TechCrunch Interview With Steve Ballmer

[daesix]

People who say Windows is better can't afford a Mac.

[aataker]

@daesix

i am a Macuser. let me say: Lion sucks as well!

[daesix]

Windows sucks. Steve Ballmer is just another incompetent CEO, like most CEO's. Steve Ballmer just looks good on paper. Windows 8 looks like a mess. Macs are just better in every way. Steve Jobs was a college dropout who revolutionized so many industries. It's talent that matters.

[mpregio]

finally a serious interview from this guy

[SmartNyc]

nice

[mathprimes]

i never thought i'd say this about ballmer: great interview, good questions, great answers!

[NarutoXras3ngan]

lol the blue shirt of death

[PlRATEBAY]

@NarutoXras3ngan Rofl mao

[TheSunzuki1983]

I prefer Windows over Mac OS. Apple is closer to their 1984 advert now than Microsoft ever was.

[gregorzonta]

See, if the interviewer acts like a normal person, Steve Ballmer can, too.

[maw88ify]

So Google and Linux started pushing cloud computing than Microsoft copied them... Good job Microsoft your fallowing behind Linux... This is not the first time they copied us Linux users... Linux doesn't get viruses...

Google Chrome OS is based on Linux so Microsoft started using Bing ... Bing suck bad....

Google Android is Linux... He talks about Microsoft servers but Linux, and BSD make better servers it's a fact.

[mrbest20]

@maw88ify stop talking bullshit and go eat a cake

[osiprus]

Let's argue about which OS is better! Even though it always comes down to personal preference...

[laurent0etienne]

stupid interviewer why is he standing up. Fuck nobody respects this guy watch my video response.

[ObamaBobLaden]

1:34 here we go...

[zimonslot]

good guy but totally not innovative... like all of microsoft. They keep chasing facts that are old already.

[cerditoloquito]

Boring... boring the guy, boring his products

[jimmyplane]

Christ o' mighty! That's a big cup of Whisky. Man drinks it from a staw.

[thurmandavide]

What a bunch of MS bashers, as bad as the Anti Mac bashers... I think Balmer was very honest, no big ass head, he spoke what was real. So all you wanna-be wanters, FO

Finally an interview that was interesting. So have fun, flame away, but Balmer spoke what is going on. He may have a coke issue as he sniffs a lot.

[G58]

Every time this fool speaks, he uses the term "talking about" & rambles on about retro terminology.

He refers to "three screens and a cloud" as if it's some sort of philosophical, theoretical notion, hoping it will catch on as an idea. He THINKS it refers to "a fundamental shift in the sort of computing paradigm"

But ideas don't catch on as a result of some sweaty old dude repeating dumb phrases. Ideas come from users' experiences and great innovation. And then the great ones make money.

[Harmonyww]

I think he's slightly more qualified than you to judge what ideas will catch on, why, and what will make money.

[G58]

That would be why he's presided over such a catalogue of poor decisions then.

Ballmer is a fucking dickhead. He speaks and thinks in clichés. Microsoft don't invent anything. All they do is copy Sony, and Apple.

One classic example is that surface thing. Touch screens are perfect for small devices,and pointless for desktop devices. And there isn't even a market for that ludicrous coffee table thing.

Now get off your knees and stop blowing the fat old fool - it's undignified.

[Harmonyww]

His bank account and the annual revenue of Microsoft while under his control speak for themselves. Where are you on the Forbes billionaire's list?

[G58]

Are you an idiot? Let's look at the the important figures shall we?

MSFT's price 10 years ago: 43.00

MSFT's price today: 29.62

Revenue for Microsoft's Windows unit, was down 39% from last year, & earnings for the division fell 52%! For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Microsoft reported earnings of $3.57 billion, or 40 cents a share, down from $4.37 billion, or 48 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue declined 14% to $12.92 billion.

Compare that with Apple's results over the same period.

[Harmonyww]

There's a recession so obviously annual revenue will decline. Microsoft continue to dominate Apple in the software market. Apple's success in recent years is mainly due to the Ipod (which they ripped from a British independent inventor). Windows 7 has sold about 235% more copies than Vista in it's opening week, and the Xbox is extremely successful too. Ballmer has a good idea of what makes money and what people want, and if you're better at making money than he is, why aren't you richer?

