Apple Wins Assortment of Advertising Awards in Adweek's 'Best of the 2000s'

[LagunaSol]

The Mac ads are pure FUD and I think it actually antagonizes people who know about computers.

Examples please?

Since you probably won't be able to provide any, allow me to provide some of my own, based on some of the actual ads:

Windows is far more prone to viruses and spyware than Mac: FACT
Macs come with better digital media software out of the box: FACT
Macs don't come preloaded with a bunch of crapware like PCs: FACT
The number of Vista/Windows 7 versions is confusing: FACT
UAC in Vista was a PITA: FACT
There's nothing for Windows owners that parallels the customer support of the Genius Bar: FACT
Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT

The list goes on and on.

Seems like your line about "pure FUD" is....pure FUD.

 

[BongoBanger]

Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT.

How come it has about five times the market share of all versions of OS X then?

 

[Rocketman]

I was simply riffing off of Rocketman's responses,

Which I greatly appreciate. Riffing = good.

Rocketman

Examples please?

Since you probably won't be able to provide any, allow me to provide some of my own, based on some of the actual ads:

Windows is far more prone to viruses and spyware than Mac: FACT
Macs come with better digital media software out of the box: FACT
Macs don't come preloaded with a bunch of crapware like PCs: FACT
The number of Vista/Windows 7 versions is confusing: FACT
UAC in Vista was a PITA: FACT
There's nothing for Windows owners that parallels the customer support of the Genius Bar: FACT
Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT

The list goes on and on.

Seems like your line about "pure FUD" is....pure FUD.

Wait! A factual presentation about a product can instill fear, uncertainty, and doubt about that product in the mind of the viewer.

Just justified FUD.

Rocketman

 

[50548]

Examples please?

Since you probably won't be able to provide any, allow me to provide some of my own, based on some of the actual ads:

Windows is far more prone to viruses and spyware than Mac: FACT
Macs come with better digital media software out of the box: FACT
Macs don't come preloaded with a bunch of crapware like PCs: FACT
The number of Vista/Windows 7 versions is confusing: FACT
UAC in Vista was a PITA: FACT
There's nothing for Windows owners that parallels the customer support of the Genius Bar: FACT
Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT

The list goes on and on.

Seems like your line about "pure FUD" is....pure FUD.

You forgot to mention how stupidly bad UI multitasking and virtual memory management are with Windows...it's AMAZING how I am unable to shift between IE, Outlook and MS Office at work without suffering from 30-sec or even 1-minute freezes...Windows is FUD in itself. Whoever denies this FACT is used to inferior products, or simply doesn't know how much cleaner, faster and efficient Macs are.

Even my longtime PC-using brother-in-law, a tech savvy person with a high-end Windows box at home, is very close to switching now...he is absolutely tired of pop-up windows warning him of viruses and trojans, UAC crap, thrashing disk activity (even with a SSD) and overall slowness that is only resolved after a restart or new install.

In other words, it's good to be a fanboy...we have reasons to behave in such a way.

 

[Eidorian]

You forgot to mention how stupidly bad UI multitasking and virtual memory management are with Windows...it's AMAZING how I am unable to shift between IE, Outlook and MS Office at work without suffering from 30-sec or even 1-minute freezes...Windows is FUD in itself. Whoever denies this FACT is used to inferior products, or simply doesn't know how much cleaner, faster and efficient Macs are.

Even my longtime PC-using brother-in-law, a tech savvy person with a high-end Windows box at home, is very close to switching now...he is absolutely tired of pop-up windows warning him of viruses and trojans, UAC crap, thrashing disk activity (even with a SSD) and overall slowness that is only resolved after a restart or new install.

Why is it that I never have these problems?

 

[Eidorian]

Yeah, tell me about it.

I see users have disastrous experiences regardless of the operating system and hardware. I have trouble understanding it.

 

[lilo777]

More FUD?

Examples please?

