'Leopard is better and faster than Vista' Web Ad

[AndyMulhearn]

Actually, neither his bad experience nor your good experience is much proof of anything since it's purely anecdotal (although you've purchased enough computers that it's encouraging).

What DOES mean something is that every time a magazine does a survey of thousands of readers on quality and reliability, Apple wins or is very close to the top. That is pretty convincing evidence that Apple's quality is very good overall. Not perfect, but above industry standards.

Well this Apple user is seriously considering going back to Tiger if he has one more kernel panic, the last being from a resume after being suspended for an hour or so.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan and like Leopard but it's by a long way the worst upgrade experience I've ever had with Apple.

 

[aforty]

Even if you don't like the ad itself, you must admit that it's very well done.

Very, very well done.

 

[JSchwage]

I love how Apple makes me want to watch their ads. These things are ingenious and hilarious!

 

[Am3822]

I think it would do no harm if Apple were to stop producing these ads, at least for a while. The cheap shots are bound to backfire (10.5.x 'file move' bug anyone?). There is a certain fanboy smugness to to them.

 

[1239689]

HD DVD Apple Campaign

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[DMann]

I wish they would do some ads that actually show off parts of the OS instead of saying it's better without explaining why. Every time I've showed OS X's features to someone who wasn't familiar with them, they were impressed... Apple never bothers to do that themselves.

..... and then let them wander into an Apple store to experience it first hand. This seems to be working well, currently.

Well this Apple user is seriously considering going back to Tiger if he has one more kernel panic, the last being from a resume after being suspended for an hour or so.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan and like Leopard but it's by a long way the worst upgrade experience I've ever had with Apple.

Sorry to hear it. Sounds like a corrupt preference or user file. What Mac are you running it on?

 

[Scottgfx]

I wish they would do some ads that actually show off parts of the OS instead of saying it's better without explaining why. Every time I've showed OS X's features to someone who wasn't familiar with them, they were impressed... Apple never bothers to do that themselves.

Back twenty years ago I heard the same refrain in regards to Commodore Amiga advertisements. (what few there were) There's just too much to show. Of the thousands of features an OS has, which one could you easily show inside of 20 seconds that would actually make an impression? My point is that there isn't time to show any detail, and if you tried, the viewer's eyes would just glaze over.

What Apple is doing is just making a broad statement in a humorous way that makes one wonder what they are missing. It's probably the reason more of us are asked to make demonstrations for friends.

I work in the marketing department for a TV station. One of the things I was told a long time ago is, just when everyone in the building is sick and tired of seeing a particular promotion run day-in and day-out, that's just the point where the viewers are just starting to notice it. We are the Mac users inside the camp that are tired of the campaign. The unwashed masses of PC users are probably just starting to notice.

Did the "1984" ad show us anything about the Macintosh? No, it told us about the promise of a different world outside the IBM PC world. Its visuals and production value spoke of what the Macintosh was without ever showing us the product.

In the broadcast TV world we have consultants tell us that we need to make these "POP" ads. That's "Proof-of-Performance" in TV lingo. Things like "You're favorite news channel was first to bring you live coverage of the shrubbery fire on Main Street. Keep watching us for the latest on shrubbery prices and their affect on your pocketbook!" Do those kinds of ads make you watch a particular TV station over another one?

 

[zephead]

Keep watching us for the latest on shrubbery prices and their affect on you pocketbook!" Do those kinds of ads make you watch a particular TV station over another one?

Well not me, but I'm sure that would be enough to hook Roger the Shrubber.

 

[CalBoy]

I agree. I think they should follow along the lines of the Time Machine ad as opposed to continuing along this path.

I agree as well. The early ads were fun to watch because they mocked "classic" Windows behavior (the computer cart one was my favorite) and were light spirited.

These recent ads seem to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black. I feel Apple's marketing department can do better than this. They should work hard to develop ads that are funny and don't smell of superiority (ads like "There's No Step 3" come to mind).

 

[Scottgfx]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan and like Leopard but it's by a long way the worst upgrade experience I've ever had with Apple.

Well, computers are still pretty complex and finicky things. I seriously doubt that your problems are the norm. I'm not gloating, but my Leopard update of my MacBook went fine. Please try to find someone to help you, whether it's a friend or someone at the Apple store, there is help out there!

Actually, neither his bad experience nor your good experience is much proof of anything since it's purely anecdotal (although you've purchased enough computers that it's encouraging).

