integrated hardware and software

[Carl Symons]

http://www.infoworld.com/t/technology-business/microsoft-pc-and-tablet-makers-youre-not-our-future-195877

> Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer cited Apple's advantage (without mentioning Apple) of integrated software and hardware. "Things work better when hardware and software are considered together," he said. "We control it all, we design it all, and we manufacture it all ourselves."

> Most telling, Ballmer said nothing about tablets from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, or all the other PC makers who for years have relied on Microsoft and Intel to do the heavy lifting while they focused on assembling PC components at different price points and sometimes pitching in on original case design work. Instead, he made a mild statement about valuing partners, but it was clear Microsoft will not let others drive the hardware going forward.

Apple has become the only PC maker whose market share is growing --
largely because it ruthlessly controls its platform's destiny.