Few companies’ success is as inextricably linked to its CEO as that of Apple Computers, one of the tech sector’s big winners despite the down economy. And now the public is getting a look at how Steve Jobs relates to the folks who buy and use his products.

Much as been made about Jobs and his habit not only of reading the e-mail customers send him, but also answering a portion of it.

It’s not unusual for those who send a message to the mercurial CEO to get one back from him. Some are sent from his iPhone, some from his iPad.

Most are short, to the point and strikingly honest.

Jobs rarely flatters or pleads with his correspondents. Many of his replies are only a word or two. And often, he’ll be a bit insulting — even with longtime, loyal customers.

One customer whose laptop suffered water damage appealed to Jobs for better or at least more reasonable repair service. Jobs reply: “They are pro machines and they don’t like water. It sounds like you’re just looking for someone to get mad at other than yourself.”

To read a selection of Jobs’ famous (or infamous) e-mail responses, visit here.

Of course not all CEOs can get away with kind of blunt talk with customers. It helps that Apple’s core fan base is almost evangelical in their appreciation for Apple products.

One possible reason for the company’s success: Their computers are designed with the user in mind. This doesn’t mean that Windows or Linux machines don’t have appeal to many users, but for “user friendliness,” few computers are better than an Apple product.

Many technology professionals prefer the Windows platform because of their ability to use it like a tool that will construct solutions to technological problems.

Apple computers, on the other hand, function more like appliances that will accomplish tasks or gather information that’s needed by the user.

It’s kind of like choosing the tools to build car or buying a model off the lot and driving it home.