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March 20, 2009 9:30 AM PDT

Report: Ballmer disses on Apple

by Dawn Kawamoto
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What's the difference between a Mac and a PC?

According to comments reportedly made by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer: $500 and a logo.

Ballmer, according to a report in TechFlash, issued his fighting words during his keynote speech at Media Summit 2009 in New York.

When asked about Apple's market share growth in computers, Ballmer reportedly responded with a barb to his competitor, according to TechFlash:

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.

Although Apple had a 6 percent drop in retail sales in January, compared with year-ago figures, PC makers encountered even greater difficulty.

Ballmer, however, has also been known to throw cold water on his own company. When discussing Microsoft's ranking in online advertising and search, he's quick to note his company lags far behind Google.

Dawn Kawamoto covers enterprise security and financial news relating to technology for CNET News. E-mail Dawn.
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by DierEel March 20, 2009 9:54 AM PDT
That extra $500 gets you an OS that doesn't get viruses and allows you to run for the life of the computer without having to wipe the computer and re-install. Also, Apple has been on the cutting edge of several innovations in computers over the years. The touchpad, USB Ports, exclusion of a Floppy Drive, FireWire, etc. Not to mention how well designed and built their hardware and software is. You can also get that $500 back when you get ready to purchase another computer. You can sell an old Mac for about 40% of what you paid for it when it is 2-3 years old. Can you say the same for a Dell, HP, or any other run-of-the-mill Wintel PC? I always equate Mac vs PC to buying a Mercedes versus a Kia - either car will get you there, but which one would you rather drive?
Reply to this comment
by catch23 March 20, 2009 10:14 AM PDT
I haven't had a virus, and I use Windows. So does most of the company I work for, and friends and family.
Apple hasn't been on the cutting edge of anything, except realizing that the OS they wrote (-OS9) was such a piece of crap that they couldn't even use it, and like those that can't had to cut and paste from those that could (BSD)

And let the car analogies go. Apple uses the same parts as everyone else. No difference. They may charge Mercedes prices, but it is the exact same Kia parts that everyone else uses. Just ask Intel
by BogusBasin March 20, 2009 10:31 AM PDT
I have never had a virus. I have never had an antivirus application on my computer. I have been able to do anything and everything I want to use a computer for with no problems. Do I have Windows or Mac?

There is nothing else to be said. Macs are worth every penny. The Apple tax is a myth. Ballmer is an idiot. Anyone that uses a PC deserves one. I won't try to convert you. I will just sit back and watch in amusement.
by DierEel March 20, 2009 10:32 AM PDT
Dude, I have never run any antivirus on any Mac I have ever owned since 1988. I would love to see you put your beloved Windows machine out on the Internet with no virus protection.
by ewsachse March 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT
I have run windows since windows 3.1, and I have run every windows version of the NT kernel since the initial version of 3.1/3.5.

I have not encountered one virus in all those years. Maybe I am too busy performing productive work on my Windows PC while you spend too much time surfing porn and warez websites.

Every version of Windows I have owned/run will work on every past and current PC that I have owned. Can you say the same for MacOS, which changes its software and hardware architecture at the drop of the hat?

Every Windows PC I have owned has been upgradeable, thus extending its lifespan and keeping electronics from ending up in the landfill. You cannot say the same about the barely upgradeable Macs; most of them are useless 1 year after purchase. Apple advertises a bunch of "green computer" nonsense, but since you cannot upgrade most of their computers, they are very harmful for the environment in the long run.

Well if your Mac is a Mercedes, I can purchase or assemble myself (It is nice to have a choice with Windows PCs) a "Space Shuttle" of a PC. With that super Windows PC, I can play the modern sophisticated games, crunch intense mathematical jobs, process high definition pictures and video, run a commercial SQL database (or open source for that matter), develop software with modern development tools, etc, etc, etc. Oh, and I can surf the web and send email just like your little Mac.
by sdf0013 March 20, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
Actually Apple wasn't as cutting edge as you describe. USB is technically a competing technology to Firewire; which was developed by Apple. A better example would have been to say that Apple was one of the first companies to make a mouse controlled GUI a prominent means to control the computer and OS. As a counter point, I think Apple is doing the platform a disservice by using a propriety display connector.

People really need to get over the whole virus thing. Guys like, and others that have already comments, won't get a virus no matter what OS we use. It's all a matter of how you use the system and not doing really stupid things. Any computer can get a virus. The pro-Mac side wants to let the world believe that's just not possible for a Mac to get a virus, ever. That's not true. People that do get viruses are just as likely to get a virus no matter what system they use because of the carefree way they use their system. Yes, it's less likely to happen on a system/platform that has less market share. I'd like to see a rate of virus infection rather than raw numbers.
by ballmerisanape March 20, 2009 11:07 AM PDT
ewsachse,

You can upgrade the motherboard, ram, media drive, and HD on Macs... including their laptops.

Also.. it is well know that they have a long life.. not just because the people that own them actually "like" them... but they are very durable. That's why my primary computer is still my 1 Ghz g4 12 inch powerbook with only 23 mb video ram. I run the latest Mac OS in it... will all of the eye candy.. with 0 problems. I also have 10.4 loaded on my daughters blue imac that is about 10 years old.

I have fun with the platform bashing too.... believe me.. but it's irritating when people don't know what the hell they are talking about.

Comments like "not upgradable" or "no software for Macs" (you didn't say it but some turd will) are based on how it may have been 10 years ago.. and only make us Mac fanbois want to troll even more.

The fact that Macs have a better over-all design isn't news...... they are lighter, sturdier, and better looking (a matter of opinion) than anything else out there.. it just is. Don't blame Apple.. blame yourself for buy Dell and letting them become complacent over the years.

