> A company with vertically integrated...seems like it could have such an edge Yes but I guess it was the IBM board whom decided that they could better invest

> A company with vertically integrated...seems like it could have such an edge Yes but I guess it was the IBM board whom decided that they could better invest in the money with various initiatives. IMHO, they are now (and for ~15 yrs) only choosing a safe route, not an innovative route.