Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Wants To Revive 'Windows Vs Mac' Rivalry. Here's What He Said

Satya Nadella defended the competitive landscape, asserting that the current environment is vibrant with both large and small players.

"Apple’s done a fantastic job,” Nadella stated. “We now want to bring real competition back to the Windows versus Mac.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has just reignited the age-old Windows vs Mac war, as part of the Redmond giant's announcement of a new generation of computers featuring specialised artificial intelligence (AI) chips and enhanced performance capabilities. During an interview with Bloomberg Television on Monday, Nadella acknowledged Apple's success but emphasised Microsoft's intention to re-establish a strong rivalry. "Apple’s done a fantastic job,” Nadella stated. “We now want to bring real competition back to the Windows versus Mac.”

New AI-Centric PCs

The tech giant has introduced a new class of AI-centric PCs, branded as Copilot+PC. According to Microsoft, these devices will incorporate a dedicated AI processing chip, boosting their performance significantly.

Machines from Microsoft’s Surface lineup, along with models from other manufacturers, are expected to be 58 per cent faster than Apple’s high-end MacBook Air M3. Priced starting at $999, these new computers are slated to be available from June 18.

'It's About Competition'

Nadella defended the competitive landscape, asserting that the current environment is vibrant with both large and small players. "Today there is a formidable amount of competition, right?” he commented.

“Whether it is between the big players or the small players. So I don’t think that this is about any one company acquiring or not acquiring, but it’s about competition.”

Microsoft's aggressive push into AI is bolstered by its partnership with OpenAI, a leading AI research organisation. This alliance aims to position Microsoft at the forefront of generative AI services. However, the collaboration has attracted the attention of regulatory bodies in the US, Europe, and the UK, who are scrutinising Microsoft’s and its competitors' AI investments to assess their impact on market competition and the potential need for regulatory measures akin to those applied to mergers.

Apple Knocking On AI Door

Meanwhile, Apple is gearing up to unveil its AI strategy at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference. Despite trailing some of its tech competitors in AI, Apple plans to integrate advanced AI capabilities into its devices. The company is reportedly designing high-performance chips for cloud computing servers to handle sophisticated AI tasks, while simpler AI functions will be managed directly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Apple's focus will be on enhancing user convenience through features that provide personalised suggestions and experiences.

As both Microsoft and Apple advance their AI initiatives, the battle for supremacy in the personal computing market is poised to intensify, promising significant innovations and benefits for consumers.