Apple thinks about the little details.... from putting ports on the side of their laptops for easy access... to magsafe power adapters...to usb ports on their keyboards.

Remember when Dell finally put USB ports in on the front of their desktops.. ? Also remember that they made them "upside down", angled downward.. and put a cover over them that only partially opened so you had to get on you knees anyway? ... Nice design. Kind of like my XPS which makes you force the drive doors closed because the open/close button is located UNDER the drive door...
by albear1 March 20, 2009 11:22 AM PDT
Typical MacPuppet. you need to be deprogrammed from that. I bet if Apple sold a turd with the apple logo on it you'd buy it.
by protagonistic March 20, 2009 11:28 AM PDT
@catch23:

Uh, at least Apple did have the common sense to realize they needed to replace OS9. Too bad MS has never the same common sense. Once again Ballmar shows he really doesn't have a clue.

And Apple doesn't claim to be cutting edge. All they do is give the consumer what they want in a package that doesn't require you to carry around a ten pound manual just to figure out how to use it.

And you should be more careful with your analogies. There is a big difference here. With OS X you get a software package that allows most people to be productive without buying additional software. I used Windows for many years and I can tell you that to achieve the same capability with Windows you would have to spend several hundred dollars in addition to the OS. And by the way, have you priced a full top of the line full version of each OS?

I do have to say the virus thing is blown out of proportion. There is no such thing as a completely secure OS. The idiot at the keyboard can circumvent the best security measures in the world.
by Dalmatian28 March 20, 2009 11:34 AM PDT
If you were hacker....wold you write hack for OS that has 8 % of the market share or the one with 90 %??? That is exactly why windows get attacked so much! It is all about market share! Any company can use Linux and modify it...and it will be 100 % safe. Why...because nobody wants waist their time with OS that few people are using it! Did you see what happen at that Canadian Convention.....Mac got hacked in less than 5 minutes. That happen because people actually made effort to hack it! If you know anything about computers you should know that there is no such a thing as safe OS. There are OS's that are being attacked and those that aren't. There is one thing that I agree with Ballmer....$500.00 for a label is way too much and I am glad that customers have finely decided to say no to Apple. You can expect Apple's prices to come down because it is loosing market share left and right. When Windows 7 hits later this year....there will be very few idiots that would pay extra $500 for a Mac!
by protagonistic March 20, 2009 11:40 AM PDT
@catch23:

Uh, at least Apple did have the common sense to realize they needed to replace OS9. Too bad MS has never the same common sense. Once again Ballmar shows he really doesn't have a clue.

And Apple doesn't claim to be cutting edge. All they do is give the consumer what they want in a package that doesn't require you to carry around a ten pound manual just to figure out how to use it.

And you should be more careful with your analogies. There is a big difference here. With OS X you get a software package that allows most people to be productive without buying additional software. I used Windows for many years and I can tell you that to achieve the same capability with Windows you would have to spend several hundred dollars in addition to the OS. And by the way, have you priced a full top of the line full version of each OS?

I do have to say the virus thing is blown out of proportion. There is no such thing as a completely secure OS. The idiot at the keyboard can circumvent the best security measures in the world.
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by Norseman March 20, 2009 9:57 AM PDT
He missed something. $500, a logo---and a decent OS!
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by Belinus March 20, 2009 11:34 AM PDT
You forgot to mention old hardware too. All iMacs and MacMinis use Core2Duo CPS which are older. Where are that Core 2 Quads? Core 2 Extremes? i7's? i7 Extremes? Sure you can get a top-of-the-line Xeon system which is good only if you're doing things like 3D Graphics and even then they don't sell the right video cards with them (Quadro FX? FireGL? Hell, even a Quadro CSX for CS4 would be nice).
by ballmerisanape March 20, 2009 11:41 AM PDT
And one that runs Windows and the Mac OS.. that is.. it runs more software and is more flexible overall. As far as the "outdated" hardware comment.. . and yet somehow.. they run an OS that has been described as all "eye candy" without problems....
by -hh March 20, 2009 12:14 PM PDT
The recurring problem with the Ballmer-based Mac-PC debate is that Ballmer somehow believes that the two OS products are equals, so it therefore comes down to the difference in hardware costs (which he here claims to be $500).

The fallacy of this is that the OS's are different, with different philosophies and different objectives: Windows OS is generally made for the Enterprise and top-down IT support groups, whereas Mac OS is more consumer-focused, self-help "bottom up".

In the broadest sense, there is no clearly "right" or "wrong" conclusion: they're merely different. Its like one guy saying that sports cars suck because they don't have the cargo carrying capacity of an SUV while another guy says that SUVs suck because they lack the handling performance of a sports car.

In the end, they're both merely tools to get various jobs done. Afterall, the only utility that a PC has without software or OS is to generate heat, and an electric spaceheater is a lot cheaper than using a PC to heat a room. From there, the question of which one is 'better' then depends on what you're going to use the tool to accomplish.

Finally, while a lot of PC tinkerers like to throw darts at Apple for the hardware architecture of all-in-one iMac, the simple reality is that most people today buy notebooks, which are similarly all-in-one machines that lack upgradability too. IIRC, the latest numbers are that over 50% of PC sales are now notebooks and on the Mac side, its 70%. As such, all of the 'need for expandability' arguments are increasingly being relegated to an increasingly smaller niche.

Similarly, since mobile CPUs are fine for 50-70% of consumers (currently buying laptops), then what's the big deal of having desktops that use the same mobile CPU chips too? It should be obvious that most people simply don't need more power. And again, the cutting edge of performance is being relegated to an increasingly smaller niche of the overall market.

-hh
by Inconnux March 20, 2009 4:10 PM PDT
Yup the extra $500 is definitely worth it if the hardware doesn't come infected with Vista.

