For a long term prospect, I think Microsoft is on their way out. With Google Chrome, Android, etc. and of course Apple, Microsoft just can't seem to compete anymore. Certainly they are not leading the pack in any tech category as they were in their golden days. Honestly, for tech, since Apple is so ridiculously expensive, I would look more for a niche tech stock. There are more tech stocks than just the big boys. Look at some of the behind the scenes products, like the chips or something that every device has to have. It may not be as sexy or glamorous, but the behind the scenes companies are the ones doing the grunt work of the tech field.
Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would be their last version of Windows. Automatic updates will be enabled by default so that anytime they have an update and you are connected to the net, you'll get the free update. For how long this free version of Windows will be free is not clear which probably means Microsoft has something they are working on that would radically change the tech landscape. But since Microsoft has been losing a lot of money [on Windows Phones and Windows Tablets] choosing Apple would be a wise decision.
I think I have chuckled for a good ten years about how Microsoft is on some kind of decline. As long as there is business, Microsoft will do just fine and not just because of who they sell to, but all of the computing manufacturers use Microsoft for their computers. There is a stream of money that will never fade for Microsoft, whereas I see a lot of the shine on Apple starting to fade. People are deciding to wait on the second iteration of the Apple Watch, the **** Air 2 didn't sell what they were anticipating. People seem a little iffy on the new MacBook and a few other things that seem to be slowing down the pace. Nothing overwhelming as there will be people that would actually buy an Apple Apple if they decided to sell them, but I'd go with Microsoft as a just as large group are really impressed with what Microsoft is doing through the Xbox and Surface as well as Windows 10.
Hmm You are all investing on opinions? Let's see some technical data on this, that's the best way to make a call. I don't have time to run the #'s right now (I'm stuck at work) but perhaps when I get home I can, and toss an edit to my post. But MSFT currently is only 44 bucks and has a dividend yield of 2.79 and AAPL is $125 with a yield of 1.67. I would say MSFT since it's cheap to get into and has a higher dividend.
Both are huge and reliable companies, so I am going with what Brandon says, the one we consider to have the higher dividends at a given point is the one we should invest in.
If I was given the choice between these two, I think I would be more tempted to purchase Apple than Microsoft at the moment. Both are pretty reliable but Apple seem to have the edge for me, and like a few have already said, they're still relatively cheap to purchase aswell considering what you should be looking to get back. Both are long term investments though, and your not going to be looking at making a quick killing on either stock.
