“The desktop computer industry is dead. Innovation has virtually ceased. Microsoft dominates with very little innovation. That’s over. Apple lost. The desktop market has entered the dark ages, and it’s going to be in the dark ages for the next 10 years, or certainly for the rest of this decade.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“The desktop computer industry is dead. Innovation has virtually ceased. Microsoft dominates with very little innovation. That’s over. Apple lost. The desktop market has entered the dark ages, and it’s going to be in the dark ages for the next 10 years, or certainly for the rest of this decade.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs expresses his belief that the desktop computer industry has stagnated and that the era of desktop computing as a primary market has passed. He critiques Microsoft for dominating the industry without innovation, suggesting that the focus on desktop computers has become outdated, with little progress being made. Jobs views the market as entering a period of decline, where it would be difficult for any significant advancements to occur over the next decade.
This statement was made during a time when mobile devices and portable computing were becoming more prominent, and Apple’s shift toward laptops, iPads, and eventually iPhones signaled its push away from the desktop market. Jobs’ perspective also reflects his vision of the future of computing, where mobile and tablet devices would provide more practical, flexible, and innovative solutions than traditional desktops.
Looking at today’s tech landscape, Jobs’ prediction largely came to fruition. Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have redefined computing, and companies are now focusing heavily on portability, touch interfaces, and cloud computing. The desktop market has certainly seen less innovation in comparison, with laptops and mobile devices becoming the dominant form factor. Jobs’ words emphasize the importance of embracing new technologies and platforms, rather than clinging to outdated models, and they serve as a reminder of the rapidly evolving nature of the tech industry.