Am I the only one who thinks Ballmer is a complete idiot who should never have been left in charge of Microsoft???
Makes me miss Bill Gates
by paulimusmaximus March 20, 2009 6:52 PM PDT
@hh

You're saying Windows isn't designed for the consumer? Don't you see all those commercials with 4 year olds wizzing through windows, making photos, etc. I mean come on it's so simple even a 4 year old could do it. And we all know they wouldn't advertise things unless they were true.

I mean I'm sure there's 4 year olds everywhere taking pictures putting them on the web, etc. And I bet pretty soon they'll be working for newspapers, and magazines, and we'll even see little 4 year old paparazzi (they work cheap, real cheap). All made possible by Windows. Not Mac. You have to be at least 5 to figure out how to use a Mac.
by -hh March 21, 2009 5:58 PM PDT
@ paulimusmaximus:

Its not necessarily that Windows isn't designed for the consumer inasmuch as it is most certainly designed FOR the ecosystem of the Corporate IT Department who has been told to manage a fleet of PCs in an Enterprise environment.

MS has been very successful in nailing down the fact that their "CUSTOMER" isn't the person sitting behind the keyboard, but instead, is the decision-maker up in the IT Department making decisions on Corporate purchases.

Once we make this connection, it goes a long ways to realizing why MS-Vista's adoption rate is still <25% despite nearly 2.5 years since release: business isn't buying Vista. Afterall, Vista's adoption rate of <25% in over 2+ years means that its at roughly half of what it should be, given a typical PC lifespan of 5 years.


With the growth in Apple's share and it being focused on the consumer (not Enterprise), the MS reaction has been to try to compete against Apple for this market share ... they believe that they have (and continue to have) an absolute lock on the Enterprise market, and thus have no reason to market to the converted.

Thus, we end up with the current marketing campaign that is using the little kids to (allegedly) show how easy it is to download some pics from a camera, etc....generic 'consumer' stuff.

More power to them ... but from a truth in marketing perspective, let's see that same kid go configure a new POP mail account in MS-Outlook from scratch. Or navigate his way through a 'Patch Tuesday'.


-hh
by The_happy_switcher March 20, 2009 10:07 AM PDT
Yeah, I'd pay 500 dollars more for a computer that won't have these issues:
1. Endless antivirus/antispyware subscription requirements--free or otherwise, that are resource hogs, require constant monitoring, etc.
2. Endless patches to fix holes that left unpatched lead to the zombification of your computer, stolen credit card numbers, id theft, etc.
3. Poorly designed software that makes it difficult to do the most basic of tasks. (read: Microsoft Office)
4. OS architecture that insists on being backward compatible no matter what the cost. and gets bigger/slower with each subsequent 'upgrade'
5. Mysterious issues that lead one program to interfere with another for no apparent reason that are unresolvable. I could write pages of examples, but I will spare you the gory details.

I could list many more but it's not worth any more effort to address Ballmer, aka, 'Uncle Fester's' stupid comments.
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by Someone-else March 20, 2009 10:28 AM PDT
With Linux you also don't have those issues, and it's free.
by pjhenry1216 March 20, 2009 10:39 AM PDT
#1: If you're having a problem with that, you're doing it wrong.
#2: If you're having a problem with that, you're doing it wrong.
#3: Seeing as how Office is available on the Mac, I fail to see your point. You're not required to use Office on Windows. There are plenty of alternatives.
#4: I bet you were one of the people that complained about Vista not being backwards compatible but when they tried to make it backwards compatible, you complain that its too big because of it.
#5: I have a feeling that the Mac OS X doesn't avoid software incompatibilities either. There are probably more on Windows due to a) more software, b) more hardware, c) more users. When you have about 8x more marketshare, I'd expect there to be on average, 8x more problems in that pool of users.
by BogusBasin March 20, 2009 10:40 AM PDT
I have Ubuntu Linux on a PC at home. I don't use it for much, but it is better than Windows to me. My primary machine is a Mac. Although I have nothing against Linux, it still has a way to go for mainstream use in my opinion. But it is moving that direction very quickly. I am totally for any alternative to Windows. Competition is good. The more options that exist that embrace open standards the better. Microsoft uses predatory practices and proprietary standards to maintain their monopoly. The funny thing is, how many people say Macs are not compatible. MS is the one that ensures do not embrace compatible standards as a tool for maintaining a lead that they do not deserve. I say, go Linux, go Mac, go anything but MS until they change their ways.
by Super2online March 20, 2009 10:41 AM PDT
What a laugh, your post is riddled with inaccuracies, generalities, falsehoods and fabrications. Some day, if you get a clue, you might have a hope of creating one thread of credibility.
by The_happy_switcher March 20, 2009 11:06 AM PDT
Strange how you couldn't actually point any out.
by sdf0013 March 20, 2009 11:09 AM PDT
#1 uh, really? You make it sound like simply because I use a PC I HAVE to do this. No. I don't use any anti-anything on my machines other than a firewall. And if I did, I would use any of the top-quality free solutions.

#2 Technically the Mac is in the same boat. You can't say that the Mac would never need a patch to avoid such zombification. Frequent? That might be valid. But, again, there are a whole lot more people banging away at the PC. But, exposure to this is more a function of how careless you are.

#3 This completely unrelated to the OS. In fact, I'd saw that MS has done more to help streamline this than any other company. But, I'd have to take you back to the DOS days and what MS did to move the world to Win 3.1. A lot of things the Mac UI takes for granted now.

#4 I know MANY pro-Mac people feel the opposite. They have felt the sting of Apple's dropping of support for past hardware; almost a mandate that if they wanted to continue to use the Mac OS platform that they had to buy new hardware from Apple. Ouch. Talk about a lack of customer loyalty. We've seen Apple do this with the iPods now too.

