How did Microsoft get more popular and successful than Apple?

Microsoft was for many years but as of earlier this year, Apple's market capitalization hit 683 billion as compared to Microsoft's current value of 338 billion dollars. So, now after all the years of Microsoft's popularity, Apple has taken over the market.

I've been using computers since the 1980s, long before Windows. Under DOS you had to be dedicated and a bit geeky to make the things work. Long strings of code were necessary and many a computer was thrown through a window when, for the umpteenth time in a row, you received a "Syntax error" message. But they were CHEAP.

Apple had a fun system to use and their icons made it very simple. But they were EXPENSIVE.

So Microsoft grew fat on an inferior system. (A joke doing the rounds in the 1980s was, "Where can you find a user-friendly program that will still respect you in the morning?")

Then came Windows and the multi-billion dollar court case between Apple and Microsoft. Microsoft won and Windows revolutionised the way we do things. Apple now had little to offer that Microsoft couldn't do as well, and the price difference remained.

Over the past few years Apple have improved their marketing techniques, lowered their prices somewhat, and are once again competitive. The figures shown in Rooster's post show that they have not only taken the lead but may become the dominant player.

Certainly when Microsoft begin charging their planned annual rental for Windows and Office (instead of selling them without restriction) Apple are likely to receive another boost. I might even make the switch myself.