But as he also admits in the book, he would pursue anything and everything, but Bill Gates would temper his expectations and help direct energy in a productive

But as he also admits in the book, he would pursue anything and everything, but Bill Gates would temper his expectations and help direct energy in a productive direction; so, it's possible--or even likely, I think--that Paul Allen would have started one of the many, many computer companies that didn't succeed. i.e. a PC manufacturer with a million competitors. Of course, it's also possible he would have been wildly successful as an early entrant. Who can say?