Apple Passes Microsoft as Largest Tech Company

[babybeluga]

[citation][nom]amstech[/nom]Apple make products for people who don't really understand computers, (but like to think they do) and Ipods are easier to use then things like a Zune.[/citation]

I have a Zune HD and would beg to differ.

 

[Maxor127]

I knew I should've bought Apple shares way back in the late 90s. I had no money though.

 

[Maxor127]

Which reminds me... I wonder if Microsoft still owns stock in Apple.

 

[znegval]

I checked today and Microsoft is more valuable again... by 0.01B! Wow. Pretty tight. You could say they are worth pretty much the same. Let's see who takes the real lead in the next months.

 

[cracklint]

Microsoft should have let them die when they only had 3 percent market share.

 

[gto127]

I started to buy stock in apple in when Jobs was put back in charge. I could kick myself for not doing it.

 

[blackbeastofaaaaagh]

I say congratulations to Apple.
Still it's sad to see the company ran by the person who once famously stated, "Good artists copy, Great artists steal" (referring to how Apple simply copied the Mac OS idea from Xerox labs) has turned into the very big-brother company as Apple once labeled IBM. BTW, if you haven't already watched the documentary, you really owe yourself to watch "Triumph of the Nerds" which is viewable for free.

However, I don't really see their products as being really innovative. It will be interesting to see if Apple can continue producing products for which people are willing to pay a premium, all for better looks and perceived status.

 

[tokenz]

That article is full of bull. They talk about apple being worth more than Microsoft, and then go on to state that apple makes 5.4billion a year and Microsoft just pulled in 14.1billion. Its all based on speculation. They think apple will become the dominate force. Its just dumb. Also I said this before. Everyone says who cares that the ipad wont do flash. Html 5 is the new best format. Well here is the deal Apple fans. Apple isnt doing flash because it will compete with their itunes video market.

 

[squiggs77]

This is being blown way out of proportion. The 'Capitalization' amount doesn't really show the whole picture, it's just an easy way to calculate how much their current stock is worth. There is a lot more involved in how much a company is worth or how valuable it is.

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]bonezy[/nom]First off, you're spouting rhetoric that's more than a decade old; How is Bill Gates the most hated person? He's more of a philanthropist than you'll ever be.And secondly, you're saying Microsoft is overpriced, but then you state that Apple has a 7% market share... and but according to the article, they are worth more than Microsoft.Hmm, 7% market share yet wealthiest tech company, and not overpriced? Your logic is flawed.[/citation]

Regarding the philanthropist remark, sure he may contribute more money...but it is all relative. There are many here who problem contribute just as much of their income (percentage wise) and just as much of our time as Gates.

Your logic is flawed. MS has built it's empire on software and did not expand into the hardware sector like they should have. Apple has always been into the hardware end of things, and they have diversified their business. Their passing MS has little to do with 'over priced products,' but has everything to do with supply and demand.

All of this Apple bashing is insane...they are a successful American company, and they take us back to the days of old when America dominated the world in technology and innovation. We have been loosing that edge, and I am glad to see Apple take the leadership role.

The generalizations about Apple users not understanding technology are equally inane. I have been building computers for decades, cut my teeth on DOS and UNIX, used the MS Visual Suite for years, yet I own some Mac's as well as Windows boxes.

 

[footsoldier]

[citation][nom]backin5[/nom] Microsoft, having a monopoly with Windows, is screwing those of us who build their own PC (and there are many good reasons to build your own PC) by forcing us to buy the expansive retail version, claiming that the cheaper OEM version is only for resale and must only be sold with an already built computer.[/citation]

I'm not sure what you said is correct. But i thought those who build their own PCs can buy OEM version? Correct me if im wrong.

 

[Dirtman73]

[citation][nom]footsoldier[/nom]I'm not sure what you said is correct. But i thought those who build their own PCs can buy OEM version? Correct me if im wrong.[/citation]

Nobody is stopping you from buying an OEM copy of any version of Windows. And MS certainly won't stop you from installing it on your system. Backin5 is delusional.

