New Apple 'Real People' Ads

[cr2sh]

no one sells a 'top-of-the-line' pc...
when was the last time you saw a dual processor non-mac for sale in a retail store? pentium-pro? i have no doubt that a dual 2GHz p4 could hold its with a dual g4, but youre not going to find one in a store and if you did it certainly would be more than $2500...

my point is, an e/iMac is that same thing hardware wise as a dell cheap-o or a gateway e-crap...
the powermac series is a pro-line and shouldnt be compared with with ANY consumer system, it just isnt the same thing... cost or performance wise... but we've kinda forgotten that havent we? powermac wont reclaim the 'PRO' until g5..

Celeron is suppossed to be a cheap answer for consumers wanting high mega-hertz.. run that up against and iMac (the mac equivalent)...
-c

 

[dsamsa]

I guess i watch more TV then everyone here... But I have seen 5 of these ads on TV. I've seen most on the FOX News cable channel. But I have also seen them on MTV and NBC! All in the past DAY! Apple must be spending MILLIONS on these ads. I hope they keep spending the big bucks, because hopefully they will get a return of market share, and overall sales increase. Good Job Apple! I LOVE the ads!!!

 

[topicolo]

What about graphics cards? that is (arguably) the most important part of a computer nowadays. What kind of graphics does the pc pack?

I hate to admit it, but I believe that hybrid is right...Macs are noticeably more expensive than PCs. Although everybody here compares macs to Dells, they don't realize that a large chunk of the peecee market buys no-name clones that are significantly cheaper than macs. For instance, the following package was being sold at a local pc store:

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 266Processor(Retail)
ASUS A7V-333 Motherboard
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333RAM
MAXTOR 80GB (7200rpm) HD
LG 32X10X40 CD-RW
MSI GeForce 3TI200 PRO-VT128MB DDR <-----Geforce 3!!!
Creative Labs SB AUDIGY Sound
56K Fax /Voice or 10/100 LAN
MITSUMI Internet Keyboard
Internet Scroll Mouse
Creative Inspire 5.1 Speakers
$1,397CAN
$549CAN 15" LCD Monitor
---------------
$1946CAN = $1216.25US

That is much cheaper than the Dell and it'll work well enough for games and day-to-day tasks at a much lower (inital--doesn't include time wasted trying to fix windoze) cost.

Granted, I don't ever expect apple to lower their prices to THAT level, but I think apple needs to lower the prices of their entry level computers another 5-10%. Still, I, personally, am going to get an ibook/powerbook G4 for my next computer despite its higher cost because it is simply superior to pcs in everything except perhaps overall speed.

 

[topicolo]

Originally posted by dsamsa
I guess i watch more TV then everyone here... But I have seen 5 of these ads on TV. I've seen most on the FOX News cable channel. But I have also seen them on MTV and NBC! All in the past DAY! Apple must be spending MILLIONS on these ads. I hope they keep spending the big bucks, because hopefully they will get a return of market share, and overall sales increase. Good Job Apple! I LOVE the ads!!!

Me too! I hope this is the beginning of a huge advertising campaign for apple. They're sitting on waaay to much liquidity, and they need to spend some of it to gain market share if they want to grow their earnings. Apple survived the economic downturn better than the rest of the PC companies and I think they should take advantage of the situation and CRUSH Dell and the weakened HP/Compaq.

 

[bretm]

Re: psychos?

Originally posted by Grokgod


Also, buy from APPLE's web site, I did and got some free stuff with it.

You will get a job! be positive and put out the energy by getting your new Ti today.
This isnt a request, its a demand!

Apple's site? Free stuff? Not that they're anything wrong with ordering direct from apple but my experience has been that...

1. they're the most expensive
2. no free stuff
3. if there are giveaways like free printers, etc. all the resalers have same deal
4. resalers usually give double the ram
5. apple charges sales tax (ok, so I know mr. taxman will be filing those sales taxes anyway! right..)
6. shipping is slower - most online people fedex it to you by the next morning
7. all the other resalers will sell you all the other stuff you need. 2-button mouse, cheaper additional ram (waaaay cheaper), cheaper add-on hard drives, etc.

One plus with apple's site... custom config is easy. I haven't bought there, but I've configed a purchase many times. First I'll get the smallest harddrive cuz I can get plenty of cheap ide drives anywhere. Then I remove the modem. Sometimes a lesser graphics card (not a gamer), and even remove the dvd burner (I have one already).

But the freebies of the online sellers and their lack of sales tax seems to outweigh all that and so I've never bought anything but software and software upgrades from apple store.

 

[Nipsy]

Re: <----- PC user's take

Originally posted by mcrain
Hi, many of you know me as the annoying PC using attorney who loves a good fight.