Since you probably won't be able to provide any, allow me to provide some of my own, based on some of the actual ads:

Windows is far more prone to viruses and spyware than Mac: FACT

Define "prone". Define which version of Windows are you talking about. Wnidows 98? From a technical perspective Windows 7 is better protected safer than OS/X. It's true that there are much more malware for Windows but this is a tradeoff that people should make: more available software (including malware) vs obscure platform with very limited software choices (and here Ubuntu ar better yet VMS will spank everything )

Macs come with better digital media software out of the box: FACT

Perhaps. So what? There is much better selection of such software on PC side anyways. One can easily pick up available free software which will be better tha what comes standard with OS/X.

Macs don't come preloaded with a bunch of crapware like PCs: FACT

It's just FUD. What about iWorks or Safari? In reality, as always with PCs, you have options. You can buy PC with crapware (and save a buck or two) or without. No choice for Mac buyers.

The number of Vista/Windows 7 versions is confusing: FACT

To uneducated people, everything is confusing. Again, it's about choice. Windows is used in so many areas that one version of OS simply would not be able to cover all bases. It speaks t the strength of the platform and, once again, about the choice selection PC buyers enjoy.

UAC in Vista was a PITA: FACT

What about it?

There's nothing for Windows owners that parallels the customer support of the Genius Bar: FACT

Another uninformed opinion (or deliberate FUD). Microsoft had experts (real ones, not the genius types) helping people within the framework of Microsoft MVP progra (http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/) since 1993. Unlike genius bar, this program is available to people living anywhere in the world. It's free and you get help from real professionals.

Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT

Another FUD. Consumers were happily buying PCs with Vista ever since it was released. It was the big businesses that did not switch but they have their reasons (like millions of application they need to port before switching to new OS). Obviously Apple does not have this problem because not a single serious company in the world uses OS/X as a main OS.

The list goes on and on.

and on ...

 

[*LTD*]

How come it has about five times the market share of all versions of OS X then?

Ignorance, Inertia, and Universal Licensing (read: whoring out your back-asswards copy of OS X to any POS hardware-pusher that will take it because as a vendor of substandard software, that's the only way you're going to make a buck. Volume, volume, and more volume.)

The Three Pillars of Microsoft.

 

[50548]

I see users have disastrous experiences regardless of the operating system and hardware. I have trouble understanding it.

Yes, I also have trouble understanding it, especially when my b-i-l is a longtime Windows user who takes great care of all machines he owns...but no help is enough for the trainwreck that Windows (regardless of version) represents.

Talk about in-your-face popups, neverending malware, ridiculous multitasking and UI fluidity, extremely bad virtual memory management and fragmentation, etc. etc. etc. I've been there and I've used it more than once...it's just BAD and much slower, uglier and less intuitive than Macs.

Windows IS CRAP, that's all.

p.s.: I've helped at least 10 people switch in the last 2 years...ask them if they are EVER considering moving back to PC; NOT A CHANCE.

 

[Eidorian]

Ignorance and Inertia. The twin engines of Microsoft.

What of the choice to use Windows?

Talk about in-your-face popups, neverending malware, ridiculous multitasking and UI fluidity, extremely bad virtual memory management and fragmentation, etc. etc. etc. I've been there and I've used it more than once...it's just BAD and much slower, uglier and less intuitive than Macs.

Windows IS CRAP, that's all.

Then why does it work for me? I don't have any of those problems.

 

[50548]

What of the choice to use Windows?

This does NOT exist in sane situations...you "choose" Windows only in any one of the following situations:

1 - you're a hardcore gamer;

2 - your business requires Windows;

3 - you use proprietary software that doesn't exist at all for Macs.

Then why does it work for me? I don't have any of those problems.

Consider yourself lucky...or someone with lower overall expectations in terms of UI, computing speed or software quality.

 

[Eidorian]

This does NOT exist in sane situations...you "choose" Windows only in any one of the following situations:

1 - you're a hardcore gamer;

2 - your business requires Windows;

3 - you use proprietary software that doesn't exist at all for Macs.

