Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Takes Aim at Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), under the watchful guidance of Steve Ballmer, wants nothing more than to compete with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the tablet space. While this is a lofty goal, and one that the company has yet to reach, it has yet to slow them down.

Just when you think Microsoft has had enough, it comes back for more. Maybe this is why hedge fund managers like Sandy Nairn and Kelly Cardwell are sticking with the company?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Fights Back Against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) with Ads

Yesterday, the company released a new commercial which compares its Surface RT tablet to the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad. Displaying both models side by side, Microsoft goes on to show the differences both in pricing and size.

As if this ad was not enough, Microsoft did not stop there. Instead, the company pushed forward with another advertisement. This time around, the company targeted the iPad mini by comparing it to the 8 inch Acer Iconia W3 tablet. This tablet is powered by Windows 8, which makes it an ideal competitor to the iPad mini (at least in the eyes of Microsoft).

Was this a Good Idea?

As Brooke Crothers of CNET notes, “the latest Microsoft ad may have the unintended consequence of inviting less-than-favorable comparisons to a Windows 8 tablet.

In other words, there is a good chance that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is biting off more than it can chew. The Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad mini is at the top of the industry in terms of performance and features. The Acer Iconia, on the other hand, as noted by Brad Sams, does not bring that much to the table.

This is not something that is likely to cause Apple and CEO Tim Cook to lose any sleep. While Cupertino is sure to keep an eye on everything Microsoft is doing, there is no reason to believe right now that these ads from Microsoft will dip into their market share.

You have to give Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) some credit. Even though the company is outmatched by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the tablet market, they come back for more, time and time again. It will be interesting to see if MSFT is ever able to break through by giving the public a tablet that can actually compete with the iPad.

We have covered Surface sales in the past, and will be sure to keep you updated moving forward.

Are you holding your position with Microsoft, much the same as Jeffrey Ubben, or getting out while the getting is good?

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