Microsoft's New Vista Ad Campaign: Microsoft Mojave

[dL.]

Vista is definitely the best Windows to date. However, given the amount of time that MS had, the general audience is highly disappointed to find out that it's been slightly improved. If Vista released in 2003, people probably would've been amazed at the improvements for such a small timeframe.

I must say that with Windows Vista, everytime I hit the restart button, it actually restarts instead of trying to End Task some hidden programs like it did in XP. I haven't formatted my Vista since the first day of its release, though the startup time is hellishly long, which is normal for Windows since it gets slower and slower.

I've now been using a Mac for about 9 months. I use both Vista and Leopard everyday and I must admit that Leopard is still overall the better OS.

Vista's good, but Leopard's better.

dL

 

[Dschubot]

Got to love the monotone bad actors they couldn't spend money on. Even better, they had them reading scripts off the computers in front of them.

Question is how many times did they have to film it cause Vista would crash in the middle of the taping.

 

[edenwaith]

Deception!

I want to see the ad when the tester is told that they are actually using Vista, that they are thrown into a rage, screaming "LIAR" and hop over the table to strangle the interviewer.

One person ended off saying, "I wish I could go home and install this on my computer right now." Is 'wish' the operative word here? Perhaps the person didn't mention that they had a Dell with 256MB of memory they purchased back in 2002, and putting Vista on that would be like performing a root canal on yourself. Haha.

Still, I think some of the criticisms are over-hyped, but I have personally experienced the following problems with Vista:

1) No drivers available for Vista. And if you are using Jimmy-Joe-Jim-Bob's drivers for some odd, 3rd party audio card, don't hold your breath.
2) UAC is taking over. The amount of confirmations that are necessary is ridiculous. Microsoft needs to take a cue from Apple on when it is appropriate to prompt for authorization.
3) High hardware requirements. In my organization, the biggest factor that prevents us from upgrading is due to hardware requirements. While our machines run XP OK, I would guess that less than 10% of them would be able to run Vista decently. Compare that up against the 90% of our Macs that can run Leopard (and 100% of them can run Tiger). With so many companies today tightening the belt, I don't imagine they will be upgrading hardware and software unless it is absolutely necessary.

Still, the eye-candy of Vista makes it tolerable to look at (I can't stand the Luna interface of XP).

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Got to love the monotone bad actors they couldn't spend money on. Even better, they had them reading scripts off the computers in front of them.

Question is how many times did they have to film it cause Vista would crash in the middle of the taping.

don't worry the computer was running Ubuntu.

 

[atomicblastkarl]

Still, I think some of the criticisms are over-hyped, but I have personally experienced the following problems with Vista:

1) No drivers available for Vista. And if you are using Jimmy-Joe-Jim-Bob's drivers for some odd, 3rd party audio card, don't hold your breath.
2) UAC is taking over. The amount of confirmations that are necessary is ridiculous. Microsoft needs to take a cue from Apple on when it is appropriate to prompt for authorization.
3) High hardware requirements. In my organization, the biggest factor that prevents us from upgrading is due to hardware requirements. While our machines run XP OK, I would guess that less than 10% of them would be able to run Vista decently. Compare that up against the 90% of our Macs that can run Leopard (and 100% of them can run Tiger). With so many companies today tightening the belt, I don't imagine they will be upgrading hardware and software unless it is absolutely necessary.

Still, the eye-candy of Vista makes it tolerable to look at (I can't stand the Luna interface of XP).

1) I build my own PCs, and yes, drivers are available for everything by this point.

2) You can turn UAC off. I haven't had it up since the first day I installed. You don't need it if you aren't a computer turd.

3) Like many things, you need to update. I'd be willing to bet that 90% of computers after... oh, 2001 or 2002 would be able to run Vista. Maybe not with Aero, but definitely with a default theme. If you are still using a PC from before that, for shame.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, as I do love Apple's products, I just can't afford them

 

[Spankey]

So wait a second. Microsoft tricked users into thinking they were using Beta Software?

Not bad for a pre-release!

 

[clevin]

While our machines run XP OK, I would guess that less than 10% of them would be able to run Vista decently. Compare that up against the 90% of our Macs that can run Leopard (and 100% of them can run Tiger).

how about putting up some fact about when your pcs were purchased, when your macs were purchased, how much each pc costs in average, how much each mac costs in average?

2002. lol, If macs has 30 millions install base, each year Apple ship about 8 millions globally, you do the math, how many 2002 macs are in use now? negligible.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

So wait a second. Microsoft tricked users into thinking they were using Beta Software?

