Which company is more successful: Apple or Microsoft?
Readers weigh in on which computer company has had the bigger impact on the tech industry.
Apple celebrates 30 years
«Back to main storyWhich company is more successful: Apple or Microsoft?
In 1976, Apple Computer was founded, and, within a few short years, it could rightfully claim to be the company that brought PCs into the mainstream--first with the tremendously popular Apple II series and later with the Macintosh and its graphical user interface. The Newton, iMac and iPod later added to Apple's reputation for pushing the envelope.
The prior year, Paul Allen and Bill Gates were busy writing a version of BASIC to run on the hot PC of the time, the Altair. For much of the 1970s and '80s, Apple and Microsoft peacefully coexisted, with Apple focusing on hardware and the Mac OS, while Microsoft developed applications for the Apple and other machines. Microsoft later went on to develop the enormously successful Windows OS, which now runs some 90 percent of the world's PCs (compared with Apple's share of under 5 percent).
Both companies are clearly technology pioneers that have secured their places in the PC revolution. But, just for the sake of argument, if you had to pick just one company to label the most successful, which would it be?
Do you value more the one that kick-started the revolution in 1976 with the original Apple computer and continues to innovate with products such as the iPod, or the one that eventually sold hundreds of millions of copies of its operating system, arguably bringing computing to the masses? Join the discussion.
Apple at 30
Beyond the iPod: Apple at 30
Does Apple still want to be a computer company, or is it morphing into an entertainment and consumer electronics company?
Change is as comfortable as a black turtleneck Q&A with Woz: Didn't want to change the world Low market share is badge of honor
The Mercury News
Will Apple stay fresh after Jobs?
Apple's biggest problem in the future may be Jobs himself. The CEO's control and influence over the company is legendary. Jobs is part of every major product design, and his vision and touch are on everything Apple does publicly. Yet despite Jobs's importance to the company, Apple has said little publicly about plans for a successor when he quits or dies.
The Age
Apple Computer set to mark 30th birthday
As the storied company celebrates its 30th birthday in a week, Apple Computer Inc. will have brushed off its bruises from product failures and arguably misguided decisions to emerge with a shine that's more than skin-deep.
Associated Press
The man behind the Mac
Whether he's inspiring his staff or negotiating with captains of industry, Jobs has outsize abilities to persuade, motivate, inflame the imagination and enrage. How did he get this way?
Stubborn Apple at risk of making the same mistake twice A Silicon Valley fairy tale Faithful, sometimes fanatical
San Francisco Chronicle
Apple heroes and villains
Every story has its heroes and villains, and the history of Apple Computer is no exception. The world's most lickable computer company has seen its share of good guys and bad guys during its 30-year history, and sometimes, the goodie is also the baddie.
30 years of Apple products Apple OS gallery Steve Jobs' best quotes ever
Wired
Apple's remarkable comeback story
The once-troubled computer maker, turning 30, has found new life as a mobile music company. Still, challenges loom.
CNNMoney.com
The cult of the Apple
They tattoo Apple's logo on their arm. They help sell Apple products, even though they're not paid to. One couple met at the Macworld Expo conference, got engaged and were married there.
Scripps Howard News Service
Fans celebrate with Apple
ThankYouSteve.com
"On April 1, 2006, Apple Computer will celebrate 30 years of insanely great products. To commemorate this occasion, we thought it would be fitting to recognize the company, and its founders, that introduced Macintosh, iPod, and countless other revolutionary hardware and software technologies over the past three decades, with an insanely great website of our own."
HappyBirthdayApple.com
"In celebration of Apple's 30th anniversary, we will be presenting Apple with a hardbound book containing messages from people around the world."
Apple celebrates 30 years
«Back to main storyWhich company is more successful: Apple or Microsoft?
In 1976, Apple Computer was founded, and, within a few short years, it could rightfully claim to be the company that brought PCs into the mainstream--first with the tremendously popular Apple II series and later with the Macintosh and its graphical user interface. The Newton, iMac and iPod later added to Apple's reputation for pushing the envelope.
The prior year, Paul Allen and Bill Gates were busy writing a version of BASIC to run on the hot PC of the time, the Altair. For much of the 1970s and '80s, Apple and Microsoft peacefully coexisted, with Apple focusing on hardware and the Mac OS, while Microsoft developed applications for the Apple and other machines. Microsoft later went on to develop the enormously successful Windows OS, which now runs some 90 percent of the world's PCs (compared with Apple's share of under 5 percent).
Both companies are clearly technology pioneers that have secured their places in the PC revolution. But, just for the sake of argument, if you had to pick just one company to label the most successful, which would it be?
Do you value more the one that kick-started the revolution in 1976 with the original Apple computer and continues to innovate with products such as the iPod, or the one that eventually sold hundreds of millions of copies of its operating system, arguably bringing computing to the masses? Join the discussion.
Apple at 30
Beyond the iPod: Apple at 30
Does Apple still want to be a computer company, or is it morphing into an entertainment and consumer electronics company?
Change is as comfortable as a black turtleneck Q&A with Woz: Didn't want to change the world Low market share is badge of honor
The Mercury News
Will Apple stay fresh after Jobs?
Apple's biggest problem in the future may be Jobs himself. The CEO's control and influence over the company is legendary. Jobs is part of every major product design, and his vision and touch are on everything Apple does publicly. Yet despite Jobs's importance to the company, Apple has said little publicly about plans for a successor when he quits or dies.
The Age
Apple Computer set to mark 30th birthday
As the storied company celebrates its 30th birthday in a week, Apple Computer Inc. will have brushed off its bruises from product failures and arguably misguided decisions to emerge with a shine that's more than skin-deep.
Associated Press
The man behind the Mac
Whether he's inspiring his staff or negotiating with captains of industry, Jobs has outsize abilities to persuade, motivate, inflame the imagination and enrage. How did he get this way?
Stubborn Apple at risk of making the same mistake twice A Silicon Valley fairy tale Faithful, sometimes fanatical
San Francisco Chronicle
Apple heroes and villains
Every story has its heroes and villains, and the history of Apple Computer is no exception. The world's most lickable computer company has seen its share of good guys and bad guys during its 30-year history, and sometimes, the goodie is also the baddie.
30 years of Apple products Apple OS gallery Steve Jobs' best quotes ever
Wired
Apple's remarkable comeback story
The once-troubled computer maker, turning 30, has found new life as a mobile music company. Still, challenges loom.
CNNMoney.com
The cult of the Apple
They tattoo Apple's logo on their arm. They help sell Apple products, even though they're not paid to. One couple met at the Macworld Expo conference, got engaged and were married there.
Scripps Howard News Service
Fans celebrate with Apple
ThankYouSteve.com
"On April 1, 2006, Apple Computer will celebrate 30 years of insanely great products. To commemorate this occasion, we thought it would be fitting to recognize the company, and its founders, that introduced Macintosh, iPod, and countless other revolutionary hardware and software technologies over the past three decades, with an insanely great website of our own."
HappyBirthdayApple.com
"In celebration of Apple's 30th anniversary, we will be presenting Apple with a hardbound book containing messages from people around the world."