Microsoft's delay could be positive for Apple

The delayed launch of Microsoft's Vista is expected to negatively affect the company and overall winter 2006 PC demand, but it could be positive for Apple Computer, analysts say.

Apple, with its refreshed Intel product line and anticipated launch of a new Mac operating system in the fall, could benefit from the diminished competition, according to a Wednesday research note from Bear Stearns.

As to other investment implications, analyst Andrew Neff said the Vista delay could be perceived as a negative for Dell, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard, " although the weakness could be offset by strength in first quarter 2007."

Piper Jaffray also sees the new January launch date as a "fractional near-term positive" for Apple.

"Vista promises to incorporate a simplified, enriched consumer experience, which is the hallmark of the Mac operating systems," noted analyst Gene Munster in a Wednesday report.

Munster also considers the delay a "mild positive" for Adobe Systems and a " positive" for security software vendors Symantec and McAfee.

The analyst expects the delay to have an approximately 5% negative impact on his fourth-quarter 2006 revenue and earnings estimates for Microsoft.