Ballmer's Big Bet

Microsoft is pushing more chips into the Internet pot - a whole lot more chips. Having spent billions trying to build a Web business to catch up to rival Google, the software king admitted that it's not getting the job done by making an unsolicited $44.6 billion bid on Feb. 1 for Yahoo!

The Web pioneer has rebuffed advances in the past, but Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer figures a 62% premium may sway shareholders. If it does, his work will be just beginning.

Microsoft will need to win over regulators and meld operations while trying not to alienate crucial Yahoo employees, all while trying to eke out $1 billion in efficiencies.

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