I don't fall into any of those categories. I have several Windows licenses laying around from over the years. Currently, I can't really stand using or building anything pre-Windows 7.

Consider yourself lucky...or someone with lower expectations.

I have to lower my expectations when buying a Mac. I'm a consumer. Yet somehow I'm the one that has to bend to what Apple sells. I don't have any incentive to buy another Mac yet.

 

[09iMac=Fail]

The Mac ads are pure FUD and I think it actually antagonizes people who know about computers. Gives me the image of a door to door salesman taking advantage of old people.

Examples please?

I'll bite. How can you deny the fact that Apple targets idiots who can't use a computer?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tq7yykR-DM

 

[Eidorian]

*LTD*, I'll reply to what you originally posted. Yes, we're quite lucky to be here posting on MacRumors about our Macs.

I'm also quite lucky that all this technical knowledge comes to me only as a hobby. Thankfully, it's my job as well.

I like using OS X but I don't really like Apple all that much. I lived in PowerPC only land for over a year but I couldn't stand it. I don't want to have a masochistic relationship when buying or using my Mac. I just got fed up and went with my MacBook and my Windows based desktop. I have to lower my expectations with what Apple offers me. It's just annoying when we're down here in these trenches and suddenly it's my fault for not liking what Apple sells.

I'll probably have my MacBook long after AppleCare expires. (In before spinning this into something about hardware longevity.) I bought my MacBook to be my portable toaster computer and it does that well. Sadly, that's all it does. I don't want to cough up the money for diminishing returns on the hardware. Core 2 + 9400M G is Apple's hardware line. You're barely getting different computers.

 

[*LTD*]

*LTD*, I'll reply to what you originally posted. Yes, we're quite lucky to be here posting on MacRumors about our Macs.

I'm also quite lucky that all this technical knowledge comes to me only as a hobby. Thankfully, it's my job as well.

I like using OS X but I don't really like Apple all that much. I lived in PowerPC only land for over a year but I couldn't stand it. I don't want to have a masochistic relationship when buying or using my Mac. I just got fed up and went with my MacBook and my Windows based desktop. I have to lower my expectations with what Apple offers me. It's just annoying when we're down here in these trenches and suddenly it's my fault for not liking what Apple sells.

I'll probably have my MacBook long after AppleCare expires. (In before spinning this into something about hardware longevity.) I bought my MacBook to be my portable toaster computer and it does that well. Sadly, that's all it does. I don't want to cough up the money for diminishing returns on the hardware. Core 2 + 9400M G is Apple's hardware line. You're barely getting different computers.

I hear ya.

I edited my post to "never mind", because I see no sense in arguing that particular point, and I'd rather embrace what we have in common rather than our differences. If you use Windows and have no complaints, then why the hell wouldn't I be happy for you, regardless of my opnion of the OS? If you got your work done without fail then that can only be a good thing. For anyone.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

And by "fairly well established" of course you mean "almost no one actually owned these things."

This is absolutely true. Until the iPod, nobody gave a crap about mp3 players. My roommate in college bought one of the first ones available that was 8 or 16 MB (how useless is that?). Then the 5 GB firewire ipod came out a while later, and everyone thought "That's too expensive to succeed."

Good times.

This does NOT exist in sane situations...you "choose" Windows only in any one of the following situations:

1 - you're a hardcore gamer;

2 - your business requires Windows;

3 - you use proprietary software that doesn't exist at all for Macs.

4 - you have to use high end software which exists on Windows and Linux, but not Mac.

True, that's being forced to choose. But I'm more and more choosing to get work done instead of hoping it gets ported to the mac, and then hoping Apple releases a decently powerful machine that doesn't rape my wallet.

 

[Erwin-Br]

Windows is far more prone to viruses and spyware than Mac: FACT

True, but that's not Windows' fault, but rather the fault of stupid users who install shady software or visit shady websites. There's an illegal copy of Photoshop CS4 floating around (for Mac) that has a trojan on board. And guess what you need to do when installing Photoshop? - Entering your root password, that's right. Ouch.

