Apple/Microsoft....My Prediction

[Darshan]

Somewhere down the road, at what point I dunno, Microsoft and Apple will become one company, with Microsoft buying out Apple.
The most likely scenario is this: with the US economy and financial system unwinding with greater and greater speed , a massive implosion is just a matter of time....it's not if it will happen, but when. The world's economies will be negatively affected.
With businesses and corporations starting to go under and the numbers accelerating, and an eventual upsurge in unemployment/underemployment, Apple will be far less able to withstand the big dropoff in sales that will happen as more and more people are unable to make discretionary purchases.
Under the hand of Microsoft, Macs and their operating systems will morph into a new Microsoft created beast, with Macs losing all semblances of their uniqeness to the Microsoft touch.
Think I'm absurd? Hmmm?

[fryke]

Yes. I think you're absurd. Microsoft has been in constant fights against the US and then the EU about their anti-competitive tactics, have been found guilty about these things various times and _basically_ Apple is Microsoft's posterchild of a competitor. As long as Apple has between 2 and 10% market share (closer to 2 for now), Microsoft can easily kick back and relax and point to Apple when asked about competition. (More or less.)

I wonder where you take your "prediction" from. The world goes down so MS buys Apple? I _really_ don't follow.

[lbj]

Originally Posted by Darshan

Think I'm absurd? Hmmm?

Yes.

[Yesurbius]

I don't think a serious Mac user would say that ... he's probably just trolling I am betting the farm that in another 2 years (if Apple keeps up the good work), there is suddenly going to be an explosion of Mac users, and market share will jump to nearly 50% of the personal computer market.

Hmm.. maybe 3 years...

[fryke]

And maybe only 8 or 9 percent. But yes, the tendency's about right.

[hawki18]

Microsoft should tell the EU to get lost and pull there products out of Europe. Everybody goes after the big dog with dollar signs in there eyes. The US is no better first the Feds then the indiviaul states and 90% of it is because of Microsoft's deep pockets.

[fryke]

That's a rather one-sided view, hawki... Netscape and others had a real case against Microsoft's tactics. And the EU now: There are rules that must be upheld. Those rules weren't made specifically for Microsoft (and they're hitting Apple as well in Norway for example). The EU has quite clearly put what MS has to do, and they didn't exactly comply at the beginning.

You say they should "simply" pull out of Europe. That's like removing a leg because of a little rash. If you compare what Microsoft _makes_ in Europe...

[powermac]

Microsoft and Apple will not become one company, for the government won't allow it. Microsoft would truly monopolize the computer, home, and several other industries. Same as saying Ford will buy out Chrysler and GM, it won't meet with approval from the government.