Not bad for a pre-release!

haha. "yeah, this is great. Once you get all the bugs worked out I'm sure this'll be very nice. I'm glad you're not releasing a buggy product so early adopters will form a disgusting stereotype about it. Nope, not like Vista."

 

[Shasterball]

see, I was just wondering where the stereotypical misconceptions of vista came from, now you made such statement.

who told you vista need 3GHz and 4G RAM? Or you just saying it and bet nobody here know anything about vista? LOL, I have hands-on with 3 Vista machines, from 1G RAM to 2G RAM, from 3GHz AMD Athlon64x2 to Intel CoreDuo, to Celeron 1.8Ghz, Vista runs FINE.



YES, I guess M$ did learn something from Apple's PC vs. Mac ads...

I have to agree. I don't know much about Vista and have only heard negative things -- mostly from people who haven't used it.

I switched to a Mac because PC's had too many different parts that would crap out and conflict too many times. Apple solves that problem by designing everything and charging me 33% more. I'll take that. But, it's not like M$ products are unusable. I use one every day at work and it is just fine.

 

[billmister]

You know, now that this is posted it's funny because my daytime manager's brother works for microsoft. He stated that this is the year that Microsoft will "squash" Apple and regain it's position. They have a new campaign.

I replied to the manager, that If you have a powerfull computer, their really isn't anything wrong with windows XP... And well vista. BUT regardless of what campaign may be, Mac is Mac. Will always simply run smoother.

I'm really confident in Apple's product and I back them up 100%. Don't get me wrong, i came from using PC's all my life untill 3 years ago. I really would never like to go back. All the rebooting/drivers/new hardware needed/viruses/spam/adware/spyware/maintenance/hardware problems (dell, etc...)Os looking VERY similar to Mac Osx, also computer including web cam and built in mic like mac...

I mean when people see vista for the first time, never used a computer, its going to look like "WOW" the future is here.... HERE...<----- Macintosh had apps that produce the same feature way before Windows copied it and changed the names of it "gadgets, search function, movie dvd maker" I mean.... Mac had that long ago.

It's really funny how microsoft can make people believe in their product, when in reality, it's a copy of Mac with a different box, themes, and versions. Basic edition, Premium, business, Ultimate...." I mean.. COME on.... WTF?
Why divide windows users???

DOn't get me wrong, watching the video's make me KIND of think of windows differently. I mean it does look great with the new gui interface.... But... all in all.... It's MAC with a different look. And they DON'T tell you, you need to have the proper Hardware, to run that Os. Let alone the correct version to do the aero.. or whatever it's called (yes the duplicated exposé).

I wish them good luck, but everything i look at my screen, i just see my healthy mac, and apps that simply just.... WORK!


My 2 cents

 

[BillyBobBongo]

Where do they find these people!? They must have had to roll over many a rock to find someone who doesn't know what Windows Vista looks like.

I call shenanigans!!

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Where do they find these people!? They must have had to roll over many a rock to find someone who doesn't know what Windows Vista looks like.

I call shenanigans!!

believe it or not most people still use XP.

 

[yoyo1]

No doubt, OSX is much better

I just can say:
I use windows at work and is good, well not good lets say is ok, cz it crashes a lot, but i think the real problem starts when it's connected to the internet you get virus and all that
that's why i say MAC OS X is way better

 

[DMann]

EXACTLY!!!! Heres what I find, people who are not heavy computer users and use vista for internet and a few games, maybe some office have no problems with vista.

Heavy computer users who do things like large data backups, large file transfers, any beefy software like Lightroom, Photoshop, Maya, etc all have problems with vista because vista is downright a memory hog. Its amazing how Lightroom in XP on a 4 year old system completely outperforms Lightroom on Vista in a $7k gaming rig. The file transfer speed is completely unacceptable too even after SP1. And when I delete something from the recycle bin and it takes 6 minutes that's rediculous. And its not just on one machine like Vista lovers try and claim. I have thousands of machines at my workplace running vista and they all have the same problems, which is why I have been working for a while putting a good many of them back to XP.

People can praise vista all they want but Microsoft screwed up and rushed something that wasn't finished and now they are paying for it and luckly, by the looks of it, learning from their mistake.

Microsoft + learn = oxymoron

 

[DMann]

You know, now that this is posted it's funny because my daytime manager's brother works for microsoft. He stated that this is the year that Microsoft will "squash" Apple and regain it's position. They have a new campaign.

I replied to the manager, that If you have a powerfull computer, their really isn't anything wrong with windows XP... And well vista. BUT regardless of what campaign may be, Mac is Mac. Will always simply run smoother.

