“Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction,” Ballmer said, via webcast. “The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment — same piece of hardware — paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that’s a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be.”
And now, the end is near;
And so Apple faces the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.
It’s lived a life that’s full.
It’s traveled each and ev’ry i-highway;
And more, much more than this,
It did it Jobs’ way.
The economy is why it’s damned,
It’s hard to convince consumers to pay,
$500 for a just a brand,
but we did it Jobs’ way.
And sure, OS X is strong,
and Vista sucks, what more can we say,
but we can’t trust fanboy blogs,
So we’ll do it Jobs’ way.
Regrets, they’ve come up short;
But then again, too few times to mention.
It allowed Microsoft to port,
Office 10 without exemption.
It planned each iTunes tune;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than Zune,
It did it Jobs’ way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When it bit off more than it could chew.
But through it all, when the future was hard to know,
It stole BSD and added Cocoa.
It faced it all and it stood tall;
And did it Jobs’ way.
Jackie Chan shouldn’t laugh at that man having a stroke… he should call 911, or at the very least try to help him up.
Laughing is not helping.
Aaron – you my friend, made my day with your comment. Jackie Chan!! LOL
Ballmer really is an idiot. With Windows 7 coming up he should be running a positive campaign, not a negative campaign that is only going to alienate a good portion of computer consumers. Saying that Mac buyers are paying “$500 for a logo” is both inaccurate and insulting. And I say that even as a non-Mac user.
Yeah, I guess Microsoft should run a positive campaign…yeah…that’s it…just like Apple’s campaign. Hold on…wait a minute…that wasn’t a positive campaign. Hmmm…now I am just confused.
What I don’t understand is why Microsoft even bothers talking about Apple. With 8 times the market share, is talking about Apple even worth their time?
Seriously Tony…did you really just ask if they should bother talking about Apple?
Maybe they should take IBM’s stance, you know, the one where they look at a company and say they are to small and cant even begin to compete with them… Because IBM was just way to big………………………..
I agree with you weatherman. They should be saying “Sure, people like macs. They’re nice machines. But here’s what we’ve got on offer, they’ve got nothing on us. Here’s how we beat them here and here.” Win 7 is going to be a good OS, and people are going to go for it, but as long as this feud stays bitter, they’re not going to win anybody over.
Ballmer says Apple is over? I don’t believe that, Apple is running full steam ahead and look where Microsoft is at? Ballmer has nothing else better to do than bash everyone else. Microsoft needs to get their act together. Instead of criticizing and saying Microsoft will trump the competition, actually work on improving the user interface and create innovative products, not copy everyone else’s
I don’t personally think it’s over for Apple, but lately released devices such as the new MacBook Pro to pay $3.ooo and battery can’t be replaced sorry but that’s bad move. I rather buy any laptop and trow Ubuntu on it than paying $2000 for logo instead of $400
Ballmer is notorious for running his mouth and creating completely avoidable snafus that distracts Microsoft’s PR team in providing damage control rather than promotion of products and services. Of course, Ballmer should be a vocal soundbox for the company as CEO yet his approach is so without strategic direction and thought (particularly for a company the size of Microsoft) that many tune out his claims, predictions and commentary.
For example, Ballmer went “nuts” over Vista before its introduction and stated how it would blow OS X and Linux out of the water. Yet, Vista was complete flop at launch probably on second to Windows ME. And that taste lingered with disenfranchised Vista users.
In this case, while I agree Macs are overpriced for the hardware, consumers are not paying extra for a logo. Instead, consumers are paying for a better user experience which largely derives from the software. There is likely some truth in there that the economy will impact a segment of consumers to purchase PC due to price. Yet the Mac audience is largely the technorati, early-adopters, and urban hip which are not as greatly impacted by price in technology purchases.
A real visionary leader is capable of recognizing the merits of their competition, benchmark those capabilities and surpass the expectations of their audience and the capabilities of other competitors in the marketplace.
Somebody, please, take off your sock and stick it in his mouth.
Agreed!
Ballmer being outspoken and passionate about his product is no more of a jab at the competition than the Mac vs. PC commercials. Really though, I don’t care. Linux Mint works fine for me…
…for free.
It’s not about the hardware, or a logo, but the software! (and I thought Microsoft considers itself a software company?) Not only is Mac OS, much better than Windows, but iMovie, Keynote, Pages etc.! And, the software comes free when you buy a Mac, so you’re actually getting quite a bit more value!
The “Os being much better than Windows” is highly debatable, I for one think its terrible compared to Windows.
Most of the “free” software you mentioend also has a free equirelent for Windows, most of them from Microsoft themselves.
I really don’t think MACOSX is worth the $1000+ an Apple compter is priced at compared to a Windows computer with similar specs. I mean, they have the EXACT same hardware, same PSU, harddrives, 3D cards, soundards, cpu, ram, you are paying $1000 for MACOS and a fancy white plastic case.