#5 Heh. Having done desktop support for the Macs in an advertising department for 5 years I can tell you the Mac is far from immune from this same thing. In fact, it was not uncommon to have to reinstall the OS almost yearly to clear these "mysterious issues" as you put it. I even want to training course to get better as servicing Macs. The trainer even said scheduled periodic installing of the OS was good practice. I was floored. Yeah, I know. The pro-Macs on this forum will flame me on this point. You've run your Macs for 500 million years without ever having to so much as reboot. YMMV

All this hate for Ballmer and MS. Everyone loves to say how much MS doesn't get it. Hmmm... Who's got more money in the bank? If Apple is right, and the pro-Mac people are right, and MS doesn't get it, and the 94% of the market doesn't get it along with MS, but still sends their money to MS - - who's really right??? MS get's it enough to get 94% of the market to shop with them. If anything, the pro-Mac types need to target the pro-PC types. MS is a business first and foremost. They'll get whatever gets them money. 94% thinks they get it enough to keep shopping with them.
by ballmerisanape March 20, 2009 11:11 AM PDT
pjhenry1216

Typical windows IT admin response to blame the user.

An OS should be designed to work for you.. Windows is needy. The only maintenance the Mac OS "needs" is what it does automatically (defrag.. log management)... and the occasional permissions repair.

Keeping windows afloat requires more energy than it's worth. Having said that... I have not used Vista yet..but do plan on moving to 7 after its first service pack. So.. hopefully that has changed.
by Belinus March 20, 2009 11:35 AM PDT
For your point 4, it is not Microsoft's fault. If they force 3rd parties to update their code, the 3rd party runs to the Department of Justice or the European Union and cries Anti-Trust.
by pithenumber March 20, 2009 2:10 PM PDT
1: normal Mac fanboi argument, AV can be free and there are many non resource hogging AV's
2: auto update
3: huh? even Mac users use Office, you do too
4: They aren't always backward compatible, I have had no problems yet though, I like backward compatibility, its one of the most useful features you can have. Win7 is smaller and faster than Vista, offers many more features at a near XP resource use.
5: that happens on Macs too, it happens more on Windows PC because there are more Windows PC's to have it happen on
by notgonnatellya March 20, 2009 6:20 PM PDT
And yet for 2 years running, the first successful attack came on a Mac. Last year it was OSX and this year it was Safari (running OSX, as I recall).

The idea that OS X is better protected than Windows is constantly shown to be false, yet people like you ignore the facts and continue to feel invincible.

Then again, so long as Windows dominates the OS market, there's not a good reason to concentrate on Apple, unless writing a virus is significantly easier and the rate of successful infections is 10-15x that of Windows. If they can't do one or both of those things, then they'll make more money attacking 85-90% of the market instead 5-10%.

It's simple math.

And FYI, I rarely encounter attacks on Windows (XP, Vista and 7). If you don't do stupid things, you'll avoid 99% of the problems.
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by ddhboy March 20, 2009 10:11 AM PDT
So when Jobs is eventually ousted from the company again, does that mean we'll finally see an apple netbook?
Reply to this comment
by ewsachse March 20, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
Nope. You will see the company slide straight down the toilet. That company is brain dead without Jobs; just look at their history. It took a generous investment from Microsoft as well as the return of Steve Jobs to keep the old worthless Apple from becoming a footnote in computing history.

No one in that company outside of Jobs has show any signs of leadership. I guarantee that after Jobs leaves, Apple will need an outside person to keep that ship afloat.
by BogusBasin March 20, 2009 10:57 AM PDT
Total BS. The reason Apple out-innovates ALL others is because of the people. Apple will continue to innovate after Jobs. Although some in the industry would wish otherwise. All they can hope for is to copy Apple fast enough to keep them in their status of me-too.
by jbcahill March 20, 2009 11:06 AM PDT
ddhboy you are truly and idiot. Jobs isn't going to get ousted. Under his guidance, Apple currently has ZERO debt and $32 Billion in the bank. And thats with a 12% market share.
by pithenumber March 20, 2009 2:14 PM PDT
@ewsachse
you have no idea what you are talking about
@BogusBasin
one usb port? innovation? more like stupid shortcut to a thinner notebook.
@jbcahill
and Apple gets that cash by charging $500 extra on their Macs
by ddhboy March 20, 2009 5:26 PM PDT
Ofcourse Jobs will eventually be ousted from the company. His health has forced him out, and if it doesn't take him out for good this time, it will take him out eventually, plus everyone has to die. Take the Bill Gates approach and step out when you have the power to step out, not when circumstances forces you out.
by scott2400 March 23, 2009 7:09 PM PDT
wesachese: a "generous investment from Microsoft"? $150 million - in an effort to make an un-defendable lawsuit go away? Given that Apple has, what, $30 billion in cash, what the h-ll does Microsoft have to do with anything except providing them with chump change? Talk about your fanboys...
by Jeff.Smith March 20, 2009 10:17 AM PDT
I think that with the advent of Windows 7 the OS gap has been severly narrowed, but alas it is not the standard OS yet. Nevertheless, I do think that Ballmer hit on a good point that in this economy, consumers are more likely to buy the cheaper product and the average person doesn't want to spend 500$ on a logo or even an OS. To use the allusion of my fellow Cnet colleague, not everyone in this economy can afford to drive a Mercedes when a Kia will get them their in the same amount of time.

