Apple Comments on Microsoft's Laptop Hunter Ads

[SolRayz]

What should have been said:

"A PC is no bargain when it runs terrible operating systems such as Windows Vista ...."

Case Closed

 

[QCassidy352]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

We humans simply have to fight or argue over something or anything. Race, color, religion computer brand. When I was into PCs it was IBM vs Compaq and on and on ad nauseam ... we fight over anything at all.

agreed. Tribalism is rooted pretty deeply and strongly in our psyches. As fueds go, apple vs MS may be a silly one, but it's also pretty harmless.

 

[Goona]

Mac is not just the other company. Most Mac users have Windows installed in their computers. It's just they prefer to promote PC sales because in PCs they are the only OS. But they don't want to trash completely Macs: they still sell Office for Mac and Windows, etc.

Most Mac users have Windows installed on their computer, got any proof of that.

 

[dwd3885]

Funny, why? Do I really want to carry around six corded peripherals with me where ever I go? It's much funnier imagining that scenario. Come to think of it, I curse Apple for dropping the floppy drive - I have a s**tload of floppy discs from 20 years ago which I'd like to be able to load from time to time. Wireless keyboard, mouse - what need for extra USB ports?

you get my point exactly. wireless keyboard and mouse? Those are your only options. Apple has gotten you to spend even more money rather than just get cheaper, wired components via usb. That's why it's funny.

 

[Kila]

That's a terrible argument.
Bill Evans sounds like every other Mac fanboy out there.
"Well everyone knows Macs are just cooler because..... uhh... they look really sweet!"
C'mon, really?
That's his argument?

 

[dwd3885]

What about those of us who don't actually need a 6 in 1 card reader?

That's perfectly fine. Spend more, get less. Totally ok with that. If you don't take pictures and transfer them to your computer via the card, then you probably don't care. The funny thing is that photographers try to say the mac is better for them than a windows computer, yet, one of the main things you can do on a Dell or HP laptop built-in, that you cannot do on a mac, is use a built-in card reader to transfer your pictures.

 

[Goona]

That's a terrible argument.
Bill Evans sounds like every other Mac fanboy out there.
"Well everyone knows Macs are just cooler because..... uhh... they look really sweet!"
C'mon, really?
That's his argument?

At least it's better than hey don't get the cool alternative, get us because we're cheap.

 

[dwd3885]

At least it's better than hey don't get the cool alternative, get us because we're cheap.

Well I think Windows 7, 64-bit Adobe apps, Adobe Audition, card readers, esata ports are cool.

 

[Goona]

Well I think Windows 7, 64-bit Adobe apps, Adobe Audition, card readers, esata ports are cool.

So what.

 

[kornyboy]

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I like the Hunter ads. They are no different than the Mac/PC ads. Microsoft is just doing exactly what Aple has been doing for years. They are telling possible buyers why, in their opinion, their product is better than the competition. Microsoft just started late because when the Mac/PC ads came out they didn't see Apple as much of a threat now they feel that if they want to keep a good marketshare in the personal (home) computer market, they will have to fight back.

 

[Rob0711]

That's perfectly fine. Spend more, get less. Totally ok with that. If you don't take pictures and transfer them to your computer via the card, then you probably don't care. The funny thing is that photographers try to say the mac is better for them than a windows computer, yet, one of the main things you can do on a Dell or HP laptop built-in, that you cannot do on a mac, is use a built-in card reader to transfer your pictures.

the point is. when you´re on the road. say a mobile shooting where you move all the time. no one takes out his laptop. you do that once you´ve settled again. where it´s highly propable that you either have energy to boost an usb hub, or you have a dedicated system to push the pictures onto for later transfer. in the other option, a dedicated shooting where you do need electrical power either way... i guess the hub isn´t much of a hassle either. ok granted. you can´t transfer pictures as easily when you´re riding the subway home. the tradeoff is that big hole on the side of your laptop. choose for yourself.

 

[4D4M]

actually i know pretty few who do. most of the ones who do are web developers who need to run tests on an ie.

Agreed - one of the two reasons I use Windows is to see how web pages look in IE. The other is to be able to open (ugh!) Publisher documents.

Both of which really make me appreciate how great the Mac is.

Thanks for this Microsoft, and for making my Mac even more cool and exclusive with your adverts.

