Sorry Microsoft — for now, you'll need a Mac to use the new desktop version of ChatGPT

Beatrice Nolan
A composite image of Sam Altman and Satya Nadella
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (left) and Microsoft CEO Satya NadellaJoel Saget/AFP and Loren Elliott via Getty Images

  • Microsoft is a key OpenAI investor but Windows users must wait to get access to ChatGPT on desktop.

  • The app will be available for both free and paid users on Mac first of all.

  • OpenAI said it plans to launch a Windows version "later this year."

A ChatGPT app is coming to Apple's Mac laptops before Windows despite Microsoft's hefty investment in the company.

In a blog post, OpenAI said a new ChatGPT desktop app for macOS will be available for both free and paid users. The rollout for Plus users kicked off on Monday.

OpenAI said the app was "designed to integrate seamlessly into anything you're doing on your computer" and could be activated with a keyboard shortcut.

However, Windows users will seemingly have to wait for their own version of the new app. OpenAI said in the blog post that they planned to launch a Windows version "later this year."

Axios reporter Ina Fried said on social media OpenAI told her the company had "started with the Mac because they prioritized where their users are."

Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI since the launch of ChatGPT. The Big Tech company is the company's largest investor, reportedly to the tune of $10 billion.

Microsoft has benefited from the partnership as an AI arms race engulfed Big Tech companies. The company was able to capitalize on the buzzy tech behind ChatGPT, integrating it quickly into products such as Bing and Office365.

The savvy investment has even led to claims Microsoft managed to put old rival Google on the back foot, despite Google's history as a pinoeer in the AI sector.

The scale of the investment has also ruffled some feathers, most notably those of OpenAI cofounder Elon Musk.

Earlier this year, the billionaire sued OpenAI over the partnership, accusing the company of betraying OpenAI's mission of benefiting humanity amid a multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft.

Representatives for Microsoft and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

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