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Piper Jaffray expects Apple Computer to gain share in the personal computer market over the next two to three years. Piper Jaffray cited the iPod halo effect, "continuous innovation leading to highly functional products at realistic price points," and security and performance issues for PCs based on Microsoft Windows. The research firm said, "It is important for investors to keep in mind that minimal upside to Mac market share estimates could have a significant impact on Apple's overall results." Piper Jaffray, which maintained an "outperform" rating on Apple, said that assuming "immaterial" market-share gain over the next eight quarters,...

Nearly a decade ago, just a few months after Microsoft shipped Windows 95, I asked Bill Gates if it was a conscious decision in the development of that product to give Windows more of a Mac look and feel. Of course I knew he'd say it wasn't, but I couldn't resist asking. "There was no goal even to compete with Macintosh," Gates proclaimed. "We don't even think of Macintosh as a competitor." That was a crock, so I pressed the issue a little. I asked him how he accounted for the widespread perception that Windows 95 looked a lot like...