This wasn't a smart thing to say. Apple's growth is real. While it may not be a threat to Microsoft's profits, calling it a rounding error just seems out of touch with reality.<p>If anything, Microsoft should play up two things. First, that they believe their products offer a superior value, choice, and flexibility when compared with Apple's as their "laptop hunters" commercials portray. That counts for a lot. Second, that Apple's health shows that competition is alive and well in the computing market which will drive all parties to produce the best products they can.<p>Saying that Apple's growth isn't real simply comes off as out of touch with reality. It makes it seem like you don't know the market well enough to see the obvious and, if that's true, how can you steer your company to success? Similarly, if Apple were to simply dismiss Microsoft's "laptop hunter" commercials as not connecting with people, they'd similarly be out of touch.<p>Both offerings have strengths and weaknesses. Pretending that isn't true might win you points with fanboys, but makes you seem out of touch to the 90% who aren't die-hards on either side and try to buy what's best for them.<p>The key is getting across the point that your product has continued value, not that someone else's product doesn't have value. Windows is powering more computers than ever today as the market expands. Windows provides a low-cost (compared to Apple) operating system that maintains a high level of compatibility that businesses demand. Similarly Apple should stress that they offer an elegant, integrated experience with greater interoperability than ever.<p>Fanning flame wars as an executive just seems immature.
Is it really about market share? The cool one is the one who innovates, the one who changes market landscapes. Apple does that. Microsoft doesn't. Microsoft shouldn't worry about gaining the rest 10% of the OS share. They should worry about why they aren't innovative.
[Disclaimer: I work at Microsoft but on cloud stuff not on anything Mac vs Windows related. This is not officially endorsed by Microsoft, just my personal opinion, etc, etc]<p>One small clarification.The 'rounding error' he was talking about was the <i>change</i> in share. I know this since I was a few feet away doing manning a booth for my team :)<p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/msft/speech/FY09/BallmerFAM2009.mspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.microsoft.com/msft/speech/FY09/BallmerFAM2009.msp...</a> has the entire speech. Grep the page for the quote - it appears deep in and is just a couple of lines.
Yet again, Ballmer is either mad about something or saying something inflammatory. Why not just save yourself the frustration of arguing and ignore him altogether?
I think it is easy to think this way if you don't operate in many circles. Around MS and with Ballmer's associates, I am sure that there are very few Apple products around. But go into any Starbucks in NYC and you'll probably see more Mac's than PC's.
Microsoft paint Apple as expensive, elitist and irrelevant. Apple paint Microsoft as unfashionable, unoriginal, and unreliable.<p>This has been going on for years, this isn't news. Who cares?
Since January 2000 when he became CEO of M$, the stock went from $60 to $20 the first year, then flatlined for the next decade.<p>Ballmer is the only problem in M$, the worst CEO ever, and I will be very happy the day he steps down.