Obama claims to be Mac, but spotted with a Zune

Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:53AM EST

See Comments (69)

Our president-elect professes to be a card-carrying Machead, yet here he is, reportedly working out in the gym with a Zune—yes, the Microsoft Zune—in his pocket. They're already calling it Zunegate.

City Paper reporter Neal Santos broke the scandalous story earlier this week, after spotting Obama in a Philadelphia gym during his morning workout. Santos (who admits picking up the pace on own his treadmill to keep up with our next commander-in-chief) casually looked over and … well, he swears up and down that "from what I saw, [Obama] was using a Zune."

Zut alors!

Now, as Gizmodo points out, our POTUS-to-be is supposedly a Mac user—but the Zune desktop software (which you'd need to sync playlists or podcasts) is Windows-only.

So, what's the deal? Was he just borrowing the Zune from Michelle or a member of his Secret Service detail (as Santos suggests in a follow-up post)? Was Santos just plain mistaken? Or—is Obama a closet Windows junkie? Are we talking cover-up here?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Quick poll: Which flavor of laptop would you rather see in the Oval Office—Windows or Mac? Fire away below.

Update: Obama's camp fires back, says he uses an iPod. Where are Woodward and Bernstein when you need them?

Related:
Cardio with Obama [City Paper]

Comments on Obama claims to be Mac, but spotted with a Zune

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  • 26 Posted by rebecca.jewell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Oops... I meant BETTER. Maybe I should say MORE IMPORTANT.

  • 27 Posted by final_station on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was getting all happy until I read the update. I don't mind mac, but you get more storage for your buck with the Zune.

  • 28 Posted by wcolbe1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Maybe just maybe all of the computers he has to use now are windows based. He does have to do things a bit different now. I guess if Yahoo upper management is in shambles than anyone can write for yahoo, great insight into a funny topic. Don't quit your day job, or should i say don't get fired the job market is a mess.

  • 29 Posted by jh197293 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can i have my 5 minutes back,,,dumbest thing i ever saw. Who cares......

  • 30 Posted by darksomehandsome on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    you call this a scandal, how about we focus on his support of warrantless wiretapping? I thought we were going to revert back to democracy, I guess I was mistaken.

  • 31 Posted by silvester_ivo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Trying to see your new elect president from more optimist point of view. That MP3 player is prepared by his secretary or one of his aides. It contain the final draft of his new speech, which he have to memorize. All he have to do is take it and listen it. It may not be a zune after all. It's an MP3 player made by CIA -covered with zune case-, which can blow itself after he listens it, for secrecy purpose.

  • 32 Posted by silvester_ivo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    For those who is annoyed with this article: Of course it matters. This is yahoo tech, a gadget blog. Obama choices about mac over PC is more important than whether he is a good president or not. Keep a good sense of humor. Hei, something funny just passed my mind. Remember those mac ads? Imagine this ads: Bush and Obama appear with white background. Bush says "Hi, I'm PC" Obama says "Hi, I'm Mac" Bush says "Hallo, Mac" Obama says "Hallo, PC" Imagine the rest

  • 33 Posted by meeksmen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have a Zune, I hate Apple and all their sorry products. Zune picks up the radio, has a bigger screen than the ipod, has a more clear picture, has wi-fi...i could go on forever baby...Obama rocks and so does the Zune!

  • 34 Posted by fatman8888 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Anything with World of Warcraft (or any MMOG) installed on it. :P (joke) Now that would be something. Imagine everything he says will be internally logged for future reference and then some lonely teenager comes along and tries to have cyber -uh- relationship with him.

  • 35 Posted by micropterus06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow these people can really turn something unimportant into a sensational "story". WHO CARES

  • 36 Posted by edwinm430 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    MACINTOSH ALL THE WAY BABY YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! (I Like Winders To Though)

  • 37 Posted by pc194202 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't want to see a computer in the Oval Office.

  • 38 Posted by xcomix on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    And why do I need to know this?

  • 39 Posted by jjkunnat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Who gives a flying flick what this guy listens with. He prolly got it for free somewhere by somebody, so why not use the thing. Cut him some slack. What's next, his choice in fabric softener? Sheesh!

  • 40 Posted by odoslinz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    While it may be an irrelevant issue to many, it has been my experience from sociological and psychological studies that computer choice is a base indicator of personality traits and human interaction. Anyone who wants and who enjoys a Microsoft product is not a decisive person with high standards and an understanding of quality versus quantity; the dominant trait is an inclination to settle to a point of complacency and acceptance through cognitive dissonance.

  • 41 Posted by dejaalle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    The fear of the president going without the right click is to great for them to handle. Please if that man can't use a blackberry for sure there's no way their gonna let him have a mac desktop. The ipod will probably stay, this guy must be mistaken or he was using someone else's device.Or maybe he doesn't want to mess up his ipod so he has a zune for a back up.

  • 42 Posted by jjkunnat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ben Patterson claims to be smart, but spotted writing this article!

  • 43 Posted by edwardlehmanpaints on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I guess you voted wrong again Mr Alexgannis. There are those who care about their choice of Cammander and Chief. As for me there is never enough of Obama good will. Keep it comming. Eduardo

  • 44 Posted by davpet99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    i m wondering if the man was elected for his platform or his tech savvy....just a thought since it really doesnt mean jack s***....so all you you haters out there get a life and try to help the man out all you can...otherwise i hope you end up unemployed and in a soup line

  • 45 Posted by sznome on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges...

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