Microsoft Launches New Ad Comparing MacBook Air to Lenovo's Convertible Yoga 3 Pro Laptop

[rdlink]

Laptops that turn into tablets just seem so irksome and inconvenient. I'll have a laptop, or a tablet. By having both, you just get a chunky, heavy tablet.

Here's what I don't get: They PC manufacturers tried this last time with the "tablet" computer. In the late 90s, through the mid 2000's, the "future" of mobile computing was the convertible tablet laptop.

When poor design, under specced hardware, and OEM crapware doomed them, they turned their attention to Netbooks.

Then Apple came along and said, "Here's what a table should look and work like." People agreed with their money.

Then Apple said, "Instead of a crappy Netbook, how about this fast, well built and reliable ultrabook?" People agreed with their money.

So now, after 4+ years of trying to compete with the iPad and the Macbook Air, the PC morons are back at it again. Trying to combine two products into the single product that they couldn't design right before. And it's the same damn product from 1999!!

 

[ChristianVirtual]

I really miss a touch functionality on my MBA; not so much on my iMac.
In company I use a Lenovo Helix (Win 8.1 hybrid, full detachable keyboard) and an Acer Tablet at home for the few Windows needs I have.
Apple conditioned us over years to touch and multitouch. But their laptops not yet support the same style.
Hopefully next very next generation will fill that gap. As such I liked the video; specially when they touch the MBA the exactly same way I do: and nothing happen .

 

[Michael Goff]

Usually it's:

1st Quarter: Company's ads attacks Apple and MR revolts
2nd Quarter: Company releases product with more "features"
3rd Quarter: MR explaining how it's irrelevant
4th Quarter: Praying for an updated model generation that fits your operability and upgrade standards.

I was more talking about how these types of articles work, a quarter of the posts at a time.

 

[sshambles]

If I wanted something that half-does an iPads job and a laptops, I'd be looking for this convertible.

Neither the MacBook Air or the iPad are that bulky as for me not to want to carry them both. Ever.
Just up to the OS to make the real decision.

 

[kahkityoong]

Dunno that I would want to be comparing this to anything at all, let alone the MacBook Air given how crap it works in practice.
"The first Core M laptop paints a depressing, mediocre picture for Intel’s Broadwell" doesn't sound like the review title for a winning product.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/192893-the-first-core-m-laptop-paints-a-depressing-mediocre-picture-for-intels-broadwell

 

[Michael Goff]

Here's what I don't get: They PC manufacturers tried this last time with the "tablet" computer. In the late 90s, through the mid 2000's, the "future" of mobile computing was the convertible tablet laptop.

When poor design, under specced hardware, and OEM crapware doomed them, they turned their attention to Netbooks.

Then Apple came along and said, "Here's what a table should look and work like." People agreed with their money.

Then Apple said, "Instead of a crappy Netbook, how about this fast, well built and reliable ultrabook?" People agreed with their money.

So now, after 4+ years of trying to compete with the iPad and the Macbook Air, the PC morons are back at it again. Trying to combine two products into the single product that they couldn't design right before. And it's the same damn product from 1999!!

No, it isn't the same product as from 1999. :\

----------

If I wanted something that half-does an iPads job and a laptops, I'd be looking for this convertible.

Neither the MacBook Air or the iPad are that bulky as for me not to want to carry them both. Ever.
Just up to the OS to make the real decision.

But the two of them combined are definitely more expensive than this one machine, which is the point.

 

[MasterChat]

I think the comparison made by Microsoft is like a tip of an iceberg. There are still other features where Apple is way too great to be compared.

 

[darcyf]

A device is defined not by what you can do *to* it but rather what you can do *with* it.

Out of the box, a MacBook Air is a productivity suite, a creativity suite and a connectivity platform. The user experience is thoughtfully designed and intuitive, and backed up by free workshops offered in Apple Stores all over the world, free Genius Bar appointments if you have a technical issue and a toll free number to call if you have any questions.

You can fold the Yoga and touch the screen, which runs one of the most confusing consumer operating systems ever made.

It's a great ad, very well presented and carefully crafted to distract you from realizing that it never mentions anything about the actual experience of using either product.

 

[ani4ani]

Laptops that turn into tablets just seem so irksome and inconvenient. I'll have a laptop, or a tablet. By having both, you just get a chunky, heavy tablet.

Don't worry Apple will have one soon and then they'll be brilliant and indispensable.

 

[Michael Goff]

I think the comparison made by Microsoft is like a tip of an iceberg. There are still other features where Apple is way too great to be compared.

Such as?

A device is defined not by what you can do *to* it but rather what you can do *with* it.

Out of the box, a MacBook Air is a productivity suite, a creativity suite and a connectivity platform. The user experience is thoughtfully designed and intuitive, and backed up by free workshops offered in Apple Stores all over the world, free Genius Bar appointments if you have a technical issue and a toll free number to call if you have any questions.

You can fold the Yoga and touch the screen, which runs one of the most confusing consumer operating systems ever made.

It's a great ad, very well presented and carefully crafted to distract you from realizing that it never mentions anything about the actual experience of using either product.

"It's so intuitive, Apple will even teach you how to use it!"



Edit: As for not talking about the experience, it's because Microsoft has realized what the rest of us knew for the past couple years. If you're a normal user, neither OS will be a bad choice. They'll both work for you.

