Is microsoft ever going to win a Generation?

[Squilliam]

Impulsivity said:

Bitmap Frogs said:

Squilliam said:

You know, if we changed the concepts a little and applied them to Sony it would explain why they are currently getting their a$$ handed to them.

 

 

Oh no you didn't!

 

   See something like a walkman or a successful video game system or an Ipod is NOT a monopoly.  When the walkman was THE music player, there were dozens of other choices.  If you really wanted a JVC tape player you could get one.  If you didn't want the PS2 you could get a gamecube, if you don't want an Ipod there's the new walkman or the zen or the zune or whatever.

   A successful product is NOT a monopoly.  What IS a monopoly is when there is only one choice and the company with the monopoly makes sure that remains the only choice.  There are very few people who felt compelled to buy the ipod or PS2 or whatever, but there are a TON of people who feel compelled to buy windows.  Hell I HATE windows, and yet I own a copy to play some computer games and business applications I can't get on OSX because Microsoft has taken tons of steps to make sure they can't be used elsewhere (like making direct X instead of adopting open GL to make porting very difficult to any non windows/xbox system).

   Anyway the point is with devices there is no such thing as a monopoly since all major segments have many competitors.  When I say microsoft can't win I mean in any competitive market (consumer electronics being one).  Sony has won MANY times in many competitive markets.  They dominated with the walkman and then again with CD players early on, their dominance has waxed and waned in TVs but they have always done well, they do very well with pro video gear (a TON of movies/TV shows are shot using Sony equipment primarily), they've won a few video game gens ect.  In all of the places they've won they've faced HEAVY competition with no real monopoly powers (IE at any time everyones free to choose a non sony product and get similar functionality).

   Sony is a strong competitor as is Nintendo, they have won generations but never because of monopolies (even the NES had to fight off the master system).

You forget that Microsoft is so awesome they can still sell their stuff at a high price when the alternatives are given away for free! (Linux, PSN).