I'm really confident in Apple's product and I back them up 100%. Don't get me wrong, i came from using PC's all my life untill 3 years ago. I really would never like to go back. All the rebooting/drivers/new hardware needed/viruses/spam/adware/spyware/maintenance/hardware problems (dell, etc...)Os looking VERY similar to Mac Osx, also computer including web cam and built in mic like mac...

I mean when people see vista for the first time, never used a computer, its going to look like "WOW" the future is here.... HERE...<----- Macintosh had apps that produce the same feature way before Windows copied it and changed the names of it "gadgets, search function, movie dvd maker" I mean.... Mac had that long ago.

It's really funny how microsoft can make people believe in their product, when in reality, it's a copy of Mac with a different box, themes, and versions. Basic edition, Premium, business, Ultimate...." I mean.. COME on.... WTF?
Why divide windows users???

DOn't get me wrong, watching the video's make me KIND of think of windows differently. I mean it does look great with the new gui interface.... But... all in all.... It's MAC with a different look. And they DON'T tell you, you need to have the proper Hardware, to run that Os. Let alone the correct version to do the aero.. or whatever it's called (yes the duplicated exposé).

I wish them good luck, but everything i look at my screen, i just see my healthy mac, and apps that simply just.... WORK!


My 2 cents

The problem is that MS is not capable of cloning anything well. Vista's aero will never provide one tenth of the functionality of exposé, gadgets are archaic looking, and the entire GUI seems flaky by comparison to OS X. The most persuasive message emanating from this lame commercial is - "Vista sucks a little bit less than it did before." wow

 

[beg_ne]

LOL ^_^

The Mojave Experiment (Outtakes)

 

[chrono1081]

Heres some things Microsoft needs to do:

1. Realize Vista is a lost cause.

2. Focus on making their next OS better and by better I mean:
a. ONE version, not 8. (4 types of Vista, 32 or 64 bit versions)
b. Focus on speed, not gloss.
c. Make sure core functions like file transfers and deletions don't take 5
min to complete.
d. Release the OS to developers early enough so that drivers and
compatibility packs can be made in time for release.

3. Fix the damn task manager issue. If I click CLOSE I want it to CLOSE.

I don't hate windows by any means, its problems keep me employed but I think the list above isn't completely unreasonable.

 

[shdowman]

Wow,

These ads are interesting at best.

Ok. So coming from a Mac fanboi (have been for about 2.5 years since I converted) I do, as well, find it sad to see a company defending themselves against perception.

I used to build and swear by my PC's for so many years. I would say to Mac people (whom I worked with being a graphic designer) that anything you could do on a Mac you could do the same on a PC. Now, this is still pretty much true. That being said, I do notice that my Mac just seems to do em a bit faster.

All this discussion though is kinda silly if you really think about it. Apple makes a complete user experience. The make the computer and provide the OS, with the user heavily in mind, to work seemlessy withing itself.

Microsoft just makes the software to "hopefully" work seemlessly on a limitless array of different systems. I will give MS the benefit of having the daunting task of creating something that can work on any number of system configurations. Apple controls this environment to ensure the best end-user experience.

My problems with Vista (and yes I have used it extensively) have been generally with the fact that it would seem MS put OSX on an easel and told the developers "give us this". I don't think even the MS flag carriers can really dispute this.

Sure they made Vista pretty and there are some cool features to it. But performance over substance is what most computer users should be seeking. In our world where we are spending more and more time on our machines, I will take something that I find exceedingly user friendly, fast (not without crashes or problems, nothing is perfect) over Windows.

Instead of defending Vista to try and squeeze what money they can out of the poor people willing to buy into this, spend that money and time creating a better end user experience and an OS that just kicks ass. I think competition is a great thing and I know that Steve Jobs just salivated at the failings of Vista and knew it was time to kick MS where it hurts while they are down. I'de like to see MS pick themselves back up and impress me. Doesn't mean I'll go back, I just dont ever count MS out (although they haven't been doing to well for themselves for a while now....XBox 360 excluded).

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it convenient that this should show up to correspond with XP being pulled from shelves???

 

[FF_productions]

Vista hasn't been so bad, I think this website and all the other stuff Apple has put out has made Vista look like a bloated turd.

I installed it on a 6 (yes 6) year old 2.2 ghz pentium 4 with 512 megs of ram and a crappy 32 meg geforce card to boot. I installed Ultimate, and I haven't had a problem since.

Obviously the eye candy is somewhat stripped away, but it hasn't been as bad as people make it out to be.

OS X, I believe is much more user-friendly then Windows. I've used Windows for 6-7 years to know enough about how it works as far as usefulness.

