Jump to content

MSFT - Microsoft


Viking

Recommended Posts

Guest wellmont

I think what I said,in an entirely different context, was a generally true statement. That is, buffett does not invest in companies, like msft, that operate in industries undergoing rapid change. You then made a statement that quote, "buffett said he would invest in msft".  Due to our ongoing conversation, we both learned he never said this. Therefore, I believe this forum has done it's job, as we both discovered (in my case confirmed) something about what buffett really said about msft. Consequently, this part of the thread has proven to be a great success! I appreciate the valuable discourse.

 

regards

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 937
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

+1 agreed. Microsoft would be a great investment by Warren Buffett had he not such a close connection with its founder and chairman, Bill Gates. He said this many times in the past that Bill is his friend and that him sitting on Berkshire's board makes things difficult when someone could question what he knew about Microsoft through that connection.

 

I saw IBM as a 2nd best investment for Berkshire Hathaway, from the day the news came out. I bought more MSFT after that announcement and so far have done really well. I think I will do better than Warren Buffett on my MSFT investment vs his IBM one.

 

Can't agree completely. This is not a Buffett type stock (yet). Predictability and capital allocation is the reason why it's not. But that doesn't mean this isn't a good investment now. Remember you are right not because someone said so, but because your facts are right. IBM was a good investment for a long time before buffett invested. One reason for him investing in IBM now is because of predictability of their cash flows and strong pricing power over their customers. MSFT has that in part of their business.

 

In all honesty, initially I thought I had bought a cheap compounder, but now it looks like there is going to be a restructuring/turnaround phase before it eventually can become the compounder.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they keep printing money and raising the dividend, I'm happy. I'm going to stop following this stock on a regular basis.

 

I just bought a new all-in-one desktop for my home office, and I have to say Windows 8 is just a God-awful user interface.  Really a complete piece of rubbish from a user standpoint.  I don't understand how they could make such a clunky, ugly, difficult-to-use operating system like this.  I can't even find any way to switch it to a Windows 7 view, like you would be able to switch to XP view on Vista.  No wonder Chrome and iOS are kicking their ass with crap like this!  If so many business users weren't roped into using Office, Windows would go the way of Blackberry!  Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest valueInv

If they keep printing money and raising the dividend, I'm happy. I'm going to stop following this stock on a regular basis.

 

I just bought a new all-in-one desktop for my home office, and I have to say Windows 8 is just a God-awful user interface.  Really a complete piece of rubbish from a user standpoint.  I don't understand how they could make such a clunky, ugly, difficult-to-use operating system like this.  I can't even find any way to switch it to a Windows 7 view, like you would be able to switch to XP view on Vista.  No wonder Chrome and iOS are kicking their ass with crap like this!  If so many business users weren't roped into using Office, Windows would go the way of Blackberry!  Cheers!

 

Remember I told you that Windows 8 was the biggest opportunity for Apple to push Mac into the desktop. Now you know why. Except the iPad took the opportunity created by Win 8.

 

Office is a conundrum for MSFT. They can release a full featured version on IOS but Apple will take a 30% cut - a big problem for them. They can simply ignore IOS and take the risk that Google docs or iWork gain marketshare on platforms that own 90% of the market. Or they can release a crippled version of Office on IOS and take the same risk. They have chosen the last option so far.

 

Apple realizes this. Apple was hiring for their iWork team early this year. That's why they have released a web version of iWork. A full upgrade to the downloaded version of iWork is coming this fall. iWork already has some of the top grossing apps on iOS and Mac. Either MSFT holds back and they build a lucarative iWork business or Office is released on the app store and they make a ton on their 30% cut. Either way, it is likely to be a big business for Apple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they keep printing money and raising the dividend, I'm happy. I'm going to stop following this stock on a regular basis.

 

I just bought a new all-in-one desktop for my home office, and I have to say Windows 8 is just a God-awful user interface.  Really a complete piece of rubbish from a user standpoint.  I don't understand how they could make such a clunky, ugly, difficult-to-use operating system like this.  I can't even find any way to switch it to a Windows 7 view, like you would be able to switch to XP view on Vista.  No wonder Chrome and iOS are kicking their ass with crap like this!  If so many business users weren't roped into using Office, Windows would go the way of Blackberry!  Cheers!

 

Just hit the Windows button. Come on, it's really not that bad as you can use the exact same UI as before if you wish. However they also included another UI that should appeal more to the less technical and less intelligent. Time will tell if it works but I really like the idea. No, it's unlikely I will ever use the alternative interface, but I'm not a member of the target audience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they keep printing money and raising the dividend, I'm happy. I'm going to stop following this stock on a regular basis.

 

I just bought a new all-in-one desktop for my home office, and I have to say Windows 8 is just a God-awful user interface.  Really a complete piece of rubbish from a user standpoint.  I don't understand how they could make such a clunky, ugly, difficult-to-use operating system like this.

 

+1

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you get a touch screen version?

 

I have been using win8 and 8.1 since they were both available

 

I find it a delight and ver nice to use, especially win 8.1

 

I mean if you didn't get a touch screen then win8 is not as useful

 

 

 

 

If they keep printing money and raising the dividend, I'm happy. I'm going to stop following this stock on a regular basis.

 

I just bought a new all-in-one desktop for my home office, and I have to say Windows 8 is just a God-awful user interface.  Really a complete piece of rubbish from a user standpoint.  I don't understand how they could make such a clunky, ugly, difficult-to-use operating system like this.  I can't even find any way to switch it to a Windows 7 view, like you would be able to switch to XP view on Vista.  No wonder Chrome and iOS are kicking their ass with crap like this!  If so many business users weren't roped into using Office, Windows would go the way of Blackberry!  Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

They need to get more efficient in their chipset and slim down the package, make it ultra sleek, 7, 8, 10 inch tablets and each update to Windows 8 will make it a better experience.

 

I think Surface 2.0 and beyond will be well received. I would have gotten a Surface but I still find it too heavy and thick as a tablet. It is too large for my taste. I really like my iPad Mini to death. A smaller, 7/8 inch Windows 8 RT device, thin, light and colorful would be awesome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

    Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive

Officer Steve Ballmer will retire within the next 12 months

after more than a decade leading the world’s largest software maker.

 

    Ballmer will continue to lead the company during the

transition, Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said today in a

statement. Microsoft’s lead independent director, John Thompson,

will lead the search committee for a new CEO.

 

Shares up ~ 10% premarket. Must be a great feeling that your company becomes > 20 billion more valuable in the public opinion as soon as you announce your departure :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At this point, I think even Ballmer-The Owner is happy that Ballmer-The Executive resigned. I can imagine him jumping around high fiving the mirror for the $700 mill payday- Most productive day ever!!

 

The only shame here is the easy catalyst for this stock is now over. The real hard part of actually turning around the business and showing some results for it is just beginning.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The turnaround plan has been in place for some time now, it's not like the hard work is going to start from this point forward. They have parts of the business that are seeing strong growth, and areas like search are nearing profitability, and even WinPhone has been seeing growth.

 

I'm pro MSFT.

 

So who's going to be the next CEO? I think Nadella is the frontrunner, but who knows. Eric Rudder has been there the longest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...