SEATTLE — It's a good thing that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has so much energy.
He recently introduced two key products designed to strengthen Microsoft's control of personal computers: the Vista operating system and the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of applications.
Strong starts for each helped fuel a 65% profit surge in the just-ended quarter.
Now Ballmer, 51, must chart a course for Microsoft (MSFT) as Chairman Bill Gates prepares to give up his day-to-day role next year. Ballmer says he's confident his investments will pay off over the long term as rivals such as Google take the early lead in emerging businesses on the Internet.
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