Microsoft Windows Misses Estimates as Consumers Pick IPad

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world’s top software maker, reported third-quarter sales in the Windows division that missed analysts’ predictions as consumers shunned its products in favor of tablets such as Apple Inc.’s iPad.

Revenue in the unit that includes Windows fell to $4.45 billion, Microsoft said in a statement today. That was shy of the $4.6 billion average prediction of nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Shares slipped in late trading.

Personal computer shipments unexpectedly fell 3.2 percent in the quarter as consumers held off purchases and shifted to tablet computers, IDC said. Multiyear contracts with corporations and robust demand for Office business software couldn’t make up for consumers who are choosing iPads over a new laptop with Windows.

“PCs aren’t being bought and if you are going to buy a laptop you’ll look at an iPad,” said Kim Caughey Forrest, an analyst at Pittsburgh-based Fort Pitt Capital Group Inc. which manages $1.1 billion, including Microsoft shares. “That’s where some of those Windows sales went.” ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-28/microsoft-meets-analysts-estimates-as-consumers-shift-to-ipad-tablet-pcs.html

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Drale]

2. I'll take my laptop over an Ipad any day

can do all the same stuff plus much more.

[BlueJazz]

7. Yep. "The IPad, costs more than a Laptop and almost as good !!"

[Gman]

3. Being that Microsoft is always late to the party

they'll come out with a Windows based kind of iPad that will be crap. But not for a couple of more years.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I'm not a huge fan of M$, but comparing hardware to software is odd.

It's sorta like saying Samsung televisions are falling in demand as more consumers watch Fox News.

When you try to wrap your head around the idea, it isn't a very good comparison.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. Been useing Microsoft since cassette tape was the principle storage medium.

Boutht an i-phone about a year ago, bought another i-phone for my wife about a month later, bought an i-pad a few months ago, bought another one for my wife about a month later. Apple just does it so much better that I doubt that I will ever buy a windows based product again.

[cliffordu]

6. ...And that is the sum of the lesson.