Macworld iconMacworldAug 28, 2026 ~1 min source read

Tim Cook wasn’t Steve Jobs. He was better

Looking back at the past decade and a half, I'd distill the company's progress into a couple of words: growth and stability. Cook may not be perceived as iconic or innovative as Steve Jobs, but he was undoubtedly the perfect pick to lead Apple after his death.

Tim Cook wasn’t Steve Jobs. He was better

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Useful takeaways from this story.

Looking back at the past decade and a half, I'd distill the company's progress into a couple of words: growth and stability.

Cook may not be perceived as iconic or innovative as Steve Jobs, but he was undoubtedly the perfect pick to lead Apple after his death.

Back in 2011, Apple needed a mastermind who would further establish it as a leading tech brand, grow its customer base and value, and prepare it for the next phase.

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The useful part

Looking back at the past decade and a half, I'd distill the company's progress into a couple of words: growth and stability. Cook may not be perceived as iconic or innovative as Steve Jobs, but he was undoubtedly the perfect pick to lead Apple after his death. Back in 2011, Apple needed a mastermind who would further establish it as a leading tech brand, grow its customer base and value, and prepare it for the next phase.

How it works

  • Tim Cook did exactly that, building upon Steve's legacy, strengthening Apple's structure, and forging new paths for the future.
  • Apple enthusiasts and shareholders naturally had high expectations, leaving Tim Cook little room for error.

Details worth keeping

He may go down as the best CEO Apple has ever had. Inheriting the empire Succeeding Steve Jobs is a challenge in itself.

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