New Microsoft Ad Campaign Targets Mac Prices

[Stratus Fear]

Yes, it's not objective. If you use objective standards, than a Mac is indeed more expensive without delivering much extra.

But no one would/should consider any product on entirely objective standards, because that leaves a lot of essential factors out of the equation. It's disingenuous. Quality of services aren't always objective, but they make a part of the cost. It needs to be considered.

I'm not saying it's not subjective.

But you should be saying it is subjective. The price on these machines is made of some objective components (absolute speed and performance) and a number of subjective ones (looks, service, support -- the quality of which is subjective -- and other amenities that people may or may not care about that could be non-performance hardware or services).

 

[AidenShaw]

I thought that nobody (except beta testers) were running Snow Leopard yet?

But the Windows 7 beta was released to the public - many millions of copies downloaded. (Legally, probably many millions more via back channels....)

Are you saying that Apple doesn't want new software to get thorough testing before release?

 

[applecultvictim]

do yourselves a favour get a mac and never look back.

 

[skaertus]

Well then Apple doesn't really have an offering for you. You're outside of their market segment. That's why they have competition in other parts of the market. And I don't really mean this directed specifically at you. Lots of people complain about "Apple doesn't offer what I want" and all they really want is Mac OS in a cheap computer. Apple isn't going to do that. You have options. Figure out what's best and buy it, even if it has Windows. No company has an obligation to absolutely please everyone.

Perhaps not, and it's a pity. I don't care about paying premium price, but I also want premium performance. Bells and whistles (multi-touch trackpad! aluminium unibody! backlit keyboard) are little tricks that may dazzle average consumers, but not me. I would happily buy a Mac Pro to get the best performance, but I'm in Brazil and, due to the very high taxes, those machines cost over US$ 10,000 here... I can't afford so much of a premium price, especially when I could have a Windows-based Core i7 with a top graphics card for US$ 3,000.

 

[gkarris]

Perhaps not. The anti-virus would cost US$ 50 at best. She could get optimization and photo software for free if she wanted... there are lots of good freeware alternatives for Windows. Extended Warranty also exists with Apple products. And etc. At the end of the day, the PC is still cheaper. If I buy a PC for US$ 699.90, it will cost only US$ 699.90. Perhaps I add Microsoft Office, but I would also add it if I bought a Mac.

My point is she had to buy Anti-Virus and (I remember now), anti-Adware/spyware, had to pay to set it up (which the Apple Store does as part of the purchase).

She spent almost the same as a Mac....

Funny, was at another site with this story and there's a ton of responses there also...

MS is getting a lot of press.

 

[Dualg4guy]

The Up and down side

Alright, so I love all the fighting that is going on in the forum about this ad. But lets just break down what is actually going on.

I have to give Microsoft points for this ad. In these economic times I can understand wanting to advertise that their product is cheaper and that she got exactly what she "wanted". She didn't want an illumined keyboard, or expose or spaces or time machine. She knew she wanted a 17" screen. Resolution didn't matter to her. She doesn't know that HP machine is inferior to a macbook. In marketing you have to stick to the facts, thats the sole persose of selling. Why do you think we have the BMW's and the Benz vs the Kia or Ford?
If everyone had money for a BMW then there wouldn't be a kia....plain and simple. In this sense you are comparing apples to oranges, but in a different sense. Would you rather have a hundred dollar bill or a hundred dollars in puniness.....the same thing, but yet, not.

On the other hand, Microsoft didn't exactly explain the all the accessories she would need to really meet the needs of her either. But again we aren't given any information on what she really needs. So specs for specs yes the Macbook in going to kill it. But what if lauren only watches movies while on a plane or in the car. What if lauren only surfs the internet and doesn't need all the extra software. Maybe lauren listens to music and thats it.......we can't sell her something she doesn't need. Yes, they are all cool factors but thats it. You don't want in to Wal-mart and ask for Gucci.

And to all of you folks who thinks apple is overpriced. Why are BMW's or Benz so much more expensive? Who says they aren't overpriced. And maybe you do, but think of it as the country-club of computers. You have to pay the price to be a member. I don't see anyone asking their cell phone companies to lower their pricing because times are tough. And actually quite the reverse happens. Lets face it, Apple products have been around the same price since the beginning. Its all being apart of the country club.

And just some food for thought- Where are the free seminars at best buy's or the genius bar where no matter how old and out of warranty your computer is they still take a look at it and tell and show you how to use/fix something. I don't see any hp/dell stores where you can walk in and get help if you need it.

I have been in both worlds for a year now and apple just does it better no doubt. I still try to use expose at work every once and a while. But Microsoft did hit the nail with this ad.

 

[Eidorian]

But the Windows 7 beta was released to the public - many millions of copies downloaded. (Legally, probably many millions more via back channels....)

Are you saying that Apple doesn't want new software to get thorough testing before release?

It does bother me that the public can download millions of copies of the next version of Windows but you have to cough up the dough to get it from Apple.

