Personal Computing, Apple versus Microsoft

The fact that Mac vs. PC commercials are so successful reflects not only the Mac/PC divide, but also a sober truth that Microsoft's focus on enterprise computing has left the PC world stagnant, lagging further and further behind Apple. PC today is not oriented toward personal computing, but a component to fortify Microsoft's dominance in workplace. Office, Windows Server, and Azure, etc. are Microsoft's agenda for continued monopoly, not personal computing. Microsoft's strategy likely spelled doom for its own smartphone ambition. Smartphones, after all, are deeply personal objects.

The distinction between personal computing and enterprise computing can be illustrated if we compare Apple Pages and Microsoft Word. Pages templates provided by Apple are professionally designed to help people create quality documents, while Word templates fall far short and largely rely on enterprise CIS for layout. Since most people aren't great designers, and enterprise CIS is not designed for personal purpose, Microsoft Word sacrifices personal tastes for enterprise functionalities like embedded documents.

The big picture is much more astonishing. Apple provided huge ecosystem for personal computing. Listening to favorite music and podcasts, editing personal photographs, video and audio recordings, and enhancing everyday life with all sorts of utilities from the App Store, etc. are made so easy with simple UI that Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch constantly delight everyone. Further, complexities like AI behind Apple Pencil are so well designed and feel natural. All of this is to be compared with banal Microsoft Windows. Google gets search, maps, and YouTube right, but Microsoft makes PC an oxymoron.

Microsoft's strategy for workplace computing deserves respect, but unimaginative Windows is quietly robbing people of the life they deserve.