 

[ericinboston]

I laugh hard at the persistence of some folks on this board who are sorely misinformed:

1)There is no "war" between Apple and PC...there hasn't been a war since, oh, um, 1994 (16 years ago) when Windows95 was released...and even then PC land still had more than 75% marketshare. There is no war...why can't people get this? Folks here seem to think this is Pepsi vs. Coke. Rather, this is simple advertising like anything else you buy in the world (jeans, tvs, cars, shirts, etc.). Apple still only has 7% marketshare...Apple's been sitting in the single-digit zone for 20+ years. Apple, and others on this board, proudly state that Apple loves the 7% zone and wants to sell in this "niche". Ok. Fine. I am not sure if I believe that, though. If I ran a company, I'd probably want more than 7% marketshare. But that's me. Oh, and that's DEFINITELY 99% of the CEOs in America.

2)The MS ads are *NOT* stating to buy the "el cheapo" model of anything. $1500 for a laptop is quite a bit of money to spend...even if it was 3 years ago. If MS ever runs a desktop ad-campaign, it will likely target the $700 range because Apple only has 1 Mac to offer...the Mini. The current MS laptop ads hit the nail on the head...Apple does not sell an affordable laptop that the mass consumers can afford AND feel like it was worth the money. Not everyone are computer folks like us...who understand the performance specs, hardware needs, etc. You can blab all day about the $999 Macbook but when someone instantly sees the tiny screen, they walk away. One ad showed a lady who could spend $1000 but she bought a $699 HP. Another ad had a mom/son that had $1500 to spend and bought a Sony (not sure what the price is). For the *masses* out there, there is no need to spend more than $1500 in pc land for a laptop. There are plenty of PC laptops (that fit many different needs/scenarios)that can be bought for under $1000. And plenty under $500 (especially within the past year thanks to netbooks). That's all I'm saying...and that's all MS is saying. Apple has no reply to this (either in communication or in product)

3)I almost fell off my chair this morning when I saw the bold announcement that 6000 posts have been attributed to the 3 MS ads. Wow! 6000?! That's amazing. MS must be shaking in their boots! Oh, wait, let me do some quick math...6000 posts....many of the posts are by the same person...I would gather, on average, that every person posted 3 times. So roughly, realistically, that's about 2000 people talking. Even that I find hard to believe...my bet is about 500-600 individuals were chatting (but only Macrumors can confirm). Oh, and wait, not all the posts were bashing MS...about 20% were pc-friendly. But still, MacRumors is so inspired by 2000 people talking about the ads that they ran to Apple to get an extra opinioin? Puh-lease. I'm still laughing.


Hey, I don't hate Apple...I have a Mini and I grew up on the //e. But this whole war nonsense and the misunderstanding that the MS ads are selling el cheapo pcs is kind of annoying. Many people on this board sling mud around like it's 6th grade girls starting rumors in the hallways. Wake up people...listen to the ads...MS is not advocating $299 pcs...MS is advocating that MACS ARE EXPENSIVE. And the timing of the world economy couldn't be better.

Someone made a good point earlier...that there is no mid-market Apple desktop. I agree...Apple should roll out $800 mini-tower desktops. Something I can take the cover off without a putty knife. Something I can slap in more drives or upgrade my own RAM without paying through the nose for it at time-of-purchase or later on at the Apple Store because the darn computers are built like cigarette lighters (impossible to open is my point). I'd also like to add that Apple is QUICKLY missing the boat on its lack of netbooks. I reckon the netbooks are going to be as popular as the iPod craze. I have a Dell Mini9...got it for $275...it serves its purpose quite well as a super lightweight super quiet super cool (temperature) super long life (6 hour battery) SIMPLE web surfing machine...and that my wife can place in her pocketbook.

-Eric

 

[dwd3885]

the point is. when you´re on the road. say a mobile shooting where you move all the time. no one takes out his laptop. you do that once you´ve settled again. where it´s highly propable that you either have energy to boost an usb hub, or you have a dedicated system to push the pictures onto for later transfer. in the other option, a dedicated shooting where you do need electrical power either way... i guess the hub isn´t much of a hassle either. ok granted. you can´t transfer pictures as easily when you´re riding the subway home. the tradeoff is that big hole on the side of your laptop. choose for yourself.

The reason some photographers like macs is because of the design and they like OSX. Which is perfectly acceptable and a legit reason. But then to come out and say they can do these things on their mac but not a pc is ridiculous.

