Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appeared on NBC’s Today Show on Thursday to shill his company’s Vista service pack, er, “Windows 7” and spent the entire segment in front of an older model (note the latches above the screen) Apple MacBook Pro (courtesy of an NBC graphic designer — Mac user, no doubt — who must have a wicked sense of humor):
Direct link to video via Hulu here.
Of course, it’s easy to run Windows 7 (or any other Windows version, Linux, etc.) and non-Mac applications on OS-unlimited Macs natively (via Apple’s Boot Camp) and/or via fast virtualization (VMWare Fusion, Parallels Desktop for Mac) which is just another reason to Get a Mac. But, Ballmer T. Clown doesn’t like that concept very much at all (a href=”http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/9412/”>Couldn’t you just buy a Mac and run Windows? Microsoft CEO Ballmer: ‘No, we prefer real PCs’) because he knows that when people get a Mac and really begin to use it, they never want to boot up Windows again if they can help it. Then they start to use iWork in place of Office and… suffice to say, it’s bad for Microsoft’s sales. Microsoft banks on ignorance; without it, they have nothing.
MacDailyNews Take: It must suck to work for Microsoft where important details routinely go left unchecked and, no matter where in the world you go, you’re constantly surrounded by professionals who all use Apple Macs. Plus, every time you try to promote your inferior products, Apple’s keep showing up in your TV appearances and even in your sloppy company’s own ads that are, of course, also creating on Macs.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]
Ouch, that was cool.
Windows7 looks pretty good at first blush. I think it could hold its own, if it does not fall on its face… Apple will have some competition here…
Steve Ballmer wasn’t pompous. Is that Steve Ballmer?
No problem (other than Ballmer) watching on my MBP 13 running SL.
I didn’t get it at first, but then I realize that the Image on the big screen is where it is! LOL. How pissed Ballmer must have been when he stepped out onto the stage! I’d love to know if he said anything to the Today show crew!
Using hand gestures on a regular size screen is about the poorest interface yet except for perhaps teaching computers to kindergartners.
Mark my words, it will never become popular other than for instructional uses.
Watching Ballmer deny the obvious repeatedly at some point people will catch on and realize he’s a snake oil salesman.
marko, if the only “competition” we can get to keep Apple on its toes is when windows fails to fall on its own face, windows has managed to set the bar pretty damn low.
….come to think of it i believe that is the MS sales strategy.
The video doesn’t work outside of the US. So those like me in Canada or other countries can’t watch. Is there a YouTube version?
@bigmac
Does it really matter?
I’m kind of surprised how calm Ballmer was, but he probably realized this wasn’t the best place for him to go insane. He had to make a good impression.
His comment about people “choosing” 9 out of 10 times to buy a Windows PC instead of a Mac is completely wrong though. At least 75% of those people don’t choose. It’s simply all they know or what they were told to get. People don’t buy Macs mainly because of lack of education and understanding about what they offer.
@ The Big Mac!™,
Here you go:
@ Sir Bill gates
Thanks from another Canadian.
@ CandTsmac,
You’re welcome. You guys stay warm, eh.
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Monkey boy was tranquilized before come on I am sure.
MDN… you need to add VirtualBox to your list of virtualization apps. It’s FREE, besides. AND lets you install on an external drive!
Ballmer is such a doofus.
@HDBoy… It IS a MacBook Pro.
I’ve got the same model sitting in my lap right now!
Didn’t he look like he was struggling to retain his composure when Apple as a “cool company” was brought up?
Thanks SGB!
I don’t see a problem with this video. Sure there’s irony but hey, Windows RUNS on a Mac too so I think it shows the diversity of Windows, albeit, the Mac is the diverse one that it can run every OS.
Apple should sell Macs in the Microsoft retail stores.
God, Steve Ballmer is lame. Why do they have him as CEO?
@ericdano
So that he can reign at Microsoft for as long as it takes! 😀
I cant see the macbook as the lights in the studio are reflecting off Steve Balmers FAT HEAD Lol
Why is it that every time we see a multi touch demo it’s always ‘ hey look, an unorganized pile of photos’. It’s going to be a novelty that will wear off in under a week.
Why does he continue to make a fool of himself??