Microsoft Releases Second 'Laptop Hunters' Commercial

[HLdan]

Well, the ads are what they are.....ads. With the exception of some flaws in the production they are just what they are...ads and I have no issue with Microsoft creating these ads although they are certainly not answers to Apple's Vista ads because MS is not even defending Vista or pointing out good things about Windows.

I'm getting quite puzzled by the posts of certain people on this forum. These certain people have been on MR for at least 2 years, have a MBP, iPhone, iPod Touch and such in their sig but makes statements saying, "I'm glad Microsoft is bashing Apple and killing the Mac community". Why are these certain people Apple's customers then? Who's side are they on??

 

[Goona]

Windows has almost always allowed the previous version to be bought and supported for years after a new OS comes out.....

Have they always given an option of downgrading to an 8 year old OS. I mean when 7 comes out you will have the option of downgrading to XP. I don't recal this happening before.

 

[Goona]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Lyons

Daniel Lyons (born 1960 in Massachusetts) is an American writer. He was a senior editor at Forbes magazine and is now a writer at Newsweek.

He has written a book of short stories, The Last Good Man (1993), a novel, Dog Days (1998), and a fictional biography, Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs, a Parody (2007). He also wrote The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, a popular blog and parody of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, under the pseudonym Fake Steve Jobs.​

The person they quoted works at Microsoft.

 

[3282868]

Come to think of it. As a client MS should be pissed with that commercial.

If they wanted to they could have actually shown him not being able to find a computer with his criterica, just like Lauren. Instead, they say "Macs are sexy" and totally forget to mention, why this dude, really is a PC.

So far both these ads make me skeptical about this ad agency.

You know, it's a shame Microsoft can't state that Apple systems are able to fully boot into Windows OS. I have actually spent more money on buying Windows OS products as I do not buy them any more with a Windows system. Think about the money Windows could make by advertising their OS on Apple hardware? People who need Windows could buy it out of the box.

 

[VoR]

Name a few mass produced systems from HP, Dell, even Microsoft that are as material conscious as Apple is to date.

That's my point though. Understanding 'how to save the world yaddayadda' and being green isn't quite as simple as watching an advertisement and coming to an assumption like that.

What about Windows users who don't want to be associated with computers that are being advertised as cheap, Microsoft is doing a real good job of keeping them happy with these ads.

Highly entertaining, keep them coming!

 

[3282868]

He has written a book of short stories, The Last Good Man (1993), a novel, Dog Days (1998), and a fictional biography, Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs, a Parody (2007). He also wrote The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, a popular blog and parody of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, under the pseudonym Fake Steve Jobs.[/INDENT]

I used to LOVE the Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. It was BRILLIANT a few years back.

I even recall a Secret Diary of Jonathan Ive, however no one caught on to that and Lyons didn't keep it up but it was brilliant.

If I recall correctly, Lyons is an Apple fan no?

 

[Goona]

Microsoft is positioning itself as "cheap" against "cool".

I'm hoping Apple would respond: "Yes, we are cool. If you want cheap, look for Linux".

That would put Microsoft in the corner: if it continued to push the "cheap" card, there would be a reminder that there is a cheaper option. The only solution, for Microsoft, would be silence.

I can imagine, three characters in scene:

Linux: "I'm cheap!"
Mac: "I'm cool!"
Windows: ???

Apple should target this, Windows isn't the cheapest option, Linux is. If they want to play the cheap card, they need to be hit where it hurts. Apple should also talk about Office and how expensive it is compared to iWork and openoffice.

 

[AidenShaw]

I'm hoping Apple would respond: "Yes, we are cool."

Mac: "I'm cool!"

Another quote from Dan Lyons' Newsweek article speaks to this point:

The ad makes an obvious point: Macs cost more than Windows PCs.

But there's a far more damaging subtext: that people who buy Macs aren't necessarily cool, clued-in hipsters. In fact, they might just be poseurs who paid too much for a computer–slash–fashion accessory.

The deeper subtext is that these days, wasting money doesn't make you hip and smart—it makes you stupid.

In the age of the collapsing economy, frugality is the new cool.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192459

It's a post-Jobs, post-cool world out there.

 

[Eidorian]

You're pretty deluded if you think that Apple cares about these ads.

The only thing that will come out of them is Apple strengthening its position in its current markets. They won't make a sub-$1,000 computer; they'll solidify their superiority in the above-$1,000 market.

That's good for me, right?

 

[3282868]

That's my point though. Understanding 'how to save the world yaddayadda' and being green isn't quite as simple as watching an advertisement and coming to an assumption like that.

