As Bill Gates is shifting priorities, everyone is making assumptions: will CEO Steve Ballmer rise to the expectations? Will he be around for at least 10 more years, as he said, as head of Microsoft? Is there Microsoft without Bill Gates?

The friendship between the two is well known by now. Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates have known each other since college days, and they complemented each other as partners in what was to become one of the dominant names in the tech industry.

With just days away from Gates’ retirement, when he will switch from being a full-time Microsoft chairman to being a full-time philanthropist, Ballmer must be feeling the pressure, as all eyes are on him.

It’s not an easy job filling Bill Gates’ shoes, not just in terms of capability, as Ballmer has proved himself all these years, but also in terms of image. After all, when you say Microsoft, you say Bill Gates… or Ballmer, as of Friday.

Ballmer seems not only to be ready to take over, but also very decided to stick around 10 more years from now. That means that by the end of this period, Ballmer will not only be 62, but will also outrun most Fortune 500 CEOs.

While some give Ballmer credit, saying he is up for the task, others say that once the Gates – Ballmer duo had broken, it’s hard to believe he would be able to do it. Some believe Ballmer is likely to focus more on sales, rather than the overall business.

However, despite all the rumors, discussions and assumptions, Gates is confident that he’s leaving behind a company with a bright future ahead, with people like Ballmer, Ozzie and Mundie watching out for its best interests.

After 30 years as leader of Microsoft, Bill Gates now prepares to dedicate 80 percent of his time to his job at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in order to fulfill his “healthy people in every country” objective.