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

[Vulpinemac]

Learn to read fella. Right at the top of the second link..

I stand corrected.

Your second point (once again). You claimed Microsoft made a loss. I used pesky facts to show you were talking nonsense, and now you are playing the 'oh this is what I actually meant' game when you are found out on the internets.

I said nothing about 'meant' when I made my explanation. Go talk to your own CEO; if you make less profit that the previous time period, that is considered a loss.

Even so, for as large as Microsoft is, how can you claim that a mere $3.x billion is a significant figure when a company about 1/8th its size made effectively twice the profit for its size? 1/8th of $3B is only $375M. Comparitively speaking, Apple made 6x the profit by size than Microsoft. No matter how you look at it, Apple's numbers are showing just how weak Microsoft really is--for now.

On the other hand, if MS can hold out for another quarter, their 2nd-quarter '10 should show a huge jump!

 

[FightTheFuture]

I won't comment too much on the MAC vs PC argument... frankly, it's getting tiresome.

I use a Mac because I want to, I need to, and I can afford to. I choose macs (and pay the extra money) because I think the OS, hardware and customer service is better, and that's all that matters. ¿Do I wish macs were less expensive? of course!, but not if that would hinder the quality in any way.

AND if someone chooses a PC, that doesn't necessarily make her/him a moron.

i agree. life is way too short and busy to comment on which OS is better and why...

sadly, the disgruntled fanboys (many commenting on engadget) have been doing so for about 13 years.

maybe we should have a new debate. mac vs. pc trolls versus people who should really move on and be happy with what they have.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

In corporate-speak, any amount of profit less than the previous period is considered a 'loss.' They still made a profit, I don't deny that, but they made significantly LESS profit than they did same-time-last-year. Apple, on the other hand, saw a significant growth in profits.

Apple, on the other hand, saw significant growth by selling things other than computers.

 

[Macminiintel]

Err... do you seriously consider this a victory for Apple?

It makes them look like total losers, because it proves that the call from Apple Legal actually did happen. Apple have been making ludicrously inaccurate claims about Windows and PCs in their ads for ages, and when Microsoft finally fights back, Apple stoops to behaving like a bunch of crybabies with no skin, like some litigous religious cult.

and everything apple says in there TV ads is true about PC's, If you can tell me an inaccurate claim then I'd like to know

 

[Macminiintel]

They also need to tweak the commercial that says the MacBook Pro only has 2GB of memory... when it has four now in the 15-inch size.

ha ha lol, It would be funny for a joke if Apple kept introducing revamped specs every week so then Microsoft couldn't keep up with making the ads and in the end they would just have to scrap the whole campaign lol

 

[layte]

I stand corrected.



I said nothing about 'meant' when I made my explanation. Go talk to your own CEO; if you make less profit that the previous time period, that is considered a loss.

Even so, for as large as Microsoft is, how can you claim that a mere $3.x billion is a significant figure when a company about 1/8th its size made effectively twice the profit for its size? 1/8th of $3B is only $375M. Comparitively speaking, Apple made 6x the profit by size than Microsoft. No matter how you look at it, Apple's numbers are showing just how weak Microsoft really is--for now.

On the other hand, if MS can hold out for another quarter, their 2nd-quarter '10 should show a huge jump!

So what you are saying is that you were wrong. Microsoft did not make a loss, just less profit than this time last year. What a rather long winded way to say I was correct and you were wrong when you said Microsoft "made an annual loss".

As for size of company. What are we basing this on? Market cap? Head counts? Total revenue?

 

[axual]

So what

MS can advertise all they want ... the facts remain that PCs are a bit more difficult to use, take more time (=money) to maintain, and are much larger malware target. MS is doing this because Apple is doing a great job and taking mind and market share from them.

Zune is pathetic, though so many have called it an iPod killer. Smartphones running Windows are nowhere near the user experience of the iPhone.

A Mac may cost a bit more up front, but on balance, not that much more, especially considering the incredible amount of time lost fixing Wintel issues.

My iMac has been flawless, updates when they do occur happen in seconds vs. 10 minutes or more on PCs, all the software works and it's design is unmatched.

MS is wasting their ad dollars ... if people want a $500 laptop, go for it. I choose quality and an experience that is best. That's an Apple product.

 

[Macminiintel]

maybe Apple should do a Part 2 video and get that Lauren person back or a lookalike LOL. Call it Lauren 6 months on, the HP Laptop all dropping to bits, slowed down and viruses have ruined the system.

 

[TeamMojo]

It seems like you are paying a lot for the brand.

This is the biggest lie in the computer world. What you are paying for with Apple, is quality and cohesiveness that will allow you to avoid paying an IT consultant like myself to come and help you with your Windows problems. I can guarantee, because I see it every day, that I am going to cost a lot more to fix your Windows hassles than what you saved in not buying a Mac. Smart companies and individuals should use Macs, because it will keep their costs down. You need an IT department, or and IT consultant, or you need to be really good with computers if you want to run on Windows. Folks here are too technical to realize this as they can probably handle their way around a Windows machine. But in my day to day travels, I see a lot of needless suffering on Windows from everyday Toms and Janes who can't get past all of the inadequacies of Windows without my help.

