New Microsoft Ad Campaign Targets Mac Prices

[Theaser]

Microsoft Windows is their flagship product.

What you dont seem to understand is that if there are more Mac buyers, there will be less sales in Windows, which in turn means less 'PC users'

I think they might want Windows as well, so they will buy a copy to load in Boot Camp for their Macs. Basically, this is just helping HP in the ad.

Well, I wouldn't be blasting their products and laughing at the iPhone if I were Steve Ballmer. He is the most disgraceful and disgusting CEO I've ever seen, other than those in the congressional hearings. Apple and Microsoft have completely DIFFERENT operating systems and different uses for each of them. Both have pros and cons.

If you think about the '500 and a logo' thing from Ballmer, he left out the money where you have to pay for Microsoft Office, PC security and potential 3rd party software that will slow down your PC till it has a lifespan for only 2 years.

 

[NT1440]

Oh, come on. While there are some PCs that are just literally slapped together from existing parts, stuff like Sony Vaios and Dell's new Adamo machine don't come into existence by themselves. There's a huge amount of R&D going on in those companies too, but unlike Apple they seem more focused on trying to see what they can add rather than remove, while Apple is all about removing every single button, screw, lid and hinge until their computers look like the new iPod Shuffle.

I dont think the Adamo was a great example to throw in there......

 

[ericinboston]

The average user is a either a fabrication or a secret SI unit. Seriously, users are not equal.

I 100% agree.

Something every user (from the mythical average user to the marketingspeak Power User) comes by:
Windows default font (Segoe) is a bad choice. It is too thin for the UI and gets even worse because ClearType is lighter than OS X anti-aliasing. Because of this, every character seems to have a red halo around it.

Are you serious? You're going to complain about a font? I have never, ever, in my entire life ever heard anyone complain about any font on any operating system. This cannot be taken seriously.

Easier to set up
Each user has its own criteria for what's easier to set up. Safari is still better a default browser compared to Internet Explorer.

Debatable. I use FF and IE 6.x all the time...I really don't have a favorite. I've used Safari (only on my Mini) and frankly I didn't like it...so installed FF. Every browser has it's performance and rendering kudos/challenges...it has since 1995.

Cooler
Some users find OSX cooler, some find Windows cooler, some find Linux cooler and there's that OS/2 dude — don't talk to him, he's probably on a 10 mile restraint order from anyone. The idea that Mac users find themselves cooler/hip is partly true, partly a misinterpretation of the I'm a Mac ads, and partly a construction of snarky Microsoft fanboys.

I think people like displaying their Apple logo on their laptops, coffee mugs, and those stickers Apple gives you to put on your car window.

Easier to use
Finder vs. Windows Explorer

I don't use Finder enough...Windows Explorer is not the best thing in the world. However, it does what it's designed to do...allow you to traverse your hard drive...whether or not you know where your files are or not. I agree that the Search sucks (the DIR command in DOS is 10x faster than Windows Search) but I use Google Desktop for all my searching. This Finder vs. WE argument is weak at best.

Never have problems
Every device has problems. Clean installed, Windows is a great OS. Then it starts getting bloated and bloated as the user installs new software and drivers. This is mostly because Windows developers still carry the same mindset from Windows 95.

You are right...nothing lasts forever. But who is installing "drivers" these days? This isn't WFWG 3.11 or Win95. Everything I've plugged into my XP boxes over the past 8 years has either self-installed or simply prompted me for the cd and it did it. This "device driver" scare tactic is 15 years old. I do agree that the more software you install, the more the OS generally slows down on boot and shutdown...and depending on exactly what you are installing (antivirus for example), they may affect the performance WHILE Windows is running. But installing 10-15 common apps (MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, Firefox, AOL IM, iTunes, dvd/cd authoring/ripping tools, a few games, etc) is not going to "bloat" the system. If you are an idiot and install every single free popup, IE toolbar, screensaver, game, utility to mankind, yes, it's going to slow down.

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

Oh, come on. While there are some PCs that are just literally slapped together from existing parts, stuff like Sony Vaios and Dell's new Adamo machine don't come into existence by themselves. There's a huge amount of R&D going on in those companies too, but unlike Apple they seem more focused on trying to see what they can add rather than remove, while Apple is all about removing every single button, screw, lid and hinge until their computers look like the new iPod Shuffle.

