As MacWorld inches closer and closer, I can't help but have a little fear of what will become of the Apple I know and love once Steve Jobs retires. Although Apple insists that he is ready to hand over the torch to a new set of leaders, the rumor remains that his health is the reason for the changeover and subsequent disappearing act from MacWorld.
What do you think — Will Apple be the same without Steve Jobs as the leader and face of the company, or is the fear just all in our heads?
The Steves (both Jobs and the Woz) were the brains behind the inception of the brand that become Apple/Macintosh. Jobs, although a brilliant and charismatic business man, has had serious issues with his company in the past. There was a time when Jobs wasn't around, shaping the company. True, Apple has seen serious success since Jobs came back, but they will continue to shine; Microsoft has seen dips in its numbers since Apple's return. And since Apple's been around just as long as MS, they've shown staying power.
The company will continue its path and the consumers will continue to be loyal to the company they've come to know and trust.
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Apple won't be the same without its beloved creator, but the company will be fine. I'm sure Jobs has left his baby in very capable hands.
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Walt Disney comes to mind when I think of this situation and I believe that the success and the advancement of innovative products are not to be worried about when someone leaves, especially the owner and visionary.
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Apple still wont impress me.
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I'm sure they'll be fine...
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whilehis memory will live on through the quality of apple's products, his presence is not essential to the brand's future success.
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This makes me sad, and I hope that we the Mac community will stay as creative and as visionary as Steve showed us. Mac user is not just another computer user, it's the question of lifestyle and pop culture!
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Jonathan Ive is a VERY sexy man. I am crossing my fingers that he takes over. 
its not the end of the world. countries get new leaders, there is always a new pope, etc... it will be FINE.
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It won't be the same, that's for sure.
But Apple will still be on top. :]
Of course it's not going to be the SAME...but it's not going to affect the brand much.
I never thought Steve Jobs [he's just a guy, after all] *was* the Apple brand. I didn't even know who he was until 3 months after I bought my first Apple product. I don't associate people with products and brands, but rather quality and performance with the brand.
The brand speaks for itself. Apple certainly won't lose any money, that's for sure! 
why there firing him???
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I agree I will miss seeing him on stage and I think things will be different but I don't think it will go downhill or change for the bad.
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i'm not sure. i think that the thing we really need to remember is that this has happened in many other sectors/companies and they have been able to live on successfully. i'm sure that he's found the right team to take the reins and it's just a matter of time until we see what they can/will do.
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I think without Steve, Apple would probably still run well but it would be a totally different Apple from that point~
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I love how everyone agrees it's going to be different but not for the worse
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I honestly really don't care. I'm not an Apple girl and I doubt I'll ever be an Apple girl.
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I am worried -- Apple is my brand and want it to last forever they make the best, most innovative and highest quality tech products. If they're quality goes down I don't know what I would buy
instead 
Maybe once Jobs is gone they'll usher in a new era of right-clicking.
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Of course it won't be same, Steve has a stage presence and charisma that can't be replaced.
But Apple will be fine. The company is staffed by brilliant people, so they will continue to make the same amazing products.
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