The two most competitive companies in the field of computer tools and software are Apple and Microsoft. Over the years, duals have continued to exist in the market, antagonizing each other in numerous aspects. Interestingly, one could describe the market structure for two as an oligopolistic market structure, as their products can function interchangeably, as they show a variety of similarities (Tucker, 2011). However, there are some differences between the two organizations, as each company operates independently to gain a competitive advantage. For this reason, a critical look at the characteristics of one company compared to another company will be of considerable help in highlighting both the similarities and differences between the two companies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The biggest similarity between the two companies is their products, which are identical. For example, Microsoft has the Microsoft Zune High Definition, while Apple has the iPod Touch, both with a storage capacity of 30000 MB (Noga, 2016). Furthermore, Apple produces iPad, while Microsoft Surface, both are tablet devices (Noga, 2016); and they show a wide range of similarities in their physical appearance, since Microsoft produced Surface to compete with iPads. Likewise, the two compare greatly in terms of services, as each has retail stores, which they use to market their products (Hooper, 2016). Additionally, the stores have many similarities in design and systems, as they both have employees who are always there for customers (Hooper, 2016). Of course, Microsoft and Apple offer similar products to the public. Despite the great similarity between the products of the two, some differences, believably, are due to the nature of competition in the market, as a company must improve its products to take the lead in commanding the market. The biggest discrepancy is in the market: Microsoft is quite fast in acquiring a new market, while Apple enters the market slowly but sharply to avoid any kind of mistakes (Noga, 2016). This is to say that Microsoft does not hesitate to adopt a new idea on the market, while Apple takes the time to critically evaluate the market before venturing to maximize profits. Indeed, the two companies have divergent cultures regarding valuation and market entry. Another deviation is the range of products that the two companies offer to the market and, above all, their compatibility with other products. A good example is the operating systems that the two produce: Apple's Mac operating system only runs on Apple computers, while Microsoft's Windows operating system runs on all PC computers (What is the Difference Between Apple and Microsoft, n.d.). Furthermore, the Apple company is both a software and hardware company, as it is famous for producing computers and iPods (Noga, 2016). Controversially, Microsoft specializes in software, as it specializes in operating systems and mobile applications (Noga, 2016). Surely, the two companies show a lot of variations in their products. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, both Apple and Microsoft are popular due to their strong competition in the industry market. Essentially, they are big competitors, as their products are very similar and therefore a consumer may not know which one to choose. However, the difference between them, both in market and in the variety of products they produce, is significant, as it not only defines the difference between Apple and Microsoft, 23,