The Grouchy Side of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is known for sending curt email replies to Apple customers. The latest incident: an alleged exchange between the superstar CEO and a Long Island University journalism student, who had a few questions about the Apple iPad.

According to PC Magazine, the student, Chelsea Kate Isaacs, was assigned a class project regarding the iPad's use in the classroom. Isaacs claims she phoned Apple's PR department multiple times seeking a quote. None of those calls were returned, so she did what many Apple customers have done before: She emailed the company's co-founder.

Gawker.com includes the email exchange:

"Mr. Jobs, I humbly ask why Apple is so wonderfully attentive to the needs of students, whether it be with the latest, greatest invention or the company's helpful customer service line, and yet, ironically, the Media Relations Department fails to answer any of my questions which are, as I have repeatedly told them, essential to my academic performance."

Jobs:

"Our goals do not include helping you get a good grade. Sorry."

Upset and surprised by the response from Jobs, Isaacs wrote again, clarifying that she just wanted a comment, not the company's help in getting a good grade. Jobs again replied, explaining that the company can't respond to everyone. "We have over 300 million users," Jobs wrote, "and we can't respond to their requests unless they involve a problem of some kind. Sorry."

Isaacs wrote back explaining that she was an Apple customer with a problem (the PR department wouldn't talk to her). Jobs's reply: "Please leave us alone."

Related: Is Steve Jobs an amateur ninja?

The exchange may sound amazing to those unfamiliar with Jobs' style of email. However, it's actually on par with some of his "greatest hits." His personal email address is well known on the Web, and people have asked him before for comments. We spoke to Isaacs, who assures us that the exchange is "absolutely true." TechCrunch isn't so sure. Our call to Apple's Media Relations department wasn't immediately returned.

A website, emailsfromsteve.com, collects some of his better known missives. They're usually quick, to the point, and borderline rude. One of our personal favorites: A customer wrote to Jobs to complain about the new iTunes logo, which he believed isn't as good as the old one. Jobs's two-word reply: "We disagree."

crusher machinecrusher machinecrusher machinecrusher machinecrusher machinecrusher machine