[G58]

You're still looking at the wrong figures. What possible importance has the % quantity of OS sales in a virtual monopoly got to do with this debate?

The % profit they make might be of more interest here. Remember, MS had to discount the price of their last OS. How long before they start discounting Windows 7?

And the recession should be affecting every company in the same sector - right? Wrong. Not those companies that are well lead. And that category would include Apple, and rule out MS.

[PtothaWHAT]

Copy Sony?

So mean Sony didnt copy online play with PSN on the PS3? Or didnt copy MS with wireless controlers with consoles? Or didnt MS with Hard drives on consoles, STFU

[G58]

Learn to type coherently.

[PtothaWHAT]

Way to ignore everything i said.

[G58]

Ballmer's product criteria is totally flawed. All he understands is numbers. He breaks hardware devices into "Really high volume [over 300 million] & niche [anything under 50 million a year]. But profit margin & bottom line are far more important. Making a loss on X Box and Zune still hasn't taught him anything.

He even misses the point on supply chain and geographic diversity. All phones are made in China or Taiwan. Having a physical keyboard limits geographic diversity. Apple worked this out.

[Hangar1318]

Steve Ballmer is my boss's boss's boss's boss's boss. and i use those green cups to drink water everyday..lol

[G58]

Capo dei capo!

That's a good analogy considering he runs a virtual monopoly supplying a product a load of idiots are addicted to.

[HerraYar]

As opposed to Steve Jobs who runs runs a marketing company supplying a product only hipster faggots are addicted to.

[G58]

I suppose you don't need "hipster faggots" on the Faroe Islands. You make do with sheep!

Let me explain something to you about the wider world. Steve Jobs does indeed run a company that's very very good at marketing. But marketing is all about finding out what people what they want, and then giving it to them.

And where I live, that's called progress. If this progress causes EVERY OTHER phone maker in the world to get its act together, all the better for those who like choice.

[cforcalvin]

if that's what marketing is, then apple isn't exactly doing that. apple is more so telling people what they should want and then overcharging them on hardware. check the facts: they charge double on upgrades like the SAME exact ram and harddrives that other computers use.

apple deliberately makes it so you can't install OSX on anything other than hardware they make. so if you have to use mac OS, you have to buy a mac machine, and then they overcharge on the machines. pretty shady if you ask me

[G58]

@cforcalvin, you're talking to a marketing expert. I ran my own very successful marketing company for 30 years. So please do some reading before pontificating on what you think Apple is doing.

Apple don't force anyone to do anything. They produce superior products that are at the bleeding edge of technological innovation and specification. You get what you pay for.

Try configuring a Dell to the same spec as a Mac and the price will be very close, sometimes higher!

And please discover CAPS!

[cforcalvin]

G38, you're talking to an ex-apple engineer and you may be a marketing "expert" but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand how a company can put people in their pocket. you reel them in with clever ads, they invest in the software that only works on those machines, and walla- now they CAN'T go to hp or dell because it's too expensive to backtrack. and yes, i have "tried" configuring dells and hp's with the same specs as a mac and they DO come out a lot cheaper:

[G58]

@cforcalvin: "you're talking to an ex-apple engineer" Prove it.

Your 'clever ads' notion is bullshit. I was an aircraft engineer for 6 years, but I always knew that ads simply don't work like that in the modern era. Apple advertising reflects experience, that's why they work. Otherwise why would anyone ever switch to a more expensive option? Apple computers would actually HAVE to be that much better.

Mac owners upgrade hardware every 3-5 years. If OS X was crap users would swap to PC.

[AXLMusicLink]

@G58: LOL you want me to prove to you that i used to work at apple hahahah. what would be enough proof for a non-believer i ask? i can prove it in many ways, but you'd be silly to request a video of me and steve jobs shaking hands of course. i have coworkers that still work there, you want me to call them up and have them call you just to TELL you that i used to work there?

[cforcalvin]

sorry, i was using a work account. ok here's the bottom line: if i prove to you i work at apple and thus KNOW well what goes on behind apple, will you admit you have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to apple (because very literally you do not- i swear to you, you clearly misunderstand apple).

and clever ads don't sell overrated products? in THIS era? are you serious? what time period are you living in?