 

[daggs]

[citation][nom]Zingam[/nom]You couldn't be more wrong! There is M$ Tax for ages and it's made Bill Gates the richest person on Earth for a reason.M$ Windows should not cost more than $50-100 for a full version. Windows and Office are hugely overpriced. Other companies and the open software community deliver products of similar qualities for much lower prices or for free.And I'm neither Apple user nor Linux one.M$ products are overpriced and crap but they have a real monopoly unlike Apple with their 7% market share.Also Apple's users are happy M$ users have never been. There isn't a more hated person on Earth than Bill Gates. He has affected negatively more busynesses and people on Earth than Genghis Khan and Hitler...[/citation]

you are right in one thing there, ms products are overpriced in regards to the value they give back, all your other comments are complete bs.

 

[footsoldier]

[citation][nom]Yoder54[/nom]Regarding the philanthropist remark, sure he may contribute more money...but it is all relative. There are many here who problem contribute just as much of their income (percentage wise) and just as much of our time as Gates.Your logic is flawed. MS has built it's empire on software and did not expand into the hardware sector like they should have. Apple has always been into the hardware end of things, and they have diversified their business. Their passing MS has little to do with 'over priced products,' but has everything to do with supply and demand.All of this Apple bashing is insane...they are a successful American company, and they take us back to the days of old when America dominated the world in technology and innovation. We have been loosing that edge, and I am glad to see Apple take the leadership role. The generalizations about Apple users not understanding technology are equally inane. I have been building computers for decades, cut my teeth on DOS and UNIX, used the MS Visual Suite for years, yet I own some Mac's as well as Windows boxes.[/citation]

You are one die-hard Apple fan ain't you? First off, im no fan of either, not microsoft as well. I admit Microsoft overpriced their software, its the truth. There's nothing we can do, its just business and its their stuffs. BUT, Apple on the other hand, overpriced their products, bashing other companies, suing here and there. Most of us who know technologies well are very aware that Apple overpriced their hardware. Like Macs, you can buy a laptop with half of the price of Mac. Don't you ever felt cheated when buy their products? I do not support any companies, but i do very hope Apple does not monopolize the whole industry. Their greed will kill us all.

 

[bison88]

It's only temporary. The only place they have a solid foot hold is with the hardcore Mac lovers and the iPod.

 

[beergoggles]

@footsoldier "Their greed will kill us all."

Got hyperbole?

No one here seems to recall (or care about) all of MSFTs past predatory practices and lawsuits. But as the other guy said, bashing Apple is pretty much a sport at Tom's

 

[beergoggles]

[citation][nom]Dirtman73[/nom]Nobody is stopping you from buying an OEM copy of any version of Windows. And MS certainly won't stop you from installing it on your system. Backin5 is delusional.[/citation]

Not really 'delusional', but buying an OEM copy is trivial. Places like Newegg will sell you a Y-adapter to comply with MSFTs requirement that the OEM copy is sold with "hardware" and not as a stand alone sale. At least this was how they handled XP, don't know if they changed it for Win7/Vista. I do think MSFT was greedy by not continuing the Win7 $150 3-Home Premium Pack. I got in on it but sucks for others who may not have had the $$ to pull the trigger when it was offered.

 

[tipoo]

Market capitalization is just funny money. It's what the public THINKS a company's stock is worth. I prefer REAL money, and MS has more. MS beats Apple hands down in terms of what's in the bank, or what could be in the bank.

Apple, Inc.
Revenue - $42.91 billion
Operating income - $11.74 billion
Total assets - $47.50 billion
Total equity - $31.64 billion

Microsoft
Revenue - $58.437 billion
Operating income - $20.363 billion
Total assets - $77.888 billion
Total equity - $39.558 billion



Stop sensationalizing.

 

[captainnemojr]

Ignoring the ramifications of abandoning an existing customer base, if Adobe abandoned Apple altogether for any products after CS5 and beyond, would that basically leave them with people buying iPods and iPhones from them?

Funny how Microsoft is seen as the bully anti-trust company, and only just now is the DOJ paying attention to Apple. So what if my Windows comes with IE as the default...I'll still install Firefox anyway.

