Titans of an Industry: Apple and Microsoft Focusing on their distinctions, both Apple and Microsoft have different operating systems, different affordability, and different ranges of difficulty in upgrading respective systems and parts. “The decades-long relationship between Apple and Microsoft is packed with ups and downs, but it also shaped the evolution of personal computing” (Kapko). Despite their disparities, Apple and Microsoft are leaders in the development and production of computers and laptops alike; each company has dedicated retail stores, they each offer competitive smartphones and other portable devices, and their co-founders, Steve Jobs (1995-2011) & Bill Gates respectively, are very well-known, regarded as geniuses and innovators …show more content…
Co-Founders Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) are not stranger to one another; they both became competing rivals early in their career. “ ‘He and I, in a sense, grew up together,’” explained Gates. “ ‘We were within a years of the same age, and we were kind of naively optimistic and built big companies […] most of it as rivals. But we always retained a certain respect and communication’” (CBS 2013). They are both responsible for all devices and inventions that are seen today from both companies. Each company has their own distinct brand of portable media player and cellular phones: Apple iPod and Zune; Apple iPhone and Windows Phone respectively. In reference to portable devices, they both also have their own brand of tablets, the Apple iPad and the Windows Surface. Although the amount of stores that each have vastly contrast (10:1, Apple: Microsoft), they both have retail stores that cater to the sale of their products. They both have dedicated experts available for any customer that may need assistance with their products within the …show more content…
After due diligence in comparing the operating systems, the expenses, and the challenges that may or may not be face with when upgrading a particular system, an informed decision can possibly be made; while comfort level with a particular system can be a deciding factor, a quick comparison of the concrete details may benefit the consumer
By 1993 Microsoft's windows computer programming function became the most widely used operating system in the world. When Microsoft was still an idea, Bill Gates led Apple to believe he would help them succeed in creating the best computer programming systems in the nation, however, Gates left it unknown to Apple he planned to release his own software. Gates took notes and allowed Apple to release the software he helped them to create. Then shortly after, Microsoft introduced windows. Apple claimed Gates had stolen their ideas, as windows looked surprisingly similar to Apple's version. Gates claimed he used his own ideas because it was his own that made Apple's renowned software. As Microsoft was leading in the world, Apple threatened Microsofts position in the world of technological advances by introducing a new software program that could potentially take Microsoft's top spot in the market away from them. Gates quickly said that he had created a new software that was set to release also, although he had no idea of new software at the time and made the excuse to possibly buy himself a bit of time. About eight months later, Microsoft released the new software program, as bill gates had proclaimed, retaining the top spot in the market. Microsoft's expansion today has reached every technological realm possible. Occluded in the newest developments are
Steve Jobs is a world-renowned entrepreneur who revolutionized the technology industry. He is best known as Apple’s co-founder (“Obituary: Steve Jobs”, 2011). Jobs’ numerous innovations not only changed the world, but they also developed the personal computer industry. The Apple co-founder never seized to amaze his audience with his endless unique innovations. Throughout his career, Jobs contributed to the technology industry with devices such as the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iMac and MacBook (O'Reilly, 2011). His death on October 5, 2011 marked the end of an innovative streak (O'Reilly, 2011).
A second barrier to entry is switching costs. When IBM and Apple were the only computer systems to choose from people had to make a choice. When you went to buy one system then you had to buy all the software that went along with that system. Ultimately, IBM became the mor...
Within the last decade Apple has become one of the largest growing companies in the world and the largest valued company in the United States. According to a recent article in The Guardian, a global financial news website, “Apple set a record by becoming the first company to be valued at over $700bn (£446bn).” (Fletcher, N. 2014) This comes as no surprise to the average computer aficionado and shareholder as Apple has been making a name for itself since its inception. From its earliest Macintosh models to today’s iPhones, Apple has been a trailblazer for software, technology and revolutionizing the way we communicate on a Macro level. Their dedication to innovation, quality and service has made them
In 1976 college dropouts Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, assisted by Ron Wayne embarked on a path to start a tech company that would create new innovative products by connecting people all over the world. This company came to be known as Apple Computers which has become a global leader in Technology and cultural innovation. The rise of Apple computers did not come easy and along with the major success obtained their failures have not gone without notice. Yet, through the joy of success and the agony of defeat, Apple has continued to reinvent its brand over four decades.
It is a well-known fact that Microsoft is the most marketed operating system. This can be explained by the decision by Microsoft to design and sell its operating system to other computer manufacturers. This meant making it compatible with other hardware. Apple did not choose to do this, making its operating systems only compatible with its own computer hardware (Derene, 2009). In a website article called “HongKait.Com: Online Tips for Designers and Bloggers” Nina Krimly states statistics that identify Microsoft as controlling 91% of the market while Apple Mac around 5%. The exclusivity of Apple did not make it popular among those who used the computer to work on projects both at home and at work in the past ...
