Comments on: Ballmer: How Wrong Can One Man Be?

By: Cibbuano

Cibbuano — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:33:27 +0000

I’m not a user of Apple products, but I must admit that I’m fascinated by the Microsoft-vs-Apple campaign.

For me, Ballmer represents the view of the computing industry in the 90s: load products with features, create complications so that users will have to hire an ‘expert’ to troubleshoot.

It’s an antiquated notion, one that is doomed to fail – especially since Apple has clearly shown that consumer electronics can be functional, look good, and be fun to use. Listening to Ballmer rant on about cost and features is a reminder of where computers used to be – and I’m glad we’re not there anymore.

By: bob

bob — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:54:34 +0000

man. fanboyism is getting really old. i’m starting to dislike apple because of articles like this.

Apple’s shit stinks too, you know….

*Written lovingly on my MBP.

By: Uh Oh, Steve Ballmer Likes the MacBook Air’s Chances

Uh Oh, Steve Ballmer Likes the MacBook Air’s Chances — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:14:18 +0000

[...] on July 31, 2009 by Tom Reestman and No one has commented Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer has an unimpressive track record at predictions, which is why his latest comments should be of concern to Apple and, especially, [...]

By: steveballmer

steveballmer — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:15:46 +0000

Dang! You people are picky!

By: James Carroll

James Carroll — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:38:43 +0000

I think Ballmer is the wrong person to run Micro$oft. Mayber they could bring back Paul Allen as out of Gates, Ballmer and Allen I believe Allen was the brightest anyway.

By: Jon T

Jon T — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:34:44 +0000

Ballmer may have had a long life span at MS. But that won’t be worth one iota if at the end of it all his reputation is trashed.

Bill Gates’ smartest ever decision, above anything else, is likely to be regarded as the timing of his handover.

And I’d like to say to Sam, above, that you have some incredible nerve to call the writer lacking in deep thought – your comment is the tritest drivel on this page.

By: RattyUK

RattyUK — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:22:21 +0000

I hope not. It is his solid guidance that has take Microsoft where it is today. I’d rather he stayed in place and continue to boldly lead as he has been doing than him being replaced with someone who has a clue.

By: RattyUK

RattyUK — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:19:52 +0000

unfortunately Howie, it seems that even Dvorak is calling Microsoft on just these points. Hell may not have frozen over but I think there is some snow falling:

See http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/25/apple-vs-microsoft-sticking-to-ones-knitting/
this article which was published this morning.

By: CAA

CAA — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:22:58 +0000

This guy and Kevin are extremely unpopular inside of MS… but yet they live long and long…. :(

By: iStepshild

iStepshild — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:09:38 +0000

Ballmer simply ISN’T the right visionary for M$FT’s future. I don’t want anyone to lose their job, but I simply can’t believe that M$ shareholders don’t hold him accountable for anything. They make billions on Office and Windows combined, but how many more versions and features can they come out with that people will continue to upgrade. I’m sorry, but dividends simply aren’t enough for such loyalty…right now loyalty is getting shareholder nothing. Apple has always placed HARDWARE first that uses their intuitive software secondly. iTunes show they’ve had a long term vision and plan for such a long time. M$ has the cart ahead of the horse and no vision in sight and no product line that is interesting. Bing may bring in some pocket change, but they are again late to the party…how much more can search engine be upgraded also?
We are going to see Apple’s market cap surpass M$ sooner than most people think,
and we don’t even know what is in store with Apple’s next new product release. Their ducks have been in a row for a long time. We won’t really know how long term Steve’s vision for Apple really was until way after he is gone and in history books. His contribution to society is going to be unreal to our grandchildren. He will be alongside Edison, Franklin, Ford when all is said and done. He’s got billions…it simply ain’t about money and never has been…meanwhile, Ballmer is paying for a massage. Ballmer is going to tarnish Gates name and accomplishments down the road.

By: David Moore

David Moore — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:06:37 +0000

I think that there is a valid place for fanboys in a Mac world, no pun intended. I think they keep the business fun. Further that’s what separates and magnifies the Apple user-base compared to that of Microsoft. When I think Microsoft, that name doesn’t evoke, “fun” and equally practical for day-to-day life. But when I think of the Apple brand I do think fun, practical, and dare I add economical (when product features and offerings from Apple are closely taken into consideration in the long term).

Just sayin’.

By: John Davis

John Davis — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:41:41 +0000

Ballmer is a one trick pony. When the conditions are right, he does really well. However, when things change, he doesn’t know what to do. Not knowing what to do, he says it’s something else doing it. It’s the economy, etc. There are those who can create a business out of nothing and turn things around when the company is doing a nose dive, whatever is happening with the economy. Ballmer is not one of those.

By: James Bailey

James Bailey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:53:53 +0000

That last comment should have been directed @Sam, doh, no edit button.

By: James Bailey

James Bailey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:51:35 +0000

@Liam

Again, if Balmer’s comments about the economy was a “high 5″ his marketing team, that shows a lack of vision. The laptop hunters ads are not working very well. Apple had a extremely impressive quarter and Microsoft had one of the worst quarters in their history. Where is the laptop hunters upside? Are you saying without that ad campaign, Microsoft would have done even worse?

As for Apple asking for Microsoft to update the ads to reflect current pricing, that seems just to me. If Microsoft wants to take credit for forcing Apple to lower prices, that would be a reasonable conclusion–probably wrong but at least arguable. But Microsoft seems to want to argue that Apple is losing customers or profits or something because of those ads. That argument is going to be very hard to justify.

Ultimately what the laptop hunters ads are doing is telling customers that Apple doesn’t sell a laptop for under $1000. So if you are only going to buy a laptop for $700 or so, then Apple can’t be on your list of choices. This is correct but from Apple’s perspective, irrelevant since they are not planning on making an under $1000 laptop anyway.

So how do these ads negatively affect Apple? Instead they just reinforce the idea that Windows computers are cheap junk for those who can’t afford something better–a Mac. And given the current financial results of both companies, it appears like that is exactly what is happening.

By: Howie Isaacks

Howie Isaacks — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:44:31 +0000

Don’t forget that moron John C. Dvorak. He’s the one who said that Apple should ditch the iPhone before it was even released. He also predicted that the Apple stores would be a dismal failure. These “analysts” are morons just like Ballmer.

By: Howie Isaacks

Howie Isaacks — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:41:12 +0000

This is an Apple fan site!!! What do you expect?