Microsoft Alters "Laptop Hunters" Ads in Wake of Apple Price Cuts

[AidenShaw]

A Mac is the only piece of hardware that will run everything, right out of the box.

It's not the hardware, though, it's Apple's EULA. Apple places an artificial barrier to running OSX on other systems.

It takes just a couple of clicks and a copy of the other OS.

Not exactly true, since you have to depend on Apple for Windows and Linux drivers for the Apple-specific hardware.

If you mean "eventually run everything", it's closer to the truth.

And with Apple laptops, there is a history of annoying key map and trackpad issues when running Windows.

 

[smadpr]

Specifics here---what more u want

I just installed the Android SDK and tried to run the emulator with out any other applications on my $ 1300 macbook, but it took about 5-10 mins to just launch the emulator.

As I were frustrated because I need to run the emulator multiple times for my testing.... I tried doing the same this on a $ 1100 dell xps and it happened all at the click of a few buttons (potentially because it had faster processor, and larger RAM and.....)

So for people like me, PCs have really more value than Macs. Macs are made just to make the end user "feel good" and attract the crowd with their machines, NOT for doing them any good.

-----------------------------

If they get about $1700 for a Macbook pro for about the same hardware that costed a $ 1100 on PC, obviously their market share is going up by some $600 with just one machine.....Now what are we talking about here!

 

[*LTD*]

It's not the hardware, though, it's Apple's EULA. Apple places an artificial barrier to running OSX on other systems.




Not exactly true, since you have to depend on Apple for Windows and Linux drivers for the Apple-specific hardware.

If you mean "eventually run everything", it's closer to the truth.

And with Apple laptops, there is a history of annoying key map and trackpad issues when running Windows.

Apple provides everything. XP works beautifully on an early 2008 15-inch MBP. Ditto for Vista. It's all automatic. It's no more difficult than installing Windows onto a generic PC. Apple has made the entire process ridiculously EASY.

I've never had trackpad or keymap issues, and I've had a copy of Windows installed on my Mac for a while now because of EVE Online. Once Windows is installed, you can download any drivers you like and treat your Mac as you would any Windows-based generic PC.

Something might have changed reently, however. I no longer have Windows installed since I really don't care for games that much, but I've only gottnen rid of it very recently, around two months ago.

 

[Eidorian]

Apple provides everything. XP works beautifully on an early 2008 15-inch MBP. Ditto for Vista. It's all automatic. It's no more difficult than installing Windows onto a generic PC. Apple has made the entire process ridiculously EASY.

I've never had trackpad or keymap issues, and I've had a copy of Windows installed on my Mac for a while now because of EVE Online. Once Windows is installed, you can download any drivers you like and treat your Mac as you would any Windows-based generic PC.

Something might have changed reently, however. I no longer have Windows installed since I really don't care for games that much, but I've only gottnen rid of it very recently, around two months ago.

It's fun until your Boot Camp disc volume falls off the face of the planet and doesn't support the latest service pack or version of Windows and you're also stuck with old drivers.

I don't have 64-bit support on my MacBook. I had to get a disc image online for the drivers.

 

[gnasher729]

But the answer isnt obvious. Its like the owner of Pepsi drinking only Coke. Or the owner of BMW driving to work in a Mercedes. Jobs OWNS the place. He could fill that place with Macs for free.

Clueless. Jobs doesn't own Pixar anymore; he was CEO and largest share holder. But if Jobs as the CEO of Pixar had made the company buy tons of computers made by another company that he is CEO of, that would have been a conflict of interest and surely a shareholder lawsuit. Possibly a justified shareholder lawsuit. And if he filled the place for free with Macs, then Apple shareholders would have sued him, and in that case totally justified. He is the CEO, doesn't mean the company is his personal thiefdom. That's what Sarbanes-Oxley is all about.

 

[John.B]

Right.. OK. You still missed the point I was making and are still missing it right now, but never mind, have a cookie. Now then, be careful when getting down from that high horse, as if you bothered to click that link I posted, you will see that OS X has also suffers its fair share of Flash vulnerabilities. So I ask once again, what does a flash vulnerability have to do with a ancient version of a MS OS being rooted with no user intervention when left unpatched and directly connected to the internet?

