Gates: Jobs saved Apple

Seth Weintraub

November 13, 2009

iPhone - iPod

At this point, it kind of goes without saying, but Bill Gates says it anyhow: Steve Jobs saved Apple. More specifically, David Matthews of Columbia Executive Business school had this question for Bill Gates:

QUESTION: If you could just comment and tell us what your thoughts are on the job Steve Jobs has done as the CEO of Apple? (Audience laughs as Gates smiles.)

GATES: Well, he's done a fantastic job. Apple is in a bit of a different business where they make hardware and software together. But when Steve was coming back to Apple, which was actually through an acquisition of NeXT that he ran, Apple was in very tough shape. Steve Jobs Steve Jobs In fact, most likely it wasn't going to survive. And he brought in a team, he brought in inspiration about great products and design that's made Apple back into being an incredible force in doing good things. And it's great to have competitors like that. We write software for Apple, Microsoft does. They compete with Apple. But he, of all the leaders in the industry that I've worked with, he showed more inspiration and he saved the company.

Bill, keeping it real.

Latest Stories on 9 to 5 Mac

Comments (21)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 8:50am

I actually really quite like Bill Gates... (better than any other Microsoft chiefs)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 10:59am

me too... although I don't like MS (doesn't mean i hate it) but I quite like Bill Gates a lot, after all he's a genius!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 9:28am

+10 Respect for bill gates. what a class act.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 9:39am

Bill would have never been so complimentary if he was still involved with Microsoft. Now that he's out of the game, he can be honest and say what he wants. It's good to see he can do that.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 9:41am

Actually he has been complementary of Jobs even when he was at Microsoft.

I respect Gates, I have no respect for Ballmer.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 5:19pm

Well put, same feelings here too !

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 6:18pm

Gates has always been complimentary of Steve, even when he worked at Microsoft. He's always sort of admired Steves intuition and judgement, and doesn't hide that fact.

Aaargh! (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 9:42am

Jobs saved Apple? Well, DUH!

Actually, I like Gates too; he does seem like a geniunely nice bloke.

I like Ballmer too- pure comedy!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 9:57am

... "The statement was quickly retracted by Microsoft executives as an offhanded comment by someone who was not in the know."

Oh wait, am I confusing my Microsoft Praises Apple stories this week??

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 12:30pm

now that is funny!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 12:30pm

now that is funny!

Violian (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 10:51am

I thought Bill Gates was still on Microsoft's executive board?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 12:58pm

...and Microsoft do have a stake in Apple.

9to5Mac Casual Reader (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 2:33pm

Bill Gates has always admired Steve Jobs. While apple was doing their best Hindenburg impression, Gates stepped in. He bought $150 million worth of apple shares and loaned them another $800 million and on the same day Steve Jobs changed from 'Advisor' to 'Interim CEO'. Everyone thought Gates was crazy. M$ and Apple fanboys were saying "WTF!". Looking back you see nerds helping each other and laughing all the way to the bank.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 4:46pm

In the 90s, MS was being investigated by the government and there was talk of it being either broken up or more heavily regulated because it was seen as near-monopoly. That's why MS invested in Apple, and why Steve's return and success ultimately helped Microsoft. As Apple recovered, it took the pressure off MS, there's no more talk about MS being a monopoly. As long as Apple has about 5 to 10 percent marketshare, both sides win. So yeah Bill should be grateful and I'm sure he is.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 13, 2009 - 5:21pm

Bill Gates = man with balls to appreciate

Steve Ballmer = fat monkey in joker suit

Violian (not verified) | November 14, 2009 - 12:16am

I hope Gates come back and become CEO for Microsoft again. That man is a genius!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 14, 2009 - 3:52am

He ok'ed the sales strategies that were uncompetitive. We suffered with no competition for 2 decades. I think computer software is 5 - 10 yrs behind where it should be.

We're still using developer's jargon that has no place in commercial products.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 15, 2009 - 8:20am

I am going to have to agree with everyone else on the Bill Gates topic. I have very much respect for him. Steve Ballmer, not so much. Ballmer has done nothing good for Microsoft. I do not see how Gates can watch that idiot ruin the company the he created. Hopefully he will pull a "Steve Jobs" and come back to save his company.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 15, 2009 - 8:20am

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 16, 2009 - 2:33pm

Bill has really turned his image around since the early to mid nineties. I respect many of his choices as of late. I think much of this can be attributed to Melinda.

That said, I think that there is one advantage for Microsoft in him making this comment. He is clearly attaching the positive aspects of Apple and the turn around with Steve Jobs directly, and therefor subtly suggesting that it is necessary for Steve to be around for Apple to continue in the direction they have been going. Just a thought.

Balmer is clearly a detriment to Microsoft in his current position. He makes a lot of mistakes with the press.