Macs come with better digital media software out of the box: FACT

That's subjective. For example, I find iTunes to be bloatware (many Mac users agree with me on this very forum). The other i-programs I've even never used.

Macs don't come preloaded with a bunch of crapware like PCs: FACT

Well, it does come with iTunes preloaded, so... Again, subjective. Plus, it also depends on where you buy your PC what comes pre-installed. Some retailers/brands don't even preinstall anything.

The number of Vista/Windows 7 versions is confusing: FACT

Most "dumb" users just use what comes pre-installed with their new PC. People who are a little more tech-savvy (often referred to as "nerds" around here) are not easily confused.

UAC in Vista was a PITA: FACT

Correct.

There's nothing for Windows owners that parallels the customer support of the Genius Bar: FACT

Genius bar? What's that? (Please remember the USA is not the only country in the world). Besides, PC/Electronics retailers have such a thing as service counters too.

Vista was a flop with consumers: FACT

Relatively, yes. Vista's marketshare still blows OSX out of the water, though. Besides, Vista's already behind us now.

The list goes on and on.

Seems like your line about "pure FUD" is....pure FUD.

Hmm. Not really impressed, to be honest. And I'm playing devils advocate here as the only Windows machine I'm using is at work. (Okay, and I play a game in Bootcamp every once in a while)

 

[Kwill]

Congrats!

Love the photo. "We have embedded the iPod music player on a stick of gum!"

"Chew left for previous. Chew right for next. Pop to pause."

 

[AidenShaw]

Stupid is, as stupid does - you seem to be ignorant of the fact that 2012 is well within the time frame of next decade.

Have you noticed that the "XXX of the year" awards come out in mid-December to January of the next year?

Have you noticed that the "XXX of the decade" awards appear at the end of YYY9 - the end of the decade?

The question "What will the next decade bring?" for most people won't be answered until the decade is at the end. What happens in the first or second year of the decade in technology is seldom high on the list 8 years later.

To put your answer in perspective, at the end of 1999 we had a $1999 laptop (450 MHz, 64 MiB RAM, 8 GB disk) and an 18GB disk was $189. You could predict that "the next decade" (that is, in 2001) we'd have a $1399 laptop (1 GHz PIII, 256 MiB RAM, 20 GB drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW) and a 100 GB disk is $199.

Well, it's now the end of the decade - and $1399 will buy a heck of lot more in a laptop, and a 2 TB disk is $149! That's why I took issue with the two year roadmap view of "what will the next decade bring".

(In 1999, $899 would get a 333 MHz G3 Imac, 15" CRT, 6 MiB VRAM, 32 MiB RAM, 6 GB hard drive. In 2001, $1149 would get a 600 MHz G3, 256 MiB, CD-RW, 40 GB hard drive.)

System price/descriptions based on Fry's newspaper adverts from 17 October 1999 and 14 December 2001.

 

[DMann]

Define "prone". Define which version of Windows are you talking about. Wnidows 98? From a technical perspective Windows 7 is better protected safer than OS/X. It's true that there are much more malware for Windows but this is a tradeoff that people should make: more available software (including malware) vs obscure platform with very limited software choices (and here Ubuntu ar better yet VMS will spank everything )

Yet, W7 is vulnerable to 8 out of 10 viruses out there.

W7 remains vulnerable, and prone, regardless of the "technically better protected" spin MS has been promoting.

Perhaps. So what? There is much better selection of such software on PC side anyways. One can easily pick up available free software which will be better tha what comes standard with OS/X.

Larger selection? Perhaps.

Better selection - quite the contrary.

Furthermore, the majority of free software, available on Windows, doesn't even come close, in terms of interoperability with other apps, features, and capability.

It's just FUD. What about iWorks or Safari? In reality, as always with PCs, you have options. You can buy PC with crapware (and save a buck or two) or without. No choice for Mac buyers.

The alternative leaves much to be desired - so much for choice.