[cforcalvin]

we live in a world where a show called Real World is 100% scripted. do you understand what time period we live in? image sells everything today- we spit out movies, pop stars, music based on how people look. why do you think movies and music today are utter crap? you know how many records britney sells anually? people pay money for this shit and it's not because of a good product, it's because of HOW it's presented and pitched.

[cforcalvin]

if you don't understand that our modern era is screwed up and that image ALONE is currently selling, then it is YOU who need to prove to ME that you are a marketing "expert".

you're talking about a world that we had, decades ago. im sorry but that world is gone- not everything is what it seems, especially on tv. hahaha apple advertising reflects experience. why would anyone switch to a more expensive option? cuz people don't read between the lines.

[cforcalvin]

ok, i'll offer the most fair and reasonable view i have: apple does make good products. they do- i used to work there, i used to help them make stuff and i'm no idiot. they build great products.

not for your money though. period. they rip people off all the time. quickest example: iphone 3gs 8gb is $199. 16gb is $299. it's the SAME PHONE with 8 more gb, it costs apple 50 cents more at best they charge you $100 more. they can give you 32gb for 299 and make a handsome profit i promise you.

[cforcalvin]

i own a quad-core, 4gb ram, 10,000rpm harddrive HD ready desktop for $700. this is not a lie, look it up on new egg and build yourself one. the superior hardware? bullshit. trust me on this i've worked with it and i know: there's nothing special about the ram or harddrives apple charges you double for. no difference and here's the proof: i have pc's running mac os leopard perfectly 100%. i had to hack it because apple deliberately doesn't allow mac os to be installed on other machines:

[cforcalvin]

and you want a real insider look? in the office, about half of us used windows to do our work lol. this is absolute truth- this is just a computer business. i'm sorry if that's a rude wake-up call for you but guess what- there is no holy war between apple and pc's, that's bullshit that apple made up. its a business. bleeding edge of innovation, that's a good one but news flash: none of these big boys are original. whatever they have they copied the underground. everyone copies someone.

[demon824]

Bleeding Edge eh? Then why did Macbook Pro's only support 9400m GPU's when Nvidia already released up to 280m's? Also, no Mac is definitely more pricey than a same spec'd PC.

[G58]

That's not true. When Apple release a new model it's often impossible to spec a Dell to the same level for up to 6 months or longer.

Apple do sometimes miss Nvidia's release dates because they're working to Intel's CPU development schedule. This is why PC users have to wait sometimes up to 6 months for some CPUs to be available on other makes.

Also PCs are always available with CPUs for up to 2 years after Apple stop fitting them. These are simple facts. Live with them & stop crying about it.

[demon824]

All of that is null and void, the fact is Mac is more expensive for the same exact (sometimes out of date) hardware. I just designed a 27" iMac for $1999, I then did a PC with a 27" monitor all the same stats and using a 4890 instead of a 4850 GPU, the former, is better.

And guess what? $1030

[demon824]

So, you're basically paying $900 just to have the Mac Software.

[mrbest20]

@demon824 correct mac software is a piece of shit

[lunarossa41]

This is awful to watch it looks like you recorded him on a hidden camera. You should sit closer to the camera this gives your interviewee a better eye line.

[w35t51d369]

(see above) but i also love mac, its the same with zune products and apple ipods, i have an ipod touch which i love but zune is not available to the uk. if both companies make brilliant products then they will definetly have customers who want more from them.

[w35t51d369]

(see below) for not launching zune hd in the uk, we can only buy it from auction sites which i hate. im not sure if they are testing it first in america or whatever but i think its an amazing device which i would love to get my hands on. steve ballmer and steve jobs should really know that people will not switch to apple or microsoft just because they launch a (1) products, there are many people who like both but choose one or the other on certain items, like me, i like windows but (see above)

[w35t51d369]

when he calls linux "silly and pathetic" is crazy, ive been a windows user for under 10 years but i got bored of it so i moved to mac rescently when i purchaced a macbook pro, its so much easier and simpler than pc, i saw a video of windows 7 being demonstrated and i thought why have they made it the same but with minor tweaks such as themes and quick keys that help make your computing life easier, whereas macs always being updated, also the zune hd, im realy pissed off at microsoft (see above)

[jafshar]

Anyone else with an iPhone 3GS running iPhone OS 3.1 having trouble playing this video all the way through? It's hanging for me several minutes into it. I'm on wifi. Tried advancing and rewinding, it just stops playing.

