Mark Zuckerberg Spotted Using a Strange Laptop – Turns Out, It’s Familiar

Mark Zuckerberg recently caused a stir online when he shared a photo of himself working on a MacBook with no Apple logo. The post, shared on Instagram, was meant to welcome McDonald’s to Meta’s Workplace platform, but fans quickly fixated on the mysterious laptop in the image.

Although the laptop was clearly a MacBook, the absence of the iconic Apple logo led to speculation. Some believe the logo was intentionally removed by Zuckerberg or Meta’s media team to avoid promoting a competitor. This seemingly minor detail has reignited discussions about the long-standing rivalry between Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

A Decade-Long Feud: Privacy Battles and Cold Wars

The tension between Meta (formerly Facebook) and Apple dates back to 2014, when Tim Cook criticized advertising-driven tech giants like Facebook and Google. In a now-famous statement, Cook remarked, “If a service is free, you’re not the customer—you’re the product,” directly addressing how companies like Facebook leverage user data for targeted ads.

Zuckerberg responded angrily, accusing Apple of deceiving customers with overpriced products. This public exchange marked the beginning of a cold war between two of the biggest names in tech.

Things escalated in 2018 during Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, where data from 87 million users was misused. Cook seized the moment to take a jab at Facebook, stating that Apple would never face such a crisis.

App Tracking Transparency: A Crushing Blow

The rivalry reached new heights in 2020 with Apple’s introduction of App Tracking Transparency (ATT) on iOS 14. This feature forced apps to request user permission for data collection, directly affecting Facebook’s advertising model.

Zuckerberg criticized ATT as a business sabotage tactic, claiming it cost Meta billions in ad revenue. While Apple defended ATT as a move to protect user privacy, Meta saw it as an abuse of Apple’s dominance over the iOS platform.

Zuckerberg’s Complicated Relationship with Apple Products

Despite his criticism of Apple, Zuckerberg has never fully abandoned its products. In 2016, he posted a photo of his workspace featuring a MacBook with its camera and microphone taped over for security reasons. As for smartphones, he revealed a preference for Samsung devices but declined to specify the model.

The recent image of Zuckerberg using a logo-less MacBook has led many to question whether it was a mere coincidence or a subtle message directed at Apple.

Tech Rivalry: A Catalyst for Innovation

The ongoing feud between Meta and Apple is not just a personal battle—it reflects clashing ideologies in the tech world. Apple champions user privacy and often critiques data-driven business models, while Meta sees Apple as a major obstacle to digital advertising growth.

However, this rivalry has spurred innovation on both sides. Apple’s privacy features have pushed Meta to explore new revenue streams, such as investments in AI and the metaverse. Similarly, Apple faces increasing demands to offer free, diverse services akin to Meta’s platforms.

While Zuckerberg’s modified MacBook might seem like a small detail, it underscores the complex dynamics between two tech giants shaping the future of technology. Despite their differences, both Meta and Apple continue to drive the industry forward in their own ways.