02. January 2026
Admin
Steve Jobs Once Told Bill Gates to Take Acid to Improve Microsoft Products
In a revealing and humorous reflection, Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates recalled how Apple co‑founder Steve Jobs once joked that Gates should have taken acid in order to make Microsoft’s products more interesting and better designed. This remark highlights the contrasting approaches to design and innovation between the two tech icons.
Quick Insight:
The comment from Jobs was less about drugs and more about underscoring the striking difference in design philosophies — where Apple prioritized simplicity and aesthetics, Gates focused on software logic and engineering.
1. A Playful Critique From a Rival
• Steve Jobs told Gates that he should have “taken acid” so Microsoft products would look better and be more engaging.
• Jobs was famed for his obsession with design and user experience across Apple products.
• The remark was intended as a tongue‑in‑cheek critique of Microsoft’s early software interfaces.
2. Gates’ Response
• Bill Gates responded with good humour, noting he focused on coding and logic instead of aesthetics.
• He explained that taking recreational substances dulled his mind, which would have conflicted with his analytical approach.
• Gates highlighted the difference in strengths — he was more focused on software engineering, while Jobs excelled at design.
3. Different Paths to Tech Innovation
• Steve Jobs built a reputation as a visionary who emphasized elegant design and intuitive user experience.
• Bill Gates concentrated on creating powerful, versatile software platforms that reached millions of users worldwide.
• Despite the playful jab, both men fundamentally shaped the modern technology landscape in their own ways.
4. A Complex Relationship
• Jobs and Gates had a famous rivalry that also included mutual admiration at times.
• Their competition pushed both companies to innovate and define eras in personal computing.
• Even as competitors, they shared respect for each other’s contributions to the industry.
Final Thoughts
Steve Jobs’ jest about Bill Gates and acid offers a light moment in the long, complicated story of two of technology’s most influential figures. It underscores how different minds approached design and innovation — and how those differences helped fuel some of the biggest breakthroughs in computing history.
