Microsoft’s Lost Decade - from Vanity Fair

[atlanticza]

Once upon a time, Microsoft dominated the tech industry; indeed, it was the wealthiest corporation in the world. But since 2000, as Apple, Google, and Facebook whizzed by, it has fallen flat in every arena it entered: e-books, music, search, social networking, etc., etc. Talking to former and current Microsoft executives, Kurt Eichenwald finds the fingers pointing at C.E.O. Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates’s successor, as the man who led them astray.

Interesting read here

 

[maflynn]

Wow long article and I haven't read it all.

I'd say no company can remain on top, look at IBM, they dominated the industry (not just PCs) but they themselves fell from the top. Sony was once king of the hill as well in their sector.

MS has made a number of mis-steps, let opportunities go by and did not fully understand or embrace the changing landscape.

I'd not count them out, but I'd also not think they'll ever attain their prior glory and prominence.

This in a sense is why we should enjoy the success that apple has been having - it will not last, not company can be number 1 all the time

 

[smoledman]

From the Forums: Windows 8 design inconsistencies!

You see, it's things like this. Lack of attention to detail why Microsoft keeps losing to Apple. You could comb OS X with a fine tooth comb and not find one inconsistency in the UI.

 

[G51989]

From the Forums: Windows 8 design inconsistencies!

You see, it's things like this. Lack of attention to detail why Microsoft keeps losing to Apple. You could comb OS X with a fine tooth comb and not find one inconsistency in the UI.

Whats Microsoft losing to Apple again? Its been over 20 years, and Apple hasn't put a dent in Windows.

 

[smoledman]

Whats Microsoft losing to Apple again? Its been over 20 years, and Apple hasn't put a dent in Windows.

They have increased global market share from 5 to 10% in the last several years. I call that putting a dent. With Windows 8 being an utter disaster I see a wholesale exodus to OS X. I expect Apple to double/triple Macs sales in 2013.

 

[thekev]

They have increased global market share from 5 to 10% in the last several years. I call that putting a dent. With Windows 8 being an utter disaster I see a wholesale exodus to OS X. I expect Apple to double/triple Macs sales in 2013.

Just like we saw with Vista? If it's a disaster they'll still license 7.

 

[firestarter]

You could comb OS X with a fine tooth comb and not find one inconsistency in the UI.

Bwahahaha!

OSX is a mess of incoming ideas from iOS and outgoing desktop metaphors. Window maximise / minimise has never been thought through properly, and the 'disappearing minimise control' bug is over five years old and still going strong.

Tan leather and torn paper anyone?

 

[filmbuff]

I think Microsoft will come back, it will just take a decade or so. By 2020 Ballmer will probably be out, Win8 will have been replaced by something good, and people will be willing to buy Microsoft products again.

 

[G51989]

They have increased global market share from 5 to 10% in the last several years. I call that putting a dent. With Windows 8 being an utter disaster I see a wholesale exodus to OS X. I expect Apple to double/triple Macs sales in 2013.

That 5-10 years has taken them snice the mid 90s, I'd call it a tiny ding.

I don't expect an exodus. OSX isn't for everyone, neither are Macs. As its sales figures prove.

Windows/Office is still doing very well, other than a bad investment, theyve been making record profits for their company, the PC market globally is expanding. And you can bet a large majority of those are running Windows. The XBOX Brand started out as everyone saying it would fail, its now a great console, and very popular. And it looks like Windows 8 phone might just be able to pick up steam.

I don't think this was a lost decade for Microsoft at all, sure. The Zune didn't do very well. But so what? Other companies have failed products.

 

[gnasher729]

Whats Microsoft losing to Apple again? Its been over 20 years, and Apple hasn't put a dent in Windows.

Apple has. While about 5% of all laptops and desktop computers sold worldwide run an Apple operating system today, it's more than 20% of _all_ computers sold worldwide. (You may feel free to close your eyes to the iPad, but that doesn't change reality).