 

[localoid]

It does bother me that the public can download millions of copies of the next version of Windows but you have to cough up the dough to get it from Apple.

Regardless, everyone knows Apple uses premium quality zeros and ones in their binary code!

 

[Drag'nGT]

This is a confused statement.

Windows ME and Windows 2000 are two completely different operating systems. "ME" was a poorly received follow-on to Windows 95. "Windows 2000" was completely different, and was the follow-on to the "Windows NT 4" line of business-focussed operating systems.

And what issues "similar to Vista" did these two completely different OS's share?

Yes, I know. Similar release time and similar complaints. A google search should reveal the rest. I was given a computer for graduation with ME on it, it blew.

The current Vista hardly sucks, although it is fashionable for people to say that. The fact that far more people are using Vista than OSX doesn't seem to come up, though.

The predecessor to Vista is Windows 2003, the successor to Vista is Windows 7.

I had a laptop running Vista before I sold it to a family member. It would lock up, short cuts would vanish then reappear, issues with shared folders, networking and of course hardware etc... I don't care what is run on more machines, I care what runs right.

You did get me on the predecessor though. I messed that up.

 

[AidenShaw]

But no one would/should consider anything on entirely objective standards, because that leaves a lot of essential factors out of the equation. It's disingenuous.

But you should be, because it is. The price on these machines is made of some objective components (absolute speed and performance) and a number of subjective ones (looks, service, support -- the quality of which is subjective -- and other amenities that people may or may not care about that could be non-performance hardware or services).

But, Apple to PC comparisons fail on many levels.

To use Yet Another Bad Automobile Analogy - think of the BMW with heated seats, high BTU heater, engine block heater, extra capacity air conditioning and high capacity radiator.

Good in Kansas.

But what value are the heated seats, heater and block heater in Miami?

What value are the air conditioning and high capacity radiator in Anchorage?
_________

Apples have lots of premium features, but often those features are of no value to an individual buyer.

But, those features are part of the Apple Tax.

The Microsoft ads are brilliant - they'll show the Apple Tax in real terms that average buyers will understand.

 

[applecultvictim]

It does bother me that the public can download millions of copies of the next version of Windows but you have to cough up the dough to get it from Apple.

Sure it's great to have a free beta version instead of the crappy OS you now have and then cough up $400 for ultimate crap 7 final. Man you got it so good... Is this guy for real?

 

[Drag'nGT]

It does bother me that the public can download millions of copies of the next version of Windows but you have to cough up the dough to get it from Apple.

It was a trial thing from what I know but two people I know say theirs runs after the beta ended and they no longer have a build number in the lower right...

 

[Pika]

Geek Squad Setup and Optimization

LOL! Geek Squad

Letting the Geek Squad touch a new computer to "optimize" it is about as sensible as allowing a fox to "clean" the chicken coop.

 

[pismodude2]

Sure it's great to have a free betts version instead of the crappy OS you now have and then cough up $400 for ultimate crap 7 final. Man you got it so good... Is this guy for real?

Exactly. Crappy Windows Betas (or CWBs, if you will) are just another moneymaking strategy Balmer concocted somewhere between hilarious angry rants and comical predictions (Zune killing iPod? iPhone being a failure? LOL!!!!!!!).

 

[Eidorian]

Sure it's great to have a free betts version instead of the crappy OS you now have and then cough up $400 for ultimate crap 7 final.

Sadly I don't need to cough up the money for the retail version of Windows. The OEM is just fine considering I can consider myself a system builder as well. Considering I paid $89 for Vista Ultimate 64-bit. It's not an OEM copy either.

Man you got it so good... Is this guy for real?

Can you elaborate? I'm not sure if you're being serious or not or even what you're trying to say for that matter.

It was a trial thing from what I know but two people I know say theirs runs after the beta ended and they no longer have a build number in the lower right...

That's interesting. I'll stick with Vista for now since I don't see a need to run to 7 yet.

 

[Stratus Fear]

But, Apple to PC comparisons fail on many levels.

To use Yet Another Bad Automobile Analogy - think of the BMW with heated seats, high BTU heater, engine block heater, extra capacity air conditioning and high capacity radiator.

Good in Kansas.

But what value are the heated seats, heater and block heater in Miami?

What value are the air conditioning and high capacity radiator in Anchorage?
_________

Apples have lots of premium features, but often those features are of no value to an individual buyer.

But, those features are part of the Apple Tax.

The Microsoft ads are brilliant - they'll show the Apple Tax in real terms that average buyers will understand.

It's not a bad analogy. It's actually pretty accurate. Macs and BMWs alike have features that not everyone is going to care about. Those who don't want/need that stuff can go buy a Honda in the case of a car or an HP in the case of a computer, or whatever precisely it is that fits their needs. The point is, though, that most of these people are simply saying "it's overpriced" and not "it has these things that I don't need/want" and that shows a basic lack of understanding of the products involved. Really I think that's what gets people so annoyed about the price wars that go on sometimes.