Like it or not, Apple puts out beautiful industrial design.

OK, I'm bored... Mom, can I go out an play outside? Anyone wanna go with me?

 

[Eric S.]

I like the Prius because it's like driving a spaceship, with the weird little pin for a gearshift, the digital instrumentation and the general feeling of gliding, whether running on electricity-only or not. The green aspects are a plus but not the selling point.

Here in California I can now drive my Prius in the HOV lane, meaning my commute home takes 45 minutes instead of 75. I wouldn't trade that for the fastest, snazziest car on the planet. (But I bought it in 2001 for the sheer oddity factor.)

 

[techfreak85]

Man this thread Is getting nasty! Wonder what the mods think of it? I almost think they should close it. Whatever.

 

[lorem3k]

that chick is hot

 

[PNW]

I didn't claim to be an expert, first of all, and it could have changed since then (and forgive me if it has, the last time I used Ubuntu was last November), but when I went to get Flash player so I could actually watch videos and such on Youtube, I had to download some file (.tar.gz or something?), then I had to look up instructions online because I had to (I don't remember the exact course of action) do something like, unpackage it with something in terminal, navigate to some deep folder in my system for plug-ins, type a terminal command in to move (or unpackage or something) the file into the folder. Hardly user-friendly. Of course, if it's changed since then, good for it. That's just the example I remember the most.

Why didn't you just go to System -> Add/ Remove Programs.
Enter 'Flash' in the 'Search' box click the 'Search' button, check the box next to 'Flash' then click the button labeled 'Install'? (this was definitely the case way 'back in November' )

Linux applications are installed via package management and most of what the average user needs are there. While Linux is not without it's problems your post is the equivalent of someone complaining that OS X is hard to use because the "Apple" menu doesn't work like the "Start" menu and is located at the top.

 

[jclardy]

Everyone would be doing themselves a favor by buying a Mac, even if the original purchase price wasn't how much the the computer is worth (which, after software is taken into consideration, it is). In the long run they keep their value and are generally more reliable, you won't find another brand of computer that sells for as high a percentage of the purchase price as Macintosh computers do. I know five people with home PCs, and every single one has needed repairs in the last year (all not covered by the warranty), but not me, and not any of the other Mac owners I know. Even if something goes wrong, Apple often fixes and replaces small things out of warranty, free of charge.

I've had the same experience. 2 of my roommates in my apartment have HP laptops, both bought the extended warranty. In the year and a half they owned them one has had a hard drive failure and the others keyboard stopped working. They had to send there laptops in for around 2 weeks each and one time they sent the laptop back without even fixing the problem. Also both of their power supplies stopped working so they had to buy new ones because they aren't covered under their warranty. Also their battery lasts an amazing hour and a half. My other friend has a compaq with numerous problems, the current one being random shutoffs.

I have a 1st gen Macbook that has had problems but Applecare has been great. I had a faulty logic board that was replaced in 2 days. I also had case cracking that was replaced within an hour of going into the store.

Maybe thats just my experience, but it seems Apple's QA and support is better than most PC manufacturers.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

Why didn't you just go to System -> Add/ Remove Programs.
Enter 'Flash' in the 'Search' box click the 'Search' button, check the box next to 'Flash' then click the button labeled 'Install'? (this was definitely the case way 'back in November' )

Linux applications are installed via package management and most of what the average user needs are there. While Linux is not without it's problems your post is the equivalent of someone complaining that OS X is hard to use because the "Apple" menu doesn't work like the "Start" menu and is located at the top.

You're talking about the package manager in the system, right? Yeah, there was no install for flash there that I found. And regardless, flash worked on the stock browsers, but some of us like to use browsers that are actually good, and so if the grand old package manager thing can only be used for applications that people decided are good enough to be in it (conveniently, what I got was in there, but there was no flash package outside of installing it manually as I described). Your point is sort of valid, it was my own ignorancy (possibly), but someone who is computer illiterate downloads this browser, goes to watch Youtube, and it tells them they need to download Flash, they click yes, and it takes them to macromedia's website. The resulting downloaded file would have to be installed manually. AND, even if they did go check in their package manager, if what they needed wasn't in the centralised add/remove programs app, then they're basically stuck with "Meh, I guess I can't watch youtube on this."

