Steve Ballmer was interviewed by German newspaper “Die WELT” in an article published yesterday and some questions touched on Apple Computer, Inc. Martin Stein has provided an English translation on his weblog, “Martin Stein’s Publishing Weblog.”
Stein prefaces the Q&A section with, “After asking Steve if he has a ‘Apple Computer,’ he says that he does not have a Mac nor a iPod. ‘Of course, I have to know the devices. We have to know what the competitors do,’ [Ballmer said].”
Die WELT: But couldn’t you just buy a Mac without hesitation since Apple opened up their machines for Windows?
Ballmer: No, we prefer real PCs.
Die WELT: Was it a satisfaction that Apple had to give in?
Ballmer: Honestly, I don’t think that it is that important. Actually, it is relatively expensive if a user gets a separate Windows OS for his Mac. Not a lot of people will do this.
Die WELT: Apple is leading in the Music business as well. Does this bother you?
Ballmer: No question, it would have been better if the iPod would have been a Microsoft invention. The device is really popular. Apple didn’t invent anything new. They just combined existing technologies in a smart way. They succeeded to create a nice package which bundles Music services, devices and software.
Die WELT: Is Apple’s success reason enough to copy them?
Ballmer: This wasn’t the last word in this competition. Over the next years, a lot of things will happen in the market of portable devices. Who wants to carry different devices to listen to Music, to play games, to take pictures or to communicate with others? A small, integrated device will master many functions. We won’t be simply watching this development.
Die WELT: Is Apple unbeatable?
Ballmer: Which company would be able to compete with Apple at these days? It can only be Microsoft or Apple stays without any serious competitor. I think, everybody deserves some competition.
Stein’s full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy” for the heads up.]
Die WELT’s full article in German here.
MacDailyNews Take: Yes, Die WELT, Apple “gave in.” Whatever. Embrace, then extinguish. In a head-to-head Mac OS X vs. Windows XP comparison — exactly what users will get with new Macs with “Boot Camp” and soon, Mac OS X Leopard, running Windows and/or Windows applications — even with people steeped in Windows’ upside-down and backwards “experience” for years, we’re quite confident that we know which platform most people will choose to use most often.
So, Ballmer prefers “real PCs?” What is that supposed to mean? Ballmer should just state, “I am pompous know-nothing asshat.” It achieves the same purpose with a bit more clarity.
Oh, now Microsoft’s going to compete with iPod+iTunes? Haven’t they been trying to do so for the nearly half a decade since Apple debuted the iPod? With what exactly will Microsoft compete? Vapor? Some also-ran third-party online music outfit; aren’t hundreds of Microsoft WMA-based failures enough? That piece of crap Origami that even the OEM’s CEOs can’t figure out how to operate? Microsoft can’t even copy correctly; they never could. Microsoft can’t even get the warmed over, slipping-for-years, stripped-down mess Windows XP SP3 that they’re going to try to sell as “Windows Vista” out the door, towel-less Microsoft employees are on the verge of mutiny, Microsoft shares tumbled 11.4% on Friday, their biggest one-day drop in 5 years, and Ballmer thinks he can compete with a lean, mean Apple that been firing on all cylinders for years now? Ballmer, along with the vast majority of the world and most of Wall Street, are in for quite a shock. The jig is almost up, Monkey Boy. Enjoy your golden parachute ride.
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A shameless Google bomb
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A shameless Google bomb
http://www.fireandiceband.net/
Nick – shut your hole.
There are some great points here and they just get glossed over in the fanwar.
-Mac users may be purchasing macintels now that they can run windows, but these people are buying NEW MACS.
-XP is expensive, but you will toss or re-install completely on your virus riddled machine. Why not get a NEW machine. If you are then you can look at a Mac as replacing that stuff on your desk. All you need to do is read the ‘how to install an OEM copy’ websites from a google search.
-XP now has an update for the ‘genuine windows’ advantage or some weird TLA. Simply put, it reports your IP and tells you that your version of windows is pirated. If this makes people paranoid enough to purchase a full version then why go w/ just a PC again?
-The Windows security support layer (anti-this-and-that) slows machines down much more than a similar mac based solution. An in-store demo machine won’t be running all that stuff because it makes everything seem like it’s 5 years old.