I never stated it was, I never mentioned Apple's recent ads. I stated what Apple was doing in their products over the past few years (using recyclable products such as Aluminum, glass, more efficient batteries, etc.). The commercials Apple produces are done so to cater to the mass audience who wouldn't understand such concepts as laser and water jets in honing aluminum for their systems, or glass and LED backlighting for their displays. We know this and understand it as the majority of MacRumors members work/live in the IT field. However, one of the reasons Apple systems/hardware is more costly is Apple's attention to detail in their hardware, such as the use of more expensive materials that are environmentally safe(r) and recyclable. As such, you are going to pay a higher price (as well as for the industrial design and r and d in aesthetics). Again, Apple, Inc. develop electronics that have complete end user experiences and products that are designed to be aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing.

 

[Stevamundo]

I'm sure that every week we'll have another 2000+ post thread about the newest Microsoft ad, and 1995 of those posts will be rehashing old arguments.

That's unfortunately and completely true.

 

[AidenShaw]

The person they quoted works at Microsoft.

Sorry - that wasn't clear, since you quoted the entire reference to the Newsweek article - not just the quoted quote.

But, to assume someone is a dunce because he works at Microsoft isn't a reasonable statement.

 

[3282868]

Another quote from Dan Lyons' Newsweek article speaks to this point:




It's a post-Jobs, post-cool world out there.

This was never Apple's market. Apple has always marketed towards those who will pay a premium for a well designed, ergonomically pleasing and easier to use product. The mass consumer market generally purchases products that are more in their price range, and generally do not take aesthetics and materials into account. I do not see this ads having much effect on the market share, if anything it will stay the same. Consumers will continue to purchase products that fit their budgetary needs, those who are more concerned with costs will continue to purchase Windows based system and those concerned with aesthetics, ergonomics, materials etc. will pay the higher premium for Apple hardware. There will always be people buying iPods and such as they Apple's music lineup covers a broad range of pricing, and they will have that "cool factor" that has always sustained itself even with the fluctuations in the global markets, as there will always be consumers buying full systems based on price.

 

[mosx]

You're pretty deluded if you think that Apple cares about these ads.

The only thing that will come out of them is Apple strengthening its position in its current markets. They won't make a sub-$1,000 computer; they'll solidify their superiority in the above-$1,000 market.

In which case they fail in two ways. One being that there are much much much better systems to be had in the above $1,000 price range than Macs.

And the second way they fail is by ignoring that market their overall marketshare will remain in the single digits worldwide for the distant future. People will realize that Apple is a vanity brand and is essentially the Bose of computing and their numbers will begin to shrink more than they already have. At that point Apple will need to realize that they can't rely only on their fanboys to keep them alive and their stockholders happy.

 

[parapup]

Apple should also talk about Office and how expensive it is compared to iWork and openoffice.

Except that neither iWork nor OpenOffice.org are anywhere near close to MS Office in terms of at least the functionality offered - For example try working on collaborative projects in corporate environment - the one where a dozen people contribute to one document - MS Office really shines there with the review/change tracking and master/sub document features.

And if you don't need lot of features - MS office home/student edition is not a whole lot costlier than iWork and if you don't need to be a 100% MS Office compatible OpenOffice is free. So where does Apple have anything to talk?

Apple does not compete on price - usability/aesthetics/experience is where they shine and Apple's Get a Mac ads focus on those aspects already. They don't even try to get into a corporate environment as most of what is needed is of no interest to them.

 

[bf2008]

Get an iMac, mate.

 

[southernpaws]

Believe it. It is. I had both showing the same online video feed today whilst watching the Malaysian Grand Prix. The quality of image on the Netbooks screen was more easily visible from more angles than the Macbook. Literally, 5, 10 degrees off perfect, and I couldn't read the macbook screen. It's PATHETIC.

Apple charge premium price, but use bargain basement components.

Oh - and good luck with the DL-DVI adaptor you'll need to make the most of an external display - it's barely fit for purpose.

As a Mac user (specifically for the abilities of Keynote) - I refuse to recommend Mac's to others.

What's the resolution on your netbook? do you have anything to base it on other than anecdotal evidence?

 

[polaris20]

What's the resolution on your netbook? do you have anything to base it on other than anecdotal evidence?

This is Macrumors.com; all anyone here is good for is anecdotal evidence.

 

[compuguy1088]

i think these ads have some merit

not gonna lie, i envy the hardware selection with windows immensly

I would have to agree as well....I have both a Macbook Pro and a home-built Quad core pc (with vista). Both work great.

 

[compuguy1088]

He bought this laptop.

Looks to me like a decent machine.....it even could do some gaming, thanks to the discrete graphics card.

 

[xDYLANx]

There's always something in these ads that make Macs look good.

First one: "I guess I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person"

Second one: "Wow, these are sexy!"

I'm paraphrasing but still...it's pretty funny.

"Hey! Our computer are way uglier...but you should still buy them!"

 

[Cleverboy]

Sorry - that wasn't clear, since you quoted the entire reference to the Newsweek article - not just the quoted quote.
But, to assume someone is a dunce because he works at Microsoft isn't a reasonable statement.

