[jazzy007]

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This a reply to berock212. The desktop market share is now only 40% and dropping. A lot of business still run XP. They all tried to adapt, but failed. Lets see what RIM can pull off with there new system 10. They only have 2% of the cell phone market right now, so it will be easy to see any improvement. The Surface RT had failed so far, not my works, but others. It took years for the xBox to become profitable. They haven't got the Pro out the door yet and it's already not looking to good. How can they get anywhere with the Surface when they sell the same OS to other so they to can make systems that compete with the Surface. Win8 is not yet making any headway. All this and Apple and Google keep pushing the envelope. People see Windows as what it is, Old technology with all the same problems Viruses and hard to use. The PC era of the 80' & 90' was very different then, what people now use are Streaming Video & Music, FaceBook and Youtube. All that can all be accessed by a smaller and easer to use tablet. The Surface is a throw back to that older PC form-factor, with mice and keyboards that "Click" . Microsofts Touch screen UI is carp compared to Apple or Android. Apple got the ball rolling now everyone in the game, all but Microsoft. So let's look at where this is all going, Small Tabs with fast access to high speed internet. Easy Touch Screen functions, (Not xBox gamer UI) Cloud storage and easy to use Apps like Apple Pages and not heavy hitter like Word for iOS or Android (not seen it yet but I bet its crap) . Microsofts got everyone thinking Win8 will save the day. Nope, It's late for the party. Kids for 6 to 60 and all the way up to the 80's are dumping there desktops and getting a Tab, Apple now has 60% and Samsung has 20. Microsoft not so much... PS You know what happens with a door to door salesmen puts his foot in the door? We call him peg leg Ballmer. Sorry for all the typos, its late

WinMac, it seems you have not gotten enought sleep, because your reasoning and numbers are way off.

Let's make this clear. Microsoft owns the desktop market, with over 95% of the WORLD market. We are talking billions not millions. But on the same token, when you already own that market, there is no space to grow. The only thing there is the maintenance. Meaning companies will still keep buying your product when the old one breaks down or gets to old. To keep growing you need to look at new markets.

Here where the mobile market comes into play. Apple show the way, and there is a lot to grow here. All those desktop owners are now getting into the mobile market but this market is still in its infancy. The amount of phones and tablet sold is still small. Microsoft is now getting into it. Maybe late, but there is still space to grow. The Surface is icing in the cake that is the desktop. Any Windows Phone, Surface that Microsoft sell it's a grow for Microsoft. Notice that the Mac line sales is getting smaller and smaller. Apple is making their money from IPhone and Ipad, not from their Mac computers. They even change their name from Apple Computers to just Apple.

Like you mention, it took some time for the XBox to dominate the console market. One started by Nintendo and expanded by Sony and now dominated by Microsoft. Same thing happen with the original Windows, Internet Explorer, Office Suites, etc. Microsoft have demostrated commitment in the past. They start small and grow an empire. So, don't think Surface RT and now coming Surface Pro a failure but as the first shot of the tablet war.

[jazzy007]

Brad, I will disagree with you. Microsoft should not become like Apple or Google. It should chart their own course. Apple have grown because they did that. They could not compete in the desktop or computer market. They look for something new and got it with the IPhone and IPad.

Same for Google. Google business is the search business, not the OS business. Chrome have been in the market for over 2 years and not even a bleep in the market. Only from tech writers and loosers like Acer do we hear of Chrome. Android is the only other good thing they have and they make their money, not from Android but thru their connection to search.

Microsoft is doing the right thing now with Windows 8, Surface, Windows Phone, Xbox. But if they want to grow, they must look into something totally new and different.

[KevinBtu7s]

This reminds me so many years ago of the browser wars. Legend has it that Microsoft's Bill Gates passed on the internet thinking it was more or less just a fad and wasn't going to last (whatever his reasoning was). So Netscape was an internet browser leader for quite some time. Once old Bill saw that the internet was here to stay then Microsoft got its act together and launched IE. Only because IE was given away free with Windows did MS finally overtake Netscape.

So we'll have to see how this works itself out as MS is behind the eight ball again. But this time, the operating systems are firmly entrenched in millions of mobile devices already sold that only work with those operating systems. So there's nothing that MS can give away for free to gain market share.

I think MS will be relegated to being the go to system for laptops and desktops. But I fear that they've already lost the race for the mobile operating system. What's the saying? "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door..."

KB

[VoodooDroid]

I've been hearing of the demise of Microsoft since the early 90's......I have Android Tablet & Phone, IPhone and Laptop with Win 8........I play with my tablet, phone and the start screen apps because they are entertaining.

Then I go to work........I think Google and Apple/Mac are putting out some FANTASTIC devices and our company IS a BYOD company. Out of over 50 employees in a brand new company, everybody's got an I Phone or Android in some form...........but the real work that matters happens on machines running anything from XP to Win8.

I will say that someone new at the top of MS wouldn't hurt......Windows 8 was not a high learning curve for me and with all the start menu replacements that came out prior to RTM??.......you switch back and forth, content on the new, work on the other.

I don't know anyone, outside of keeping up with emails, that uses IPhone or Android for any real work other than it's easier to transfer files without a USB key...........

Until someone puts a real dent into the Enterprise Desktop space, MS will be around. They might not be as bright and shiny right now, but it's still where the work is done. I don't see any chance of that changing for another ten years........I think allowing both content consumption and productivity on one device isn't a bad idea........it needs some work, but this was the first shot.

Yes, it's true we have Google with ChromeOS and Android and Apple with iOS and Mac, but they aren't creating a single interface..........nobody is chaffing them for keeping them separate. And all work fine with Windows.

When you can get through the day without MS in the real world, not counting server-based Linux, but actual workstation, get through the day without using Windows in some form, the 'spiral of doom' or whatever it was called above is a very long ways off..........

Let me be clear, I love all my devices. ALL OF THEM so I'm not partial in any way. And I will applaud MS for trying to be the first to create a 'one OS fits all' situation..........but Will Mac support Windows Phone? Will Chrome support Office? Will Mac ever be at a realistic enterprise price point? Will ChromeOS even make it to Enterpise (OS, not just Apps)??

So they may not be the 'coolest kid in school' at the moment. But they're starting to try. If they fail with Win8, my bet is an RT for phones and Tablets and back to the standard on work PC's of all types. iOS and Android are more likely to be the next RIM than MS from this point in time.........but I actually believe all will settle well into their own specialized segments and all be successful.

Something completely new that can do it all is going to knock one of the others off in this particular race for a 'Do It All' ecosystem. And honestly, MS, despite the premature cries of 8 and Windows Phone as failures, are actually closer to not needing the other two than the other way around. Of the three, Apple, IMHO, is more likely to go first given they don't like to play nice with the other two (Maps??)..............