 

[dcanona]

Apple=quality, both software and hardware, which is why its better to seriously invest and plan on buying a quality computer, and save up and plan ahead to pay the Apple premium for quality products. Macs pays for themselves.

 

[trixiesirisheye]

Hmmm....Apple and Oranges...

I've owned Macs since 1983-ish. I've owned an eMachine (the old one, not that the new one was much better) and a Dell. I've spent a lot less time in the innards of my MacPro or futzing with my MacBook Pro *combined* over the last two-and-a-half years than I did with my eMachine and Dell in one year. I seriously started to think about getting my A+ certification. Then it dawned on me - I didn't WANT to futz with my computer 75% of the time!!!

How much an hour does the Geek Squad charge? Or the salary of an IT person? Now, add that to the price of your PC. Oops. I think you probably just spent a lot lot more than the price difference between a Mac and a PC.

I'm not unrealistic or in denial. Yes, my Macs have had to trek down to the Apple store (although in fairness, one should NOT try to jam a memory stick into a motherboard - $$$ - not covered under AppleCare, unbelievably enough ;-) a few times, but I still spending a lot more time *WORKING* than I do futzing. If I have to pay more at the outset, I'm happy to do it. And 3/4 of the time when I do call AppleCare, I speak to someone whose native language is American.

 

[bruinsrme]

My point is she had to buy Anti-Virus and (I remember now), anti-Adware/spyware, had to pay to set it up (which the Apple Store does as part of the purchase).

.

pay to set what up?

install, run, yes, then click for updates. Whew now that is worth paying someone $30. BB is morre than happy to provide thae same rip off service to apple purchaseers.
She had to buy antivirus and anti adware. She had too? cmon

 

[applecultvictim]

Exactly. Crappy Windows Betas (or CWBs, if you will) are just another moneymaking strategy Balmer concocted somewhere between hilarious angry rants and comical predictions (Zune killing iPod? iPhone being a failure? LOL!!!!!!!).

Oh yeah the famous Balmer-ian predictions... The guy is right outta the bible...a true bald prophet. When he says something fade him and make a fortune!

 

[skaertus]

Same boat here. MacOS is really nice but the Apple tax got out of hand.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

The Microsoft ads are brilliant - they'll show the Apple Tax in real terms that average buyers will understand.

I respectfully disagree. The apple tax, in my opinion, comes in the form of OS X, the dedicated apple store support (i've never had to wait for a genius to help me since I schedule in advance), the build quality (admittedly subjective), and the little features that I personally use (backlight keyboard, expresscard slot, dual link dvi, magsafe, optical in/outputs, high quality screen etc).

but thats not what this ad is comparing. Microsoft , I honestly don't even know what they are attempting in this ad. This has absolutely zero to do with the OS and everything to do with the hardware. Had the beginning and end of this been cut from the commercial, I would have swore HP and Sony teamed up to go against apple on the hardware front. Why? This lady ran around like a chicken with her head cut off looking for a computer only with a 17 inch screen. She had no real criteria. It could have been a cheeseburger with a 17 inch screen and she would have bought it if it was under $1000 bones.

You'll never see the day when Apple and Microsoft go seriously head to head on the OS front. A simple commercial where two individuals using the opposing platforms try to accomplish a variety of the same tasks, taking in the speed, difficulty and overall satisfaction from the user.

The only jab this commercial made at Apple was that most people "are not cool enough to own a mac". Microsoft is at the wrong party with the wrong weapons. They have decided to shift focus off the OS and do the job of their hardware vendors in a lame attempt to move their warez. I'm not hating at them for trying, but as a shareholder I am very upset. Yes, I am a shareholder of MS and this is killing me.

Edit: Sorry , it looks like you are talking in terms of future ads. We'll see what they are going to try and dish out.

 

[Santabean2000]

But, Apple to PC comparisons fail on many levels.

To use Yet Another Bad Automobile Analogy - think of the BMW with heated seats, high BTU heater, engine block heater, extra capacity air conditioning and high capacity radiator.

Good in Kansas.

But what value are the heated seats, heater and block heater in Miami?

What value are the air conditioning and high capacity radiator in Anchorage?
_________

Apples have lots of premium features, but often those features are of no value to an individual buyer.

But, those features are part of the Apple Tax.

The Microsoft ads are brilliant - they'll show the Apple Tax in real terms that average buyers will understand.

Exactly, well said.

Also, if these ads put a bit of pressure on to adjust their pricing, then we're all winners here.

 

[erikpmort]

yeah and then spend the rest of the money taking it in to get fixed, debugged, bla bla bla not to mention resale of a pc is nonexistent.

 

[pismodude2]

But the Windows 7 beta was released to the public - many millions of copies downloaded. (Legally, probably many millions more via back channels....)

Are you saying that Apple doesn't want new software to get thorough testing before release?

LOL!!!!! LOL LOL and one more... wait for it... LO freak'n L! The segue alone was awesome, but it was the technique I found truly amusing. Really now, your high school debate coach must be turning in his/her grave, that was terrible!