I should not be complaining because MS keeps me in the money. But the truth is, I'd rather be adding value by doing something new and different for an individual or company's computers and networks instead of just helping them keep their heads above water on Windows. Again, MS claims all will be well in Windows 7. Probably not. They seem to have a complicated sucky interface mantra etched in to their corporate DNA.

 

[DELLsFan]

One's a parody, absurd by design. The other is basically a reality tv ad, attempting to avoid absurd by design yet failing.

My take is a little different.

Though both ads can't thoroughly explore the pros and cons of both platforms in 30 seconds, I think the Laptop Hunter ads more gracefully target the market of consumer for whom the ads were intended - the budget-conscious shopper. Whereas the Apple ads seem more vindictive to me (albeit funny) in their parodies over Windows' weaknesses, rather than Apple's strengths.

 

[DougB541]

I stand corrected.



I said nothing about 'meant' when I made my explanation. Go talk to your own CEO; if you make less profit that the previous time period, that is considered a loss.

Even so, for as large as Microsoft is, how can you claim that a mere $3.x billion is a significant figure when a company about 1/8th its size made effectively twice the profit for its size? 1/8th of $3B is only $375M. Comparitively speaking, Apple made 6x the profit by size than Microsoft. No matter how you look at it, Apple's numbers are showing just how weak Microsoft really is--for now.

On the other hand, if MS can hold out for another quarter, their 2nd-quarter '10 should show a huge jump!

Well the whole vista backlash hurt MS (again i think it was completely blown out of proportion...but thats another discussion).

Plus Apple's success with the iPod/iPhone is driving profits. We are seeing dropping ipod sales mostly because of saturation of the market...so it'll be interesting to see if they can keep the iPod cash cow milking go.

But this brings up that at one point, Apple's cash cow was the personal computer. Now its clear...the iPod/iPhone is the real money maker for Apple. What that means? Nothing really...just an interesting company conversion.

 

[Bevz]

LOL - it seems Microsoft took that phone call a lot more seriously than they suggested....

 

[*LTD*]

Well the whole vista backlash hurt MS (again i think it was completely blown out of proportion...but thats another discussion).

Plus Apple's success with the iPod/iPhone is driving profits. We are seeing dropping ipod sales mostly because of saturation of the market...so it'll be interesting to see if they can keep the iPod cash cow milking go.

But this brings up that at one point, Apple's cash cow was the personal computer. Now its clear...the iPod/iPhone is the real money maker for Apple. What that means? Nothing really...just an interesting company conversion.

Actaully it was Macs that helped Apple this past quarter. And Macs remain their biggest money-maker.

It's a misconception that Apple is no longer about their computers. The past refresh to the Macbook line (already refreshed in October 08), plus the quarterly results, prove otherwise. Apple, like with its other prodcuts, is taking its notebook lineup in new directions. There is currently some overlap, but you'll see a lot more in the future. And the upcoming tablet-like device will really blur the lines.

 

[iSee]

Err... do you seriously consider this a victory for Apple?

It makes them look like total losers, because it proves that the call from Apple Legal actually did happen. Apple have been making ludicrously inaccurate claims about Windows and PCs in their ads for ages, and when Microsoft finally fights back, Apple stoops to behaving like a bunch of crybabies with no skin, like some litigous religious cult.

I just think it's funny that at about the same time MS's COO was gloating about Apple's complaint the MS lawyers must have been saying, "Ah, wait a minute guys. We've got to do what they want."

It sure ain't no victory for MS.

 

[DougB541]

MS can advertise all they want ... the facts remain that PCs are a bit more difficult to use, take more time (=money) to maintain, and are much larger malware target. MS is doing this because Apple is doing a great job and taking mind and market share from them.

Zune is pathetic, though so many have called it an iPod killer. Smartphones running Windows are nowhere near the user experience of the iPhone.

A Mac may cost a bit more up front, but on balance, not that much more, especially considering the incredible amount of time lost fixing Wintel issues.

My iMac has been flawless, updates when they do occur happen in seconds vs. 10 minutes or more on PCs, all the software works and it's design is unmatched.

MS is wasting their ad dollars ... if people want a $500 laptop, go for it. I choose quality and an experience that is best. That's an Apple product.

Come on....how are you going to say a "PC is more expensive to maintain?"

Both can have varying costs of ownership....but for instance...my destop, i've had since 2006, have made my own upgrades to keep it up with the times (video card, additional HDD, more RAM).

If i have an issue....it doesn't cost me anything to fix.

At the same level, if someone got a dell warranty their upfront cost covers them for however long they purchased it for....same with Apple care.

Updates come quick, all my software works the way it should. You can't just label PC's as machines that don't work and cost money to maintain.

Thats just a lie.

 

[spillproof]

Can't we just all get along?



I wonder what Google's ads will be like for their new OS.

 

[DougB541]

Can't we just all get along?



I wonder what Google's ads will be like for their new OS.

