The film begins in the 1970s as Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak work out of Jobs' parents' garage, developing the Apple I computer. Jobs is shown as a visionary and perfectionist, while Wozniak is depicted as the technical genius behind their creations.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates is a Harvard dropout who, with his childhood friend Paul Allen, forms Microsoft in 1975. Gates is portrayed as a shrewd businessman with an intense drive to succeed.
As Apple and Microsoft grow, the rivalry between Jobs and Gates intensifies. Jobs is determined to create a revolutionary user-friendly computer, while Gates focuses on making software that can run on any hardware platform.
The film chronicles the launch of Apple's Macintosh in 1984, the development of Microsoft Windows, and the rise of graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It also includes dramatizations of key events such as the famous "Homebrew Computer Club" meeting where Jobs first demonstrates the Apple I, the "Lisa" project, and the legal battles between Apple and Microsoft over intellectual property rights.
Throughout the film, Jobs' obsession with perfection and his uncompromising attitude often lead to conflicts with his colleagues and employees. Gates, on the other hand, is shown as a more pragmatic and calculating leader who is willing to make compromises in order to achieve his goals.
"Pirates of Silicon Valley" offers an insightful look into the early days of the technology industry, showcasing the passion, ambition, and rivalry that shaped the development of personal computers and software. The film highlights the contributions of Jobs, Gates, and other visionaries who revolutionized the digital age.