ooooh! Italian food?
I don't think the analysts understand the technology that they upgrade and downgrade. For instance, last week an analyst decided to downgrade Sun because he put it in the same category as Apple, Compaq, Dell and Gateway computers; computers that usually come with MSFT Word and Intel processors.
But home PC users don't buy Sun computers. I'd say it would be very unusual for most people to buy a Sun computer because you have to install the software yourself. You don't go into a store, buy it, take it home and plug it into the wall.
My husband got an Ultra Sparc for his personal PC at work last fall, and, although he is in love with UNIX, he still busily installs software. After all these months still he works hard to learn how to use the machine, but he feels that he needs the reliability that only UNIX can provide. Also, he isn't impressed with the way the Intel processor is configured. (I hope I've got that right). When he speaks of an Intel processor, I think of the tentacles of an octopus. They are all spread out. By contrast, when he talks of Sun's architecture, he says it's all together. It is like an octopus with out tentacles.
As far as Sun's earnings go, I don't believe Sun executives have said that earnings would fall below Wall Street's expectations.
In sum, Sun does not compete in the personal PC market with the others. Sun's customers are in the corporate marketplace.
The good news is that we can fork over money for our retirement accounts after the first of the year, and if these stocks keep dropping, we'll get some very good buys.
I hope you had a nice Christmas.
Best Wishes,
Mephisto |
