARE company... microsoft is a software company..

 

[technologist]

Your all forgetting again... Apple is a HARDWARE company... microsoft is a software company..

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s=AAPL
Apple's direct competitors are Dell, HP...and Microsoft.
Calling Apple a "hardware company" is an oversimplification. HP is a hardware company, but it makes money selling services and software as well. Microsoft is a software company, but it makes input devices and Xboxes.

 

[rs2sensen]

Your all forgetting again... Apple is a HARDWARE company... microsoft is a software company..

They are to some extent, but they are also a software company. They make software that sells their hardware, but their hardware also sells their software. I'd tend to say that they are about equal software and hardware company.

Even on devices like the iPod, on it's own it is nothing very special. It really isn't. It however does have a software that separates it from the competition.

I thought someone had a good point, Microsoft made an Xbox too.

 

[Graphite]

Apple only makes software to sell their hardware. They don't make hardware to sell software. Microsoft is just a monopoly, but their primary goal is software.

Im not denying that apple makes software and sells it, but its labeled as a hardware company, where as Microsoft is labeled as a software company.

MSFT
AAPL
Note it says for apple: COMPUTER HARDWARE (US) RANKED BY SALES
Note is says for MS: COMPUTER SOFTWARE (US) RANKED BY SALES

regardless if they are competing directly or not, they are only competing because apple computers don't run on the same Hardware. rather than working together on the market, example: MS and compaq, or MS and gateway they are going after the same market but with out working together. Therefore of course they compete, but not directly, its an indirect result of incompatibility.

Apple did not sit down and say "hey, lets take down microsoft" thats just stupid. they said "hey, lets make more money, and this is how I think we can do it: lets re-hire steve jobs, steve jobs says I know how to make us more money, lets rebuild our user base by making people fans of us, lets make computers cheaper.. etc." good lord. I didn't actually read your list until just a few min ago, and wow.. you make it seem like apple has a brilliant scheme to take over mircosoft by gods hand.. wowzer. Think of money and you may figure it out.

Apple is a great company, but honestly if Microsoft creates a better OS Ill be on that beast in a second. I have been using an apple since birth.


Also ""The sad thing is that i can see you becoming some huge computer empire that will end up competing with Apple"-My friend to me upon telling him that I think Apple is going after M$ and outlaying an ingenius plan for how they are doing so" you can't really call yourself ingenious. Someone else has to and you spelt ingenious wrong.

 

[rs2sensen]

Graphite, first of all don't have a heart attack. I think I started this thread in a polite manner, and I asked for people input. I want to hear what you have to say.

"take Microsoft down" was much too strong language for me to use. However, I think Apple is within reach of 20% US market share of the computer market. If they were to garner that much market share in the near future (within 10 years), I think that could definately be classified at least partially as "taking M$ down" or at least shrinking the monopoly. Of course they are going to try and make more money, that much is obvious for any business.

Now, look at the history of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Is it not even remotely possible that Steve Jobs might have a slightly different motive to go after Gates than money? Money may be the main goal, but I think going after Gates would be something that would make Jobs quite "happy" for lack of better words.

I tend to think Steve Jobs is a brilliant man. I also think it is possible that what I layed out as a potential long term plan for Apple is plausible. And yes that is a brilliant plan.

Thank you for pointing out my spelling error, I typed it quickly and did not notice. Also, I'm not calling myself ingenious; I'm calling the plan ingenious. "... an ingenious plan..."

 

[MacAddikt]

Now, look at the history of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Good friends. long history of close communication. i have no doubt in my mind they get along very well on a personal level. besides close friends and family, how many people can multi-billionaires hang out with?

 

[Graphite]

So the question: "Is apple going after microsoft?"... No, they are not.

 

[Ex_PC_Puke]

I didn't read the whole posts.. but apple is a hardware company, microsoft is a software company.. if we forgotten.. but of course the competitor would want to be taken down.

Have to disagree here - over the past 5yrs MSFT has been building up a systems/HW capability --- trying to write system specs and standards (an activity usually left to Intel - AMD - IBM - etc) ---- goal ensure the PC is guided to thier vision of what a "PC" should be and where the future of home / biz computing should be ---- so again I warn do no discount these guys on doing what ever to stay dominate


One of their latest forays was to work with a major Chinese PC maker to give them some "secret sauce" (both OS and HW tweaks) for thier computers ------ the real goal ------ get people in China to buy PCs from licensed vendors so MSFT could get some $$ for their OS vs loosing $$ as XP is totally pirated thru out China


Not saying MSFT is HW company --- but whatever it takes ......

 

[Graphite]

That was my first post in the thread, your going to have to read on if your going to start an argument.

We already answered the question.