Update: Looks like Tim Cook meant to say “diluted” not “deluded” like we originally thought. Original story follows:
Apple’s Tim Cook, who’s been known to be less than a fan of hybrid devices, apparently hasn’t changed his opinion even given Surface’s recent successes. As the Independent.ie reports, Cook was discussing Apple’s Ireland expansion efforts at a presentation to the Trinity College Philosophical society and he couldn’t help but comment on Microsoft’s hybrid efforts.
Mr Cook had some sharp words for competitors. Despite saying that Apple’s relationship with Microsoft as “really good”, he described the software giant’s new Surface Book laptop as “deluded.” “It’s a product that tries too hard to do too much,” he said. “It’s trying to be a tablet and a notebook and it really succeeds at being neither. It’s sort of deluded.”
Now, we have to note that, in context, “deluded” might be a misrepresentation. It’s entirely possible, perhaps likely, that Cook actually said “diluted” and was misunderstood. This would be more in line with what he’s said in the past (such as when he alluded to the mythical toaster fridge during an Apple quarterly earnings report in 2012):
“You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but, you know, those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user,” Cook said.
Clearly, Cook considers hybrids to compromise what’s best about tablets and laptops, a position with which we clearly disagree. iPads and iPhones and mobile devices in general are fine for what they do, but full-fledged PCs remain far more capable devices that can offer the best of both worlds.
We’ve given our thoughts on what makes the Surface Pro 4 a different class of machine compared to the iPad Pro, and the same applies to the Surface Book as well, so be sure to check that out. In the meantime, Cook is entitled to his opinion of Microsoft’s efforts in building a new class of machine, and time will tell if Apple can regain its iPad mojo or if Windows 10 will retain Microsoft’s position at the top of the heap.