To uneducated people, everything is confusing. Again, it's about choice. Windows is used in so many areas that one version of OS simply would not be able to cover all bases. It speaks t the strength of the platform and, once again, about the choice selection PC buyers enjoy.

Why not offer 'Ultimate' for everyone, then, at a reasonable price point?

The fragmentation here (cripple ware) is a major put-off, especially for users who evolve, only to discover, later, that their version needs to be upgraded.

What about it?

Other than being a significant hinderance to productivity, it is royal nuisance.

Another uninformed opinion (or deliberate FUD). Microsoft had experts (real ones, not the genius types) helping people within the framework of Microsoft MVP progra (http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/) since 1993. Unlike genius bar, this program is available to people living anywhere in the world. It's free and you get help from real professionals.

Go MBPs! This site is more dedicated to the adulation and glorification of their Most Valuable Professionals, than anything else - sweet.

Another FUD. Consumers were happily buying PCs with Vista ever since it was released. It was the big businesses that did not switch but they have their reasons (like millions of application they need to port before switching to new OS). Obviously Apple does not have this problem because not a single serious company in the world uses OS/X as a main OS.

The embarrassingly low percentage of Vista sales is made that much more dismal, once one factors in, that many chose to revert back to XP. (myself included)

FYI, a fairly significant number of Media, Recording, Graphics, Publishing, and Advertising companies use OSX as their main OS. Many more have recently switched - all in all, this would seem a far cry from "not a single serious company..."

speaking of FUD.

 

[Terminal.app]

I'll bite. How can you deny the fact that Apple targets idiots who can't use a computer?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tq7yykR-DM

Funny, all the idiots I know who can't use a computer complain that "Apples are too complicated." Yes, that's right. "It's too hard to find files," "there's too much to an Apple," "the icon thing [the Dock] at the bottom of the screen is annoying" "I don't like how Apples use pictures instead of words" "Why do I have to move the program into the Programs [sic] folder to install it? That's dumb", "Apples make you type in your password all the time", "I used an Apple one time and it didn't work my floppy disks" [What the hell is a floppy disk?] are just a few of the completely idiotic statements I've heard from ignorant people who.......*cough*prefer Windows*cough*.

The stereotype of Mac users not knowing how to use a computer is, I'm pretty sure, usually false.

 

[DMann]

"Why do I have to move the program into the Programs [sic] folder to install it? That's dumb...."

The stereotype of Mac users not knowing how to use a computer is, I'm pretty sure, usually false.

Especially false, is the one stated above, which pertains only to the Windows OS, not OS X.

 

[twoodcc]

very nice! and i'm glad to see nikeplus got some love there as well

 

[09iMac=Fail]

Funny, all the idiots I know who can't use a computer complain that "Apples are too complicated." Yes, that's right. "It's too hard to find files," "there's too much to an Apple," "the icon thing [the Dock] at the bottom of the screen is annoying" "I don't like how Apples use pictures instead of words" "Why do I have to move the program into the Programs [sic] folder to install it? That's dumb", "Apples make you type in your password all the time", "I used an Apple one time and it didn't work my floppy disks" [What the hell is a floppy disk?] are just a few of the completely idiotic statements I've heard from ignorant people who.......*cough*prefer Windows*cough*.

The stereotype of Mac users not knowing how to use a computer is, I'm pretty sure, usually false.

There is definitely a learning curve for switching from Windows to Mac. I could see someone with basic skills not knowing how to do everything on a Mac if they switched from Windows, those kinds of things take a little bit of time to figure out. You accurately listed some of those challenges. However, the same thing could be said about a basic Mac user trying to figure out Windows, if they had no previous experience with it. This scenario is much more unlikely since Windows is more prevalent in everyday life.

You have simply addressed the issue of basic users not knowing the other system and having a preference based on what they know. My post should have been more clear, but I was siding with inlovewithi, who stated, "The Mac ads are pure FUD and I think it actually antagonizes people who know about computers. Gives me the image of a door to door salesman taking advantage of old people." How can you seriously defend the legitimacy of an Apple commercial like this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2-UuIEOcss