News >> Browse Articles >> Apple
News >> Browse Articles >> Business
News >> Browse Articles >> Microsoft
Ballmer: Apple Customers Paying $500 for a Logo
Featured Author:
DailyTech
DailyTech is a leading online magazine for a well-educated, tech audience. Its readers enjoy hard-hitting and up to the minute CE, PC, IT and information technology news. DailyTech’s fast-moving content also reaches out via news syndications, public portals, and forums.
Jason Mick / DailyTech
March 23, 2009
‘Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had some tough words for rival Apple in a recent interview.’ -
Microsoft and Apple have been going at each other ever since Bill Gates and Steve Jobs trade jabs back in the DOS/Apple IIe days. Since then, the competition between two of the electronics industry’s biggest players has been no less heated.
For much of the last decade, Apple has been on a comeback campaign gaining a virtual monopoly in the MP3 player market, and seeing resurgence in computer and OS sales. Microsoft, meanwhile, after seeing a ringing success with Windows XP, struggled due to perception problems with Vista, much of which were influenced largely by misconceptions and misinformation – some of which was spread by Apple.
Now, the tables have turned. In the face of a new recession, Microsoft’s Windows 7 is looking increasingly good, as are the $500 netbook systems that are planned for it. Meanwhile Apple, whose CEO Steve Jobs recently said that his firm didn’t know how to make a $500 computer that wasn’t “a piece of junk” has seen the sales for some of its pricey products fall.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, known for his candid, if at times outspoken comments, was fast to attack Apple in a recent interview. He blasts in a recently released webcast, “Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction. 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.”
The comment, which suggests the difference between PC and Macs is as superficial as a logo is sure to have more than a few Apple supporters riled.
Mr. Ballmer has a history of taking jabs at Apple, whether deserved or undeserved. He once famously commented in 2007 that the iPhone had “no chance” of gaining a significant market share. Of course, history shows that about a year later, the iPhone became the best-selling smartphone in America and continues to be a top seller.
While it certainly seems Mr. Ballmer is onto something when it comes to Apple’s slumping sales, it might be a bit early to count them out just yet.
© 2009, DailyTech
Deathrow_Nzl
7 months ago
38 comments
Mac & PC have there good & Bad quality's..
PC is cheaper & there is a lot of good free software & Games for it, As well as numerous software titles & hardware for it that wont necessarily work of the MAC..
MAC's are 150 to 200% more expensive then PC's & have limited choices in software they can buy..
On the other hand the choices they do have Blizzard,Adobe,MS Office & Programs like skype etc are the mostly the first pics most people would buy, download anyway..
PC owners have a advantage however for example if they don't want to pay top dollar for a program like for example adobe photoshop They can normally find 100s free or very cheap alternatives to choose from.
The main point I will say good that I think people do love about macs, Its not the crappy ilife or the lack of viruses, It is the fact it stalls many times less then a PC..
However I'm a PC' I like Games & to have endless options for what software I want..
Also I know someone that had to send there laptop to the states for several months because a virus infected it & none of the MAC support people in new zealand knew how to fix it.. So I know Macs are not invincible even though every MAC owner seems to believe they are.
Muslix
8 months ago
14 comments
Vista = Bloatware. An operating system should not require its own dedicated processor and 2GB of ram just to display the desktop. Sure computer systems are getting faster, but they are not getting faster by much unless you want to spend crazy money. This is particularly true of laptops, if you get a midrange laptop for $700 with vista on it and it can barely run anything because vista is hogging all the resources, thats pretty sad.
nmyron
8 months ago
2 comments
Frankly, I want to agree with some of the comments here... I've worked in SEVERAL office network environments, and, what is always on the back end? Windows Server, sometimes, occasionally, an HP-UX or 2, but, always, most of the databasing and storage, shares, mail, etc, is handled by a Win Server, and all, thats right all (the most I've constructed was 1500) desktop workstations running XP... Personally, I just finished a contract with a company and helped to install 2 Win Server 2k3 blades, 500 Vista Business desks, and MS exchange 2k7... Do you know what Vista business can do... You disable your firewall, guess what? Security policy prevents you from accessing the network.. No more browsing unapproved sites! You slide in that USB Thumb drive, and you can't install it... But wait, you've got a print driver error? You CAN uninstall and reinstall that old printer, without having Admin rights. Thank you Vista, your UAC and new SecPol and GrpPol controls are finally where they should be! I mean, there is some truth to the fact that people heralded the day that IMacs went to Intel chipsets so that you could dual boot an MS OS to run those games that you've missed out on to date... Personally, I've always been a PC, to quote the commercials. I'd hate to see Apple go under. But, I've also never bought any of their products. My PC's have always faithfully executed any task I ask of them. And I know that, no matter what, I can go to any Department Store chain, and pick up any software application, and it'll run on my Windows PC. I can walk up to any Best Buy, and purchase just about any piece of hardware, provided that it's connectable to my machine, and toss it in and use it. These just aren't things that you can get from a Mac. That's why I'm a PC... And I don't think that Vista was a "screw up", I just don't think the PC user was ready for that kind of environment change. I picked up Vista on 1/1/07, after seeing it demo'ed at a MS "Ready for a New Day 2007" launch conference, and have loved it ever since. It's integrated Start Search, it's new UI, the Sidebar, the fluidity of transition from task to task, all these are great features. I just think that the average Win XP user wasn't ready to make the transition to Vista. And, I think, the hardware restrictions for Vista wern't strict enough. People were throwing Vista on their old XP boxes, and it was running like poo, because it wasn't built to take it... I've got a Quad Core Phenom, with 4 GB of RAM currently, and I've just about 1.2 GB ram free... That means the 1GB min requirement was poo... So, don't blame Vista, blame your manufacturer for not realizing that they were selling a machine not built to handle what they were putting on it. Or, maybe your problems were ID10T or PBKAC errors, and you weren't used to the interface....