Ballmer should ignore Apple. He should focus making sure his products live up to the self proclaimed hype. I have purchased four Microsoft based desktops and laptops over the last 17 years. In 2007, I purchased my first MacBook Pro. Wow, what a difference! Not to mention, I installed Fusion in order to run XP on it for the difficult MS files that come my way every now and then.
Apple has to make fun of pc’s to lure more customers away from Microsoft. But Microsoft needs to focus on the customer and reply faster to customer needs. They are way too slow for a company of their size and experience. They need to respond to customer feedback FASTER. They got caught watching the paint dry and Jobs got a second shot.
General rule: Never let anyone get a second shot at you because they are most likely to succeed the second time around.
“Apple has to make fun of pc’s to lure more customers away from Microsoft. But Microsoft needs to focus on the customer and reply faster to customer needs.”
…
You’re basically saying that its ok for Apple to insult, ridicule, and flat-out LIE about Microsoft, but that its not OK for Microsoft to fight back?
It’s just sad. Try to have a little class. Or maybe he’s going for the white-trash-rah-rah-i’m-better-than-you consumer base. Good riddance.
Ballmer – “GET IN MY BELLY!!!”
What in that quote was attacking Apple or in any way non-factual?
Apple PCs are expensive compared to Windows-based systems. That’s a fact. In a rough economy people are going to be more conservative with spending. This is common sense.
Apple’s marketing campaign is almost entirely based on lying about Windows and exaggerating FUD about Vista. Microsoft’s most recent advertising has been all about the benefits and popularity of Windows (’I'm a PC’ for example).
But MS should ignore Apple. Apple has such a small marketshare they are irrelevant to Microsoft. Worldwide the marketshare is about 4% Mac 95% Windows.
Yes, Apple is an investment – more like Art or a fine piece of furniture in your home.
The PC is more for the average that just need a machine. It’s like comparing a Mercedes Benz to a Ford Truck, both will get you to point B, but one does it in style and luxury.
Second, MS only has a dominate market share because of their Gestapo tatics with the OEM’s that required them to carry only Windows on their machines – consumers are only beginning to have a choice of different OS.
Microsoft rehashes an Operating System that they originally purchased from someone else – they do not make the PC. Apple has the innovation, talent, and intelligence to make BOTH the hardware and software.
“It’s like comparing a Mercedes Benz to a Ford Truck, both will get you to point B, but one does it in style and luxury.”
Except its highly debatable which OS is better, even Vista and Windows 7 look pretty fancy, hell, even some distros of LINUX look fancy, where does a “Luxry free car” fit into that similie?
People use Windows because it can be installed on just about any PC, including cheap $300 workstations, I can’t go out and buy MACOSX and install it on my Dell without hacking it first. The fact that I don’t need to buy a $1000-5000 computer in order to use the OS helps.
Finally, you complain about MICROSOFT rehashing their operating systems? Windows 2000 is a VERY far departure from 95 and 98, Vista is very different from XP and Windows 7 also changes quite a bit of workings under the hood, not just makes the GUI look flashy.
You want to talk about rehashing? Try Apple, who puts different names of cats on what should be free service packs and releases them as if they are a fully new operating system.
“Apple has the innovation, talent, and intelligence to make BOTH the hardware and software.”
1. Please stop using brainwashed buzzwords like “innovative!”
2. You realize that Macs have THE SAME DAMN HARDWARE that PCs have right?
Same PSU, same 3d cards, same harddrives, same RAM, SAME FREAKING CPU!
Apple is a software and gadget company, they don’t make their own computers any more than Dell makes their own computers.
You are only paying an extra $1000 for a flashy OS that can’t run 90% of the software out there and a fancy case…. and the mental delusion that you are part of the “Apple family” and part of something that is supposedly better but in reality is no different than the competition with a smiley face painted over it.
“Apple PCs are expensive compared to Windows-based systems. That’s a fact.”
Actually, if you do a total cost of ownership for the two, you may find Macs come out pretty close, if not cheaper than a similarly-spec’d Windows PC. Sure, Macs are more expensive upon purchase, but consider this:
- the useable life-span of a Mac is longer than the average PC (older Macs can more easily run newer versions of Mac OS X)
- on average, Mac users pay less for technical support and repairs
- Mac users do not require anti-virus or anti-spyware software or support (at least for now)
- the value of the bundled software (sure, you could get similar free or PC-bundled software, but to match the quality and features of the iLife suite, you would probably have to pay for it.)
There have been a number of studies done along these lines, from biased and un-biased organizations, which back this up (Google it). I’ve worked on both and I much prefer Macs. I’ve installed Mac 10.4 (Tiger) on ‘ancient’ Macs (G4s, Cube) and seen an *increase* in performance! Try loading Vista on an 8-year-old PC.
