Back in October 6, 2015 Patently Apple posted a report titled "With Microsoft launching their First Notebook Today could a Desktop be next?" Weeks later Microsoft's former CEO strongly stated that "only Microsoft could challenge Apple in software and hardware." More specifically Ballmer stated that "I mean who's really going after the Mac?" Considering the interview was after the release of their first notebook called the Surface Book, it was pretty clear that he was hinting at a desktop too. That hint is now supported by a new patent application that was made public for the first time last week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office titled "Modular Computing Device." The design begins with a slick all-in-one design base that allows a user to add layers to the desktop so that a user can begin with a starter design and then add more power, memory, graphics cards and more over time in a stackable design.

Is Microsoft out to challenge Apple's iMac? Yes, most certainly and Ballmer is cheering it on – loudly as one would expect. In fact he's hoping for a little revenge for Apple out-thinking and killing Microsoft with the iPhone in 2007 where Ballmer made the mistake of laughing at Apple for attempting to take on the established mobile phone leaders of the day. Yes, Apple silenced Ballmer and eventually killed his leadership at Microsoft. Could this modular centric Desktop be a real iMac Killer? Unlikely, but only time will tell.

For more on this invention, see our full Patently Mobile report here.

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