Hey! My Timex-Sinclair 1000 never had a problem! Those things were built to last! I had a kernel-panic or had the hard drive go wonkey! They must have had some great QC!!!

These recent ads seem to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Your analogy doesn't make sense. You are saying that Apple shouldn't talk about the review in the WSJ because it makes them look hypocritical? It's not Apple saying that Leopard is better, it's the Wall Street Journal.

 

[CalBoy]

Your analogy doesn't make sense. You are saying that Apple shouldn't talk about the review in the WSJ because it makes them look hypocritical? It's not Apple saying that Leopard is better, it's the Wall Street Journal.

No, the more recent ads which point out that Leopard is "so much better than Vista."

As I recall, there were several ads that jabbed at Microsoft because Vista had trouble with printers, scanners, cameras, etc. I can tell you that Leopard has not played nicely with my printer/scanner, and it took a 150MB driver (yes, that large! ) to solve the problem.

The fact is, both OSs are new (though Vista is about 10 months older), and no new OS is "perfect." Considering the massive number of computers Microsoft has to think about when it tackles problems, I think it's fair to say that they do a pretty darn good job. A printer driver here and there can be forgiven if we view it in that context.

 

[DMann]

near perfection

No, the more recent ads which point out that Leopard is "so much better than Vista."

As I recall, there were several ads that jabbed at Microsoft because Vista had trouble with printers, scanners, cameras, etc. I can tell you that Leopard has not played nicely with my printer/scanner, and it took a 150MB driver (yes, that large! ) to solve the problem.

The fact is, both OSs are new (though Vista is about 10 months older), and no new OS is "perfect." Considering the massive number of computers Microsoft has to think about when it tackles problems, I think it's fair to say that they do a pretty darn good job. A printer driver here and there can be forgiven if we view it in that context.

Some are closer to perfection than others, though...... at an 81% satisfaction level for Leopard users within the past 90 days, Leopard is by far less problematic. OS X does play nicely with a notably large number of printer/scanners, and drivers are available for download for those which are not recognized. At a 15% satisfaction rating within the same time period, it seems Vista users are the ones jabbing MS here.

 

[Scottgfx]

I can tell you that Leopard has not played nicely with my printer/scanner, and it took a 150MB driver (yes, that large! ) to solve the problem.

Sounds like you have an HP printer/scanner. I had to download an over 200MB driver package for my brother's Tiger system for a similar HP machine. HP has a bad track record when it comes to drivers, at least in my eyes. Both PC and Mac mind you.

So Apple should not throw stones? There's some sort of retribution awaiting us if Apple continues down this path of extolling the good press? Should GM and Chevrolet stop running the ads where they quote the press clippings saying that the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry need to "look out" for the Malibu for the fear that they will come out with a car to beat them?

I think Apple sees an opportunity here, and there is a narrow window of time to take advantage of this. Are PC users going to be mad at Apple? Yeah, the dedicated ones, but they'll get over it. Even the dedicated PC users would probably forgive the driver issues if they tried a Mac. They've probably been through much worse.

 

[CalBoy]

To be sure OS X has fewer problems (I say this based on objective evidence, as my own problems can't count for everyone), but I find the mocking tone of the ads to be in bad taste.

For example, I think it's quite reasonable to say that Hermès makes very nice scarves. Compared to a scarf one could buy from, say, Walmart, the Hermès scarf will be more comfortable, softer, and backed by some very good customer service.

Now, let's say that Hermès creates an ad which boasts, "our scarves are softer and reduce skin irritation, especially when compared to Walmart scarves."

On the surface, this ad is entirely correct. However, let's say that a few weeks after a new scarf comes out (the one that is boasted to be even more comfortable), a small percentage of customers get hives because they are allergic to one of the chemicals used to treat the wool for the scarves.

Hermès, not wanting their customers to be unhappy, gladly helps out however it can. However, in the mean time, it continues to run ads boasting about its superiority over the Walmart scarf.

Now wouldn't this seem hypocritical? Granted the ads would likely be factually correct (one can critique scarves as easily as one can review operating systems), but can't the ads merely point out how nice and good Hermès scarves are without poking fun at Walmart scarves? Does everything need to be boiled down to a competition?

I think Hermès would do just as well to create a positive ad that picks on no one, just like Apple would do well to boast Leopard's features without picking on Vista/PCs.

The Time Machine ad is an excellent example of how this can be done. Why can't more ads be like that one?

 

[Scottgfx]

...just like Apple would do well to boast Leopard's features without picking on Vista/PCs.