-Apple isn’t missing an opportunity yet. Bootcamp is beta. Beta is not going to guarantee quality. As such, it’s runs against the company goals to make any claims about bootcamp until 10.5 and then only when bootcamp has been refined
Infrequently (802.11, firewire) Apple is on the cutting edge. The ipod wasn’t the first mp3 player. I have a diamond rio that pre-dates it. It wasn’t just fancy packaging. It was form, capacity, and functionality combined that made the ipod a home run. Simply put, Apple doesn’t have to be the first one out with something to come into the market. Put the R&D on it first, THEN put the logo on it and you win. The ipod with video is junk, but it works just well enough as an added feature to the large capacity ipods that Apple won’t be seen as a failure and can get some content going its way, while assessing requirements for the next ipod.
Will a convergence device win? Of course. You’re ignorant if you think that an Audio, Video, Phone, Camera, PDA, GPS (all high quality) isn’t going to be the device type of the future. It’s about battery life, quality components, and ease of use. If there is a company w/ the brains to get MOST of it there then it’s Apple (followed by nokia, sony-e, ms, and palm). Unfortunately OS X has a HUGE footprint, but what are licenses for.
Will the ipod be unseated in the music player arena? No.
Oooh only 3% of the people who use computers use macs. Uhmn. Right…Apple’s dying again too. Installed base means nothing if you run windows and everything if you don’t.
Worst thing about balmer. You think all the successful car manufacturers don’t own or use other brand cars? Toyota spends millions sending executives to watch tailgate parties in the south just to see why Americans love their trucks. Balmer’s repeated ‘I don’t own’ and the often blind ‘I won’t let my kids use Apple products’ are just proof that he doesn’t understand publicity or development.
Too bad microsoft, for some things you will be missed
Cochran: Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, Steve Ballmers attorney would certainly want you to believe that his client wrote “Monkey Dance” ten years ago. And they make a good case. Hell, I almost felt pity myself! But, ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, I have one final thing I want you to consider. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it; that does not make sense!
Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor, with a bunch of two-foot tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! But more important, you have to ask yourself: What does this have to do with this case? Nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this case! It does not make sense! Look at me. I’m a lawyer defending a major software company, and I’m talkin’ about Chewbacca! Does that make sense? Ladies and gentlemen, I am not making any sense! None of this makes sense! And so you have to remember, when you’re in that jury room deliberatin’ and conjugatin’ the Emancipation Proclamation, does it make sense? No! Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, it does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! The defense rests.
@ Ronin: “is it really necessary to refer to Balmer as an “asshat”? How old is the person posting the MDN take – 12? I mean really, if you want to convert people and brag up the OS and Apple it would be FAR more effective to present a logical argument on why a person would want to do so rather than early teen potty-talk. I realize that Microsoft has given people a reason to dislike them but the zealot behavior of the Mac (and Linux) fanatics hurts far more than it helps. Microshaft? M$? Microsucks? Please. I am firmly convinced that the attitudes and ranting of the anti-Microsoft crowd has slowed down people who may be on the fence looking at alternatives. If web sites want to be taken seriously, an even token attempt at acting professional would go a long way. If you want to rant, that’s what blogs are for.”
Very well said!
This is a great site for news related to Apple, but the discourse can sometimes descend to such low levels, that the vast majority of Mac users (a group I belong to) end up being grossly misrepresented and stereotyped. I think the same applies to the Linux community (to which I also happen to belong).
What many fail to realize is how this impacts on Apple’s market share. If you just look at numbers, there are possibly many more MS zealots out there using similarly degenerate discourse. There impact is trivial, however. When you’re a repulsive member of a large community, you can easily be overlooked. However, if the community was small, you will stand out more. This, in a way, is not that different than the position of visible ethnic minorities in any part of the world: They need to be extra-careful not to tarnish the reputation of their minority.
So those of us who are not, or no longer are, Windows users really have to participate in maintaining a positive image for the Mac community. I think that doing so is no less important that TV ads promoting iMacs or software that is hoped to entice people to switch to the Mac.
Regarding the degredation of commentary on this site: it wasn’t so long ago that this wasn’t the case. Things here used to be very intellectual and benign.
Perhaps a sign of progress that a number of asshats have switched?
Oh… sorry.
TOO HOT!
You must certainly REALIZE that all platforms have all peoples of all ages and mentalities.
Given your logic, there is are far more Windows teen potty mouths than Mac or Linux teen potty mouths.
SO SHUT TF UUPP YOU WOSSS!!
MDN is the home of the Mac trolls ready to pounce and tear Microsmurf blue ass!!!
