Did Steve Jobs and Bill Gates Get Along? How Were They Different and Alike?

• Love-Hate Relationship: Allies, rivals, and innovators.
• Visionary Icons: Contrasting styles and leadership.
• Enduring Legacy: Shaping tech’s future together.

The stories of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are deeply intertwined, showcasing a blend of rivalry, respect, and influence that shaped the technology landscape as we know it today. 

These two tech titans, though often at odds, were also collaborators, and their contributions to the industry have left an indelible mark. Let’s explore the dynamic relationship between Jobs and Gates, highlighting how they differed and where they found common ground.

Young Steve Jobs and Young Bill Gates

Early Collaborations: When Microsoft and Apple Were Friends

Before the fierce rivalry, there was a time when Microsoft and Apple worked hand-in-hand. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs weren’t always the fierce competitors they later became. 

In the late '70s and early '80s, Microsoft developed software for Apple’s early computers, including the wildly popular Apple II. Gates frequently visited Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, to see what the company was working on.

Walter Isaacson, in his biography of Jobs, mentions that in the early '80s, Jobs even flew up to Washington to convince Gates to create software for Apple’s new Macintosh computer. The Mac’s graphical user interface was revolutionary, and Jobs wanted Microsoft on board. However, Gates wasn’t overly impressed. "It was kind of a weird seduction visit where Steve was saying we don’t really need you and we’re doing this great thing, and it’s under the cover. He’s in his Steve Jobs sales mode, but kind of the sales mode that also says, ‘I don’t need you, but I might let you be involved,’" Gates later recalled. Despite this odd pitch, Gates still appeared in a promotional video for Apple in 1983, where he praised the Mac, saying it "really captures people’s imagination."

The Rift Begins: Windows vs. Macintosh

The relationship between Jobs and Gates took a sharp turn in 1985, when Microsoft announced the first version of Windows. Jobs was furious, accusing Gates of copying the Macintosh’s graphical user interface. The gloves were off. Gates, however, was unbothered by the accusations. He believed graphical interfaces would become the standard and didn’t think Apple had exclusive rights to the concept. Plus, Gates knew Apple had borrowed the idea from Xerox PARC, a research lab both men admired.

When Jobs confronted Gates about stealing the idea, Gates famously replied, "Well, Steve, I think there’s more than one way of looking at it. I think it’s more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out that you had already stolen it." This exchange marked the beginning of a more contentious phase in their relationship.

Personal Digs and Professional Differences

Jobs and Gates weren’t just at odds over technology; they also took jabs at each other’s personalities. Jobs viewed Gates as too focused on business, lacking the creative vision he believed was essential for innovation. He once said, "He’d be a broader guy if he had dropped acid once or gone off to an ashram when he was younger." (source)

Gates, on the other hand, found Jobs to be "fundamentally odd" and "weirdly flawed as a human being." Yet, Gates couldn’t deny Jobs’ knack for design and marketing. "He really never knew much about technology, but he had an amazing instinct for what works," Gates admitted. (source)

Even when Jobs resigned from Apple in 1985 to start NeXT, a new computer company, the tension remained. Jobs predicted that if Microsoft won the battle of operating systems, "we are going to enter a computer Dark Ages for about 20 years." Meanwhile, Gates continued to push Microsoft forward, and by the late '80s, Windows was becoming dominant in personal computing.

Mutual Respect and Envy? The Complex Relationship

Despite their differences, there was a mutual respect between Jobs and Gates, even if it was tinged with envy. Gates admired Jobs’ ability to captivate an audience. At Apple’s 1997 Macworld event, where Jobs announced a crucial investment from Microsoft to keep Apple afloat, Gates watched from a Microsoft studio and marveled at Jobs’ stage presence. "How does he do that?" Gates asked a colleague, seemingly expressing both admiration and envy.

Internally, Gates recognized Jobs’ talents. After Apple introduced iTunes, Gates sent an email to his team, praising Jobs’ ability to focus on what mattered and market products as revolutionary. Similarly, after the iPod’s launch in 2001, Gates urged his team to respond quickly, acknowledging that Jobs had once again caught them off guard.

A Legacy of Innovation

In the end, both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates left behind a legacy that continues to influence the world of technology. Their companies, Apple and Microsoft, are two of the most valuable in the world, constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Even after Jobs’ passing, Gates reflected on their relationship with respect. "I respect Steve, we got to work together. We spurred each other on, even as competitors," Gates said, illustrating the complex yet impactful bond they shared.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were both visionary leaders, but their approaches and personalities couldn’t have been more different. Yet, it was this very contrast that spurred some of the greatest innovations in the tech world. Whether as allies or adversaries, Jobs and Gates pushed each other to new heights, and their influence will be felt for generations to come.