By radionizza 
In 2001, when Microsoft ported its classic Mac OS version of MS Word to macOS X (which they called Office v.X), a major feature was missing: printing functionality.
Microsoft’s explanation at the time was indeed infamously “printing is hard to do.” They also downplayed the importance of printing, suggesting that few people actually printed documents anymore. This excuse drew a lot of criticism and frustration from Mac users who relied heavily on printing capabilities.
It’s worth noting that:
- Printing WAS complex: Transitioning from the Classic Mac OS printing model to the new Quartz-based printing system in macOS X did present technical challenges for developers at the time.
- Microsoft’s statement was seen as dismissive: Many users felt that Microsoft was not taking their needs seriously and saw it as a strategic move to push users towards Windows, where Office had full printing support.
Microsoft actually went further than simply saying “printing is hard.” They took a stance against printing altogether, framing it as environmentally unfriendly and advocating for a paperless future.
This approach was seen by many as condescending and manipulative, especially since they were selling a product (Office v.X) that lacked a basic feature crucial to many users’ workflows.
While promoting sustainability is important, Microsoft’s tactics in this situation were widely criticized for being heavy-handed and out of touch with the needs of their Mac user base. It ultimately backfired, further damaging their reputation among Mac users and highlighting a disconnect between the company and its customers.