Go Ahead, Microsoft, Flatter Apple Again

BusinessWeek Online ^ | OCTOBER 17, 2001 | Charles Haddad

[CheneyChick]

Mac heads shouldn't get too upset when they see how closely Windows XP apes Apple's OS X. In the long run, imitation can only help Jobs & Co.

Even though Windows XP won't be officially released until Oct. 25, I can hear the Mac faithful howling already. Once again, Mac heads are accusing Microsoft of building its latest PC operating system on innovations pioneered at Apple. And, quite frankly, they have a point. New XP features such as Windows Movie Maker, My Pictures, and the revamped Windows Media Player strike me as awfully similar to Apple's iMovie, Image Capture, and iTunes software.

[zog]

--the new macs mostly use wireless airport for data transfer around the office and home. On older machines you can just lan them easily if you want, with a cheap serial cable, or use ethernet. it's what I do here, a lot of times a file or program won't fit conveniently on a flop. Or I guess you can use a zip drive or something similar. Lotsa ways to transfer data. BUT, I still like the flops occassionally, not to much, but occassionally. Most likely within a few years most puters will all be using hot swappable giganto hdd's anyway, or heck, who knows where RAM is going now, it could be that there is a breakthrough there, cheapo memory sticks that hold mucho gigs..or dvd r/w perhaps.

[bootyist-monk]

Bill Gates did NOT LOAN Apple 150 million. He bought 150 million worth of Apple's stock. And Apple's stock OUTPERFORMED his own for a long time after that. He made more money on that investment than he would have buying back his own company's stock. NEVER let it be said that Gates is NOT a savvy investor.

Ah... yeah, right.

[Ben Hecks]

Looks like I get the last word. My 6 year old Mac 7600/G3 with 34,300 hours is going to a new owner tomorrow and will be replaced by a new G4.

[gratefulwharffratt]

Ah... yeah, right.

Ummm, what EXACTLY is your point??? The shares that MS bought of Apple's stock were purchased in August of '97, and had to be held for three years before they could be converted. Thus the period in question is from Aug. '97 to Aug '00.

For our purposes, I will NOT include dividend re-investment.

In Aug of '97 Apple's shares were trading at ~$8.00 per share. So $150,000,000 would have purchased 18,750,000 shares (assuming common shares for this example...). In August of '00 Apple's shares were trading at ~$58.00. Those 18,750,000 share would have been worth $1,087,500,000.00 or 1.087 BILLION.

In Aug of '97 Microsloth's shares were trading at ~$37.00 per share. So $150,000,000 would have purchased 4,054,054 shares (assuming common shares for this example...). In August of '00 Microsloth's shares were trading at ~$80.00. Those 4,054,054 shares would have been worth $324,324,324.32.

Hmmmm. Microsoft's investment would have been worth more than three times what they would have gotten had they invested in their own stock.

Again I ask, what is your point?? The slope of the lines in the first graph would have been a quick and dirty indicator of what I stated.

[petbop]

I've opened the case of every mac I've owned since 1985.

My G4 is designed open easily, is a work of art on the inside, is built for expansion, and ----- IT RULES!!!!!!

[John Robinson]

A bug. I fixed it.

[bootyist-monk]

If you are an investor, get some professional advice immediately.

MS stock split twice during the time frame you indicated.

Seventh February 20, 1998 2 for 1
February 20-$155.13/
February 23-$81.63

Eighth March 26, 1999 2 for 1
March 26-$178.13/
March 29-$92.38

Care to try your math again, this time with the proper figures?

[bootyist-monk]

BTW, MS stock has split 8 times in its history. 6 times as a 2 for 1, twice as 3-2. If you had bought one share when they went public in 86, and held it until today, you'd have 144 shares for each one share purchased.

Now, explain to me again how Apple is the better investment?

[Dominic Harr]

Ya'll:

This 'OS' war is wierd. Unique, I think.

Apple is the 'Ferrari' of personal computers. It costs a bit more, and is certainly a higher-quality machine, all things considered.

Yet somehow I can't imagine 'Ford' aficianados running down Ferrari owners, calling Ferrari 'losers' in the marketplace, or even denying that the Ferrari is a fine car they'd love to own. I wonder how some in the 'Windows' crowd became *so* fanatical?

Some Windows aficianados seem to have no respect for quality in competing products. It's almost 'cult'-like.

I prefer PC's and use Windows, because of software availability and because I like to tinker a *lot*. But I acknowledge the sheer quality of the Apple computer and OS. I even see some nice things in Linux -- altho I don't think it's ready for prime-time quite yet. I can accept that Windows is a poor OS, compared to the other offerings. It's useful, but not the best.

Is that such an awful truth?

[bwteim]

Or Balance of Power.

Wow, that is like a time warp. That was hot when it first came out. Imagine it now with Afghan/Middle East settings (on any one of a number of platforms).

[gratefulwharffratt]

Now, explain to me again how Apple is the better investment?

I never suggested that Apple stock has been the better investment over the entire life of the firm.... Please show me where I have said that. (the only period I have referenced has been Aug '97, to Aug '00. Even if they split once during that period, You would have still made more with Apple DURING THAT PERIOD) Perhaps you should re-read my first statement again.

Also, the Yahoo chart only shows one split during the period referenced. Who knows though, the chart might be incorrect.

And of course, no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy Apple's stock. SURELY you would agree that any VIABLE company whose capitalization is less than the value of it's physical assets is CLEARLY a super-baragin. As Apple's was during this time, and as several blue chip stocks have been in recent months.

[gratefulwharffratt]

baragin = bargain

[prisoner6]

"My G4... is a work of art on the inside..."

You've just made my point! Apple - and Apple Folk - are more concerned with the box being a "work of art" than the functionality/univerality.

Kinda like A Ferrari being a work of art, but to drive across potholes everyday, I'd rather have a 1971 232-6 cylinder, powerslop 2 speed transmission, Chevy Nova.

BTW to all who are still following this thread, I never said I didn't like Apples for some things, they just aren't my cup of tea...er coffee, if you know what I mean.

prisoner6

[gratefulwharffratt]

From post # 14... "The machine basically sucks"

I never said I didn't like Apples for some things...

I know that I use the term "sucks" for all kinds of things I like... < /sarcasm >

[CheneyChick]

Hi Lizzy W, I'm just now checking back in on this thread. Funny how folks get all worked up. It's so darn simple, I love my Mac cuz it just plain works and doesn't cause me fits. I turned in my fancy Dell laptop last year for a Pismo (G3 PB) and am now using an iBook (20 GB HD, DVD/CD-RW drive, dual USB, FireWire, Enet) and best of all am FReeping from my sofa - no wires - on my wireless DSL network. This afternoon, I'm going to edit the video I took yesterday at my friend's wedding with iMovie and post it on the web via streaming video hosted for free via my Apple iTools account. What is not to love? Sheesh.

Cheers, CC :)

[gratefulwharffratt]

with iMovie and post it on the web via streaming video hosted for free via my Apple iTools account.

Ummm, you wouldn't happen to have any video of Hitlery! being booed off the stage last night would ya??? I'd give anything to see that!!!

Some have said that VH-1 is going to show the whole thing again today at 2:00, but when I check the guide on DirecTV, it says that they are gonna show some lame ass video fashion something or other.

[CheneyChick]

No -- I missed out on the whole thing last night.... I would love to see it.

[Lizzy W]

Nevermind about Vermonter, I'm moving in with you! I can't wait until I can afford a titanium with airport. Macs are just so cool :)

[CheneyChick]

Hmmmm. I think I know how you got your screen name. You've been taken captive by that PC mindset.

Cheers, CC :)