 

[ani4ani]

I like how they're comparing the MacBook Air which was out since 2008 with hardly any design changes lol!

Wait till the new MacBook Air with retina comes out and let's see them play catch up again.

I think they are just comparing the latest offering from Apple v the latest offering from Lenovo? Is it Lenovo's fault that Apple work on a 5 year upgrade cycle?

 

[Wiggle]

Those who cant compete and are taken to the cleaners are the ones who indulges in such practice of mocking and comparing as deep down they know that ...they just cant compete..

Spot on, you're totally right...

 

[Michael Goff]

I like how they're comparing the MacBook Air which was out since 2008 with hardly any design changes lol!

Wait till the new MacBook Air with retina comes out and let's see them play catch up again.

That's assuming the MBA with Retina in a different design is happening.

 

[WardC]

Microsoft...touchscreens???? FAIL!!

 

[samcraig]

It's a great ad, very well presented and carefully crafted to distract you from realizing that it never mentions anything about the actual experience of using either product.

So showing that you can watch movies in a more convenient way and that it has a touch interface aren't examples of a using "experience"

What about these for the MacBook Air?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DHYe4dhjXw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJESI2jrehc

I would have tried to find more - but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of advertising for the Air

 

[Firelock]

I think it's very nice for graphic artists to draw with... but when I played with it the stylus was very laggy. If it's not as slick as Wacom Cintiq it's not worth using.

As for the 5000 devices. Adobe didn't give them away of course. Microsoft did. Adobe certainly didn't pay a penny for them.

I thought I was pretty clear that Nadella was the one who gave them away. But in general I agree with your comments. I gave the SP3 to my boss who is not an artist and she seems quite happy with it as a laptop replacement. This also fits a general pattern I have seen where MS has been giving their Surface tablets away to big companies in order to increase their market share.

 

[JeffDM]

I think they are just comparing the latest offering from Apple v the latest offering from Lenovo?

True, but I think the point is how well the design holds up.

I wouldn't put it past them to compare themselves against a replaced product though, and they are doing just that. MS/Nokia is running ads comparing their latest phones with this year's lowest tier iPhone, 5s.

 

[teslo]

Do you have selective memory or did you only discover Apple products recently?

unrelated, but does anyone here watch The Knick? "PC Guy" John Hodgman has an awesome (small) role in it. i advise anyone who hasn't seen the Knick to do so immediately! seemingly no one does... but it's up there with breaking bad and boardwalk empire, imo

 

[rdlink]

No, it isn't the same product as from 1999. :\

Yes, it is. See, we can do this all day...

 

[AdonisSMU]

Yoga 3 is like a 4 year old MBA.... LMAO!

 

[osofast240sx]

Here's what I don't get: They PC manufacturers tried this last time with the "tablet" computer. In the late 90s, through the mid 2000's, the "future" of mobile computing was the convertible tablet laptop.

When poor design, under specced hardware, and OEM crapware doomed them, they turned their attention to Netbooks.

Then Apple came along and said, "Here's what a table should look and work like." People agreed with their money.

Then Apple said, "Instead of a crappy Netbook, how about this fast, well built and reliable ultrabook?" People agreed with their money.

So now, after 4+ years of trying to compete with the iPad and the Macbook Air, the PC morons are back at it again. Trying to combine two products into the single product that they couldn't design right before. And it's the same damn product from 1999!!

Well put.I just can't stand for the life of me why Microsoft wants to promote such a product with a horrible user experience expect customers to want to come back.

 

[Michael Goff]

Yes, it is. See, we can do this all day...

Except it isn't. The form factor is different, the internals are different, the screen is different, the OS is different. There's nothing that makes this the same product of yesteryear.,

 

[JeffDM]

Until Apple make one and then it'll be some genius, ground-breaking innovation right?

...well, no. But I'd argue that Apple generally does it better when they release their take on it, assuming they do. Until Apple released the iPad, the rest of the industry almost couldn't give away tablet computers or hybrids or convertibles, they couldn't figure out how to make them sell. The first year of iPad sales exceeded tablet sales of the previous ten years combined.

Another example, Apple was slow to add trackpad scrolling, but once they did, the two finger scroll was simply better (IMO) than the edge scroll on competing trackpads, and now, edge scroll is but a faint memory.

 

[Pman17]

All of these ads are secretly saying "Hey Apple! We spent a lot of money to get your attention by building an awesome tablet laptop hybrid. Can you make a better one?"

 

[jmgregory1]

Mostly typical biased MacFan comments. Face it, the Mac image is beginning to unravel.

The only thing that is happening with Apple is that they have gone from the underdog to the top dog and it's always easier to pick on the big guy. Apple still makes great products (hardware and software), even when you factor in the hiccups they've had over the past couple of years, it's nothing compared to the days when MS and the then mainstream PC manufacturers were putting out crap because they just didn't care enough about the end-user experience.

That really sums it up for most of these companies still. They make product that goes after the lowest common denominator, thinking price is the only thing people care about. Microsoft built not only their business, but also enabled a huge number of support companies to make fortunes by "fixing" the issues with MS software. The same was true for the PC market - think of all the now defunct PC retailers, whose main business was built on selling replacement parts for the crap PC's that people and businesses were buying. And for corporations to need big IT departments to manage both software and hardware - much because of the inept software and hardware that MS and the PC business was putting out.