Bill Gates believes many iPad users suffering from frustration

by Mark Tyson on 7 May 2013, 11:03

Tags: Windows 8, Surface, iPad

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In a TV interview with CNBC, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates told viewers that a lot of “iPad-type device” users are “frustrated” with their purchases. He thinks this is bad for the tablet market and that the quality of content creation options available to iPad and Android users alike, are limited. The answer, of course, is Windows 8; the current Microsoft Surface tablets and the upcoming wide range of Windows 8 powered devices which blur the lines between tablets and PCs.

Mr Gates was talking on the CNBC “Squawk Box” show alongside Warren Buffet and discussed the computer industry, tablets and PC markets. The specific part of the interview where Bill Gates talks about iPad user frustration starts at about 8-minutes in within the linked clip.

“With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain market share in what has been dominated by the iPad-type device. But a lot those users are frustrated. They can't type. They can't create documents,” opined Microsoft Chairman Gates. “So we're providing them something with the benefits they've seen that has made that a big category but without giving up what they expect in a PC.” He went on to plug the Surface “If you have Surface or Surface Pro, you have the portability of the tablet but the richness of terms of the keyboard, Microsoft Office of the PC”. Looking to the future Gates said upcoming Windows 8 devices would blur the lines between tablets and PCs even further.

Apple to fall?

The interviewer went on to ask Gates about Apple’s stock price which peaked at around $700 last September but is currently only around $450. Specifically the question was whether Apple has now started a “lost decade” where growth is much slower and the firm is seen to tread water. Gates answered that industry commentators are perpetually predicting falls from grace so when someone eventually stumbles they are proved right.

China crisis

The interview wraps up looking at prospects in China where Microsoft estimate a huge 77 per cent of the Windows and Office software is pirated. Gates says “Well, China has been a disaster if you say per unit of your product that gets used, how much do you get paid.” China is different to many places in the world because government institutions, state owned enterprises and large businesses all use pirated software. Things are improving, “fairly slowly”, so the pressure must be kept on companies and governmental bodies said Gates.



HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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I think he has a point in problem identification, but misses how users ‘react’.

"Oh no, this website requires flash and mouse interactions <mouse over events, which touch can't do>…. This is the fault of the website, I blame the brand of the website, even thou it was made 10 years ago".

They turn the blame from the device to the problem. Or rather this is what I have seen iPad users to behave like, they do love to bitch about the screws they've been given being difficult to nail.
“With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain market share in what has been dominated by the iPad-type device. But a lot those users are frustrated. They can't type. They can't create documents,” opined Microsoft Chairman Gates. “So we're providing them something with the benefits they've seen that has made that a big category but without giving up what they expect in a PC.” He went on to plug the Surface “If you have Surface or Surface Pro, you have the portability of the tablet but the richness of terms of the keyboard, Microsoft Office of the PC”.
Erm, I was able to do what he's suggesting with my old Asus Transformer and Docs2Go a year or two ago. And that at a price point less than Microsoft have seen fit to put the Surface at. Plus that old Transformer had the extra battery life and various ports that Mr G's beloved Surface lacks.

If he's serious about alleviating the “frustrations” of iPad users then reduce the cost of the Surface. Last time I checked the Surface was about £500 and the iPad was about £100 cheaper. Sure, the Surface has a USB port, but then again the iPad has that MASSIVE app store and very wide 3rd party support. If the Surface was at £400 with the keyboard then he'd be in with a shout, £300 and they'd be selling all they could make. But the current cost is too high compared to very capable iPad and Android-based gear, and too close (surely) to the Surface Pro which I've seen touted at £800.
Doesn't Bill have a load of shares in Apple he bought in the late 90s/early 2000 as part of a bailout?
avi8tor
Doesn't Bill have a load of shares in Apple he bought in the late 90s/early 2000 as part of a bailout?

I believe he sold them back in 2003 or 2004.
As a windows 8 desktop user I suffer from frustration.

w8 is simply not designed to work with full screen browsers without touch - want to scroll using the browser scroll bar? oops the charms toolbar comes out when your mouse goes to right hand side of screen, scroll downs oops another toolbar comes out to greet you at the bottom of the screen (or more usually both toolbars appear because mouse is a bottom right corner).

There are lots of things I like about w8 but if you do not have a touch screen it is hopeless