Oh yeah, if you buy the operating system separately, you can even run Windows on any fairly recent Mac. That’s like a two-for-one deal, which definitely makes the Mac look like a better deal ; )
I agree with the “apple is more expensive then the PC” line.
But i have to say at least apple are being innovative these days, with the changes to Mac OS and the new designed macs and even the iphone.
It seems to me Microsoft is just relying on windows 7 (and continued xBox 360 sales) to bring them out of the vista nightmare. I’ve used the beta of windows 7 (i admit not for long) and i have to say its as not as revolutionary as i’d hoped.
I think Microsoft need to focus on doing stuff better and not rip the competition.
To me, i see Apple is like Dyson, they market as a different product to their counterparts and i think people will always consider alternative, for some the extra price won’t matter.
How long can Microsoft keep reinventing windows, surly its time for a new os??
Windows has been “reinvented” multiple times.
3.11 to 95
98 to 2000
XP to Vista
Vista ot Windows 7
What exactly qualifies as a reinvention for you? The GUI and especially the inner-workings have been massively retooled in every one of these significant released.
Apple releases the equivelent of service packs as an entirely new OS, and that is innovative?
How is Microsoft “ripping off” the competition exactly?
Microsoft is desperately trying to remain relevant. It is clearly obvious that Microsoft has been out of touch with modern, innovative technology for years. I was in school when MS released Windows 95 and recall Bill Gates saying that the Internet was fad at a press conference. That pupu was symbolic of Microsoft’s overall lack of reality and now that the old man is gone, it’s nice to see that the extinction of Microsoft will continue on with Ballmer’s usual childish nonsensical ignorance. Cheers to the Google’s and the Apple’s of the world for you have true vision and do not need to imitate every other industry that you can’t fit into out of desperation! Microsoft is over.
ITs funny how I see Apple fanboys toss out the word “innovative” everywhere as it’s a one-word end-all to everything.
There is a difference between being different and being innovative.
Newsflash, Apple is DIFFERENT, not innovative.
This is like somebody who has only eaten Spanish food for his entire life then one day goes to Japan and claiming their food in innovative.
Its just a different mentality.
Funny how you claim that Microsoft is “over” when Apple dosen’t even have 10% marketshare and Windows clearly dominates, even in homes.
I was an apple hater for well about 10 years till my company forced a 1st gen macbook on me.. I never looked back, i plug it in and it turns on and i can work.. i’m not being harassed every ten seconds by something popping up to ask me if the web browser can use the internet or the time checker can use the internet or blah blah blah…. It’s worth the “apple tax” to me, they are thoughtful, logical, well designed machines that pay attention to the way people use them instead of trying to add new wiz bang bubble shit and glibglobs of crap all over the place with 54 different versions of the os….
and yes. vista blows. from the beta experience of window 7, it blows too. to rephrase my opinion of the new non-iphone smartphones out there “it’s still not a mac”…
people aren’t calling mac’s “dell killers” or iphones “windows mobile killers”…… i’ll bet you can guess… uhh.. maybe it’s the other way around.
“i’m not being harassed every ten seconds by something popping up to ask me if the web browser can use the internet or the time checker can use the internet or blah blah blah….”
Just how long have you been using Windows? 10 minutes?
Those “harrashments” are self-learning, you shoulden’t be getting any after a day or two unless you manually misconfigured something.
“from the beta experience of window 7, it blows too”
So everybody on the planet and their grandmother is loving Windows 7, INCLUDING THE CREATOR OF UBUNTU, yet you somehow magically know that “it blows” but provide no reasons why?
I am seriously starting to doubt you were EVER anti-apple or even touched a Windows system at this point.
Cyber Akuma gets the crown. To all your posts – well said, man.
It is just hilarious to read all these statements like the ultimate truth on any of the sides.
Fanboys GALORE on every corner!
It is quite simple:
Windows
OS X
Linux
All of them have different flaws, all of them have different functions, NONE of them are perfect.
I’ve been using ALL of them for more than most of you have been alive and i need them ALL to work every day.
Use windows for daily stuff, office work, etc
Use linux as server OS
Use OS X to run Protools, Final Cut, Logic Pro, etc
Now, many will say you can switch software on each platform and achieve the same results. NO you cannot.
Why? Because most of the companies out there are already using each product as a standard of the industry i work in.
So even if you could run Avid, even if you could run Cubase or Nuendo, even if you could use windows as a server OS, even if you could use linux for office tasks, the reality is, there is a reason for each.
But as always, people can’t see the big picture and instead choose to take the ruler out and start measuring..
The problem with MACOSX is that you can only get it (legally) bundled with the very very expensive system.
I can go out and build a pc for $300-400
I can install Windows on it
I can dualboot Windows and Linux on it
I can’t tripleboot Windows/Linux/Ubuntu on it without an illegally hacked version of MACOSX.
I would need to buy a rather expensive MAC computer, which means I can’t even custom-build it with my choice of hardware or place ot shop for hardware, and install Windows and Linux on THAT.