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Obama: I’m a PC

by Peter Kafka
Posted on February 11, 2009 at 9:28 AM PT

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I realize people have bigger things on their minds these days, but how did the blogosphere not pick up on this yesterday?

Because while it’s interesting (and important) to note that Intel (INTC) has committed to spending $7 billion in the U.S.–apparently at Barack Obama’s request–it seems that none of us Apple-obsessives noted this nugget: The President is a PC user.

The news came via Intel CEO Paul Otellini, who says he learned it from Obama first-hand. Computerworld:

Otellini said Obama called him last night to congratulate him on company’s decision. The president ‘reminded me that he sees the Intel logo every morning when he opens up his laptop; I was pleased to hear that,’ he noted.”

Of course, almost all Apple (AAPL) products, including any recent laptop the company has released, are based on Intel chips, too. But none of them advertise that fact (thanks to BusinessWeek Apple guru Arik Hesseldahl for on-the-fly confirmation) the way that Windows machines do.

In other words, when Barack Obama puts down his BlackBerry and boots up his laptop, he’s using a machine running Microsoft (MSFT) software. Next crucial question: What OS?

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  • ross richardson
    Peter, I don't think it's an Obama thing as much as it's a government thing.

    The fact that Obama's campaign was a Mac-driven operation has been widely documented. Let Obama end a few wars and clean up the financial industry first.

    The mess that is government computing can wait a little while.
  • SCOTT SMITH
    I can attest to the campaign using macs. A bussiness partner donated 10 MacBooks to the Asheville NC campaign office.
  • Steve Conston
    Interestingly enough, when I was working on highly classified Defense programs decades ago, the only out-of-the-box computers allowed in highly sensitive areas were Macs; PCs had to be retrofit at a cost of $10,000 or more a machine. Macs were built to prevent emitting any signals that could compromise the data even though the construction was not designed with that intent in mind but to pass FCC regulations with flying colors. As someone who continues to work in the field of electromagnetic interference compliance, I have noted that Macs in general emit far less than any standard PC because of Apple’s attention to important details such as EMI gaskets and proper grounding and termination techniques. So in this case I would argue that PCs are less secure (for many other reasons as well) and perhaps our government should rethink the issue and buy Obama a new Mac.
  • It was widely reported (seemed wide anyway) that the Apple users were extremely inconvenienced on entering the White House. I'm not aware of any government-wide ban on Apple computers, but where I've seen them used they were treated as special exceptions. I'm quite sure the President has the authority to overturn whatever rules he chooses. It was originally reported that he would have to give up his Blackberry, and didn't after all.

    Can there be any doubt that if he is running a non-Apple Intel machine he is running Linux on it? All cool people do.
  • Elim Garak
    "Microsoft machine"?

    What? Obama uses an X-Box as his work computer?

    Microsoft does not produce computer hardware -- just a game console, media player and accessories. They just provide the most used software.
  • "In other words, when Barack Obama puts down his BlackBerry and boots up his laptop, he’s using a Microsoft (MSFT) machine. Next crucial question: What OS?"

    I assume most readers recognize the inherent error in this combination of statement and question. (In case not: If the computer is using an OS other than a Microsoft OS, it's not a Microsoft machine; it's just a machine that happens to use the same processor that is used by Microsoft's OS...and by Apple's OS...and by Red Hat's OS...etc.)
  • Peter Kafka
    Elim, you're right. Will tweak. Bill, do you think Obama uses Vista or Windows 7? Or maybe a custom version of XP?
  • Scott Hale
    Since when does advertising an Intel processor mean you use Microsoft software. All of my computers advertise Intel and not a single one has any piece of Microsoft software running.
  • Leon Jacobs
    The photographic evidence would suggest otherwise:

    http://r2witco.tumblr.com/post/74188180/superam...
  • mahmoud lababidi
    pathetic reporting. you should be taken out back and beaten.
  • Peter Kafka
    Scott, you really think the White House is running on Linux?
    And mahmoud, I'm pretty sure our eagle-eyed monitors are going to delete your comment. But if you do come back for another visit and want to try again, you might explaining, in a civil tone, exactly what's wrong with the story. Just like the commenters above you. Try it! It will be fun.
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About Peter

Peter Kafka has been covering media and technology since 1997, when he joined the staff of Forbes magazine. Most recently, he has been the managing editor of the tech and media Web site, Silicon Alley Insider. Read more »

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