Is Microsoft dying?

[magnifier661]

I'm on the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to you guys and computers. I know NOTHING about them, yet use one all day every day. I don't know what the fuck RAM and UserBase gigacards are........ that said I have an MacBook Pro & MacMini for home/iPhone/AppleTV and travel a MacBook Air. And they are all synced up and make my life easier and more enjoyable. Macs are for people like me who don't WANT to know how shit works, we just want to sit down and HAVE it work. Just like my Audi, I have NO idea how the engine works and I can't even change the oil, but I use it everyday and was willing to pay a bit more to get what I really wanted. I do work with some genius' who do know everything about computers...... it's funny to hear them go back and forth when it comes to Mac vs PC and was amused when a couple of our engineers made "the switch" to the MacSide recently. I have enjoyed reading this thread, keep it up.

Good analogy. And Mac is just damn good at marketing. They make you feel like you need them; even if most their technology has already been done.

 

[Natebishop3]

I doubt Microsoft will ever die. The same goes for Mac. They both have consumers that need them. With that said; Microsoft "software" is still 90% market share. It would take some insanely terrible event for that to fail. I could foresee another OS come out. Something that may innovate the market. It's just a hard market to crack. Too many people are familiar with the os right now; be it Mac or Microsoft.

If Microsoft falls, it won't be because another OS comes out, it will be because PCs become completely obsolete. That was the whole point of Windows 8. They were trying to come out with an OS that could transcend to any platform, IE tablet, PC, laptop, phone, etc. Unfortunately it's a piece of shit.

 

[Denny Crane]

^^^ There you go.

The way Microsoft dies is nobody buys their phones, nobody buys Windows 8, Windows 7 slowly becomes a decayed and old OS, and they gradually burn through their cash. Their server and proprietary software becomes obsolete as you can get the equivalent on the Web for free.

Or they blow their cash buying companies that don't really add equivalent amount of value.

Once upon a time, Yahoo! was the biggest site on the Internet and the #1 search engine. They sure looked dominant. They're still relevant, but in serious need of a turnaround. Talk was they might be bought by AOL or Microsoft. That's tying two albatrosses together.

 

[THE HCP]

NB3, don't you think Macs are perfect for people like myself? Non gamers who just want to hop on their computer/tablet/phone and go?

 

[Natebishop3]

NB3, don't you think Macs are perfect for people like myself? Non gamers who just want to hop on their computer/tablet/phone and go?

I just think it depends on what you want and how much you're willing to pay. I have a laptop that I use from Dell, and it's a piece of shit. I hate Dell, but I got it for like $400 and it serves its purpose. I use it to serf the web, write papers, and upload photos. I got it back in 2008. There's nothing wrong with it and I paid very little for the thing. My biggest complaint with Apple is price. I think they vastly overcharge for their products because they know they can. There are people that are so fiercely loyal to the brand that they will pay double what the product is actually worth. But hey, to each their own.

 

[Further]

I'm with you HCP. I have an iphone, an ipad3 and an imac because they always work, are easy to figure out, and they don't have to take up a bunch of room in my head. And they may be more expensive, but not by enough that it really affects me, especially when you consider that they are going to work perfectly for the 2-3 years I plan on using them. I don't need more power, I don't need more technology, and I certainly don't need more hassle. A few years ago I had a cord break on a ibook, and that's the last time I have had a non-functioning apple product. Pretty good track record for me.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm surrounded by Apple fanbois!

 

[THE HCP]

When I travel I see people and there computers. I see people lug out these huge boxes/ PC laptops and they bang em around. It just seems like my MacBook is a part of me. I use it for work and play, but treat it with kid gloves. Sounds gay, but apple seems more like a lifestyle and for what I use my computers for that's perfect for me!

 

[Draco]

I just bought a prepaid galaxy s2 for $300. It has great specs and is awesome value for the price. No it doesn't have a quad core but dual is good enough for me. I'm a bit of a techie that has built many PC's but my first computer was a Mac Quadra 605 back in the day. I looked at getting an iPhone; even an older iPhone 3 costs $200. I'm not going to sign a 2 year contract to spend $80+ a month on an IPhone5. When you add that up the phone is costing you over $2000! I got perfectly good service for $30/month.

I'd like to try the iphone they look intriguing but this is my second Android phone and they have worked amazing for me. The 4.5" screen rocks I'm not some tiny girl with slim jeans I'm a man who has pockets. But I hope both brands continue to thrive and we get awesome products. I was a PC guy ever since the Quarda but I always hated the monopoly Microsoft had because it limited innovation and new ideas. Different groups of people will have different mindsets about how technology should be used so we need at least two legit options. Android is great in that it is more open and customizeable then Apple software. But I do like that both are built on unix.

Macs are a fine options for people and I totally understand the allure. I'm usually just too frugal with my technology dollars. But in my older years I've started understand the benefit of just having it "work" and can understand how priceless no headaches can be.

I think Apple critics need to remember Apple is a software company so its silly to compare specs of their hardware and criticize its value. Of course an Android phone with similar specs will be cheaper its free software. Personally the Apple software hasn't been worth the price to me but for many it is worth the price.

 

[magnifier661]

Well said Draco

 

[santeesioux]

I'm surrounded by Apple fanbois!

Bunch of hipsters tbh.

 

[tlongII]

Not much; there's an appeal in process. I bet nobody gets any money from anyone else, save for licensing of the patents, like Apple and HTC agreed to.

The funny thing about Apple is that Steve Jobs was the guy who wanted to go nuclear with the patent wars. Tim Cook would rather just license and be done with it. But the legal system has a lot of inertia going on, so they're still moving from one mode of attack to the other.

