Microsoft to buy Logitech?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted January 10th 2008 10:33AM
posted January 10th 2008 10:33AM
A rumor swirling about the bowels of the Internets says that Microsoft is about to launch a takeover bid for Swiss-based Logitech. If true, Microsoft, the largest software house in the world would become the world's largest maker of webcams, mice and other peripheral devices. Share prices are surging on speculation that Microsoft will make a takeover bid valued at 48 francs per share, a 38% premium over yesterday's closing price. Our take? We're pretty skeptical. Both companies have been extraordinarily successful without each other. And at first take, the union seems to offer neither company any advantage in the market. Perhaps the rumor mill confused Logitech with Japan's Logitec -- that would make perfect sense. Yeah.[Thanks, Khattab]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tim5nU3DwIE
NOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo
Ah, is there anything more clever than saying "M$" to refer to Microsoft? I think not!
you M$FT fanboi
Logitech IS the competition. There really isn't another viable competitor in the keyboard/mouse area anyhow. Microsoft makes good (very expensive) stuff... and then they make things that are inevitably WINDOWS only (which is weird, but true).
I really don't want to see Logitech go away.
NOOOO!! PLEASE NO!!!!
Yeah, it would be a good move. $300 a remote control and people are still screaming for it. Logitech really had done well.
This will get approved long before Sirius/XM, or When Rupert Murdoch decides to purchase Free Speech from the US Constitution.
Francs?!
Maybe in 1999...
Swiss Francs. 2008.
thanks!
thanks!
I really love Logitech's products, but I'm a Mac user and I have not been happy with Logitech's decision to make only a few of their mice and keyboards Mac compatible. At least their best mouse to date (the MX Revolution) is Mac supported. I also think that this move if true could be for Logitech's great speakers, which M$ makes none that I'm aware of, as well as the remote successes. All in all I don't want this to happen. M$ has ruined enough companies by buying them out. Don't you think?
Maybe Microsoft expects big sales for the Harmony One…
logisoft. Damn it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I've owned a few MS peripherals. While they've been interesting experiments, they've inevitably been phased out when MS got bored with them.
Logitech has consistently made unique devices and KEPT with them, even when the mass market moved away.
Specifically, I'm referring to thumbballs. I picked up the LogiTech Trackman Marble when it came out in '96, then the Marble+, both unique and innovative mice alternatives. MS said "hey, we can do that too!" and came out with the Trackball optical, with 2 more buttons.. My Trackman Marble+ is still kicking, but I've gone through 3 MS Trackballs in the meantime. And while you can STILL buy the LogiTech Trackman Marble+ (and even the Wireless version (why?)), MS dropped support for and production of their Trackball.
I'm still holding my breath that LogiTech will release an updated version of the Trackman with a few more buttons, updated scroll wheel, etc.
If MS buys LogiTech.. I see this useful product disappearing completely.
KHAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!
Gayd. Only word I can describe this with. Say goodbye to awesome third party controllers for consoles on non xbox platforms. Say goodbye to decent PC peripherals.
I should go buy a ton of corded G5's for when they come through and crap all over L's products.
GAAAHH! NOOOOOOO! Thankfully I just bought my Harmony 550 before it was infected with MicroCrap. Well, I still love my QuickCam Pro 4000 and Driving Force Pro.
*sniff*
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
No! If Logitech is claimed by the dark side, where will I get my input devices? If they attempt to claim my TrackMan and my invisible optic mouse I believe that open revolt is in order.
NOOOO!!!!!!!!! Now I have to repalce all 5 of my Logitech universal remotes because I will not trust M$ to not screw up something.
Oh, sure, as if "M$" isn't just another company who doesn't make profits. Can't you say the same for Apple and Sony?
And you act like 'everything' Microsoft has made is complete crap. Well news flash - they've always made some good stuff. Office 07' and Zune 2 as clear examples. Microsoft has a solid good rating in their hardware peripherals. It's not like MS is that stupid enough to completely kill a successful company's product line.
If people are this pessimistic all the time, then that's really sad. Until I see this acquisition and how it plays out, you can't automatically assume Microsoft plus anything equals bad.
NOOOO!!!!!!!!! Now I have to repalce all 5 of my Logitech universal remotes because I will not trust M$ to not screw up something.
Something tells me that if this happens, our harmony remote service will no longer be free...
No! they are the only 3rd party playstation peripheral manufacturer whos products arent crap(see: nyko).
NO MORE DRIVING FORCE!?!?!?!
no, dont you mean the Logitech G25?
that would suck if MS and Logitech merged, no more support for GT5
I REALLY hope this doesn't come to be. I am an admitted Logitech fanboy, but for good reason. Everything I have bought front hem has been amazing. DiNovo Edge was expensive but worth it.
I have spent more money on Logitech stuff in the past than anyone should. I have never been disappointed but this will probably bring down their build quality and development. Do you really think MS would have let Logitech develop and release the DiNovo Edge?
I think it's a very good move. In fact, it will give Sony/PS3 some trouble since Logitech makes a lot of the best accessories out there.
I'm a big fan of Microsoft and Logitech. I love MS Natural Keyboards (I've had 4 of them) and currently use one at work (natural elite). I just upgraded to a G15 (for my home gaming rig) though, because the LCD on it is very cool.
My first thumb operated mouse was a logitech trackman marble, and I'm currently (at work) using a Microsoft Trackball (the logitech one was pre-scroll wheel, and logitech stopped making the trackman marble with scroll when I was in the market for a new mouse). Just purchased a new Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse (my first mouse for gaming ever I think) and I quite like it although losing the trackball has taken getting used to (wired mice SUCK for gaming it would seem... just from a cord point of view).
I hope Microsoft takes Logitech's keyboard LCD and makes a standalone product that runs sideshow apps and logitech's custom plugins.
IMO, Microsoft's product quality has always been slightly (like very slightly) better than logitech's. Both software and hardware wise.
However, Logitech has had a better overall stable of hardware.
I am typing this comment on my logitech keyboard, using my G9 mouse, and listening to cake on my logitech x-230. I don't care if microsoft buys logitech, but they better not:
A: Make my favorite peripheral company's reputation take a swim in the toilet
B: Rebrand (besides the current rebranded MS peripherals) Logitech peripherals
C: Make somewhat subpar software worse. (Although setpoint 2 for the G9 is much slicker than the first.
I think both make hideously overpriced products with good marketing and distribution in bigbox retailers. They are perfect for each other.