The entire Adobe suite is on PC and you get 64-bit. Many people think Lightroom is better than Aperture.

I'm not saying you said this or anything, but there is definitely this perception. Mac users (I am one of them!) don't need to justify their purchase or attempt to put down windows in order to feel good about using OSX. Because you can do the same thing on Windows and with better performance too.

 

[Goona]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

I like the Hunter ads. They are no different than the Mac/PC ads. Microsoft is just doing exactly what Aple has been doing for years. They are telling possible buyers why, in their opinion, their product is better than the competition. Microsoft just started late because when the Mac/PC ads came out they didn't see Apple as much of a threat now they feel that if they want to keep a good marketshare in the personal (home) computer market, they will have to fight back.

They are not saying theirs is better, they are not even talking about the wonderful product they offer on those computers Vista, they are just saying buy because its cheaper than the cooler alternative.

 

[basura!]

And I know several musicians, with actual recording contracts

Uh huh. Suuuuure you do.

who laugh at those who suggest they use Macs with Logic Pro.

And there are a number of audio-industry heavyweights who enjoy a good laugh at Alsihad (er, I mean ProTools). Some of their musings are damn funny.
But it's a bit odd that you'd bring up ProTools to begin with, seeing how it represents a lot of what PC fanboys hate about Macs (and what the Laptop Hunters ads are about):

1 - It's a closed system
"I can't use my Lynx audio interface? How about an Apogee Ensemble? Why not?"

2 - Largely proprietary
Insert a cool TDM or RTAS plugin on a track in Sonar, Cubase, Logic or DP. Oh wait, you can't.

3 - Ungodly expensive
Ever price a ProTools rig? I'm not talking about the crippled toy LE versions but the real thing: ProTools|HD. Digi's stratospheric pricing makes Apple computers look like downright bargains. Put it this way... if you're thinking of buying a ProTools|HD system with a full set of quality plugins you'd better have a Defense Department sized budget.

In fact, with far less money you can assemble a monster Logic setup that will outperform a typical ProTools|HD rig (better A/D converters, tighter midi timing, etc.).
Hey... Apple should put together a 'DAW Hunters' commercial

 

[dwd3885]

"A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want"

That's really funny. Because over 90% of the world uses Windows computers to get things done. Does nobody want that?

No wonder apple fanboys act the way they do, this guy does the same thing! lol

 

[Rob0711]

I laugh hard at the persistence of some folks on this board who are sorely misinformed:

1)There is no "war" between Apple and PC...there hasn't been a war since, oh, um, 1994 (16 years ago) when Windows95 was released...and even then PC land still had more than 75% marketshare. There is no war...why can't people get this? Folks here seem to think this is Pepsi vs. Coke. Rather, this is simple advertising like anything else you buy in the world (jeans, tvs, cars, shirts, etc.). Apple still only has 7% marketshare...Apple's been sitting in the single-digit zone for 20+ years. Apple, and others on this board, proudly state that Apple loves the 7% zone and wants to sell in this "niche". Ok. Fine. I am not sure if I believe that, though. If I ran a company, I'd probably want more than 7% marketshare. But that's me. Oh, and that's DEFINITELY 99% of the CEOs in America.

2)The MS ads are *NOT* stating to buy the "el cheapo" model of anything. $1500 for a laptop is quite a bit of money to spend...even if it was 3 years ago. If MS ever runs a desktop ad-campaign, it will likely target the $700 range because Apple only has 1 Mac to offer...the Mini. The current MS laptop ads hit the nail on the head...Apple does not sell an affordable laptop that the mass consumers can afford AND feel like it was worth the money. Not everyone are computer folks like us...who understand the performance specs, hardware needs, etc. You can blab all day about the $999 Macbook but when someone instantly sees the tiny screen, they walk away. One ad showed a lady who could spend $1000 but she bought a $699 HP. Another ad had a mom/son that had $1500 to spend and bought a Sony (not sure what the price is). For the *masses* out there, there is no need to spend more than $1500 in pc land for a laptop. There are plenty of PC laptops (that fit many different needs/scenarios)that can be bought for under $1000. And plenty under $500 (especially within the past year thanks to netbooks). That's all I'm saying...and that's all MS is saying. Apple has no reply to this (either in communication or in product)

3)I almost fell off my chair this morning when I saw the bold announcement that 6000 posts have been attributed to the 3 MS ads. Wow! 6000?! That's amazing. MS must be shaking in their boots! Oh, wait, let me do some quick math...6000 posts....many of the posts are by the same person...I would gather, on average, that every person posted 3 times. So roughly, realistically, that's about 2000 people talking. Even that I find hard to believe...my bet is about 500-600 individuals were chatting (but only Macrumors can confirm). Oh, and wait, not all the posts were bashing MS...about 20% were pc-friendly. But still, MacRumors is so inspired by 2000 people talking about the ads that they ran to Apple to get an extra opinioin? Puh-lease. I'm still laughing.