If you're a fan of the local tech economy, you might want to hope Apple keeps succeeding. There's at least three local companies benefitting from Apple's patronage right now.

TriQuint is one of them.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

When I travel I see people and there computers. I see people lug out these huge boxes/ PC laptops and they bang em around. It just seems like my MacBook is a part of me. I use it for work and play, but treat it with kid gloves. Sounds gay, but apple seems more like a lifestyle and for what I use my computers for that's perfect for me!

I bang my macbook. oh yeah!!!! I actually am pretty slappy throwing my shit around, my case actually fell apart (got it fixed for free)...but now I use one of those rubberized protector cases.

Hopefully getting an ipad mini next week in PDX....having my dad pick one up if they're in stock. :MARIS61:

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

dunno. might get the surface instead....game time decision. i played with it, it was pretty fucking cool. only thing is the storage on it...half of it is the OS.

 

[speeds]

I had an iPod once upon a time but eventually just used my phone for music. Pretty much the start and finish of Apple products for me. I don't like their software such as iTunes. I find it clunky and restrictive.

As a PC gamer I have no option but to use a desktop with Windows. Linux isn't worth the effort for me and Mac's are notorious when it comes to gaming. I have an Android phone (Galaxy SIII) and I love it and probably wouldn't switch to a Windows phone.

PC gaming is on the decline but virtually all video games console handheld or whatever are made on Windows so unless that massive industry really starts to change I don't see Windows going away.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

they were sold out of ipad minis

{Poasted via palm pilot}

 

[THE HCP]

Pretty much the start and finish of Apple products for me. I don't like their software such as iTunes. I find it clunky and restrictive.

Could you explain what you mean by clunky and restrictive........ I think iTunes is the best thing ever invented. All my shit in one place. Stream it....... burn it....... whatever!

 

[Denny Crane]

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461

If you need to boot into Windows to play games, it's trivial to set up.

 

[speeds]

Could you explain what you mean by clunky and restrictive........ I think iTunes is the best thing ever invented. All my shit in one place. Stream it....... burn it....... whatever!

For me the constant software updating and the fact that iTunes is a resource hog were the two main problems. Not to mention drag-drop MP3's from iPod to iTunes is a hassle.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461

If you need to boot into Windows to play games, it's trivial to set up.

The problem is two-fold: Mac's are underpowered compared to off-the-shelf PC's (for gaming) and prehistoric compared to custom built gaming rigs like the one I have, and using Windows on a Mac is basically paying 50% more to do what a clone can do. There's no exclusive software for Mac's that make the difference worthwhile, at least for me.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Coulda created a new thread titled "Is Intel dying?"

Same reason, Pc's, Notebooks, Servers are a much smaller piece of the pie, and i mean much smaller...

 

[magnifier661]

I have a co-worker that was all about the PC. We would have battles and debates regarding quality, etc. Ironically, he has a Mac Pro, iMacs and iPhones. He actually put a large investment into apple shares as well.

I finally asked him why he switched because he was so anti-mac. His #1 reason he said "Mac just gets it". He says apple is one of the most stable tech companies in the world today. They have enough reserve capital to buy out 4 leading internet companies. He also said that a mac can be relevant for 3-4 years. He said all his PCs don't even come close.

And to back his claim. I still own a Mac tower I purchased 6 years ago and is still blazing fast. Of course I bought the top of the line then; but in comparison, I saved in the long run.

 

[THE HCP]

For me the constant software updating and the fact that iTunes is a resource hog were the two main problems. Not to mention drag-drop MP3's from iPod to iTunes is a hassle.

Constant software updating? I think I spend 2 minutes every six months or so updating the latest iTunes software. My 7 year old can put songs on her iPod shuffle with her eyes closed. I actually sync my phone thru wifi and don't even plug it in anymore. Couldn't be easier... AND I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS!

 

[HailBlazers]

they were sold out of ipad minis

{Poasted via palm pilot}

Wait till the Retina comes out!

{posted via Ipad Retina}

 

[magnifier661]

Constant software updating? I think I spend 2 minutes every six months or so updating the latest iTunes software. My 7 year old can put songs on her iPod shuffle with her eyes closed. I actually sync my phone thru wifi and don't even plug it in anymore. Couldn't be easier... AND I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS!

Yeah and I love how you take a photo and it's on my iPhone, computer and iPads instantly. And when I purchase a song, they are downloaded to all the ipads, cpu's, iphones and iMovie. The only manual thing I do is turn my stereo on and use my iMovie remote.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Wait till the Retina comes out!

{posted via Ipad Retina}

mainly using it for emailing on the road + evernote. i could wait forever but i need something with a bluetooth keyboard so i don't have to carry my laptop when i travel.

 

[Denny Crane]

mainly using it for emailing on the road + evernote. i could wait forever but i need something with a bluetooth keyboard so i don't have to carry my laptop when i travel.

http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKCwoZjl1rMCFQtxQgod_1IACw

 

[maxiep]

Companies are born, companies die. And the more dynamic the industry, the shorter the lifespan of companies are. If Microsoft dies, its knowledge will live on in hundreds or thousands of new companies created by its former employees.

 

[magnifier661]

Just curious how microsoft can die? I mean seriously look at their PC marketshare. It would be quite the feat and would still take quite some time.

 

[Wheels]

I like my Google Nexus 7 tablet



*Ducks and runs for cover

 

[Denny Crane]

Just curious how microsoft can die? I mean seriously look at their PC marketshare. It would be quite the feat and would still take quite some time.

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-atte...s-8-sales-from-flatlined-pc-sales-7000000879/