3 ms·

The natural Microsoft developer community isn't someone looking to make the next killer app for the public, instead most of that community are inhouse corporate

The natural Microsoft developer community isn't someone looking to make the next killer app for the public, instead most of that community are inhouse corporate groups who make internal apps. Microsoft does a very good at supporting this community with tools and other goodies. So the type of apps you're going to see for this platform aren't going to be ones sold in app stores, but internal mission critical apps. This community is also very much about supporting legacy and in no rush for the latest and greatest. And while this ecosystem may not be sexy it's very profitable and it's a focus that both Apple and Google are weak at. Also Microsoft already has the sales relationships with these large companies so they will place orders. To me this is more about Microsoft going after the turf of companies like Dell and HP than anybody else. I have to wonder if we'll see Microsoft branded PCs and servers in the near future. In my mind this is in the same league as Oracle buying Sun.

edwinnathaniel 14y ago
You won't see Microsoft branded PCs unless Steve Ballmer found out that Dell and HP were ready to back stab MS. Ever. If they came out with Microsoft branded PCs and made a hit on Dell/HP sales, Dell/HP will fight back and ship Ubuntu. 25% hit on sale would be ... devastating. You want to know why MS branded PCs won't ever happen? Because Steve Ballmer said so with the above paragraph as an example of the business trade-off. Tablet, on the other hand, is a different segment.
- michaelpinto 14y ago
  If Larry Ellison can stab HP in the back why can't Ballmer? And not for nothing HP was even talking about killing their PC devision not too long ago and Dell seems to be grasping at other straws. Also if HP and Dell went to Ubuntu I don't see them doing well with corporations that have an investment in Windows. My gut tells me that this is the first act of a play, and my bet is that we'll see some more back stabbing before it's over. Although my bet is that Dell and HP will be running away from the PC -- or at the very least someone will have to go in that game of musical chairs.
  - edwinnathaniel 14y ago
    Larry did not have mutual business/sales relationship with HP. That is the biggest flaw with your argument. Second, Ballmer said it himself that it will not go down like that for PC business. Why do you think they have x86 and ARM? I will take your bet when it comes to MS launching its own PC. MS will definitely not do that. I have the insider info up on my sleeve albeit a few years old but still recent. Like I said, tablet or other devices, other than laptop and workstation, will be a different ball games altogther. Everybody has too much to lose when it comes to workstation and PC.

edwinnathaniel 14y ago

You won't see Microsoft branded PCs unless Steve Ballmer found out that Dell and HP were ready to back stab MS. Ever. If they came out with Microsoft branded PCs and made a hit on Dell/HP sales, Dell/HP will fight back and ship Ubuntu. 25% hit on sale would be ... devastating. You want to know why MS branded PCs won't ever happen? Because Steve Ballmer said so with the above paragraph as an example of the business trade-off. Tablet, on the other hand, is a different segment.

michaelpinto 14y ago
If Larry Ellison can stab HP in the back why can't Ballmer? And not for nothing HP was even talking about killing their PC devision not too long ago and Dell seems to be grasping at other straws. Also if HP and Dell went to Ubuntu I don't see them doing well with corporations that have an investment in Windows. My gut tells me that this is the first act of a play, and my bet is that we'll see some more back stabbing before it's over. Although my bet is that Dell and HP will be running away from the PC -- or at the very least someone will have to go in that game of musical chairs.
- edwinnathaniel 14y ago
  Larry did not have mutual business/sales relationship with HP. That is the biggest flaw with your argument. Second, Ballmer said it himself that it will not go down like that for PC business. Why do you think they have x86 and ARM? I will take your bet when it comes to MS launching its own PC. MS will definitely not do that. I have the insider info up on my sleeve albeit a few years old but still recent. Like I said, tablet or other devices, other than laptop and workstation, will be a different ball games altogther. Everybody has too much to lose when it comes to workstation and PC.