Even Apple has recognized this and is lowering the price of their iMac line to accomidate the recession. So, Kudos to Ballmer for taking the offensive a little bit and going after apple. I hope Microsoft will challenge their popularity a little bit and start some innovation of their own. Windows 7 is a good start now lets see some new hardware!
Reply to this comment
by ewsachse March 20, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
What gap? Microsoft is so far ahead in market share, while Apple struggles to get a small piece of the pie.

I think you should have said "with the advent of Windows 7 the OS gap has been severely widened".
by seven7dust March 20, 2009 12:28 PM PDT
@ewsachse
why does marketshare matter ?
more market share usually doesn't mean better
GM sell more cars than n e body else but doesn't that
mean their cars r Best ?{far from it in fact}

Apple doesn't aim for market share but to maximize profits if you look at the 1000+$ plus category of computers then Apple dominates !
by pithenumber March 20, 2009 2:16 PM PDT
@77dust
actually Toyota sells more cars than the rest
and Toyota makes pretty good cars and sells them for less
by Inconnux March 20, 2009 4:12 PM PDT
People are also starting to realize that Windows 7 is just Vista with a couple of more years to iron out the bugs. Even microsoft calls it Windows 6.1 internally (vista was 6.0). They just renamed it to get rid of the baggage that the name Vista has.
by pithenumber March 21, 2009 8:25 AM PDT
@lnconnux
Win7 is Windows Vista rebuilt
its much faster and "lighter"

the Beta has less bugs than the full release of Vista prolly
by 1363nd0f1337 March 22, 2009 12:20 PM PDT
@pithenumber The beta release for Windows 7 ran great on a native install from an old HDD that had been in my poolhouse for years. It recognized my mouse, printer, video cards and sound card immediately on startup and started downloading updated drivers upon start of the Automatic Updates. I've had no problems with it so far. Didn't have to install mobo drivers or anything. Ran the 64bit version on 4GB PC 6400 RAM, 2x8800GT, Q6600, P5N-E SLI mobo, and SB Audigy sound card. It used up maybe 700mb of RAM with everything on (Aero, Firefox, running updates and the "Windows Experience" crap.) Looks to be a good upgrade from XP.
by sshappyjack March 24, 2009 12:20 AM PDT
@seven7dust
Actually, Buick, a GM brand, just knocked off Lexus as the most reliable car brand. GM does have great cars. They just can't live down their bad reputation.
by zvonr March 20, 2009 10:20 AM PDT
Balmer does not get it, price is not everything, he said that the iphone is too expensive, still apple managed to sell 17 milions of them...

Balmer also forgot to mention how much money windows users waste to keep their windows instances clean...

Looking from another angle, Windows is good for the economy, creates a lot of PC service jobs ....
Reply to this comment
by bgnm March 20, 2009 10:57 AM PDT
Right on the money! Microsoft products, when you include the hidden costs such as the IT army, are no bargain. And As for Linux, very real up-front savings are quickly eaten up by even larger long-term costs.
by Super2online March 20, 2009 10:57 AM PDT
I spent $30 on software that covers my 3 systems for a year. ohhhh wait, I'm shaking in my boots wondering how I'm going to afford that. Since I have never been anywhere for service for a computer since I began using an XT model, I guess the economy will have to boom and bust and boom again all on it's own!
by Drew.0 March 20, 2009 11:19 AM PDT
Sigh...

Free Antivirus
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Free+Antivirus

Free Spyware Protection
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Free+Spyware+Protection

Help for yourself
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Free+Online+Psychiatrist
by seven7dust March 20, 2009 12:31 PM PDT
@drew
everybody know that Windows = maintetenence work
Since time is money
no amount of free software is going to help save keep yr cost down
Windows = Expensive and tiresome
OSX = Farly priced and easy !
by 1363nd0f1337 March 22, 2009 12:24 PM PDT
@seven7dust

Windows=/=maintenance work. User who pokes around where they shouldn't = maintenance work. Years of IT work and helping friends with problems has shown me this. More often than not people choose to override the standard settings as they think they know what they're doing and will often click OK on anything that pops up, which is just absolutely stupid.
by myles taylor March 20, 2009 10:25 AM PDT
Ballmer is an idiot...period. His opinion on anything is worth even less than mine (and hardly anyone cares what I think).

He lives in a bubble and is completely out of touch. So why should we put stock in anything he says?
Reply to this comment
by bradsharek March 20, 2009 10:29 AM PDT
Steve ... Guess what? You get OS X! Oh, you forgot, people think Windows sucks!
Reply to this comment
by lavern March 20, 2009 12:31 PM PDT
not all people
by liozzi March 20, 2009 3:29 PM PDT
Most people think Mac users are left-wing elitist snobs with as much ability to think for themselves as the average sheep.
by Mystigo March 23, 2009 8:03 PM PDT
liozzi:

I have met a ton of Mac people. Most are actually really nice and some are incredibly smart. And I can say the same thing about Windows users I've met. Going through life full of contempt and prejudice will only make you miserable. Get to know the people around you -you might be surprised.
by tsb269 March 20, 2009 10:31 AM PDT
Paying an extra $500 for a computer- just did it! Gave my Vista PC to my parents although I'm not sure what they did to deserve it- sorry Mum & Dad.

I am very happy with my fast booting, "it just works" Mac. Good software with the features I want, great hardware. I would easily pay a premium for it.

This is priming the market for Windows 7 so that Microsoft can say they have something beypond XP in the fastest growing segment of netbooks.

the other comment I would say is yes- well you could also get an iPhone for email and a great browsing expirience.

Come on Microsoft- think of the consumer and not of cheap snipes at the competition. Ask customers what they want and get off your high horse. Mr Ballmer here is a piece of humble pie- take a bite!

