Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
well, it's better than the ad where they had to fool people into using Vista, by lying about it and telling them it was something else.

but not much.
 
These ads are perfect. They essentially make apple look like idiots if they keep running their ad campaign.

You have to understand Microsoft's goals, they need apple to exist. Apple's prosperity keeps them from being a monopoly. So they let apple survive, make Office for mac, etc. and everything is fine.

The "i'm a mac" ads came out, and it was snotty and everybody had a good laugh, but Microsoft didn't care, it was a few little potshots.

This year, apples ads got very personal, direct attacks on vista again and again, in a time when they are under shareholder pressure, etc. about what a bad launch vista had. Apple crossed the line and needs a gentle reminder from their bigger, more successful brother.

Microsoft doesn't care about apples market share right now, especially considering that a good chunk of all these new mac users are dropping windows on them as well. Microsoft gets paid the same either way. Its not like they make computers. But constantly rubbing their current major problem in their face means that apple is going to get a little well deserved smack down.

I'm saying this as someone who owns two macs and an iphone. If Microsoft just rolls over and dies, apple will become the new Microsoft, and we'll all flock to the next innovative small company, because there is truth in stereotypes. Apple users are elitist snobs.
 
I think it's a great response to the "I'm a Mac" ads (which I personally don't like). Some of you die hards are twisting and looking too much into it though.
 
Microsoft Missteps

Apple is doing just fine. Let's not wish them too much growth too fast, their customer service couldn't handle it right now. I would like to see them gain 5 or 6% a year over the next 5 years and stop. I'll be happy with that balance. This will allow Apple as a company to grow with their market share and not loose sight of being the #1 customer service computer company in the world.

We all can admit to having to use Windows PC's for certain things wether it's logging into a website that has Active X controls or running an app that isn't available on MAC OS.

Everyone must understand that it doesn't have to be M$ or Apple, just in the same respect that it doesn't have to be Toyota or GM. I would like to see a better balance of operating systems in the market, but until Apple sets their sights on the Enterprise, we are always going to see people buying the same computers for their homes. It's the old rule, "Well I use a PC at work and I know how to use it, why not use one at home". I always respond, if you drove a bread truck for a living, would you drive a bread truck when you take your wife and kids out to dinner? Next day we are going to the Apple store together.

M$ has made things really easy for Apple over the last few years.
1. They took a really, really long time to come up with an updated OS for Windows XP.

2. Vista wasn't a home run and Apple jumped on that. Out of the gate M$ was taking a lot of heat for the missteps they made on compatibility and stability.

3. The Zune, people saw that as M$ trying to compete with Apple and it really hurt their image. "Why couldn't one of the largest and richest software companies make a simple music player to compete with the iPod?" Why couldn't M$ secure the domain name for www.zune.com?

There are more, but my point is that M$ has made some pretty big missteps that allowed Apple to jump in and "Take Care" of those customers that were a bit dis-enchanted with what they were doing OR just completely confused.

If M$ really gets their act together with Windows 7 and comes out with something that rocks, you will see sales of MAC computers dramatically slow down. But their past track record would indicate that they will have more of the same, a weak grounder right to the first baseman.

Just my thoughts, don't shred me!

LanPhantom
 
Very good ads. I don't know how well they'll last before becoming tired, but we'll see.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Apple's "Mac vs. PC" ad response to them. You know it's going to be hilarious. I love John Hodgman.
 
I'm a Hyundai.

I'm a BMW Sedan.

Sorry Microsoft. Dumb, unoriginal and desperate looking.

I think you should have said I'm a Ford (most common). And I'm a Saab (less common). Globally, Ford's are probably the standard, but that doesn't make them necessarily better (Windows PC). Far from it. The prestigious Swedish name of Saab is like what Mac is to computers.
 
I don't mean to play Dvorak here, but if they're not meant to sell product then it's a waste of money!

Selling a brand identity is different than selling a product. Just because I like the ad doesn't mean I'm going to rush out and buy a Dell. I might be getting into advertising one day, and I like to analyze the ad for what it is and not what I think about the product.
 
How about upgrading your memory from the mac store without taking out a loan? Or how choosing your own parts to make a system specific to your needs? How about a mid-range mac that you can easily upgrade?
...
Mac would redeem themselves a little bit in my mind if they would fill the huge gap in their product line, and make their lower-end products more expandable. I could build a PC with a Core2Quad, 4gigs of ram and all the other things that I want for a decent price... while I could never afford a Mac Pro on my wages, and I wouldn't want an iMac because I want to be able to add to and remove from my system.

It's obvious to me you are not a good candidate for a Mac, and you know what, that's perfectly ok. You are a power user. The vast majority of computer users have to idea how to build or upgrade a system. Most people simply buy pre-configured systems from Best Buy or Walmart. In my opinion, these people would be just fine with a Mac Mini or iMac. I wish my parents had one!

People seem to just spit out things about Windows being a broken OS, or Mac "just working," or all PCs having viruses. Makes me wonder how much experience these people actually have with Windows.

Windows may or may not be a flawed OS, but I've never had any problems with it personally.

I'm glad you've had a good experience with Windows. Professionally, I'm a software developer that works in the Windows environment. Personally, I own an iMac. I switched because I gave Apple a chance by going to their store and test driving the systems. Over time I discovered many cool feature of the OS that I wanted to use (Expose and Front Row being my favorites). During this time I also went to a Dell kiosk where the sales rep simply tried all the old tactics to sell me a system. I never got to "play" with Vista and that drove me back to the Apple store and I very happily bought an iMac.

P.S. And this is coming from a former Mac Hater.
 
I think this one is far more effective than the Seinfeld ads. That said, I liked it better when it was the "I am Canadian" beer commercial...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg

...just saying...

Yep! "I am Canadian" for Molson is instantly recognizable (well, at least here).

I don't know why Coke feels a need to change their slogans every few years (?). You'd think you'd want a multi-generational slogan the world will recognize. But, I guess, Coke is just... Coke. You recognize the brand name. It's dominate. Sounds familiar (Windows). Unless you get the world to listen to the VISTA message, it's money thrown out the... uh, window. :p But, maybe that's coming down the pipeline.
 
I don't think it's pathetic. I think the simple design is actually quite nice, and the melange of characters is very effective.

Windows is starting to understand marketing - look at the Zunes. They're tapping into simplistic design + the concept of (admittedly exploiting) independent art.
 
"...and I sell fish."

I didn't like this commercial until that line. Reminds me of a Herzog documentary for some reason. Although that would go more like "I'm a PC and I lost my legs in an industrial accident."

Hah hah! Agreed.
 
Windows is starting to understand marketing - look at the Zunes.

Ok... I still don't know what "Welcome to the Social" was supposed to mean. Also, the updates to the Zunes from last week were completely over-shadowed by Apple's press event. MS could go a long way if they figured out how to create that kind of buzz for a product line.
 
I could build a PC with a Core2Quad, 4gigs of ram and all the other things that I want for a decent price... while I could never afford a Mac Pro on my wages, and I wouldn't want an iMac because I want to be able to add to and remove from my system.

Then just do it and shut up. Most computer users could care less about upgrading, and just buy new systems when theirs becomes long in the tooth. Just because you and maybe 1000 others might want a cheapo "midrange" or "headless" Mac doesn't mean that Apple is going to make one for your vocal minority.

This whining about a cheapo Mac is getting old. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN, so just shut the hell up about it already.

I like Macs. I'm so not Justin Long. Macs are just better. Spend your millions on making a better product.


Anyone who models or associates their "lifestyle" or "image" after others, especially actors or other "celebrities", are just brainless idiots anyway.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.