Jobs is to Gates as the Ipod is to the Zune. (The what?)
My impression is that Gates is looked at as some sort of rich super-nerd. Jobs could go on stage and sell dried up dog feces and his followers would line up to buy it from him. Not much different then what the socialist sold his followers three years ago.
One thing Jobs sells is really REALLY good customer service. The few times I’ve needed them they have not only been there when they said they would (if it was a phone consult they have called me exactly when they said they would) and/or I’ve spoken to someone who actually knew the product and had real honest to goodness correct answers. What a refreshing change after years of other companies. I’m sorry, and I’ve had other computers that were serviceable, but have had really crappy customer service virtually without fail. That is almost worth the price even if nothing else about the Mac were better.