And since it seems relevant here now...Windows runs Crysis.

 

[Guest]

seeing as the comments have degenerated i think i add some fuel for the fire

apple has been a monopoly long time ago, they monopolized the capitalism of stupidity

 

[eddieroolz]

Time to some prankster to start spreading false rumors about Jobs' heart attack?

 

[Blessedman]

Windows is the cheapest software on the face of the planet considering everything you get with it. Service packs for free! Ask apple if they would ever sink a years worth of time into improving their OS without charging and arm (and possibly a leg) for it. What was the last update? Snow leopard and it was nothing but a bunch of bug fixes and some minor changes to the OS and it had it been MS, they would have just given it to their users. Yes Win7 is just a much better Vista, but with how much of a flop (in the market, not as a hit on the OS itself [which I love]) the OS was they needed to recoup a portion of the R&D they had in Vista to continue to improve. Office is also a very cheap product considering everything you can do with it. Now Visual Studio's 10 on the other hand (lol) is a tad overpriced for the full ultra suite (considering I paid $600 for VS2005 pro [which was the top minus their team options]), I think it tops out around $5-6k now... YIKES! Anyways the point is, MS stands behind their products far more than Apple does. Who makes a laptop that has a non removable battery for goodness sakes?!?! Oh yeah that's right Apple does! Anyways...

 

[rbarone69]

If it wasnt for Microsoft we wouldnt have such hits as: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5rZSsHmhT4

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]footsoldier[/nom]You are one die-hard Apple fan ain't you? First off, im no fan of either, not microsoft as well. I admit Microsoft overpriced their software, its the truth. There's nothing we can do, its just business and its their stuffs. BUT, Apple on the other hand, overpriced their products, bashing other companies, suing here and there. Most of us who know technologies well are very aware that Apple overpriced their hardware. Like Macs, you can buy a laptop with half of the price of Mac. Don't you ever felt cheated when buy their products? I do not support any companies, but i do very hope Apple does not monopolize the whole industry. Their greed will kill us all.[/citation]

Man, you do like to generalize and lay on the stereotypes don't you? If you read my comment then you should have realized that I use 3 different platforms...each has its +'s and -'s. You seem unable to read for comprehension...is this true? Besides the obvious, you also should look at the facts and jump off of the disinformation wagon.

You contradict yourself...what is new? You say MS over prices their products and there is nothing "we can do?" Yet, you bash Apple for seemingly doing the same. MS has sued just as many companies in their quest to dominate as has Apple...maybe even more. Not to mention the numerous companies that they copied applications from and subsequently drivenb out of business. The bottom line is that most big corporations play dirty in the eyes of the consumer simply because they have millions of dollars on the line. Read your history on American capitalism, monopolies, etc., and then come back and tell me that Apple is the only evil one. If you are to blame anything, then blame capitalism with it's cutthroat policies...survival of the fittest...you gotta love it, unless you feel that you are a victim.

You also are spreading disinformation by saying that Apple's sells overpriced products. Where you folks fall down is that when you make your comparisons you do not match machines spec-for-spec. Granted, DIY will save you some dollars in the end, but if you are buying a pre-made machine then you must...to be fair...match both machines spec-for-spec, include OS and included software prices, monitor specs, etc. If you do that in all honesty you will see that Apple is competitive. For some machines they may cost a little more, and for others they are a little cheaper. So, you then start to look at the intangibles such as support, product recognition, etc. It is all a part of the capitalist market mechanism.

Again, those who complain about the hi-price of Apple's do not match the specs. You take the attitude of: "gee, this Chevy is a hell of a lot cheaper than that BMW and can do everything that the BMW can do." Then your logic tells you that BMW is overpriced, but you fail to look at the finer points of construction and quality.

 

[hang-the-9]

Apple should be compared to Sony more than Microsoft. Apple makes gizmos for people to play with, MS makes items you do work on. I don't see anyone using an Apple C++ compiler. If they did, it would offer you 4 commands you can use and 3 of those will only work on Apple computers.