Do we care what what others think of us?
HELL NO!!
The rest of the bozo world will continue to use Windows regardless how we act.
If you want more mature discussion, check into a site with moderation or else check yourself into A FRIGGING OLD FOLKS HOME GRAMMA!!
*fart* “Oh Phillip was that you calling?”
Hahahahaha! “That’s funny Terrrance” *fart*
Hahahahaha!
For people complaining that the Apple Store doesn’t have demos of Bootcamp running Windows in the stores, don’t forget one thing:
Boot Camp is Beta.
Wait til it’s included in Leopard.
Alex, CompUSA have it running to sell Macs.
“You’re ignorant if you think that an Audio, Video, Phone, Camera, PDA, GPS (all high quality) isn’t going to be the device type of the future.”
It’s a bit too early to be calling people ignorant if their vision of the future doesn’t match yours. If there’s one thing the iPod has taught us it’s that simplicity sells. There will always be a market for dedicated devices that do one thing well and are easy to use.
Many people use their iPod through their car or home stereo. An all-in-one device means you’d have to stop the music everytime you got a call.
Will Vista really be our master?
Must we bow down before the dark lord of Redmond?
Why is Adobe delaying CS3 so long when they had plenty of advance knowledge?
Did Steve tell them to just forget it or did Adobe give Apple the finger?
help me, I’m scared and confused
An all-in-one device means you’d have to stop the music everytime you got a call.
They got auto-music cutoffs when a call comes in. It’s only software.
*fart* Oh darn
Parallels Workstation 2.1 beta 6 released!
http://www.parallels.com/en/download/mac/
Yeah, I meant the call interrupts the music. Annoying if the person receiving the call isn’t the only one listening to it.
mike: “Um, what if the former XP user has a dusty black Dell sitting in the corner of the room, riddled with viruses?”
First, so you got a Dell, eh?
2nd, if the Windows user has such a bad experience with Windows XP why would they want to put it on their Mac so it can become riddled with viruses?
—
No I’m writing this on my only computer: an eMac.
The reason they would put Windows on there is so they can do something with all that software they bought after years of Windows. In fact, the most useful apps may ironically be ones that hardly use the OS/Windows UI at all.. Games.
You still haven’t answered the question: OBVIOUSLY they wouldn’t buy a Mac because they liked Windows.. you do it for OS X and Security and Mac exclusive apps. You boot Windows once in a while for Windows-only apps, not Windows.
New Apple promo revealed!
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2006/04/29/new-flyer-to-hit-stores/
Let’s make this really simple: Ballmer is an ID-10-T and he’s going to destroy Microsoft if Gates doesn’t get rid of him….
THE question is:
Who makes a “real PC”?
There ain’t no such thing…
Screaming Balmer is running scared. Hope he has his 401 K paid up because he is about to retire!
Hee hee…
Al– how would your parents feel if they knew you spoke to strangers the way you do?
I have mentioned to my Windows PC owning friends about Apple running Windows. Their reaction is always the same – “Glad Apple finally saw the light and is running Windows”.
But, but, but I stammer back it runs OSX and Windows.
Too late, conversation over, they don´t care, they have been using Windows for years.
To Quezzie: your reply: “And who says they are converters are Windows PC owners? They could be Apple users that have been sitting on the fence as to whether to buy a Windows computer……[Blah, blah, blah]”
FYI
I have assisted no less than 5 Windows slaves in their switch out of the Dark Side, to a Mac. I don’t find your statement valid. I know 3 more who are planning to switch soon.
One guy made fun of his wife’s Mac for years and one day last week, she came home from work and he announced he had bought not one, but two Macs for himself. Said he’d “had it” with Windows. She said he’d watch her “just enjoying her computer” while he was wrestling with Windows problems. Funniest part of his switch–he bought G4’s off eBay and didn’t care if they ran Windows!
drunk cheney–“I wonder if Ballmer can turn on a light-bulb if he puts one in his mouth”
Uncle Fester-Balmer has to put the bulb in his mouth, because the light-bulb over his head has never lit up. heeh.
Al– how would your parents feel if they knew you spoke to strangers the way you do?
Heck I’m a parent and speak like this in bars all the time.
So far I’m 5 knockouts, 3 wins two ties and 4 loses.
Oh and three arrests.
Wanna box?
college undergrad,
This is exactly what happens to me. I even had a friend give me a copy of Windows so I could put it on my iMac and be “happy.”