Adam Osborne Quotes, born March 6, 1939, in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in England, was a British-American author, publisher, and computer entrepreneur who revolutionized the tech industry by introducing the Osborne 1 in 1981, the first commercially successful portable computer. A prolific writer, he authored influential books like An Introduction to Microcomputers (1975) and Hypergrowth (1984), documenting the rise and fall of his Osborne Computer Corporation.
These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, his writings, posts on X, and public statements—reflect his insights on technology, innovation, business, and resilience, capturing his visionary spirit and pragmatic approach.
15 Adam Osborne Quotes
- “The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake—you can’t learn anything from being perfect.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The future lies in designing and selling computers that people don’t realize are computers at all.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “People think computers will keep them from making mistakes. They’re wrong. With computers you make mistakes faster.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Never invent, always improve.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Adequacy is sufficient. All else is superfluous.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “The guy who knows about computers is the last person you want to have creating documentation for people who don’t understand computers.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The technology trap is that you can get all excited about the glitz of a new product and not realize what you’re letting go of.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Money coming in says I’ve made the right marketing decisions.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “With bundled machines you can throw away the hardware and keep the software, and it’s still a good buy.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The computer industry is even more fashion-driven than women’s fashion.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Venture capitalists are like lemmings jumping on the software bandwagon.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “The small businessman is smart; he realizes there’s no free lunch. On the other hand, he knows where to go to get a good inexpensive sandwich.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “We can learn from IBM’s successful history that you don’t have to have the best product to become number one. You don’t even have to have a good product.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
Adam Osborne’s quotes are a sharp blend of innovation, pragmatism, and cautionary wisdom, inspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts to embrace mistakes, focus on utility, and question the allure of shiny new tech. Which one sparks your next big idea? Share it below and keep Osborne’s pioneering legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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