Technology | Steve Sinofsky With Sinofsky Exit, Microsoft Loses Its Steve Jobs Farhad Manjoo: Who cares if Windows boss was kind of mean? By Evann Gastaldo Posted Nov 14, 2012 1:16 PM CST Copied Steven Sinofsky, president of the Microsoft Windows group, delivers his presentation at the launch of Microsoft Windows 8, in New York, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Farhad Manjoo pulls no punches when it comes to the departure of Windows chief Steve Sinofsky from Microsoft: It's like FDR firing Dwight Eisenhower on D-Day. Of course, both Sinofsky and Microsoft are trying to paint this as a mutual, amicable decision, but that's ridiculous, Manjoo writes on Slate. Sinofsky was fired because "he was a jerk." But "so what?" Manjoo wonders. Sinofsky was also the guy who could have, finally, brought Microsoft into true competition with Apple—and he's reminiscent of the abrasive Steve Jobs in more than just his attitude. Sinofsky was behind both Windows 8 and the Surface tablet—and even if you don't like the Surface, the two products "represented Microsoft's D-Day, its bold attempt to beat back Apple's post-PC invasion," Manjoo writes. And "Sinofsky deserves all the credit (or blame) for Microsoft’s new path," forging ahead "single-mindedly and almost single-handedly." He won few friends while doing so, but he got the job done. Who cares if Microsoft will now enjoy a more harmonious environment? With Sinofsky gone, the company "is rudderless at a time of intense competition." Click for Manjoo's full column. Read These Next Melinda French Gates reacts to her ex showing up in new Epstein files. Sarah Ferguson said she cut off Epstein. Not quite, emails show. The voice behind 'Joy to the World' has died at 83. Trump signs bill to end the latest government shutdown. Report an error