Apple Inc. (AAPL), Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK), And Could Bill Gates Even Save Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)?

Sure, you might not be able to edit Excel documents on your iPad, or type a paper in Word, but how many people really want to do that on their tablet? A 10-inch screen just isn’t ideal for work, regardless of how powerful the device may be.

Meanwhile, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues to give consumers what they want. The King of Cupertino is expected to unveil a refreshed lineup of tablets this fall, including an iPad Mini with a Retina display, and a full-size iPad that’s both thinner and lighter. Both devices are ideal for the sort of quick, on-the-go computing tablet users demand.

Microsoft commits to devices with Nokia buy

Microsoft’s announcement that it was buying Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)‘s  handset business only strengthened its commitment to being a devices company. By adding Nokia’s workforce, Microsoft will be able to produce its Windows Phones in-house, just as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has done with the iPhone since 2007.

Unlike tablets and PCs, there doesn’t appear to be much of a difference in Microsoft and Apple’s phone philosophies, outside of Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s long-standing commitment to produce phones at multiple price points (a strategy Microsoft is unlikely to abandon).

But despite copying Apple’s proven strategy, Microsoft is unlikely to find success. Apple has a six-year head start — and far more developer support.

Investing in Microsoft

Given that Microsoft’s management is clearly out of touch when it comes to understanding the PC market, the company’s decision to embrace a strategy centered around “devices and services” — as emphasized by its recent purchase of Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s handset business — is distressing.

Even Gates appears to believe that the market wants these sort of hybrid devices — Surface tablets that can double as a laptop, a Windows 8 operating system that works as well on a tablet as it does on traditional PC.

As long as Microsoft sticks to this flawed philosophy, alternative operating systems are going to slowly chip away at its Windows empire. For that reason, investors should consider avoiding Microsoft.

The article Not Even Bill Gates Could Save Microsoft originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Sam Mattera.

Sam Mattera has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Microsoft. 

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.