UnkieBo
8 months ago
1040 comments
Microsoft is hurting their own self with their screw ups with Vista, IE8 and Windows 7. A lot of people probably don't think about Linux or Unix operating systems because Windows and Apple are the most highly publicized operating systems. Every comment here is a user's personal feelings and everyone is entitled to their own opinion oryfoxer7410 and maybe you haven't been watching the market lately because the fact is Microsoft is falling in the market daily. Just thought I'd mention also that Xbox which is also a Microsoft product is having problems as well so expect Microsoft to go down even more.
oryfoxer7410
8 months ago
2 comments
I own an Apple and a PC. Both are recently purchased and now both run every class of software perfectly. The apple did cost a few hundred more though. Apple charges too much for their equipment and they make it hard to do any 3rd party customization. Everyone loves to hate on Microsoft, it appears to be something every user enjoys to do because they do not fully understand OS systems. UAC is a feature in Vista that pissed almost everyone off. Do you understand what exactly it is providing? or are you just annoyed you have to click accept approval every time an application requests your secured information? Apples aren't worth the price tag. The company will fall in this economy. The only thing holding it together is the iPhone and the new computer user who can't seem to find his way around in a Microsoft based system. With almost everyone growing up around computers, the days of inexperienced users will soon be over. Calling an end to Apple OS. Show me one business that is fully managed on Apple based systems and I will show you a liar. Why do you think this is? Because any advanced user knows Apple OS is crap. Only those who are uneducated in computing enjoy Apple. They think Apple's process CS4 better or do graphics better. UMM.. No, they don't. CS4 runs just as well on a PC based computer (if not better) and PC based process graphics tons better!! This being the reason all intense computer games are released on PC and then some are released on Apple OS. Direct X10 anyone? Jeez.. So, quit your crying and love your Apple while you can. They will be filtered out soon enough. Has anyone ever tried running a network on an Apple? I am talking an actual network with SQL, shared drives, intense processing.. It doesn't happen. There is a reason for this. OS 10.4 & 10.5 make it very difficult to do any advanced task. Yes, it is very user friendly. Yes it looks great and doesn't get virus's. But, When a consumer has the choice between choosing what is user friendly or what is capable of actually preforming the tasks assigned, They will always choose the 2nd option. Any advanced user knows PC is better. To argue otherwise just makes you ignorant.
beep_beep
8 months ago
20 comments
Microsoft is getting walked all over. they really need a person that understands the market.
The new and old user (None experienced and the experienced USER).
How do older people use things?
How do babies learn with out words?
The come-from for making something simple is so simple. When making an interface that lets people create and share is key idea. "You can not share when they can not open it." Standards are great, use them please. Apple got this back when they made the first iMac and I do see where they could use some more of this at times Music, Photographs, Videos, Documents, Presentations and Software need to be created and shared. thats why Linex is growing fast, Apples iTunes is growing and Microsoft is a sitting duck. Molding to or flowing with a market can be hard leading a market from the rear like driving a stagecoach is the fun spot to be in. There is a time to step forward and there is a time to watch.
beep_beep
8 months ago
20 comments
$500 for a logo? I don't get this comment, when I get so much more useful software out of the box.
When buying Apple Computers I pay for the great Server OS that runs Aperture, CS4, Mobile ME, and great hardware the rarely fails when needed the most. I like true plug and play. I like not worrying about Viruses and Spyware and the things that junk up a OS that makes the computer slower.
Mac OS is one price for upgrade or full, I like this.
I look at Windows OS and see huge price tags for OS upgrades and full versions with little to no gane.
Its funny watching these news blurbs its like a rap battle and Microsoft is getting served. I feel like Microsoft is most playing the game of catch-up and they hurt them selfs with other software or formating lockups.
jmjdk
8 months ago
4 comments
That software that you call an O/S is a real turkey. In saying that I have really offended the animal sorry for that. But no matter what microsoft does short of scrapping it (O/S) & starting over, it will always be a real turkey and thus will never truly fly.
lordastral
8 months ago
12 comments
I agree with Steve Ballmer, why spend 500 dollars for a logo.
For that matter, why spend 200 dollars to have a Microsoft sticker on your laptop?
Why not install Linux? For example, Ubuntu is easy to use, has all the functionality of Windows or OSX, and can run pretty much any windows program using the WINE program.
After all, you could take that 500 dollars, or that 200 dollars, and buy better hardware with it.
Shellaire
8 months ago
10 comments
Microsoft just wants to blame someone for their piece of junk Vista product, so they blame Apple for helping spread the bad news! AS IF consumers didn't find out for themselves...the best and worst advertising is word of mouth people!!! Yes! Lets throw a blanket party for Ballmer!! hehe! The fact of the matter is, no matter how well they think they got the corner marketed with this $500.00 computer, it's gonna be junk, and unfortunately lots of people that want a computer can't afford something more worthwhile!
Terminator
8 months ago
128 comments
I have never liked that ballmer guy, doesnt he looks like you want to beat him with a bat?? or is it just myself hehe
3much
8 months ago
374 comments
The "town" is big enough for the both of you, Microsoft and Apple. So, stop taking jabs and spreading misconceptions and misinformation about each other's products. Be nice, you're both namesakes after all. C'mon, reconcile your differences, kiss and make up; it would make us all happy customers....:-)
josecnnc
8 months ago
2 comments
LOL… You scratch my back I will scratch yours….
Account Removed
8 months ago
LOL!!!
Do the monkey-Dance!! :-P