Microsoft’s plan to push Windows 8 out to both tablets and laptops has been criticised by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The new head honcho of the firm explained that combining aspects of the iPad and MacBook Air would never work, resulting only in poor quality devices that would not suit the needs of the user. He likened mixing the two to incorporating the features of a toaster with a refrigerator – a pointless exercise that would not benefit the consumer.
Mr Cook’s comments have worked to quash industry rumours that a hybrid device has been on the American firm’s radar for the past few months.
Although he agreed that “anything can be forced to converge” he added that “the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs. You begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone. You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but you know, those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user.”
Former CEO of Apple, the late Steve Jobs, agreed that combining the two devices would ‘be ergonomically terrible”.
Mr Cook said: “I do think that [the MacBook Air] appeals to someone that has a little bit different requirements.”
However, he added “you wouldn’t want to put [the MacBook Air and iPad] together because you end up compromising in both and not pleasing either user. Some people will prefer to own both, and that’s great too. But to make the compromise of convergence, we’re not going to that party.”