What possesses one to climb to 700+ posts on a MacRumors board, when they don't own a Mac?

Every registerd user should be required to chip in a quarter to buy this guy a machine!

 

[Nipsy]

Originally posted by Abercrombieboy



Dell 4500S "slim tower"
1.8 GHz P4
256MB RAM
40 GB HD
CD-RW
17 in. std CRT
(this price also includes a video editing program by Dell that costs $70 (I don't know if it works like iMovie, but it costs you money, a few programs are included, the only one worth mentioning is MS Office)
$1,209

eMac
700MHz PowerPC G4
128MB RAM
40GB HD
CD-RW
17 in. flat CRT
includes many software titles including Quicken, Appleworks and all iApps (except iDVD) for free.
$1,099

In fact despite the major difference being MHz...really how is the Dell a better "value" then the eMac????

Okay, I don't like to play Devil's Advocate, but here's where your comparison falls apart:

Dell configured like eMac (1 year warranty) - $889
eMac - $1099

Dell as you specified (with Office & 3 year warranty) - $1209
eMac (with Office) - $1499

Also, those 2 PCI slots can give some added life to a machine, and although Windows cripples it, a 1.7GHZ P4 (roughly equivalent to a 1.4GHZ P3) is a faster processor than the G4 when it is not being used to full advantage (AltiVec).

Although the eMac is a better machine in most ways, the PC buyer is so used to being fed Office with a PC, that the $400 nut to purchase Office X might factor heavily in a decision, and even if they don't choose Office, they still get Word.

Take M$ out of the equation, and that Dell running RedHat would prolly be $500 with a 17" Display...

It is really hard to draw good cost comparisons nowadays, as we really depend on standards that the PC world doesn't (FireWire), and lack other trivial item which add fractional cost to PCs (floppies).

 

[mcrain]

Re: Re: <----- PC user's take

Originally posted by Nipsy
What possesses one to climb to 700+ posts on a MacRumors board, when they don't own a Mac?

Every registerd user should be required to chip in a quarter to buy this guy a machine!

Just don't call me Travis, ok!

Actually, I sort of think of what I've done as intelligent, and by no means a waste of time. Sure, I don't own a mac, but when I walk into the store or online site, I will know what I want, and why. In addition, I will feel very comfortable and happy with my purchase. On top of that, when you've been around here and actively participating in discussions, you meet some really fantastic people.

Alphatech, and others here, are as knowledgeable about macs as anyone you'll run across. I know that when I'm getting ready to pull my hair out because I can't figure out how to do something, I will have a group of 'friends' that I can turn to for advice and guidance.

BTTM, my wife is ok, as am I. We both really, really like Houston, and I'm straining at the bit to get down there. Starting residency is a bit of a strain, as is living apart (again...), but it's only temporary.

Anyway, I'm one well educated mac shopper! Oh, and DON'T CALL ME TRAVIS!

 

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by Nipsy


Okay, I don't like to play Devil's Advocate, but here's where your comparison falls apart:

Dell configured like eMac (1 year warranty) - $889
eMac - $1099

Dell as you specified (with Office & 3 year warranty) - $1209
eMac (with Office) - $1499

Also, those 2 PCI slots can give some added life to a machine, and although Windows cripples it, a 1.7GHZ P4 (roughly equivalent to a 1.4GHZ P3) is a faster processor than the G4 when it is not being used to full advantage (AltiVec).

Although the eMac is a better machine in most ways, the PC buyer is so used to being fed Office with a PC, that the $400 nut to purchase Office X might factor heavily in a decision, and even if they don't choose Office, they still get Word.

Take M$ out of the equation, and that Dell running RedHat would prolly be $500 with a 17" Display...

It is really hard to draw good cost comparisons nowadays, as we really depend on standards that the PC world doesn't (FireWire), and lack other trivial item which add fractional cost to PCs (floppies).

Good points regarding Office....We bought my mom and iMac for xMas 2001 and she has never used it because she doesn't have MS Money, nevermind that Quicken is so superior....

That said, what other alternative (aside from trying to make Appleworks compete with office-- I don't think that will ever happen) do we have? Could Apple work out a deal where they lisence Office and make it an add on in the Apple Store for say, half price or something? (Since you just get an OEM version, and you don't get the nice diecut Office v.X box.... no manual, online documentation, etc)

Maybe even allow it to be preinstalled in the dock when you get your Mac ordered with office... and make sure its a BTO option only?

I dunno...