You just don't want to make anyone uncomfortable? Perhaps an Apple ad saying "how sorry we are that Leopard has garnered praise from the Wall Street Journal. And please go back to your Vista PC. It won't happen again."

Come on man! Revel in the moment!

 

[CalBoy]

You just don't want to make anyone uncomfortable? Perhaps an Apple ad saying "how sorry we are that Leopard has garnered praise from the Wall Street Journal. And please go back to your Vista PC. It won't happen again."

No, a good ad would have merely stated that Leopard got the honor without picking on a PC. The current "Mac vs PC" platform doesn't need to be used for all ads as a blank template.

Come on man! Revel in the moment!

I can feel accomplished in my victories without humiliating my adversaries; I think Apple can too.

 

[Scottgfx]

I can feel accomplished in my victories without humiliating my adversaries; I think Apple can too.

But the adversary is just the biggest corporation in all of computerdom! It's like the French thumbing their nose at the United States. It doesn't matter!

I hope you take all of this in the spirit I intended.

 

[CalBoy]

But the adversary is just the biggest corporation in all of computerdom! It's like the French thumbing their nose at the United States. It doesn't matter!

Exactly. The French being sour at the US is bad sportsmanship. If Lance Armstrong wins the Tour de France, he doesn't parade up and down the Champs-Élysées pointing out how weak his opponents are. He simply accepts his prize, does a few endoresements, and goes back to training so he can make himself even better.

If Apple is so much better than Microsoft, then they can prove it by being even better at the game, not by flaunting every minor success.

I hope you take all of this in the spirit I intended.

Oh I am.

We have differing view points on marketing and competition; I see no reason to take that the wrong way!

 

[barijazz]

I love apple to death, but they need to start advertising their good qualities instead of vista's bad.

 

[SheriffParker]

Awesome. Much better than the referee commercial.

 

[Lord Sam]

Yeah, I love those ads. Apple has a wonderful ad campaign system. I actually don't think they've ever made a bad ad. They're wonderful that way. And the I'm a Mac ads just highlights the fact. Everyone has forgotten the first iPhone ad. That was a great one. What about the MBA ad? Great. iPod ads? Great. But their best and most famous one was the "Think Different" ad. How brilliant was that!?

No, a good ad would have merely stated that Leopard got the honor without picking on a PC. The current "Mac vs PC" platform doesn't need to be used for all ads as a blank template.



I can feel accomplished in my victories without humiliating my adversaries; I think Apple can too.

I agree. But the ads are still funny. And GO PATS GO!

 

[ewxlt]

that is pretty good. but yeah, tired of just bashing vista though

you probably wouldn't be as tired if you used it. my office manager shouts daily at her vista equipped pc...each day with a new complaint.

 

[MacBiscuit]

What DOES mean something is that every time a magazine does a survey of thousands of readers on quality and reliability, Apple wins or is very close to the top. That is pretty convincing evidence that Apple's quality is very good overall. Not perfect, but above industry standards.

Yes, but it would take a while for a drop in quality to start showing up in these surveys wouldn't it? Anecdotal again, but I'm on my third Mac and it's given me a number of niggling issues both hardware and software whereas the previous two are still rock solid. This is the first Apple I've had where I'm not sure whether it was worth the premium. Apples need to be pretty near flawless, otherwise people such us myself will just save the cash and go with the default option

Anyhow, my point is that Apple should be careful with the negative campaign, as when people switch and still get the odd issue (and 10.5 has plenty of its own) then there will be a backlash.

 

[chickenninja]

mac should be a hot chick, why isnt mac a hot chick. this doesnt make any sence. ya know apple has enough ground to stand on that it doesnt need a clueless PC character and a humble mac character, bolth characters should state their points confidently, instead of an external source like the wallstreet journal and then having mac saying "actually i think its true". PC is over demonized and undermines the humble approach of apple superiority.

for instance : most people think macs are immune to viruses because of market share. when really its because applications cant auto instal themselves and safari kicken A**. apple needs to come out and say why its better so PC zealots dont spread false truths. when you simple say better and faster, then it is very for someone to point at front side bus speed and say look mines faster, and im sure theres got to be at least one thing that vista does better than leopard. however it is true that its faster and better and thats all there is to it. i just wish mac was more pro-active and less reactive. like "hey Pc check this out!!! open GL!" "hey see this virus.. watch this" "if you wanna browse like me just install safari, it comes with itunes ya know, its totally free and awesome"