As of mid 2015, approximately 86% of personal computer operating systems were sold by microsoft (vista and multiple versions of windows). per your books definition of a monopolist, the existence of other operating systems make microsoft not technically a monopolist. however, this exceptionally large share of sales in the personal computer operating system market clearly establishes microsoft as the dominant firm in that market. discuss why you think that microsoft's current share of sales in the personal computer operating systems market is (or is not) large enough for microsoft to set prices for operating system software as a monopolist? also, how big of a share do you think a firm needs to have of a market before it can set prices as if it was a monopolist? lastly, what do you think the makers of other personal computer operating systems could do to gain a larger share of sales in that market or cause microsoft to lower the price of the personal computer operating systems that it sells?

The gilbert instrument corporation is considering replacing the wood steamer it currently uses to shape guitar sides. the steamer has 6 years of remaining life. if kept,the steamer will have depreciaiton expenses of $650 for five years and $325 for the sixthyear. its current book value is $3,575, and it can be sold on an internet auction site for$4,150 at this time. if the old steamer is not replaced, it can be sold for $800 at the endof its useful life. gilbert is considering purchasing the side steamer 3000, a higher-end steamer, whichcosts $12,000 and has an estimated useful life of 6 years with an estimated salvage value of$1,500. this steamer falls into the macrs 5-year class, so the applicable depreciationrates are 20.00%, 32.00%, 19.20%, 11.52%, 11.52%, and 5.76%. the new steamer is fasterand allows for an output expansion, so sales would rise by $2,000 per year; the newmachine's much greater efficiency would reduce operating expenses by $1,900 per year.to support the greater sales, the new machine would require that inventories increase by$2,900, but accounts payable would simultaneously increase by $700. gilbert's marginalfederal-plus-state tax rate is 40%, and its wacc is 15%.a. should it replace the old steamer? b. npv of replace = $2,083.51