You might as well quit while you're behind, you went through the trouble of quoting Daniel Lyon's biography, and its pretty clear the last quote was what Goona was referring to... not the article as a whole.

Regarding the "unicorn tears" bit, I was surprised the Lyons would have sent such a sarcastic barb in an article... but, seeing that it was a Microsoft general manager for brand marketing, like Goona, my exact thought was "of course". I technically agree that he may not be a dunce and that he may not be a dunce FOR working at Microsoft, but I can appreciate the sentiment. David Webster's quote makes him sound like an idiot. If he truly believes what he said, he's part of the reason Microsoft has been failing with their brand image. If however, as I believe, that his cynical statements are part of a carefully orchestrated PR campaign designed to eat away at Apple's appeal to the middle-class... then its simply what he's supposed to be doing. The "PC bigot" versus "Mac bigot" thing is such an easy response to invoke, especially with sarcasm. My brother-in-law's wife just got an iMac, and they're switching, but he's resisting a bit. But, its the "familiar" vs "unfamiliar" thing that's at fault, and not necessarily the "better" vs "worse".

It doesn't take away however, that the statement sounds stupid from any other angle. Apple machines are approaching the challenge of a laptop from a different angle than makers like Dell and HP, and while many customers simply get sucked in by the "halo" affect or the sheep mentality (I respect X, so if he buys a Mac, then I will), others realize that the "experience" of ownership is simply better and less complicated. Moreover, the COST of ownership may actually be better in the end.

For OS X era computers, I owned a Mac G4 tower (pre-OS X, but upgraded), and then bought a Dell mini-tower, then a Dell Inspiron laptop, then a Powerbook, then an iMac, then a Macbook. Now all the PCs in my house have been replaced with Macs, and my user experience has gone from a struggle, to one of "no problems". The only difficulty I went through, was installing a 1TB hard drive into my iMac, but all said and done... it went smoothly.

I've gotten such good support from the Apple store, that half the time I'm thinking something is "wrong" and that tech support was supposed to be much more difficult. My mother who owns a Dell still (I got her to buy it from the outlet for super-cheap) is still considering a new iMac someday, but because she uses the computer so little... the irritating problems are not that pronounced, but they're there.

~ CB

 

[southernpaws]

Nobody I personally know uses the trackpad while at the desk. Nobody. It's something most people see as something you only use when you're on battery power. When I'm at the desk, I see no reason at all to use the trackpad when I have my MX Revolution mouse. The trackpad just doesn't compare at all.

Man. I am really running the risk of sounding like a mac zealot here. but. here goes.

they don't use the trackpad at their desk because they don't have anything close to the new trackpad on the mac. i always hated the idea of owning a laptop because i could never stand using a trackpad. I still hate using the trackpad to move the cursor...but everything else it does makes up for that now-small annoyance.

the trackpad is the number one reason, in my opinion, to own the new macbook. rather than having the trackpad be a makeshift substitute for a mouse, it makes the mouse unnecessary. anytime i use a desktop, my hand instinctively moves to the center to use gestures, and it's almost frustrating now to use the arrow buttons to navigate forward and back on webpages.

it seems like a small deal. but when you use it. it's irreplaceable.

and i'm done.

 

[yegon]

Probably already been said, but in most people's cases how good/bad this ad is/isn't seems based, somewhat irrationally, on where your allegiance lies - a quick perusal of the neowin forums shows opinion is pretty much the polar opposite of here. Me? I think it's a decent ad aimed at the price conscious end of the market, the kind of people who walk into high street stores and choose a computer on a whim i.e. not us, or any other computer hardware forumites.

Oh, and I wouldn't swap my umbp for anything

the trackpad is the number one reason, in my opinion, to own the new macbook.

I agree. It was previously unthinkable, but for browsing purposes I actually *prefer* to use the trackpad on my mbp and was one of the key reasons why I wanted to upgrade from my old white mb. Still use a mouse at the desk though.

 

[Goona]

Except that neither iWork nor OpenOffice.org are anywhere near close to MS Office in terms of at least the functionality offered - For example try working on collaborative projects in corporate environment - the one where a dozen people contribute to one document - MS Office really shines there with the review/change tracking and master/sub document features.

And if you don't need lot of features - MS office home/student edition is not a whole lot costlier than iWork and if you don't need to be a 100% MS Office compatible OpenOffice is free. So where does Apple have anything to talk?

Apple does not compete on price - usability/aesthetics/experience is where they shine and Apple's Get a Mac ads focus on those aspects already. They don't even try to get into a corporate environment as most of what is needed is of no interest to them.

Who cares about all that, this should be targeted as folks like Laurie who Microsoft targeted and care about price and need it for basic needs, iWork and open office does more than they need. Everything you wrote is irrelevant to them.