 

[Backtothemac]

Originally posted by Nipsy

Okay, I don't like to play Devil's Advocate, but here's where your comparison falls apart:
Dell configured like eMac (1 year warranty) - $889
eMac - $1099
Dell as you specified (with Office & 3 year warranty) - $1209
eMac (with Office) - $1499
Also, those 2 PCI slots can give some added life to a machine, and although Windows cripples it, a 1.7GHZ P4 (roughly equivalent to a 1.4GHZ P3) is a faster processor than the G4 when it is not being used to full advantage (AltiVec).
Although the eMac is a better machine in most ways, the PC buyer is so used to being fed Office with a PC, that the $400 nut to purchase Office X might factor heavily in a decision, and even if they don't choose Office, they still get Word.
Take M$ out of the equation, and that Dell running RedHat would prolly be $500 with a 17" Display...
It is really hard to draw good cost comparisons nowadays, as we really depend on standards that the PC world doesn't (FireWire), and lack other trivial item which add fractional cost to PCs (floppies).

Well, I have to disagree with you on one part of your assessment and that is that the PIV could out perform a 700MHZ G4. I would beg to differ. The problem is that the G4 does have altivec. If you want to compare non-altivec functions, then compare a G3 to the PIV. That would get rid of that problem. For you see, now that X is the native OS on the Mac, it uses altivec, so the comparison is impossible. That being said, the Mac will perform equal or better. In addition the Mac has a better monitor, far easier to network and upgrade than the Dell. Also, it runs winblows, and that makes it impossible to compare the two. What is OS X worth? It is worth a lot to me. Just going along with your devil's advocate.

 

[britboy]

Just to add to b2tm's last post, the PIV at 1.7GHz is not roughly equivalent to the PIII at 1.4GHz. The PIII maxed out at 1GHz, yet still outperformed the PIV, right up until it reached about 2GHz.

 

[eunuchs]

Originally posted by Moxiemike



Good points regarding Office....We bought my mom and iMac for xMas 2001 and she has never used it because she doesn't have MS Money, nevermind that Quicken is so superior....

That said, what other alternative (aside from trying to make Appleworks compete with office-- I don't think that will ever happen) do we have? Could Apple work out a deal where they lisence Office and make it an add on in the Apple Store for say, half price or something? (Since you just get an OEM version, and you don't get the nice diecut Office v.X box.... no manual, online documentation, etc)

Maybe even allow it to be preinstalled in the dock when you get your Mac ordered with office... and make sure its a BTO option only?

I dunno...

What about StarOffice/OpenOffice? My experience is that AppleWorks is nice, but that OpenOffice offers a much more complete MS Office replacement. If Apple were to get on board with Sun and develop a Cocoa-tastic port of OpenOffice they could have something of an Office-killer. This is obviously a major undertaking, but believe it or not, there are people already working on it!

As of now, there is only an X11 version, but they are attempting to use Aqua too.

 

[Inhale420]

Originally posted by Nipsy


Okay, I don't like to play Devil's Advocate, but here's where your comparison falls apart:

Dell configured like eMac (1 year warranty) - $889
eMac - $1099

Dell as you specified (with Office & 3 year warranty) - $1209
eMac (with Office) - $1499

Also, those 2 PCI slots can give some added life to a machine, and although Windows cripples it, a 1.7GHZ P4 (roughly equivalent to a 1.4GHZ P3) is a faster processor than the G4 when it is not being used to full advantage (AltiVec).

Although the eMac is a better machine in most ways, the PC buyer is so used to being fed Office with a PC, that the $400 nut to purchase Office X might factor heavily in a decision, and even if they don't choose Office, they still get Word.

Take M$ out of the equation, and that Dell running RedHat would prolly be $500 with a 17" Display...

It is really hard to draw good cost comparisons nowadays, as we really depend on standards that the PC world doesn't (FireWire), and lack other trivial item which add fractional cost to PCs (floppies).

thanks for the level-headed retort. those types of comparisons are ALWAYS skewed in favor of what either the windroid or maclot wants.

 

[mcrain]

My parents, both in their 60's, and neither of them owned a computer until recently, didn't really understand the mac vs. pc issues or differences.

They just knew that pcs were what everyone used, and macs were different.

They have now seen a bunch of those real people ads, and my mother started talking with me about how good the ads were and how they are soooo wonderful.

I'd venture a guess that there are people out there like my parents who will now consider a mac as something other than something different now.

 

[Backtothemac]

Good point. Not only that, but Apple is flooding them in the market. It seems that every time I turn on the TV. BOOM There is one of the real people ads. Great job, and I hope it keeps working.

 

[britboy]

I wonder by what factor apples' marketing budget has multiplied in the past couple of years? It seems like they're getting the right idea, and pushing for more public awareness.

Long may it continue