Keep up, this is a PDF-based Flash vulnerability. People don't expect opening a simple document to have a viruses/malware payload. At least non-Microsoft documents (I'm lookin' at you: WMV and DOC). At least not until now. Its completely asinine to embed executable code inside a document. But here's another company trying to foist their embedded format inside otherwise normal documents.

FWIW, like 99% of Mac uses I open PDF docs with Preview, so I'm not affected. But it would be awfully nice if Adobe added a setting in their Acrobat Prefs pane to be able to disable Flash content if its going to be able to hide viruses and/or malware. (And a wee bit of bounds checking wouldn't hurt either.)

 

[charlituna]

No kidding . . . this idea is pretty tired. We all know that there's additional value in a Mac over a PC running windows. The question is only whether that added value is worth the higher price. The idea that a 30 second ad can answer that for everyone is absurd.

then perhaps what we need is for someone to sit down and do a point by point comparison with a full price breakdown. not just hardware but also software. and make note of those things that don't really have a firm price (like manufacturer trained techs and free 'triage' appointments in the stores), plus any added items of value ($100 for a free file transfer and a years training by company certified staff for example).

then we can really see what the so called "apple tax" is covering and be able to ask each for ourselves, is it worth it.

91%. Bitches.

keep in mind that that is not 91% of all laptops. merely those over $1000 in price. which isn't saying that Apple is selling more laptops, merely that if someone is willing to spend that kind of money they buy from Apple

And in some references, I am of the impression that the person keeps the difference between what they pay and the amount that they are looking to buy at or under.

they aren't given the cash. they are given a budget and they get the computer. very likely with no receipt, open box and earmarked as non returnable.

 

[sn00pie]

If you want a cheap computer, then a $600 PC is still the way to go. If you want a premium laptop and want to pay a premium, Apple is still the way to go.

It's as simple as that and as far as I see, it will always be like that.

 

[*LTD*]

then perhaps what we need is for someone to sit down and do a point by point comparison with a full price breakdown. not just hardware but also software. and make note of those things that don't really have a firm price (like manufacturer trained techs and free 'triage' appointments in the stores), plus any added items of value ($100 for a free file transfer and a years training by company certified staff for example).

then we can really see what the so called "apple tax" is covering and be able to ask each for ourselves, is it worth it.



keep in mind that that is not 91% of all laptops. merely those over $1000 in price. which isn't saying that Apple is selling more laptops, merely that if someone is willing to spend that kind of money they buy from Apple

To be honest, we really don't, do we? Who cares what MS ultimately says. No one is listening. Their entire approach isn't working. They are time and again proven wrong by both Apple and the market.

We can throw around the "Apple Tax" all we like, but that doesn't change the fact that people are buying Apple. In this recession, Macs have only increased in desirability. MBPs are flying off the shelves. Apple Stores are packed to the rafters. Reality tells the tale.

The Apple Tax is a myth. Apple's success proves that. All of the people that bought Macs and contributed to Apple's quarter proves that.

 

[charlituna]

I wonder if anyone has on video the editing process MS used? Was it done using a MacBook Pro laptop with Leopard OS using Apple's Final Cut Pro?!

Microsoft didn't use anything. the ads were made by an outside company that yes, is a known Apple office.

Apple should savour its exclusivity, rather than attempting to grab more market share, which mostly comes from uninformed, technophobe consumers who barely know how to use computers anyways.

grabbing more market share is why Apple added built in Blu-ray to all computers, put in 3g antennae's for all laptops, dropped the prices of all computers down to the same amounts as Dell, HP etc.

oh no, wait, they didn't. they don't do things just cause everyone else does. this price drop is likely more to do with avoiding the yearly complaints about changing the laptops 3 weeks after the whole back to school is over than the ads Microsoft released. they feel downloads are the future and blu-ray will never really grab so they don't bother and so on.

Apple has a serious legal reason not to push for market share -- keeping the OS on their choice of machines. this reason is enough not to assume they want a high share or will act to achieve it

I'd like to see a "Mac Laptop Hunter" ad.