Hey, I don't hate Apple...I have a Mini and I grew up on the //e. But this whole war nonsense and the misunderstanding that the MS ads are selling el cheapo pcs is kind of annoying. Many people on this board sling mud around like it's 6th grade girls starting rumors in the hallways. Wake up people...listen to the ads...MS is not advocating $299 pcs...MS is advocating that MACS ARE EXPENSIVE. And the timing of the world economy couldn't be better.

Someone made a good point earlier...that there is no mid-market Apple desktop. I agree...Apple should roll out $800 mini-tower desktops. Something I can take the cover off without a putty knife. Something I can slap in more drives or upgrade my own RAM without paying through the nose for it at time-of-purchase or later on at the Apple Store because the darn computers are built like cigarette lighters (impossible to open is my point). I'd also like to add that Apple is QUICKLY missing the boat on its lack of netbooks. I reckon the netbooks are going to be as popular as the iPod craze. I have a Dell Mini9...got it for $275...it serves its purpose quite well as a super lightweight super quiet super cool (temperature) super long life (6 hour battery) SIMPLE web surfing machine...and that my wife can place in her pocketbook.

-Eric

i agree with you there. but i don´t think macrumors ran to apple or vice versa to get a statement about the amount of posts being made. i´d rather say (as i stated before that it´s just marketing economics, because someone out there earns alot of money once referencing the number of posts made in connection with the ads (and least posts were about the ads at all... but i said that earlier) the other point i disagree with is the netbook market. sure apple loses a safe bet cash cow by not participating in it (so far) but from an economic point of view these are people who would have bought a normal laptop instead. so i doubt this is a new market. it just cannibalizes other laptop sales. it does show one point though. the masses don´t need a high end gaming laptop nor a mobile workstation. and 8.7 " of plastic get the surf and mail job done just ok. which brings me back to agreeing about the pointlessness of this discussion. all the groups flaming in here are minorities of a sort. we just have different perspectives or uses for our machines. (ok one minority shares alot with the masses out there (os, brands used etc.) ) still neither will persuade the other side. but why. it´s a sort of free sociecty and we have the right to choose for ourselves. we all do.

 

[peterdevries]

"A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want"

That's really funny. Because over 90% of the world uses Windows computers to get things done. Does nobody want that?

No wonder apple fanboys act the way they do, this guy does the same thing! lol

You miss his point. If you have a PC that is not capable of doing what you want it to do, than it's a waste of money. But this goes for a MAC also.

Need an example?: two years ago I bought a VIAO with VISTA home premium. Although I'm not a novice user, I couldn't get it to connect to my wireless network. It took me a lot of hours to figure out why and to configure the bugger. A lot of wasted time, and time is money. If I think back, I spent a lot of time with my PC's configuring them and installing stuff so it would do what I want it to do.

My experience with OS X on my MBP is that it connected to my home network upon the first boot automatically (without configuring), and that I don't need to go through all these lenghts to get it to work the way I want it to.

I have not been disappointed by the phrase "it just works". This is definitely not my experience with PC's.

 

[ericinboston]

i agree with you there. but i don´t think macrumors ran to apple or vice versa to get a statement about the amount of posts being made. i´d rather say (as i stated before that it´s just marketing economics, because someone out there earns alot of money once referencing the number of posts made in connection with the ads (and least posts were about the ads at all... but i said that earlier) the other point i disagree with is the netbook market. sure apple loses a safe bet cash cow by not participating in it (so far) but from an economic point of view these are people who would have bought a normal laptop instead. so i doubt this is a new market. it just cannibalizes other laptop sales. it does show one point though. the masses don´t need a high end gaming laptop nor a mobile workstation. and 8.7 " of plastic get the surf and mail job done just ok. which brings me back to agreeing about the pointlessness of this discussion. all the groups flaming in here are minorities of a sort. we just have different perspectives or uses for our machines. (ok one minority shares alot with the masses out there (os, brands used etc.) ) still neither will persuade the other side. but why. it´s a sort of free sociecty and we have the right to choose for ourselves. we all do.