OS X has its boundaries that it's doing its best to cross.

1. It needs more hardware selection as well as better pricing (in some areas, the pro machines are amazingly priced) in order to saturate the market a bit more.

2. It needs to do a better job in the enterprise, servers, etc with businesses (this is on the part of Apple and other companies showing their support, Microsoft completely trounces them at this point, no argument).

3. It just needs more applications (not apple's fault), there needs to be more cross-platform support.

4. Safari (apple's fault, somewhat?) doesn't play friendly with windows-centric websites and their media players. Also the fact that one must download Flip4Mac just to play WMV makes it even less convenient. ALthough, it can just come down to the website developers making the site strictly for IE and disregarding Safari (but with the advent of iPhone, I think there will be some change in that regard).

 

[kaiwai]

If I was not already using OS X, these commercials would not convince me to switch to Vista. At all. All they cared about was how pretty it looked. And how nice the new box looked.

I made the mistake of getting sucked into the Vista hype over 18 months ago; I can assure you that a few minutes of using Windows Vista, but may appear to be impressive, but once you start using it for long periods of time - the honeymoon period soon wears off and the cold hard reality kicks in. Service Pack didn't fix the problems I have with Windows Vista, or specifically, Windows in general.

How about this; accept Windows Vista sucks, clear the deck, and come up with a brand new operating system - hell, give me a FreeBSD core plus an Amiga Workbench GUI and I'd be a happy camper - and yes, horrific enough, it'll look a wee bit like MacOS X with the grand unified menu at the top.

 

[djgamble]

I watched a few of those videos, never once seeing what was on the screens. I wonder if they were showing them Mac OS or Linux and claiming it to be Vista.

edit: curses! someone beat me to it.

I was thinking more along the lines of a porn video or something.

 

[djgamble]

believe it or not most people still use XP.

Oh mate quite clearly they were actors... funny though

 

[Genghis Khan]

Try the same experiment with OS X

Wonder what would happen if you were to tell people that Leopard (or even Tiger) was the sequel to Vista.........

 

[iReality85]

Coming from a Mac forum, its no suprise to see the fanboys here write Microsoft's ads off as a failed attempt. I, for one, think its a very positive thing. It shameful to have seen Microsoft let Apple run amok tanishing (more like taking a bat to) their image. For one, I'm starting to find Apple's ads becoming more and more haughty and arrogant. They used to be funny and light-hearted, but now it just seems they're out for blood. In fact, I was kind of put off by one of Apple's ads during this past spring- the one with the female therapist talking to PC, and makes the comment that everything on a Mac works because Apple makes all their own hardware" or something to that avail. Um, blatently false. Apple does not manufacture all the inner/outer hardware components to their computers, which was what was being refered to. Even my parents, who are not Mac users in the least, picked up on that. So its good to see Microsoft prop itself up a bit. I find the experiment Microsoft did to be interesting... proving that many peoples' negative perceptions about Vista are based on hear-say rather than actual user-experience. Also, the issue of speed is a moot point. You can't say Apple does such a better job than Microsoft doing this, because that's like comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended). Apple has the ability to tweek and offer hardware that is optimized to handle its OS at each release, whereas Microsoft is a software company. The problem is that hardware manufacturers weren't prepared. They needed to make beefier components. Run Vista on any current day PC and you'll be just fine. Again, its these "old" perceptions that have linguered for the past 1 1/2 years that continue to dog Microsoft.

 

[hobo.hopkins]

I just wanted to respond to iReality85's comments - firstly on the thought that Apple's ads alone tarnished Microsoft's "image". This is simply not true. Although yes, many ads to put down Vista, for anyone to believe that Apple alone tarnished Microsoft's "image" is just foolish. Their ads certainly didn't help, but the vast majority of negative press came from those using Vista firsthand in it's debuting weeks and months.

Secondly in the Apple ad about the hardware/software together - they did not lie at all. They weren't referring to the plastics and raw materials (like connectors, etc.) used in their products, they were discussing the finished "hardware" such as the drives, the included RAM, the finished keyboard, iSight Camera, Superdrives, etc. All of this is made and put together the same way on every Mac sold, so they all "come from Apple" in the same way. Your post seems to say that by Apple saying, "We make our own hardware/software" that they manufacture EVERY raw material in their products, which is not what they were referring to.

I do happen to agree with you on one point, however - that it is shameful for Microsoft to stay silent for so long regarding the entire "Vista Disaster", because that is really what hurt them. It almost appeared that Microsoft had given up on Vista, which is not what current, nor potential customers want to think. >.<