 

[rhpixelfreak]

Good point about screen size. It must be thousands of people who want a 15" MacBook but don't really need a MacBook Pro nor can they afford one.

 

[koa]

ouch....good one now. let's resort to name calling now. so you actually thinking paying $30k for a prius is a great deal? just like $2800 for a 17inch laptop is a great deal?

OH WAIT....i figured it out. You're not even old enough to buy your own car yet...so you wouldn't understand how much $30k really is. OR $2800 for a laptop computer.

30k is not a good deal for a Prius. I bought my fully loaded 06 for 28k out the door, then took advantage of the government's $3200. tax credit (3200 off my taxes, not a deduction), and saved 1k in gas the first year (and every year after) over my 99 Camry.

Generally, you can shop around or take advantage of incentives except with Apple.

Use an AmEx card with the extended warranty feature (it's free to add to your account) to purchase your electronics and Apple Care. They are more liberal with their repair policy than the manufacturers. I was credited over $800. (with the choice of fixing or buying new) for my 4 year old 12" Powerbook G4's dead battery, broken wire charger, and sleep light working intermittently. Apple said the sleep light problem was cosmetic and not covered with Apple Care.

 

[cristianl]

Sony Vaios and Dell's new Adamo

So apparently the price argument is only valid when accusing Macs of being expensive?

they seem more focused on trying to see what they can add rather than remove, while Apple is all about removing every single button, screw, lid and hinge until their computers look like the new iPod Shuffle

Man I surely want my floppies, VGA ports, serial ports and 4:3 displays back.

 

[Balthezor]

that chick is hot

This is the most important post on here. I don't understand why you people get all defensive about an Ad. It's an Ad, it didn't take your Macs away from you. Move on with your lives. Plus its only fair they take a stab at Apple for all the stabbing they've been giving.

 

[cristianl]

I don't use Finder enough...Windows Explorer is not the best thing in the world. However, it does what it's designed to do...allow you to traverse your hard drive...whether or not you know where your files are or not. I agree that the Search sucks (the DIR command in DOS is 10x faster than Windows Search) but I use Google Desktop for all my searching. This Finder vs. WE argument is weak at best.

The file manager is the crucial application of every OS.




Windows Explorer in XP was quite easy to use, and easy on the eyes.
In Vista, it tries to look like an OS of its own.
In Windows 7, Microsoft spaced things a little, but it still looks like the Allchin's last vengeance it was on Vista.

 

[g4tom]

99% of Macs and PCs all get the same parts from similar vendors...they all have Intel (or AMD) chips, same graphics manufacturers, same hard drive manufacturers, etc.

In PC Land where every company (Dell, Gateway, Lenovo, HP, Acer, etc) build very similar products with slightly unique physical traits, it's all the same stuff "under the hood".

Oh you forgot about who designed the most important part. The motherboard! An off the shelf piece of crap you design your laptop around or one Apple designed from the ground up as the whole complete unit. Under the hood they are not all the same stuff. Vendors have to comply with standards and some are much lower than others. Lowest price to meet our standards is different from... Can you make that part cheaper with no minimum requirements at all! Try and tell me that a Porche and a Hyundia have the same fuel pump.

 

[Stevamundo]

Quote: mine
Don't you get it? ALL BOILS DOWN TO MATTER OF OPINION. Unfortunately the statistics have shown that most people like cheaper PCs and Windows.

Quote: skaertus
Perhaps they don't really LIKE it. Perhaps they just can't afford to buy a Mac.

That can be very true.

Quote: mine
Can't we be glad that technology is good enough to allow us choices????

Quote: skaertus
No.

OBVIOUSLY! This could be 500 or more paged thread. And for what? “Macs are too expensive.” No no no, PCs are more expensive in the long term. Blah blah blah.

Again most of this crap is just MATTER OF OPINION AND TASTE. So just get a computer and operating system that's right for you. That's all.

Again, I love my Macs. I have no major problems with them for years and I use them every day and all day including weekends. Again, it's just a combination of my OPINION and fact.