Today, Apple keeps coming out on top with their exceptional and award winning items and administrations. Apple is additionally credited with driving the advanced media upheaval with their iPod compact music and feature players and iTunes online media store, making the first supportable music-downloading plan of action ever. (Jakab,
It was Steve Jobs who made Apple leave the garage and make leaps and bounds in the world of technology. Steve Wozniak made the first prototype, but it was Jobs who “saw the potential” in his computer and persuaded Wozniak to sell it (Peterson 106). Even though that first computer saw very little success, Jobs knew that Apple had potential and so released the Apple II. From the beginning Jobs knew what the consumers wanted, and where computers were going to take the world; he had a vision of the opportunities in technology and saw that Apple needed to move in a different direction. In 1984, one year before he left, Jobs finished the Macintosh computer system. He was pushed from his original computer design project, “the Lisa”, and then raced to release the Mac first, but the Lisa was released to the public first. Although the Lisa came out first, the Mac “[became] synonymous with Apple, mark[ing] a…revolution in…personal computing,” (Peterson 106).
The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the cell phone and computer market and how microeconomics can help to ensure a company’s success in today’s day and age. This paper will use microeconomic models and how they pertain to real-world situations and their impact to an organization, decisions of individuals and their relations to microeconomics and effective business decisions.
Let’s take a trip back in time and review the evolution of a computer company. It’s not IBM or Microsoft. This company is Apple Computers, Incorporated. In the year 1976, before most people even thought about buying a computer for their homes. Back then the computer community was only a few nerds building simple computers from hobby kits. When Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs sold a van and two programmable calculators for thirteen hundred dollars and started Apple Computers, Inc., in Jobs garage, the reach for success seemed far.
Google and Apple. You know, the companies that teenagers adore, adults love, and children enjoy. Google is your best friend for homework, and their phone operating system, Android, has a plethora of apps, not to mention numerous OEM's. Apple is the company that creates high end, easy to learn products. They make you pay a premium for their products ($2,000 for a MacBook Pro, everyone!). Apple is one of the few companies that doesn't have to do anything to be cool, they just are cool. Lots of people think of Apple as the cool one, while Google is considered your best friend for homework. What about Microsoft?
Although Steve and Bill are competitors, there are similarities between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Both of them are the most successful CEO’s in the world. Though they were college dropouts, but they still achieved a lot of success in their own way. Steve was a very innovative man. As the English proverb goes by “ Have no fear of perfection - you will never reach it.” by Salvador Dali. No matter how many times he failed, he could develop things from his own idea and turn them into a successful product. In 1979 Apple’s first product was introduced, people like it very much because of its simplicity and innovative ideas. Later on in year 1980, the company showed a tremendous performance, where its share rose by 32% (Messa, 1998). Similarly, Bill Gates was also like that, but just that Steve was in a company which makes hardware prod...
In the late 1990s, with the release of Windows, Apple was placed on the right track. Apple released its’ 20th Anniversary Macintosh in 1997 which marked the beginning of Apple’s return (Crofford, 2011). The next year, Apple released the IMac, which was a highly received by the public. Apple reported over $80 billion in cash on its’ last Form 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Emerson, 2011). Today Apple produces several different products including IPhone...
From 1980 to 1996, Apple’s competitive range in the PC industry was rocky. Although Apples products were unique and well built, they were overpriced compared to competing products from IBM and others. As competitor prices dropped, Apple prices stayed the same and the company saw a decline in sales as customers opted to purchase from its competitors. John Sculley, former CEO of Apple, took many steps to improve the company’s competitive advantage. One of those steps was to compete with price by producing a low-cost computers that appealed to a mass-market. The second step was to form an alliance with rivals IBM and Novel in order to create new operating systems and applications...
Apple is the first name on my list of admired brands, a name which is today synonymous to creative innovation and sophistication in the world of consumer electronics, personal computers and software. Founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in the year 1976, Apple has gone on to become one of the most successful corporations in the world. The invention of IPod media player revolutionized the way individuals listened to music. The famous Iphone started the trend of smartphones with internet connectivity along with digital music player. The much successful business model of a purchase store for software applications was also incepted by Apple. Mac line of computers and Ipad tablets are also two very successful productions of this multinational incorporation. Truly Apple has redefined the experience of electronic goods. Be it in the field of smart phones or portable digital players; computers or tablets Apple has developed a brand loyalty which no other company has ever seen.