It doesn't have to taste of apple!
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by B-Ri March 20, 2009 11:14 AM PDT
Odd that you would complain about Ballmer taking a "cheap snipe" at apple. Wasn't it apple that has/had an entire ad campaign based on cheap snipes at windows? I'm a Mac, I'm a PC. More entertaining but still basically just cheap snipes at the competitor.
by pithenumber March 20, 2009 2:23 PM PDT
the iPhone costs thousands if you follow that TCO thing Mac people all talk about

Apple takes cheap snipes at MS all the time, watch the ads, funny, but its just a cheap snipe at MS

here tsb269, eat a piece of humble pie, but after taking the antidote to Apple koolaid
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 4:33 AM PDT
So Mac "just works", does it?

Then why do sites like www.macfixitforums.com exist and, for that matter why are so many people posting there?

Seems like an awful lot of problems for a system that supposedly "just works".
by JimBob88--2008 March 20, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
The apple OS is key here. Hopefully paystar wins it's suit regarding the eula and I can get the thinkpad I've always wanted. A well built modular laptop - how refreshing.
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by ellebeecee March 20, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
Apple makes amazing products, beautifully designed, easy to use, great OS and durable. PC's are generally plain, a pain to work with and Windows software is clunky. This man is just jealous!
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by Super2online March 20, 2009 10:48 AM PDT
Jealous, sure, right, all the way to the bank. Gates once again climbs to the #1 spot of wealthiest man on the planet from the number 2 position last year. And he's doing that without even being there. Where's Jobs on the list?
by ncalishome March 20, 2009 12:31 PM PDT
You do realize that you have a choice in the quality (in terms of durability and design) when you buy a PC right? The difference when buying a PC (whether it's for Linux, Windows, etc) is that you have a choice. You can buy the $499 Dell, or pay 4x that for a Dell that's very high quality both in parts and build (on par with a Mac). If you build your own you can sacrifice quality for cost savings in any area of your choosing.
by firi March 20, 2009 10:36 AM PDT
Another Apple vs Windows article to generate traffic...
Ballmer is the troll in the CEOs forums!
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by savvydude March 20, 2009 10:38 AM PDT
Same old, tired Mircosoft blather. Always insulting, always on defense, always whining. The consumer knows better now, but Ballmer and Co. will never learn.
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by Super2online March 20, 2009 10:45 AM PDT
Right, thats why even with the recent slips, Microsoft continues to be the dominant force in so many categories of software, that it would take all the rest combined to equal their market share! Looks like the consumer does know best, it just doesn't line up with your idea of what they want.
by DierEel March 20, 2009 1:32 PM PDT
Dominant? Look at these examples of Microsoft's dominance of late:

- Vista....Effed up like a wooden watch.
- Windows Mobile....not even close.
- Microsoft Music Store....Really??
- I'm a PC advertisements....HAHAHA, nice try.
- Zune - I won't even go there!!
by DrtyDogg March 21, 2009 5:29 AM PDT
hmmmmm,
-Vista . . . outsold the entire os x installed base in a couple of months
-Windows Mobile. . .3rd in market share behind Nokia and Rim and growing.
-Microsoft Music Store(aka Zune Market place). . .Way ahead of iTunes in DRM free offerings
-Zune - A better player hands down than an iPod Classic
-I'm a PC advertisements. . .can't argue there both companies ads are annoying.
by pjhenry1216 March 20, 2009 10:43 AM PDT
While, I agree that Ballmer isn't exactly a master oracle, he does have a point here. The hardware is the same. People are paying $500 extra for an OS and a logo. That OS is perceived to be better, but on a whole, its not. It just has a loyal fan base that spouts facts that may have been relevant a decade ago, but are no longer even true. They also like to confuse user problems with OS problems. Maybe OS X is better at stopping people from using their OS improperly, but at the cost of also making it a much more closed environment.
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by protagonistic--2008 March 20, 2009 12:25 PM PDT
I totally disagree with you on this one. You really can't make a valid comparison of a cheap PC and a Mac because other than the Mac Mini Apple does not compete in this category. And you are hoist on your own petard here. You are spouting facts not in evidence in your post and that may have been relevant a decade ago but that are no longer even true. You seem perfectly willing to believe there is a $500 Apple tax but you only cite Steve Ballmer and he is a bit prejudiced in the matter. It is ironic that it would cost me three times the amount for a full standalone copy of Vista Ultimate as it would for the competing OS X version. Talk about a tax. BTW, if I decide I don't like OS X I can always run Linux on it.
by seven7dust March 20, 2009 12:47 PM PDT
how about stuff like battery life ,Magsafe,
Aluminum build quality
better customer service
less problems overall
most Pcs don't come with Wifi and Bluetooth
most Pcs use cheap LCD panels unlike Macs
Touchpad again the software/hardware combination is miles ahead
and all this is only the hardware !
software wise OSX is far easier to work with
yr just more productive on it !

Btw the 500+$ figure is total bogus
show me a Computer thats 500$ cheaper than a Macbook with comparable specs

and best part 3 yrs down the line I can sell it for 40-50% of the original price
I'm sorry but TCO of a Mac is much lesser than a Pc


it's a classic example of Pennywise pound foolish !
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 4:57 AM PDT
@seven7dust:

Base model Dell XPS M1330: $699

Base model MacBook: $1299

And the Dell has 90GB more hard drive space.

PWNT!
by seven7dust March 24, 2009 7:18 AM PDT
lol!
the base model macbook is 999$
and like I said the Specs r not the only thing that matter
the Macbook is more portable has better battery life
and has much better build quality and it also doesn't ship with unwanted crapware ,instead Apple includes the ilife suite
which is extremely useful !

ya the dell is a good deal but again it's pennywise pound foolish to buy one instead of a Macbook !
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 11:45 AM PDT
Depends what your definition of 'base' model is. I was using the unibody 13" MacBook, it being the current version of the MacBook. You know, to make it a fair comparison and all.
by MaggieRed March 20, 2009 10:44 AM PDT
Not only an OS but a pocket full of great applications that allow you to do real things with your computer. The highest ranked customer service. Same parts higher quality selections. (It's always easy to find the seconds' parts to use.)

