bakedjake - 3:18 pm on Apr 24, 2009 (gmt 0)

Compare it to Apple

Apple is in growth mode. Microsoft pays dividends.

They're in two very different life cycle stages as companies.

Considering the fact that the market cap of the markets are off 35-40%, Microsoft's numbers were quite well received. The market rewarded them for cost cutting, even with the decrease in revenues.

So back to vision: Ballmer ain't no Jobs, not by far.

A lot of people wonder what will happen to Apple if Jobs goes away. Stick your hand up if you remember Apple's performance in the late 80s and early 90s. No one wonders what will happen to Microsoft if Ballmer goes away.

Jobs is an asset and a liability.

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I'm not a Microsoft apologist, but they have been incredibly resistant to downward changes in the economy. Apple will be cutting retail jobs soon. One of the biggest weaknesses Apple has created for themselves in their transition to being (mostly) consumer focused is that they will set themselves up for bigger financial swings based on consumer spending habits.

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software is easier to get a huge margin on, hardware isn't.

IBM and HP may disagree. ;)