While many may question the ability of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to maintain a leadership role in the digital media world, technology expert Mark Mowrey says "Yes, we could easily could fault Microsoft for its missteps. But let's give them a break, huh? Ever watch a cruise ship turn around?"

In The Prudent Speculator TechValue Report, the advisor explains, "It would seem, that much of the tech world awaits with great expectation that day when Microsoft implodes from its inability to evolve."

Indeed, he points out, "Much ado was made about the Xbox console's deficiencies.; the Zune portable media player launched to no fanfare, and rightfully so. Then there are the TV initiatives, which have hit a rosebush-worth of snags on the road to the living room. Vista was late-and late again. And its efforts to gain relevance in online search have failed, at least according to market share numbers."

The tech world view, he suggests, is that these missteps are just the "beginning of the end" and that the market is evolving toward one in which software doesn't reside on the PC. And, he adds, many tech observes believe that at the end of that transition, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) will be "the one to plunge the knife into Microsoft's heart to end its great dynasty."

Not so fast, the advisor argues. He states, "We would suggest readers go on over and check out Google Docs and Spreadsheets first hand. Relish in their simplicity. Bask in their get-anywhere accessibility. Just don't try to do too much with them." Indeed, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Linux, he believes, pose more of a competitive threat.