Computer Demand Boosts MS Profits

elzurawka wrote to mention a BBC article discussing Microsoft's boost in profits as a result of an upswing in PC demand. From the article: "The company announced record revenue of $39.79bn for the fiscal year ending on 30 June, an 8% increase over the $36.84 billion reported last year. The main drivers of sales for Microsoft's Windows, Office and Server software products - PC makers and Asian component manufacturers - have reported healthy demand for PCs."

coincidence?

[kwoff]

Something else that might boost MS profits. Free advertisement as three MS-related stories were posted to slashdot within 4 hours.

Re:Meanwhile..

[Anonymous Coward]

You got really scratch your head when a company literally makes billions and their stock declines while companies that lose money and have shaky business plans skyrocket.

I made a small fortune in trading during the internet boom because of these idiots.

Re:Mods on crack again!

[j-tull]

I couldn't agree more!

The /. crew is really taking the humor out of this board. Why be funny when, at best, it'll have no effect on your karma? At worst, humorless mods will kick your arse down to karma hell!

(\me prepares to sink into the abyss yet again)

Re:Wow, so they're up

[Mistlefoot]

When people are throwing away computers to 'fix spyware' and then buying a new computer - and a new version of Windows XP - almost by force - then yes, profits will be up.

This shouldn't be the way.

The old version of xp should be more than enough for the new Hardware but Microsoft OEM policies almost prevent this.

This should be remedied by law. This is abuse of their almost monopoly.

Re:Millions of Linux users around the world

[Alex P Keaton in da]

This may make me the master of the obvious, but... As there is more bus. on the web, there will be more servers. As a computer becomes more of a requirement for daily life, there will be more of them, and thus more software. As the "greatest generation" dies off, and is replaced by new babies, the percent of people using computers will go up, and this, there will be more computers. As the so called "un-developed" world becomes developed, more computers will be sold... and so on and so on...
And another point....
GM in the 70s?
Sometimes I think we are too much geek and not enough business in our thinking. Mod this however you wish, but I see a parallel with GM. I have a 1978 Caddy Coupe Deville that I never drive, except the occasional weekend. Why does that matter? 1978 was the best year ever for GM. They had the biggest market share in their history, and the biggest profits. And they made crappy cars. In the 80s, people wanted better quality, sure, and that is something that would take a company like GM a long time to change- but the little things customers wanted- cupholders are a prime example- GM just wouldn't do. GMs thinking was that they will buy our cars, and they will like them, and we will make them how we please. Well, the Japanese put cupholders in their cars, which people wanted. (I know quality was also a huge issue, but that is beside this point), and lo and behold- people were happy. Microsoft pushes things on consumers and the consumers accept them, just like GM of old. The point- after 1978- GM declined quickly as alternatives blossomed, heck, now their bonds are rated in the junk range. When will microsofts 1978 happen, if ever? Who knows- but don't think that companies with huge market share are invincible.

Re:Millions of Linux users around the world

[mOoZik]

Except millions of computers users DON'T want Linux! They don't want to fumble with a difficult OS that's reserved [mainly] for the computer literate. Microsoft gives these people what they want. Why should they go out of their way to get a TuxBox? Your analogy would hold true if MS was actually putting out that PEOPLE IN GENERAL (read: not the average Slashdot reader) abhorred. As MS keeps adding new features to Windows (mostly stuff centered around the computer as a multimedia tool), Linux tries to catch-up with the basics, such as gaming, the lack of support for many applications and hardware, and so on and so forth. If anything, Linux is the OS that thinks people will adopt it and choose over a more superior (from the POV of a consumer) OS. This is the reason why it is relegated to servers, which are customized/operated/etc. by geeks.

Re:Millions of Linux users around the world

[Anonymous Coward]

except you already defeated your own point. Microsoft is giving people what they want. They're now demanding security, and microsoft is focusing on security. The general public doesn't give a sht if M$ is open source or closed, as long as the product works, and does what they want. So tell me where the comparison lies?

What exactly has microsoft "pushed" on consumers? Outside of forcing them to upgrade to get new features (which in my personal opinion they bend on far too often from whiny consumers) they don't force much of anything.

In that sense though, let me know how nissan reacts when you bring them your 1978 datsun and ask for them to install air bags, ABS, and a cd player for free, because well... the new version has that bundled with the car and you think you should get it in your old version too.

Re:Millions of Linux users around the world

[Alex P Keaton in da]

You are 100% correct- I was thinking more along the lines of Apple being the Japanese, or a company that hasn't even been started being the Japanese. (Who in the 60's would have thought a motorcycle maker named Honda would ever have the domination they have in the auto world.) To extend the analogy maybe further than it should be- maybe companies like ferarri or MG would be the Linux- companies that in the 70s made vehicles that were alternatives for enthusiasts those who knew how to repair them, but not for grocery getters.
And to take it one step further- if cars ran perfectly forever, there would be no mechanics. If computers ran perfectly, well, a lot of us would be looking in the help wanteds.
I guess my point is that it is never easy to see how a company with a near Monopoly or huge market share can ever lose it w/out gov't intervention- but it can happen quickly.... (Pennsy RR, A&P in the late 1800s etc.) Hindsight is always 20/20... which reminds me- I once dated an optometrist- during sex, she would move around a lot and say "is it better like this, or better like this...."