Something like "I'm looking for a machine that is the best value for my money"

not exactly what you are looking for but enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbJSuduTrPs

also, one thing that I like about Apple over PC. When I recently went into an Apple store and a Best Buy to look at laptops I decided to 'secret shop' the sales staff and play total dummy. the first thing the guy at Apple said to me "What are you looking to do with your computer". The Best Buy Guy "you should totally check out these computers that just went on sale."

Please, MacRumors, PLEASE run a story on this leaked PowerPoint from Microsoft showing the Microsoft Store concept (with Answer Bar (I'm not lying), theater (Whoa!!!) and....IN-STORE BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!!

I am not making this up.

http://gizmodo.com/5322328/leak-ins...all+sized-screens-and-the-answer-bar/gallery/

it is really funny how much is copied right from Apple's style. although you can also get cool laptop decals for your machine. I wonder if they give those away as party favors, or at least to the birthday kid

Apple hosts Field Trips for students Grade K-12 at retail stores. Your point? Oh yes, lets miss a day of school to go look at the newest iPods!

have you ever seen an Apple Field Trip. since I work right next to an apple store and go in on breaks to check my email, I have. 20 kids and 3 teachers having an exclusive imovie workshop. not a gang of kids checking out the toys

 

[charlituna]

I went on a tour at Pixar.. I didnt see a single Mac there. It was all Linux based, why is this? Steve Jobs owns the place. He could probably get a discount? No fanboy has ever answered this question.

guess you missed the part where Jobs sold Pixar to Disney in 2006 and now is just a member of the board

and so what that Pixar uses a Linux based render farm handle the huge processor load of their movies. I highly doubt Jobs has an issue with it. after all, what is Mac OSX based on. sure ain't Windows.

 

[charlituna]

To be honest, we really don't, do we?

You don't. I don't. but don't assume a royal WE. there are some people out there (99% of the posters on Engadget for example) that might do well with having more accurate facts

 

[LagunaSol]

there are some people out there (99% of the posters on Engadget for example) that might do well with having more accurate facts

LOL! Engadget commenters wouldn't know what to do with "facts." That place has become the biggest non-Microsoft-related cesspool of Apple bashers on the Web.

Unfortunately it appears Engadget is content with the chaos - it probably results in more page hits as every employee in Redmond pitches in with their daily anti-Mac diatribe.

 

[*LTD*]

You don't. I don't. but don't assume a royal WE. there are some people out there (99% of the posters on Engadget for example) that might do well with having more accurate facts

I suppose you're right. If it will actually help, I'm all for it. I'd be interested to see how such an attempt would work out.

 

[FightTheFuture]

LOL! Engadget commenters wouldn't know what to do with "facts." That place has become the biggest non-Microsoft-related cesspool of Apple bashers on the Web.

Unfortunately it appears Engadget is content with the chaos - it probably results in more page hits as every employee in Redmond pitches in with their daily anti-Mac diatribe.

it's become like digg. most of the comments are simply 'apple sucks'. i'm thinking of switching my feed reader back to gizmodo because it's become such a childish crowd.

 

[BongoBanger]

Engagdet has its fair share of trolls on both sides of the Apple/MS divide. Gizmodo is just a joke.

 

[jtrenda33]

N00bs

It's ironic that I title this post 'N00bs' because this is my first post on this forum, I believe, and I've only been a Mac user for about two years, but I absolutely cannot stand these commercials. If Microsoft actually used what limited marketing skills they have to make a decent point against Apple, I would be fine with it. One thing that comes to mind recently is Blu-ray. When is Apple going to design a computer with an internal Blu-ray drive? But no. Instead, they put out this crap, and, by 'crap', I mean these commercials, not Apple's Blu-rayless product line.

This one about 'Lauren and Sue', "It seems you're paying more for the brand," or whatever she said. Ok. Maybe it 'seems' that way to someone who doesn't know the first thing about Apple, or even Microsoft for that matter. Maybe it 'seems' that way to someone who just needs to type up some Word documents and use some Windows-based software on their home office computer from time to time. Maybe it 'seems' that way to a N00b, but there are some things in life that actually support the saying, 'You get what you pay for." A computer is one of them. I'd be interested in Microsoft giving some cash to someone who's been in the industry a while, and knows a thing or two about computers, and see what they come back with. Maybe it would be a PC, but I guarantee it wouldn't be because they thought if they went with a Mac they'd be paying more for the brand.

