On Microsoft and Apple...

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I work in a callcenter, selling Microsoft software, and everytime I get an angry customer who misplaced their product key, there's nothing I can do. So they almost invariably threat that they're going to buy a Mac computer, and it makes me wonder, why do people love to compare Apple and the proverbial orange, Microsoft?

Microsoft does not create nor sell computers. Well, they recently started to, but this weird comparison has been happening since long before the Surface and the Microsoft Phone. Microsoft has always created software, from the iconic Windows to Word to Publisher, and everything in between. While Apple does create software, they are mostly known for the Mac computer series and the iPhone/iPad.

So, knowing how they differ, it seems that only two things connect them: they're both titans of their respective fields, and they are 'in the computer business'.

I dunno, I may be missing something, but it seems to me like comparing Best Buy and Walmart, both huge corporations, but the only real link between them is 'they sell stuff'.

this, plus microsoft has a stake in apple so it's in their best interests to keep apple going(the fact that apple hardware is now ibm-compatible didn't hurt either)

I do believe Microsoft sold that stock off early in Apple's turn around, not that stock granted them any voting power per the terms.

As for the topic...

Microsoft made sure it's name was synonymous with PCs.

The computer industry is broken down as Windows, Macs, Linux and everyone else.

It's not Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple...

You don't have a Dell PC, you have a Windows PC (Or a Microsoft PC).
Ask most people they will tell you have a Windows PC or call it a Microsoft (or even an IBM if they are that old).
When you ask them what brand, they will give you a confused look and reiterate the fact that it is Windows PC.

If you call Dell to receive technical help, they will normally tell you it is a Windows problem and refer you to Microsoft.
Unless you can easily prove it is a hardware issue.

You can literally take any PC running Windows into the Microsoft Store and take to their genius bar and have them try and fix it.
The Microsoft Store also sells a wide variety of products running Windows from the other vendors.
Microsoft also has considerable control over the PC vendors.

I really suggest you go to your local Microsoft Store and see for yourself.

Microsoft is also one of the few major software companies that still uses product keys for it's non OS softwares.
Apple on the other hand allows you to redownload any software you have bought through the Mac App Store, no keys required (as does nearly all of the software on the Mac App Store), this includes all of Apple's Software (OSs included).
You can do this on up to 5 authorized Macs (you must deauthorize a Mac, if you want to add a sixth Mac or more).

Add in the long standing history of Microsoft screwing over the consumer at nearly every turn, has caused millions to abandoned Windows.

Apple has decent customer service, especially for an IT company.

that's because Apple doesn't have the same kind of piracy issues that Windows does, nor does Microsoft exercise such rigid control over it's hardware like Apple.Apple is hardly blameless either, given it's penchant to sue people at the drop of a hat.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/1 ... 73264.html?

also, it's hardly Microsoft's fault that people don't take care of their licensing info.

Microsoft doesn't have an incentive to fully pug all the holes in Windows.
Viruses and piracy doesn't damage how the world views Microsoft, in part due to good PR campaign.

On the other hand Apple and Linux branding are damaged by piracy and viruses, because the public in many countries views them as unsafe and insecure.

Windows on the other hand is viewed as the most secure and safe consumer OS according to market research.
Same goes for Windows phones.

Apple is required by law to defend any threats to their trademarks, copyrights, patents, and images.
If they fail to go after someone who uses a similar name to a name they use, then someone can file suit to have Apple's protection of said name invalidated.

If your site or product's name is similar enough to a registered name (even if it is phonetic) you will be sued.

Hell Microsoft sued a Canadian teen in January 2004, because his website's name and address was MikeRowSoft.com
They literally filed suit in Canadian court and was set to win the trial, until negative backlash ensued forcing Microsoft to settle.

They used him over phonetic copyright infringement, due to his site's name sounding like the company name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft ... keRoweSoft


Why did Microsoft sue Mike Row? They didn't want to risk the chance, this would set legal precedent, which would be used to invalidate their copyright of Microsoft.

I buy PCs without Windows on it, or any OS.

Apple, good luck buying that new.

right, because the letter a is phonetically similar to apple how many grocery stores has microsoft sued?
using 2 examples and saying "hey apple isn't that litigious! really!" when apple sues(amongst others), the victoria school of tech, Woolworths, DOPi(because there's a lowercase i..) and amazon for having an app store. none of those are phonetically similar at all.

Microsoft has sued plenty of companies, schools over logos and names.
They even the small tech company that held the U.S. copyright to the name Xbox because the company wouldn't let Microsoft use the name.
Microsoft once sued OpenOffice because it used the word office in it's office suite's name.

Starbucks regularly sues companies that deal in food and drinks that have circular logos, because Starbucks claims they are too similar to the Starbucks logo.

Nintendo sued a local U.S. dentist, because he used the letters Wii in his office name.

Samsung regularly sues companies of all sorts, especially the other Android phone makers because they claim their phones are too similar to Samsung design, UI and function wise.

Big tobacco is constantly suing everyone to get their way.
Currently they are suing Australia and Uruguay over anti smoking regulation and packaging.


Most big companies are constantly locked in suites of all sorts, especially American companies.


Now don't let your hatred for Apple blind you too much...

funny you say that, as you're letting your zealotry for apple blind you, all the while dancing around and not answering my question.

a.pl = a grocery store in poland. doesn't use an apple logo at all
Apple = a tech company in america.

one of these things is not like the other. apple is hilariously overlitigious for an american company.