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Checkout Microsoft's last quarterly report:

http://apps.shareholder.com/sec/viewerContent.aspx?companyid...

The "Microsoft Business Division" (which includes Office) had 5.266 Billion in Revenue, out of 16.428 Billion in total revenue. That's 32% of revenue.

Apple disrupting Mac sales is roughly equivalent to Microsoft disrupting Office sales.

It's a big deal.



Disrupt Office with what? A cheaper, but significantly higher margin version of Office that has broader appeal? That's not disruptive. That's a smart business move.

Or is it a free web version of Office that has no current revenue model? Also, what is the trajectory of Office revenue? Is it a growth area or stable? In the case of OSX it is a MUCH lower percentage of revenue as compared to 3 years earlier.

Disruption requires the cannibalizing product to impact the bottom line negatively. The iPad has had the complete opposite effect from the first day.

If MS shipped a product that on day 1 resulted in higher earnings than Office, that's not disruptive.

But I think we can agree to disagree about if the iPad was a bold gutsy move. I think it was a natural progression from the iPhone and cannibalizing a product that couldn't really grow even during the Vista years wasn't really a concern. You think otherwise.




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