This is just one line from one commercial, but there are tons of these commercials now, and they're all filled with this fictitious view that anyone who buys an Apple computer is rich and impractical. How many PCs does one have to go through before one realizes the impracticality of not just going with an Apple in the first place. Does anyone know anyone who has actually gone from Mac to PC, and not gone back, or not wanted to go back. I think you might say, 'Once you go Mac, you don't go back.' I sure wouldn't. Besides, it's not like you can't run Windows whenever you need to on your Mac, and more efficiently. In fact, the only reason I was able to complete a recent task for Windows was because I was using a Mac! A little thing called 'image mounting,' which comes standard on all Macs. Anyway, you guys know what I'm talking about, and now I'm just rambling.

Long story short, Microsoft. You're going to have to do better than that. You can't bring that weak stuff in here. This is our house!

 

[layte]

Keep up, this is a PDF-based Flash vulnerability. People don't expect opening a simple document to have a viruses/malware payload. At least non-Microsoft documents (I'm lookin' at you: WMV and DOC). At least not until now. Its completely asinine to embed executable code inside a document. But here's another company trying to foist their embedded format inside otherwise normal documents.

FWIW, like 99% of Mac uses I open PDF docs with Preview, so I'm not affected. But it would be awfully nice if Adobe added a setting in their Acrobat Prefs pane to be able to disable Flash content if its going to be able to hide viruses and/or malware. (And a wee bit of bounds checking wouldn't hurt either.)

Once again I will ask what you bringing up a vulnerability in a piece of Adobe software (one which requires a user action, i.e. going to an infected site/opening an infected file) has to do with old articles going on about pre SP2 version of XP being attacked when left unpatched and connected directly to the Internet? If I do that will hordes of nasty PDF files come streaming down my internet connection ready to be automatically executed? As I am sick of you being unable to actually answer that I will do it for you. It has nothing to do with what myself or anyone else has been talking about in this thread. Nothing, nada, squat. I fail to see why you even thought it was relevant.

If you want to go make a thread about it, fine be my guest, but do not be surprised if somebody just happens to mention that Adobe software on all platforms is about as secure as a sieve. Do not blame Microsoft/Apple/Who ever if Adobe cannot get their house in order.

Oh and before I go, I'll post up the notification from Adobe about this particular nasty:

"A critical vulnerability exists in the current versions of Flash Player (v9.0.159.0 and v10.0.22.87) for Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems, and the authplay.dll component that ships with Adobe Reader and Acrobat v9.x for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX operating systems," the company said. "This vulnerability (CVE-2009-1862) could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system."

I marked the pertinent part so even you could not miss it.

 

[*LTD*]

It's ironic that I title this post 'N00bs' because this is my first post on this forum, I believe, and I've only been a Mac user for about two years, but I absolutely cannot stand these commercials. If Microsoft actually used what limited marketing skills they have to make a decent point against Apple, I would be fine with it. One thing that comes to mind recently is Blu-ray. When is Apple going to design a computer with an internal Blu-ray drive? But no. Instead, they put out this crap, and, by 'crap', I mean these commercials, not Apple's Blu-rayless product line.

This one about 'Lauren and Sue', "It seems you're paying more for the brand," or whatever she said. Ok. Maybe it 'seems' that way to someone who doesn't know the first thing about Apple, or even Microsoft for that matter. Maybe it 'seems' that way to someone who just needs to type up some Word documents and use some Windows-based software on their home office computer from time to time. Maybe it 'seems' that way to a N00b, but there are some things in life that actually support the saying, 'You get what you pay for." A computer is one of them. I'd be interested in Microsoft giving some cash to someone who's been in the industry a while, and knows a thing or two about computers, and see what they come back with. Maybe it would be a PC, but I guarantee it wouldn't be because they thought if they went with a Mac they'd be paying more for the brand.

This is just one line from one commercial, but there are tons of these commercials now, and they're all filled with this fictitious view that anyone who buys an Apple computer is rich and impractical. How many PCs does one have to go through before one realizes the impracticality of not just going with an Apple in the first place. Does anyone know anyone who has actually gone from Mac to PC, and not gone back, or not wanted to go back. I think you might say, 'Once you go Mac, you don't go back.' I sure wouldn't. Besides, it's not like you can't run Windows whenever you need to on your Mac, and more efficiently. In fact, the only reason I was able to complete a recent task for Windows was because I was using a Mac! A little thing called 'image mounting,' which comes standard on all Macs. Anyway, you guys know what I'm talking about, and now I'm just rambling.

