This text is a short comparison and contrastment of Microsoft and Apple.
Comparison and Contrast between Microsoft and Apple
Introduction
In this paper, I am going to bring out the similarities and differences between Microsoft and Apple. It is evident that rivalry is the mother of innovations in the contemporary world. The rivalry between Microsoft and Apple to dominate the technological industry and markets has seen major developments in the industry. Their achievements have been tremendous in the past years, and in 2012, according to the Fortune list, Apple was perched at position 17 while Microsoft was at 37 (Noga 20). Many people tend to think that the two companies are one and the same thing. However, computer addicts appreciate the fact that both companies provide software applications. They are the two most established companies as far as the production of computers is concerned. Apple Incorporated was initially known as Apple computer Incorporated mainly focuses on the production and designing of electronics like Smartphone while Microsoft develops, produces licenses, and supports software applications for computers (Noga 22).
Similarities
One of the similarities between the two companies is based on their founders; they are both founded on the ideas of genius self-motivated businessmen. Co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates is a respected man globally for achieving his dream of putting computers on billions of desks, and also as a philanthropist. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, is also an astute businessman and an open-minded genius. Generally, both portray exemplary entrepreneurial skills. They have both been ranked as the most influential people globally, between 2004 and 2010 (Noga 26).
Another similarity between the two is the production of media players, which are portable, and Smartphone. For instance, when Microsoft manufactured Microsoft Zune High Definition, Apple countered by producing iPod Touch (Noga, 30). Both devices came along with a storage ability of 30GB, a space that could store up to 7000 audios. In addition, they both have support systems for MP4 and MP3. The two companies also manufacture specific brands of phones. For instance, Microsoft has the famous Window phone while Apple has iPhone. To cater for their clients and to enable them access these items, they have both set up parallel stores. The branded stores, like the Window Phone Store and the iTunes Store, for Microsoft and Apple respectively are all stocked with their applications.
Both companies have Tablet devices (Noga 35); as Apple manufactures iPad, Microsoft produces Surface. Though there are evident differences between the tools, the similarities between the two cannot be faced out. They are both designed with a touch screen, they are of the same thickness, both were secretly unveiled, and they both fall in the premium group in the tablet souk. Ideally, Surface was produced to create competition in the tablet market that was almost dominated by iPad.
Another similarity, as I pointed above, is the existence of retail stores for both companies. However, this may surprise many as Microsoft has less than 20 stores while Apple has more than 200 (Noga 40). However, the settings within the stores are almost the same. The stores have professionals who offer directions, technical training, and software support to the clients.
Differences
In the electronic sector, Apple is well known for designing personal computers and entertainment devices like iPod. The products have gone through a series of advancement to meet the needs of the consumers. In the contrary, Microsoft is known in relation to its operating systems and applications, like windows and the office. Apple has also ventured in software and boasts of producing iLife and the famous multimedia software (Noga 42).
The two, further, have different strategies to break into the marketplace (Noga 45). Microsoft tends to be radical and use force to enter the market. For instance, they will run on any new idea within the market, acquire it, and create dominance using it. On the other hand, Apple will nurture its own ideas from incubation to maturity. Apple will look at the needs of the market forces, identify an idea that is not exploited, and sell it to the people to address the market needs. Its major goal is to make profits regardless of the product it has, unlike Microsoft who are more interested in domination without considering whether they will make profits or not. Microsoft runs on the assumption that for any future-oriented company, dominating the market is a fundamental factor.
In terms of marketing, specifically internet features, Apple strategy is the minimalist (Noga 49). The company cuts down to minimum asserting that the clients have limited time and are unable to dig deep into the internet in search for options. On the other hand, the marketing strategy gives a client a variety of options. According to them, the client will always spend his time looking for the best choice. The wizards within the entity will always offer guidance to the consumers on how to make a choice. This strategy has been used by critics to bring out the target of customers for both companies.
Conclusion
From the discussion, it is clear that there are similarities and differences between the two companies. Nevertheless, due to their competing nature, the differences outweigh the similarities as each company struggles to outsmart the other.
Work Cited
Preguntas frecuentes sobre "Comparación y contraste entre Microsoft y Apple"
¿Cuáles son algunas similitudes entre Microsoft y Apple?
Algunas similitudes incluyen que ambas compañías fueron fundadas por empresarios geniales y motivados. También producen dispositivos como reproductores multimedia portátiles y teléfonos inteligentes (como Zune High Definition de Microsoft y iPod Touch de Apple, y Windows Phone y iPhone, respectivamente). Ambas empresas también fabrican tabletas (Surface de Microsoft y iPad de Apple) y tienen tiendas minoristas para sus productos.
¿Cuáles son algunas diferencias entre Microsoft y Apple?
Apple se enfoca en el diseño de computadoras personales y dispositivos de entretenimiento, mientras que Microsoft se centra en sistemas operativos y aplicaciones de software. Además, Microsoft tiende a ser más radical y usar la fuerza para ingresar a los mercados, mientras que Apple nutre sus propias ideas desde la incubación hasta la madurez. En términos de marketing en internet, Apple adopta un enfoque minimalista, mientras que Microsoft ofrece a los clientes una variedad de opciones.
¿Cuál es el enfoque de Microsoft para ingresar al mercado?
Microsoft tiende a ser radical y usa la fuerza para ingresar al mercado. A menudo, adoptará nuevas ideas en el mercado, las adquirirá y creará dominio usándolas.
¿Cuál es el enfoque de Apple para ingresar al mercado?
Apple nutrirá sus propias ideas desde la incubación hasta la madurez. Analizará las necesidades de las fuerzas del mercado, identificará una idea que no se explote y la venderá a la gente para abordar las necesidades del mercado. Su principal objetivo es obtener beneficios, independientemente del producto que tenga.
¿Cómo son las estrategias de marketing de internet de Microsoft y Apple?
La estrategia de Apple es minimalista, asumiendo que los clientes tienen poco tiempo y no quieren investigar a fondo en internet. La estrategia de Microsoft ofrece una variedad de opciones, asumiendo que los clientes dedicarán tiempo a buscar la mejor opción.
¿Cuál es el foco principal de Apple como empresa?
El objetivo principal de Apple es obtener beneficios, independientemente del producto que ofrezca.
¿Cuál es el foco principal de Microsoft como empresa?
Microsoft opera bajo la suposición de que dominar el mercado es un factor fundamental para cualquier empresa orientada al futuro, incluso si esto significa no obtener ganancias inmediatamente.
¿Qué tipo de productos diseña Apple?
Apple es conocida por diseñar computadoras personales y dispositivos de entretenimiento, como el iPod. También se ha aventurado en el software, produciendo iLife y el famoso software multimedia.
¿En qué es conocido Microsoft?
Microsoft es conocido por sus sistemas operativos y aplicaciones, como Windows y Office.
- Quote paper
- Selina Kolls (Author), 2016, Comparison and Contrast between Microsoft and Apple, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/336767