 

[G51989]

I think Microsoft will come back, it will just take a decade or so. By 2020 Ballmer will probably be out, Win8 will have been replaced by something good, and people will be willing to buy Microsoft products again.

Um, there is currently over a billion Windows+Office users? And PCs are still selling well? most of them have Windows on them? XBOX brand is doing very good as well?

They never left.

----------

Apple has. While about 5% of all laptops and desktop computers sold worldwide run an Apple operating system today, it's more than 20% of _all_ computers sold worldwide. (You may feel free to close your eyes to the iPad, but that doesn't change reality).

Uh, they don't count iPads in the Desktop/Laptop sales Numbers? Because they're not full fledged Desktop/Laptop machines? And can't do 1/10th of what a dedicated machine can?

 

[smoledman]

Uh, they don't count iPads in the Desktop/Laptop sales Numbers? Because they're not full fledged Desktop/Laptop machines? And can't do 1/10th of what a dedicated machine can?

Who cares? Eyes on machine are what counts. Doesn't matter if it's a desktop or tablet. Apple is getting 'eyes on product'.

 

[G51989]

Who cares? Eyes on machine are what counts. Doesn't matter if it's a desktop or tablet. Apple is getting 'eyes on product'.

And they still aren't replacing desktop/laptop PC's? Which are stated to hit 200ish million a year by 2013?

Apple might shift 60 million iPads in 2013, but they wont ship 200 million of them.

If you really think the desktop/laptop is dead. Your drinking to much kool aid man.

And IMO, Apple is starting to go Downhill, the iPhone 5 is nothing special, I was hoping it would be. Because I wanted one, but from the rumors and leaks. Its a POS. Macs? Piles of crap besides the Laptops. iPod? Nothing new here. No new iMac, no new Mac Pro, Mini? Garbage.

Cmon APple, give me something that I want to buy!

 

[smoledman]

And they still aren't replacing desktop/laptop PC's? Which are stated to hit 200ish million a year by 2013?

Apple might shift 60 million iPads in 2013, but they wont ship 200 million of them.

If you really think the desktop/laptop is dead. Your drinking to much kool aid man.

And IMO, Apple is starting to go Downhill, the iPhone 5 is nothing special, I was hoping it would be. Because I wanted one, but from the rumors and leaks. Its a POS. Macs? Piles of crap besides the Laptops. iPod? Nothing new here. No new iMac, no new Mac Pro, Mini? Garbage.

Cmon APple, give me something that I want to buy!

It's not about # of units shifted, it's about profits where Apple is KING. So in the short term they are profit kings and in the long term they are marketshare KINGs too because all the younger people are have grown up knowing iDevices and iMacs will all buy that when they can.

 

[G51989]

It's not about # of units shifted, it's about profits where Apple is KING. So in the short term they are profit kings and in the long term they are marketshare KINGs too because all the younger people are have grown up knowing iDevices and iMacs will all buy that when they can.

Profits are meaningless unless your a major shareholder.

And no, most serious computer users do not Buy Macs, because they know how limited Macs are, they have a tiny software library ( unless you boot windows ), the hardware performance is a complete joke, and they get bricked after 3-5 years.

Not something I would recommend to the average joe. " Hey want an overpriced computer that won't be supported in 3-5 years? WIth a tiny software library? Buy a Mac! "

 

[smoledman]

Profits are meaningless unless your a major shareholder.

And no, most serious computer users do not Buy Macs, because they know how limited Macs are, they have a tiny software library ( unless you boot windows ), the hardware performance is a complete joke, and they get bricked after 3-5 years.

Not something I would recommend to the average joe. " Hey want an overpriced computer that won't be supported in 3-5 years? WIth a tiny software library? Buy a Mac! "

Profits are important because they allow you to scale up production without sacrificing quality. Notice Apple has not any mass recalls in many years because of that.

Also regarding power users, yes most of them will not prefer the Mac. But what % of them are the market?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

This article made the rounds a few weeks ago, and a Microsoft spokesman had a bit to say about it.