[8tropos]

I wonder if he sniffs coke ? Or was he just in need of a tissue lol ?

[WindowsFanClub]

I'm not a billionaire but i have the exact same blue shirt. XD

[w35t51d369]

lol, its weird that rich boring people can be the same as us.

[WindowsFanClub]

The funny thing about it's that my wife gave it to me last chrismas and it was expensive. I asked her why she spent so much money, i told her that "only a rich man with bad taste would use that shirt"

LOL when i saw this video! XD

Thanks for the comment though!

[promfort]

You have got to admire the man. MS have got to get their act together though - even I've got an iPhone now!

[lemster101]

I find the position of the interviewer very annoying. It really takes away a lot of strength of the interview. I do find Steve Ballmer is answering very good. He has a lot of answers, even though you may not agree on everything he has to say, he does have a lot of in depth answers.

I don't care about the cold he has wich you guys say he has, I do mind very much the lack of a good set-up for an interview. Annoying beeps on the background etc.

Apple user btw ;) No fanboy of Windows or Apple

[Bleppe]

Amazing! He looks and sounds like this big dopey kid when you see him up close. I can see why they left Steve in charge. He's fun and easy going and the exact oposite of a phb.

On the other hand it wouldn't surprise me if he has adhd or does coke, or both. The screaming and shouting, not to mention the infamous chair toss points in that direction, but he doesen't look tweaked in this video. He probably just has a cold.

[twetering]

Steve Ballmer going crazy again at 4:57

[gojo345]

SCREW YOU MIKE ARRINGTON!!!

j/k

but really

screw you

[klo1777]

Great interview! Microsoft has some momentum going! They invest in research in innovation for years and it is coming to the time that they will colect!

Good for everybody! NATAL is MINDBLOWING! and MS already thinks about creating an OS with natal technology! and I hope bing team will create a app for xbox natal SOON!

[jtubino]

Great stuff.

[joelt999]

Why does he keep sniffing like that?

[0m3n1337]

hmmm, maybe because he has a cold? Haven't you ever seen somebody with a cold?

[joelt999]

Yes, it is indeed possible that he has a cold. And yes, I have seen somebody with a cold.

[YUPnNOPE]

i meant Courier... NOT Concierge... whoever

[YUPnNOPE]

i think he's much more calmer and professional in this interview then ive ever seen him. i wish this guy wouldve asked him about Concierge.

[butters69872004]

Its nice to see the professional side of him. It really shows why he's in charge

[wuf820]

What is he talking about. At least Gates could work out what ideas to "borrow" but this guy knows nothing. Another good reason not to buy MS products.

[butters69872004]

You are an idiot!

[wuf820]

wow what an clever response. I guess you call be Ballmer yourself with a retort like that (you will probably need to look up "retort")

[danielsan854]

Pretty interesting interview, With the 360, Zune HD, Win 7 and win mobile 7 it does seem like MS have found their feet after a slow few years, it'll interesting to see how move forward over the next few years.

[someshithere]

6:17 lol

[dollarsignfrodofan77]

headroom. look it up.

[blueredpurple]

Arrington is a troll

[prickett233]

lol at 5:43

ballmer hates the linux!

[kahrytan]

... he never said that. He did say that Linux community doesn't want to work with other environments. Which, of course, is true.

[boognish666]

Good interview, annoying camera placement.

[klo1777]

Good vision! I fail to see evil here! Maybe I am coming too earlier to the comment area, soon the hysteria may begin!

Microsoft has some great innovation, I look forward to see how they will play in the market!

[lojikop]

One thing you can't fault Steve about is entertainment value. He made some good sense in this interview. I would like to make a correction (CEOs tend to exaggerate ..for obvious reasons), MS never had 50% market share in Web Servers, while Linux definitely has over 50% market share. Microsoft is around 20%, and they should stay there

[MajicF]

I wonder sometimes if MS purposely sit back on some areas like the new high end Windows Phone to watch business models of other players to then judge their own and go out guns blazing.

[bryanbig972]

hope Microsoft gets better 4real