They will get feedback from everyone using GMAIL by reading their emails and then create an ad campaign around that.

I can see it now....

 

[Vulpinemac]

Apple, on the other hand, saw significant growth by selling things other than computers.

Then you choose to ignore that they saw growth in computer sales as well?

 

[pic620]

maybe Apple should do a Part 2 video and get that Lauren person back or a lookalike LOL. Call it Lauren 6 months on, the HP Laptop all dropping to bits, slowed down and viruses have ruined the system.

Hahaha, I actually think that would be a very effective ad campaign.

 

[thecartoonguy]

Err... do you seriously consider this a victory for Apple?

It makes them look like total losers, because it proves that the call from Apple Legal actually did happen. Apple have been making ludicrously inaccurate claims about Windows and PCs in their ads for ages, and when Microsoft finally fights back, Apple stoops to behaving like a bunch of crybabies with no skin, like some litigous religious cult.

The very fact MS changed their ads speak volumes! They were not honest, thus called on it and they changed it. Why is a pc better when you spend hours "preparing it" to use so you will not get virus, pop-ups, and so on?

 

[thecartoonguy]

maybe Apple should do a Part 2 video and get that Lauren person back or a lookalike LOL. Call it Lauren 6 months on, the HP Laptop all dropping to bits, slowed down and viruses have ruined the system.

LAUGHING!! That would be great and so truthful!!! heheh

 

[thecartoonguy]

YOu don't know Microsoft didn't do it for the sake of humanity, that's just how nice they are.

BWAAAA HA HA HA! Please tell me you're joking. I can hear the conversation right now

Microsoft- Say stop saying we make an O/S that can get viruses, pop-ups, multiple updates, crashes, a poorly written internet browser, and claim ours is better because we are only saying "Hey we sell and O/S offered on multiple platforms."

Apple- Um but it all true

Microsoft- Yea but

Click.......

 

[polaris20]

It makes them look like total losers, because it proves that the call from Apple Legal actually did happen.

Not saying you're necessarily wrong, but you have an odd meter for "proof".

 

[Vulpinemac]

So what you are saying is that you were wrong. Microsoft did not make a loss, just less profit than this time last year. What a rather long winded way to say I was correct and you were wrong when you said Microsoft "made an annual loss".

I say again: At a corporate level, any reduction is profits is considered a 'Loss.' How many more times do I have to say that?

As for size of company. What are we basing this on? Market cap? Head counts? Total revenue?

Microsoft: Mkt cap 207.36B; Shares 8.90B
Total Revenue: 15,837.00; Net Income: 4,297.00 (as of Jun '08)
Total Revenue: 13,099; Net Income: $3,045 (as of Jun '09)

Apple: Mkt cap 142.45B; Shares 892.11M
Total Revenue: 7,464.00; Net Income: 1,072.00 (as of Jun '08);
Total Revenue: 8,337; Net Income: 1,229.00 (as of Jun '09)

The data above clearly demonstrates that Microsoft is larger by more than one indicator. This also shows that Microsoft showed a definitive drop in income and profits year over year as compared to Apple. Need I say more?

 

[deconstruct60]

Actaully it was Macs that helped Apple this past quarter. And Macs remain their biggest money-maker.

What part of the coverage of the conference call that say that per revenue per unit of macs went down last quarter didn't you get?

Sure there was a jump in Mac revenue last quarter because there was a product refresh. You'll see hiccups on every refresh.... even of cash cow lines.


A cash cow is a product for which you limit your R&D and future investment in. Not concerned if dies off over the long term. Not necessarily the thing that brings in the highest profit margins.

The other action that happened in the quarter was that there was an iPhone OS upgrade would allow Apple to release deferred software revenue into the balance sheet. It is very doubtful think Macs (as harware + software system) have higher margins than a pure software entity of an OS upgrade.

That iPod is going to shrink. I know Apple is spinning that as iPhone/Touch cannibalization, but that is also going to be due to increasing competitive pressures since more digitial music is not DRM tied to only their iPods. Usually when anticompetitive devices are removed providers typically loose share.

It's a misconception that Apple is no longer about their computers. The past refresh to the Macbook line (already refreshed in October 08),

Refreshing by running in place price wise (or with minor adjustments) doesn't contraindicate a cash cow.

However, not following market driven prices often does though.

The picture is muddled. The price correction, not the refresh, was the more indicative aspect though.

And the upcoming tablet-like device will really blur the lines.

Actually it will make the lines more clear.

If this is an iPhone OS device and Apple refuses to get off the $1,000 price line even into next year, then that is increasingly indicative that Macs are cash cows. Apple barring Macs from competing in space reserved for a iPhone OS device then that is a clear indicator of which platform has priority.

If the MacBook line refreshes and there is slight or very close overlap between the two. (or it is actually a Mac Book mini or Mac Book Tablet ). Then yeah it will be blurry.

Apple appears to be reserving a price point for some device (or perhaps devices). [ above the $499 which is "impossible" to go below and below $999 ] If only one family is allowed to enter then it is clear they intend to allow an umbrella effect to incrementally kill off the Mac line over an very extended period of time.