If you're into MS, I'd definitely read this article, it paints a fuller picture than the vanity fair article.

Edit: Forgot the link: http://www.neowin.net/news/what-the-hell-is-microsofts-lost-decade

 

[NewbieCanada]

Just like we saw with Vista? If it's a disaster they'll still license 7.

And people who already have PCs just won't upgrade. I have a couple of PCs left and I'm sure not going to spend time and money upgrading them to that POS.

 

[smoledman]

This article made the rounds a few weeks ago, and a Microsoft spokesman had a bit to say about it.

If you're into MS, I'd definitely read this article, it paints a fuller picture than the vanity fair article.

Edit: Forgot the link: http://www.neowin.net/news/what-the-hell-is- microsofts-lost-decade

I believe Microsoft's "lost decade" was from 1998 to 2007 when all kinds of bad things were released. Windows 98/ME/XP. Virus riddled software. Microsoft Bob, horrible IE versions and so much other bad stuff. 2008 is when Microsoft really began to turn things around from an innovation and culture standpoint. F.e., they completed MinWin in 2009 which was a key development for the company. They fleshed out the Metro design language, developed Windows Phone, the slim XBox 360, Office 365, Azure, CRM Dynamics, Office 2010, Windows 7, the touch peripherals and Surface.

It's just that Microsoft is still paying the image price for that 98-07 period. I believe that the new chain of retail stores + Surface can really start to turn things around.

----------

And people who already have PCs just won't upgrade. I have a couple of PCs left and I'm sure not going to spend time and money upgrading them to that POS.

Telling by your signature you are a bit biased to be calling Windows 7 a POS. An OS that's sold 650 million licenses already.

 

[NewbieCanada]

Cmon APple, give me something that I want to buy!

As a stockholder I hope to hell they never give you something you want to buy!

 

[G51989]

Profits are important because they allow you to scale up production without sacrificing quality. Notice Apple has not any mass recalls in many years because of that.

Also regarding power users, yes most of them will not prefer the Mac. But what % of them are the market?

Again, do you own a large share in apple? Because if you don't, profits are meaning less.

In the Desktop/Laptop Market, I would consider Apple products to be mid range at best.


Well, Apple products in my experience, and I've purchased a ton of the, are no higher in quailty than anything else in the same price range.

iMac G4 Bondi, Powermac G4 MDD, Pismo Laptop, Dual 1.8gzh G5, Quad 2.5 G5, First gen Mac Pro, Original Macbook, 2nd Gen Macbook Air, and most recently a 2011 iMac.

None of them have been above the quality that any PC in the same price range is.

Yes, they have not had recalls in the past couple years, but they also sell substandard products when it comes to performance.

And the power user group? Much larger than you think. And the Mac? Its been 15 years, and apple has barely managed 10% marketshare, Windows is in no danger.

And the power user group is something apple needs to cater to, sure maybe only a small number back Apple, but what if those power users switch to windows....then surface tablets....then windows phone.....plus the 360.

I used to love Apple Products, but they have turned into a company of garbage, like the iPad. I really honestly hope that Android and Windows 8 phone, take off big time, and knock Apple off its high horse, so they might start making good products again.

And lets be honest, Android has already knocked apple off at Number 1, and I'm happy as a consumer. Because maybe Apple will update the 5 year old out of date iOS.


Because right now? Besides the laptops? I think its all garbage.

 

[Peace]

Windows 8 is Windows ME redeux. Give it a couple of years and MS will be back with a better O/S.

 

[G51989]

Windows 8 is Windows ME redeux. Give it a couple of years and MS will be back with a better O/S.

So you've never used Windows 8 I take it?

 

[G51989]

Post deleted by moderator.

Under the Hood, windows 8 is amazing.

On top? Different? But I think it will be great.

I remember, the hardcore Apple guys bitching about how bad OSX would be....what do you know? now they love it.

 

[Peace]

So you've never used Windows 8 I take it?

Never..



But do enjoy it.