Why does Microsoft have so much trouble with monopoly while Apple seems to escape from much trouble?

Here's my opinion on the market for computers. I wouldn't say that Apple is in fact a monopolist; I would instead suggest that the market for computers is an oligopoly: a market with a small number of successful producers. The fact that Microsoft and Apple were, as you say, "recently outstripped" would further suggest the market for computers is an oligopoly.

I think the key aspects of oligopoly that distinguish it as such are: 1. ) Interdependence of firms: I would certainly argue that the actions of one computer manufacturer affect the success of another. For instance, Apple came out with the iPad; since Microsoft, Dell, etc.Don't have comparable products in the market, Apple would dominate the market.

Similarly, Microsoft has been highly successful with Xbox, a video game product that Apple and Dell can't rival. Thus, we would expect to see a shift in market preference for Microsoft. Perhaps what Apple did with the iPad is in response to the Xbox: the way for firms to gain back market power is to lower the prices of their goods.

The iPad has most of the capabilities of a small laptop, and runs for around $500-600. Never before has Apple had such an affordable "laptop" computer; whereas Dell had been facing success due to it's small laptops selling for around the same price. Apple, with it's huge advertising market, has had the ability to gain back market power by offering a relatively inexpensive product compared to what else is available on the market.

2. ) advertising. Wouldn't you say that a typical Apple customer is different from a typical Microsoft customer?

Apple targets a hip and trendy product, with sleek designs, and simple user interfaces. Who does this appeal to? Young people, who are valuable assets for future business prospects, and perhaps older people who aren't tech savvy, that otherwise wouldn't even enter the market.

Microsoft is more popular with businesses, as they offer better business packages, etc. You'd also see a PC as more of a "techy" computer; that's just the reputation that they've built up. Bill Gates isn't exactly the coolest guy around...not that Steve Jobs/Wozniak are; they just make you believe it with their advertising strategy. Overall, it's not so much that the market for computers demonstrates monopolistic behavior; otherwise, you'd see prices that are higher than they are already (that's one of the biggest advantages monopolists have-since they dominate the entire market, they can set higher prices), it's more of an oligopoly, where we just see one big player (Apple) pass another big player (Microsoft).

I think Apple is reaping huge success because of their great gadgets, and the fact that they have such amazing technology control to release a bigger and better product that makes a consumer say: "shoot; I know I just bought this great 30GB iPod, but now they have a 160GB and it's 10 bucks more and it's a new silver color and it's signed by U2." They're just genius.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.