Correct...there are many uses for a computer...and you again are correct that there are a lot of us who don't need a gaming or super high end computer...nor do we need a netbook. Something in the middle...these days (sheez, I sound like an old man) so much of "computing" is done online...checking email, shopping at online stores, doing work, uploading photos, paying bills, etc. Yeah, there are some thick client apps like Word and Photoshop and stuff but a lot of people understand that any computer is going to have enough power for those thick client apps...and the web apps.

I think Netbooks are really going to empower people to own more than 1 laptop. Have a nice $1000 laptop that is your daily use for work or whatever, and a $300 one for travel or simply a secondary laptop for the rest of the family or what have you. And if the $300 breaks or is stolen, no biggie...it wasn't expensive. Not that people are made of money. Quite a few people are also using netbooks as a mini desktop...just plug it into their nice 20" monitor and you have a super thin desktop with a nice big screen. Add a wireless keyboard/mouse combo for $30 if you choose.

Apple isn't going to go out of business by NOT creating a netbook...but if netbooks are going to keep selling like hotcakes and become people's primary OR secondary OR 3rd computer in the household, that is going to rob Apple of marketshare as well as money. The netbook pricepoint is just so sweet.

 

[epheterson]

I love how there's a macbook for $999 over at apple:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook

It's $949 with a student discount! Microsoft seems to neglect that fact.

"Under a thousand dollars!"

 

[MikeTheC]

Isn't that a bit of a childish remark? No wonder PC users see us as snobbish.

Yup, Macs users are smarter and cooler than pc users.

Well, I know I'm smarter and better than a PC user, but then again, Windows is the "default" option so you don't have to "choose" it. The moment you make a "choice" you're already not using Windows by definition.

 

[ericinboston]

I love how there's a macbook for $999 over at apple:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook

It's $949 with a student discount! Microsoft seems to neglect that fact.

"Under a thousand dollars!"

You obviously don't have eyes and ears.

The MS ad that asks a lady to go find a "laptop" for under $1000 clearly shows the woman looks at the $999 MB...and she comments about how it was overpriced for what she feels she needs.

If I am not mistaken, all 3 MS ads articulate a person looking at a Mac and then, duh, choosing a PC.

 

[Rob0711]

@ericinboston
yes the netbook part is right but my point was that most people will use them as their only computer. which will change the laptop/nettop demography a lot. and i said that apple has (so far!) stayed out of that business. In my eyes mostly because it sort of competes with their handheld strategy at the moment. i think they will rather add a "super touch" as a netbook type of gear for those who want ultra mobile surfing and mailing and add a small laptop at the pricepoint of the current whitebook (propably a bit below it still in that ballpark) for the people who want a bit more power and still something ultraportable. something like that might even work out since most users just won´t need the power of the netbooks either (and yes i tested it. have a osx mini9 here and tried all sorts of apps on it from audio to cg software. and it all ran (albeit a bit tiresome) but i agree with you. when going somewhere it might get rough it really makes sense to take a cheap computer if you do need one there ).

 

[ericinboston]

Need an example?: two years ago I bought a VIAO with VISTA home premium. Although I'm not a novice user, I couldn't get it to connect to my wireless network. It took me a lot of hours to figure out why and to configure the bugger. A lot of wasted time, and time is money. If I think back, I spent a lot of time with my PC's configuring them and installing stuff so it would do what I want it to do.

My experience with OS X on my MBP is that it connected to my home network upon the first boot automatically (without configuring), and that I don't need to go through all these lenghts to get it to work the way I want it to.

I have not been disappointed by the phrase "it just works". This is definitely not my experience with PC's.

Here we go again...stories of PCs being unable to do the simplist "task".

And of course this never happens in the Mac world. Never ever ever never.

And of course this story, which lacks so many details, couldn't put the blame on a bad router...or human error...or that the internet service was down for a little while.

Granted, maybe the problem truly was the PC...but you'd be a fool NOT to return it immediately for either an identical replacement or another choice.

If you bought a tv and it didn't work would you move to Europe in order to use their tv standards or would you return the tv and get a replacement? In your example, you moved to Europe.

-Eric