And yes Ballmer is the definition of an idiot.
Reply to this comment
by gary85739 March 20, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
It doesn't matter what OS, hardware/software you have in your machine.

It doesn't matter if it's Windows/OSX/Linux!

It doesn't matter because 90% of ALL computer usage is little more than surfing the net and e-mail!

An eMachine or netbook WILL fill this type of use!
Reply to this comment
by bsmithing86 March 20, 2009 10:54 AM PDT
Hi AppleRocks1963

1. Endless antivirus/antispyware subscription requirements--free or otherwise, that are resource hogs, require constant monitoring, etc.

Apple now suggests antivirus. Apple puts out patches for security holes in it's OS and associated software - I.E. iTunes, Safari, etc. Have a look at SANS or any other security site, there are continuous patches for the MAC and Linux, as well as the software that runs on those systems. So even if the OS were not subject to security issues (which is it is - if you touch the Internet, you're vulnerable), the software you're running is vulnerable.

2. Endless patches to fix holes that left unpatched lead to the zombification of your computer, stolen credit card numbers, id theft, etc.
Same thing for Macs - you run other people's software, you're subject to their coding practices that often create holes into your machine. See this link, there's a hole in Safari that lets an attacker remotely control your machine: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10199652-83.html

3. Poorly designed software that makes it difficult to do the most basic of tasks. (read: Microsoft Office)
4. OS architecture that insists on being backward compatible no matter what the cost. and gets bigger/slower with each subsequent 'upgrade'

I will agree and disagree with you here: Yes MS keeps supporting older software and hardware - part of why it's so widely adopted and it would be nice if they would draw a line and stop supporting legacy apps/hardware at some point). Apple has been able to completely re-write their OS and drop support for software and hardware (while angering it's customers as far back as System 7.5) because they aren't in the business environment. If they tried that in the business environment they would be dropped in a hot minute.

5. Mysterious issues that lead one program to interfere with another for no apparent reason that are unresolvable. I could write pages of examples, but I will spare you the gory details.

How about some examples? I've supported an environment with multiple sites, 50+ servers, 2200+ MS workstations and laptops, it was stable and easy to manage.

No apparent reason? How about people downloading things from the Internet and installing them willy nilly causing the issues?

I used to be a die hard Mac addict, I gave up my Mac long ago. I like Macs, but I also like PC's, Linux boxes, etc. In fact Macs with Intel hardware are PCs - just a different OS and some nice design. So if you want to pay more for a Mac, great - it's your money, just realize that the points you make above aren't couched in reality and Macs are not invulnerable to security threates as you seem to believe.

Someone somewhere wants into your computer - and they will most likely use social engineering to get you to defeat the security of your OS - Mac, MS, Linux, etc., whether or not you use antivirus, a firewall, etc.
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by Jeff.Smith March 20, 2009 11:12 AM PDT
Well done. You're like a smarter, better supported, more well spoken, Steve Ballmer. Saying the same thing, except better.
by seven7dust March 20, 2009 12:52 PM PDT
once again Windows users just don't get it
I choose to pay more for a Mac
but I save more in return
Macs r just more cost effective than Pcs !
stop taking only the initial costs !
and BTW show me a PC thats 500$ cheaper than a Mac mini ?
by Mark_Anderson March 23, 2009 5:53 AM PDT
@7dust

Thank you for expressing your personal opinion. You are, however, wrong. Macs do not have a greater TCO in comparison to equivalently spec'd Windows machines because they use the same components with the same failure rates.
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 5:09 AM PDT
@seven7dust:

Base model Dell Studio Hybrid: $449

Base model Mac Mini: $599

The Dell has more memory and a bigger hard drive. But wait, you say. That's not $500. Alright, what if we max out the specs?

The Dell is $1584.

The Mac is $2071

That's pretty much $500 difference right there.

PWNT twice!
by seven7dust March 24, 2009 7:27 AM PDT
@flapjackboy
again you pwned yr self !
I asked for a Mini comparison and you take a dell studio
with a slower processor graphic card and plastic case
that is 150$ cheaper ! the compatible model is actually 799$
So the Dell is actually 100$ more expensive than the supposedly overpriced mini

then you talk about maxing the specs and include stuff like the Apple Display which is ridiculous
Nobody is forcing you to use a High quality display and other stuff
with the Mini
you can pick up n e display or better yet use a existing display

I'll tell you wat Find me a All in one thats 500$ cheaper than n e iMac ! it'll make for more entertainment
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 11:54 AM PDT
@seven7:

I was going by what each company had on their websites and the only monitor option for the Mini is the 24" LED Apple Display. I merely picked the nearest equivalent one on the Dell site.

Oh yeah, the whole "You can use any monitor with the Mini!!!!111!!1oneoneone!!!" thing? Yeah, you could on the old ones, but not on the new ones unless you want to fork out $rape to Apple for 3 inches of adaptor cable.
by hleeowen March 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT
i used windows from 3.1 on and worked for a MS gold partner. at my new job, the boss bought us macs to check them out. i love them. will NEVER go back to windows.
beyond my personal experience, i'd like to say that none of the people posting here will ever agree. bottom line is this:
fighting on the internet is like running in the special olympics. at the end of the day, everyone is retarded.
word.
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by diver-1 March 20, 2009 11:05 AM PDT
Let's get it right, Apple does not make computers or iphones, they are made in China by other companies. Which was the first computer to be hacked at the last hacker contest, it was an apple computer. If you would be willing to look at the number of fixes Apple posts (admits to) every month you would see they are far from being perfect.

