Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Microsoft: Linux May Mean Price Cuts, Fewer Sales

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Microsoft: Linux May Mean Price Cuts, Fewer Sales



    Microsoft: Linux may mean price cuts, fewer sales

    Published: September 3, 2004, 11:28 AM PDT

    By Jo Best
    Special to CNET News.com


    Microsoft has filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission warning that 2005 could be challenging, as Linux continues to steal business and PC sales remain sluggish.

    "For fiscal 2005, we believe industrywide factors such as PC unit growth and the success of noncommercial software could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition. PC unit growth was very strong in fiscal 2004, increasing approximately 13 percent from fiscal 2003. We do not expect similar growth to occur in fiscal 2005," the filing stated.

    As well as suffering from a lack of PC buyers, it seems that Microsoft fears that Linux might pick up some of its market share.

    "We continue to watch the evolution of open-source software development and distribution...We believe that Microsoft's share of server units grew modestly in fiscal 2004, while Linux distributions rose slightly faster on an absolute basis," the filing said.

    "The increase in Linux distributions reflects some significant public announcements of support and adoption of open-source software in both the server and desktop markets in the last year. To the extent open-source software products gain increasing market acceptance, sales of our products may decline, which could result in a reduction in our revenue and operating margins."

    Many of the concerns listed in the filing, such as the threat from Linux and the pressure on license, have become boiler plate in recent years. In addition, Microsoft predicted in its recent earnings forecast that PC sales could slow.

    Antitrust concerns are also playing a part in the newly modest outlook, with the company hoping to resolve all the remaining antitrust scraps for between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion.

    The filing also lists where Microsoft has identified potential market opportunities. Expect to see Microsoft gunning for the search segment, putting on big consumer technology (TV, games, video) drive and trying to woo small and midsize businesses.
    For a company thought to have a cash mountain of some $60 billion, such worries might seem premature, but the Redmond, Wash.-based company has been on a cost-cutting drive that saw office giveaways for things like soda and towels dry up, as CEO Steve Ballmer announced that the company would be aiming to shave $1 billion off its operating costs.



    @ Microsoft
    HAVE A DAY.
    <--- Quote by Former U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
    "And there will be strange events in the skies--signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many people will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very heavens will be broken up. Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" --Luke 21:25-28
    For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. --1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

  • #2
    Not that it matters to Apple, with too few sales for anyone to care about

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Kuciwalker
      Not that it matters to Apple, with too few sales for anyone to care about
      And not that I have anything against Linux. I would like nothing more than to see Mac OS X, Linux and Windows to each have 1/3 of the market share in operating systems.
      HAVE A DAY.
      <--- Quote by Former U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
      "And there will be strange events in the skies--signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many people will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very heavens will be broken up. Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" --Luke 21:25-28
      For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. --1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

      Comment


      • #4
        Not gonna happen. At worst, Linux and microsoft will have 48.5%, and Apple will stay at 3%.

        Comment


        • #5
          kuciwalker.

          i still want to know how the new imac is fully expandable.
          B♭3

          Comment


          • #6
            O$MMFGG The Evil Empire 2.0 will finally fall!!!!11

            Applefanatics can finally realize their wetdream!

            Comment


            • #7
              which is what, give everybody seriously gimped retardo-computers known as imacs?

              how is the new imac fully expandable?
              B♭3

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Q Cubed

                how is the new imac fully expandable?
                By buying a second one?

                Comment


                • #9
                  By buying a second one?

                  it expands apple's wallet, but it fails miserably at the actual concept of being "fully expandable".

                  nice try though.

                  how is the new imac fully expandable?
                  B♭3

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    The only response you will get from Mr. Nice Guy will be another I love Apple thread.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Has Mr. Nice Guy ever made a non-"OMFFG Apple did something right for a change!" thread? Or post for that matter?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Kalius
                        Has Mr. Nice Guy ever made a non-"OMFFG Apple did something right for a change!" thread? Or post for that matter?


                        Umm, this is a Linux vs. Windows thread. And there are plenty of other Non-Apple threads that I've posted if you just search the forums.

                        Go figure.
                        HAVE A DAY.
                        <--- Quote by Former U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
                        "And there will be strange events in the skies--signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many people will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very heavens will be broken up. Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" --Luke 21:25-28
                        For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. --1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm sorry, but the constant rubbish which you post here must drown out the "good" stuff.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I sure hope that this is correct, because it means that Linux will get more and more user friendly, and stuff.
                            urgh.NSFW

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The only response you will get from Mr. Nice Guy will be another I love Apple thread.

                              edit: i realize calling him a coward is hurtful.

                              how is the new imac fully expandable?
                              Last edited by Q Classic; September 4, 2004, 18:15.
                              B♭3

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X