This loss is b/c of the aQuantive write down. This loss has nothing to do with Apple (not to say Apple's success isn't influencing what Microsoft is doing.)
From article: "Earlier this month, the company said it was taking a one-time charge of $6.2 billion, almost exactly the amount it paid for aQuantive, an online advertising company it bought in 2007 for $6.3 billion."
From article: "Earlier this month, the company said it was taking a one-time charge of $6.2 billion, almost exactly the amount it paid for aQuantive, an online advertising company it bought in 2007 for $6.3 billion."