I have worked on every OS from DOS to Vista, for a programmer this is the real world. Getting the job done it the important thing not the logo on the box. More productive software is available for Microsoft based systems than Apple based, thats the real world.
Reply to this comment
by iPhoneUser March 20, 2009 11:20 AM PDT
Actually, it was Safari, Apple's browser in the Pwn2Own contest:

http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2009/03/chrome-is-the-only-browser-left-standing-in-pwn2own-contest.ars

And no one ever said Apple's perfect, they're just more perfect than MS.
by mrcockrell March 20, 2009 1:35 PM PDT
he wasnt referring to that contest, apple was the first computer hacked in a recent contest between Mac Win Linux
by myles taylor March 20, 2009 2:06 PM PDT
I work at an Apple Service Center and we get dozens of repairs every day. If they were perfect, I would be out of a job. No one said they were perfect. Nothing manmade is perfect.

Actually, Macs are the only computers out there that can easy run ANY OS out there. Grow up. Microsoft's software is not productive at all.

Apple doesn't make anything and neither does Microsoft. They design things.
by Hairy_Bagel March 20, 2009 2:16 PM PDT
Your point about Apple not manufacturing their own computers or phones is irrelevant. They farm out the manufacturing process, but they're still accountable for 100% of the design. I've always been intrigued by the whole "Apple vs. Windows" fight, if only because Apple produces both the systems and the operating systems, they are fighting battles on both the hardware and software fronts. By the numbers, they're insignificant (8% to 92%??). Yet, their mindshare is so huge that you've got the head of the largest software company in the world calling them out on a regular basis. So you know, they must be doing something right.

I don't think Steve Jobs could run a company as large or with as much market share as Microsoft, mainly because the wider your user base, the more masters you'll have to answer to. I think he likes the position he's put Apple in. Maybe they aren't the biggest computer company in the world, but from a business standpoint, they've got tons of cash, little to no debt (as it was pointed out earlier on this board), and a passionate customer base that a)hangs on your every word and b)is constantly growing. They're the world's largest boutique shop. I mean, really, who WOULDN'T want to be him?

I'm a PC guy, but I do admire the way Apple runs their ship. They've managed to convince the world that there is a passion behind every new product, and that each feature has been meticulously thought out and pored over before making it to production. Outwardly, you don't get that feeling from Micorosft. Things from Microsoft always feel a little more clinical, and that may just be a holdover from the days when a PC was purely a business machine, and Apple was aimed at creative types. Although, I've worked with dozens of Microsoft employees over the years, and I vouch for the fact that on a personal level, they're just as passionate about their work as I've seen. Lots of good people over there.

As an interested observer, I'm amazed at how that passion works its way down from the employees of the company all the way down to its customers. But, why is it so hard to agree that there are different strokes for different folks?
by grtgrfx March 22, 2009 11:16 PM PDT
Funny, I get 1-2 software update requests every month on my Macs, and usually none are security fixes. Contrast that with my Vista boot up (also on my Macs, via Boot Camp) which pretty much require an "Urgent Security Update" EVERY TIME I BOOT UP. None of my Mac updates are as annoyingly intrusive as the Windows ones. How can PC users stand this constant update, restart your PC, wait for the installers to finish, get back to work, on such a frequent basis? Apple just doesn't need to post security fixes every month.
by Mark_Anderson March 23, 2009 5:55 AM PDT
"Actually, Macs are the only computers out there that can easy run ANY OS out there."

Yes, myles, that would be because Apple don't let third parties use OS X. Any decent Windows OEM is capable of doing so.

Can you see what's wrong with that position?

"Grow up. Microsoft's software is not productive at all. "

Yes it is which is why the most popular productivity suite - including amongst Mac users - is Office.
by flapjackboy March 24, 2009 5:18 AM PDT
@Hairy_Bagel:

Really? Apple are responsible for designing 100% of their computers? Does that include the INTEL processors? Or maybe the NVIDIA or ATI graphics cards and the GPUs therein? Or how about the motherboard chipsets? or the SATA RAID controllers? Or perhaps they designed the WiFi and Bluetooth chips?

No? Even the design of the motherboards are farmed out to major OEMs like Foxconn, so Apple are NOT responsible for designing "100%" of their computers. They specify what goes into them and rely on third-party companies in China to make them.
by sodablue March 20, 2009 11:07 AM PDT
The Apple impressions of Windows appear to be rather dated by some 10 years. Vista has been incredibly solid, and I just started running Windows 7 beta on my main dev box and I think someone's in for a world of upset feelings when that is released.

I've looked at the Mac hardware, and I have to admit I like some of the stuff that Apple has done. The new aluminum case for the macbook for example. The magnetic power plug. This is good, and as these innovations make there way to the regular PC stuff it's even better. From that standpoint, I'd like to see Apple continue. There once was an appreciation for quality amongst PC vendors, and it's nice to have that option.

But if America's standard of living is changing as we're seeing now, they may have to rethink what they are doing.
Reply to this comment
by -hh March 21, 2009 6:06 PM PDT
Opinions that are based upon dated knowledge cut both ways.

However, don't be surprised if the 'Mac Fan' who uses it at home ... is also quite familiar with Windows because that's what they use at work, because that's the OS that the local IT department has standardized on.

Granted, in many instances it is probably XP because of how Enterprise has shunned Vista, but XP is still a currently-supported Windows OS. If you want to tell me that Vista 2.0 (nee Win7) is a great product, you can try by comparing/contrasting it to what I use for 50 hrs/week, namely XP.


-hh
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