Long story short, Microsoft. You're going to have to do better than that. You can't bring that weak stuff in here. This is our house!

The thing is, their commercials don't seem to be working. At all. In fact, arguments have ben made that they're actually *helping* Apple! So I'm all for MS keepng them out there.

 

[tabasco70]

When I buy a Mac, I am not paying for the 'brand'.
I am paying for a product that I feel will give me the biggest bang for my buck.

Sure, the hardware of non-macs is usually good. (Good specs for pretty cheap)
But hardware doesnt mean anything when theres a faulty OS handling it. I used to use a PC but now after using a mac for a good 5 years, I can't imagine having to use a pc everyday.

Since a Mac comes as a complete unit from a single company (Software + Hardware, not counting actual components) the whole experience feels more complete. Features like the iLife Suite definitely gives Apple a huge boost at the consumer level.

 

[Stella]

guess you missed the part where Jobs sold Pixar to Disney in 2006 and now is just a member of the board

and so what that Pixar uses a Linux based render farm handle the huge processor load of their movies. I highly doubt Jobs has an issue with it. after all, what is Mac OSX based on. sure ain't Windows.

OSX is based on BSD.

BSD != Linux.

SJ should be concerned with using the best hardware / software for the job... even if it isn't OSX.

 

[DMann]

Please, MacRumors, PLEASE run a story on this leaked PowerPoint from Microsoft showing the Microsoft Store concept (with Answer Bar (I'm not lying), theater (Whoa!!!) and....IN-STORE BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!!

I am not making this up.

http://gizmodo.com/5322328/leak-ins...all+sized-screens-and-the-answer-bar/gallery/

We need a thread for this one. I want to hear how all the Ballmer-lovin' Winbots that infest this forum are going to spin this one.

LOL!!!

Aiden Shaw, can I please come to your birthday party at the Microsoft Store?

LOL!!!!!

"notice me, dammit!"​

 

[charlituna]

doesn't matter what happens, a PC always crashes and a MAC seldom.

lets clarify this statement just a little.

"for the typical user on a reasonably up to date computer, the Mac seldom crashes"

I add this because some power users can set up systems where the mac is just as prone to crash as a PC. due mainly to 3rd party softwares, plug ins, terminal tweaks etc, but it does happen. and sometimes it will happen in big nasty waves until the problem can be isolated.

Also if one is using an older computer (such as when I was running leopard on a g3 PPC with only 1 gig of ram), it will crash as much as any PC.

but you are totally correct for the typical user (by that I mean those that are within the basic OS, iLife, iWork level of use not the geeks, the FCS etc folks), the Mac is often deemed easier and quicker to get set up, easier to learn to navigate, easier to update and has fewer crashes, viruses etc to worry about.

 

[chris200x9]

"why can't we all just get along?"

 

[Sehnsucht]

The bickering in this thread reminds me of something that happened a couple days ago that made me chuckle.

So I did the whole Boot Camp thing and installed Windows 7 RC back on my MBP. Then, about twice a day, Windows started FREEZING and becoming completely unresponsive. I'd have to power off or sometimes even pop out the battery and restart. So, I sought help from others.

The Apple fanboys said, "ZOMG LOL CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT WINDOWS LIKE DUH IT CRASHED CAUSE IT SUCKS LIKE OMG AND IT'S MADE BY MIKKKRO$OFT LOL!!!!"

The PC fanboys said, "ZOMG LOL WTF DUDE IT FROZE CAUSE YOU'RE RUNNING IT ON A MAC DUDE THOSE ARE LIKE FOR N00BZ AND LIKE MAC IS LIKE DESIGNED FOR RETARDS WITH NO 1337 H4X0R SKILLZ LOL!!!!!"

Actually, it turned out to be my fault. Silly old me left my ExpressCard memory card reader in the slot after using it under OS X and forgot to install the Windows drivers for it. I did, and now everything works fine, no crashes.