"The problems with Microsoft have nothing to do with management's interest being aligned with shareholders. Ballmer does quite well for Microsoft shareholders. He also does a good job exciting IT managers.
The problem is... user satisfaction is terrible. The actual people who use Windows have been unhappy with their products for years"

I think the opposite on both accounts. Long term shareholders have little to be excited about and should (still) be worried about over-milking the cash cows as long term investors. At best Ballmer leaves little to nothing to be excited in ROI about except for milking that past and while competition mounts in lateral & vertical markets.

Users (lets put aside W8 since it's barely been out) have been largely satisfied with their Windows software options as long as XP has been supported and as Win 7 has been a fine product especially given it's transitioned users to a 64bit platform. There is less user experience difference from one platform to another than ever before.IT managers aren't excited about Win8 - why would they be?

And though it generates less revenue I also think Xbox users are satisfied customers as the earlier quality issues ironed out and as new controller & media access value added has kept the platform fresh.
B