The bottom line is whatever computer and operating system that YOU like the best, or it's more friendly to your pocketbook, use. Just stop acting like two-year-olds just because someone DARES to disagree with your OPINION or TASTE.

 

[theheadguy]

This is the most important post on here. I don't understand why you people get all defensive about an Ad. It's an Ad, it didn't take your Macs away from you. Move on with your lives. Plus its only fair they take a stab at Apple for all the stabbing they've been giving.

Agreed. If anything, just like anything else any competitor does, it keeps apple on their game. I can't figure out if the people who flip out over this are little kids or simply overzealous adults who are just nuts.

 

[specialbuddy]

I'm under the impression Gore's property is running carbon neutral or even negative, so he practices what he preaches. But that's another topic.

...and how is that a good excuse to waste energy. I'm carbon neutral. I started a carbon credit company that I buy carbon credits from. I learned that trick from Mr. Gore.

 

[polaris20]

Man this thread Is getting nasty! Wonder what the mods think of it? I almost think they should close it. Whatever.

Mods? What mods?

 

[ericinboston]

The file manager is the crucial application of every OS.

and???? so you are you saying you like File Manager (from the WFWG 3.11 days) better than Windows Explorer?

Please elaborate your point(s).

 

[Anuba]

I have a 1st gen Macbook that has had problems but Applecare has been great. I had a faulty logic board that was replaced in 2 days. I also had case cracking that was replaced within an hour of going into the store.

Maybe thats just my experience, but it seems Apple's QA and support is better than most PC manufacturers.

2 days? That sucks. AppleCare is laughably bad. Aside from being rude and snarky on the phone, the contract is a lie. It states they do on-site repairs of "desktop computers", but the iMac is only a desktop computer when it's convenient for Apple (=in ads), not when it comes to AppleCare. And they only do on-site repairs within a small radius of an authorized Apple Service Center because they can't be arsed to travel. And of course, MacBooks don't qualify for on-site repairs at all so you have to drag them to a shop and leave it there, like some farmer. Dell fixes any and all computers on-site, no matter how big or small, the next business day. And they're not cheapskates like Apple who want to investigate first and then order only the parts needed, instead they bring whatever parts that might be broken (based on my problem description) and stop by to replace them. Never more than 24 hours of downtime is acceptable, and Dell has kept that promise in the 7 years I've dealt with them. That's service. Apple has no service, and to call it Apple"Care" is pure mockery, because "care" is exactly what they don't do.

 

[grahamtearne]

OK so the Apple Care is good and they actually fix their computers but doesn't that say something? It says that their products also fail. I see so many posts about this failing on this brand and that failing etc, Apple computers are possibly the worst of the lot. Look at all Rev A. Apple models, some fault or another (MacBook Moo for example, plastic coming off, Air maxing out the CPU's and shutting one down etc) and let me tell you guys something that may shock you: Apple doesn't make the components! Everyone has a myth about because its Apple you wont get a hard drive failure etc, hard drives fail, live with it. With my past Machines (I've had a Mac Mini, Macbook, iBook, MBP (various versions), MBA and iMac) I have ha HDD failures, over heating issues, kernal panics, screen issues, RAM failure but at no point do I ever think OMG this is just Apple, this is just computer components failing. Heck I have a MBP with the dodgy NVIDIA cards and the top right hand corner of my screen is white and faded. If this happened with a Toshiba or a Dell people would be like hah its a Dell no wonder, but 'cos its Apple branded its like oh must be a rare fault with the company that supplies the screens.

I love how fanboys spin things, Photoshop crashes on a PC and its 'OMG Windows sucks its so unstable the OS is always crashing, MS suck!' yet it crashes on a Mac and the fanboy is like 'Oh must have been Adobe's fault' Photoshop crash on Windows = OS fault, Photoshop crash on a Mac = software's fault, OS is rock solid.

Its actually amazing how things can get twisted and how we are made to believe and forget certain things.

 

[Tallest Skil]

Mods? What mods?

The moderators of this forum; the guys and gals who keep insanity in check.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Mods? What mods?

There are plenty of mods here who are doing a lot of work behind the scenes, all out of their own time. You are seriously advised to stop your public carping, thanks.