Bill Gates apparently takes Microsoft’s competition with Apple pretty damn seriously. Melinda Gates tells Vogue magazine that Bill banned all Apple products from their home:

Microsoft founder head Bill Gates has banned the use of products made by arch-rival Apple from his house, his wife has revealed. But the blockade could backfire on Gates, 53, after Melinda admitted there are times she feels envious of her friends’ iPhones. She told Vogue magazine that the couple’s three children Jennifer, 13, Rory, 10 and Phoebe, seven, are not allowed Apple products.

Here’s the funny part:

‘There are very few things that are on the banned list in our household,’ she said. ‘But iPods and iPhones are two things we don’t get for our kids.’ Like any forbidden fruit, however, Mrs Gates, 44, admitted that some Apple products do have the power to tempt her. ‘Every now and then I look at my friends and say ‘Ooh, I wouldn’t mind having that iPhone,’ she admitted.

There is no doubt that Bill’s competitiveness and relentless drive to win is what made Microsoft into the company that it is. Gates is as shrewd and cutthroat as they come — and I think you have to respect that. But, it is a little over-the-top bitter to ban Apple products. Apple does make some good products (even if they are overpriced) and he should be man enough to admit that. Buy the old lady an iPhone I say — what the heck.

Does this also mean his family can’t use Google? Now that would be rough.

(image via DVICE)