In round nine jillion of Microsoft vs. Apple — a battle for our hearts; a battle for our wallets — Microsoft is striking back, this time with its "Laptop Hunter" ads and, coming soon, retails stores right next to Apple stores. Suck on that, Steve Jobs' mock turtlenecks!
Yesterday, at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference, COO Kevin Turner told assembled folk that the Windows empire's bargain-themed ads are working. He even said the Apple legal team contacted him to stop running the ads. "We got a call from the Apple legal department saying, hey — this is a true story — saying, 'Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.' They took like $100 off or something. It was the greatest single phone call in the history that I've ever taken in business…. I did cartwheels down the hallway. At first I said, 'Is this a joke? Who are you?' Not understanding what an opportunity. And so we're just going to keep running them and running them and running them." (Full text of Turner's remarks aqui.)
I'm kind of surprised it's taken Microsoft this long to hit Apple on the price wars stuff. Leaving aside preference or style or whatever, there's no way around the fact that Macs are more expensive than PCs. It seems like a no-brainer in these cost-conscious times to be hammering that point home, especially because pricing has never been part of Apple's campaigns.
I find the "Laptop Hunter" ads extraordinarily irritating, so I don't particularly relish the fact they're not going anywhere. But I also find buying things to be quite fun, particularly if I can afford them, so if this nudges prices down across the computing board, well, count me in. What about you, PopWatchers? Is it all about the Benjamins when you're buying a computer, or is it also about the Steves Jobs and Ballmer?
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Those commercials are beyond irritating.
I hate the one commercial where the girl is like “I’m a filmmaker and I’m going to make movies on my laptop!” Sure you are sweetie….
I am a Mac person. Always have been, always will be. PC people don’t know what they are missing.I think the people in the ads are happy they got something for free and who can blame them for that. Macs rule!
Actually, Margie, there is a “way around the fact that Macs are more expensive than PCs”. A number of articles were written about that very topic recently, with the satisfying conclusion that Macs are very much worth their price when it comes down to it. How about a little research before posting, even when said posting is an inconsequential little piece of sh…uh, “news” as this?
Agreed, these commercials are irritating. I use both Mac and PC, but I cannot stand it when the “hunter” makes their snide comment about the Mac, which is usually the equivilent of saying that Mac is just too much computer for me (at least that’s what I hear them saying…) It’s like saying that BMW is just too much car for me, I need that Yugo instead.
Nothing is more annoying than those “I’m a Mac” & “I’m a PC” turdfests.
I agree with Dave. While the laptop hunter ads are bothersome, it is a ton less annoying as those I’m a Mac, I’m a PC commercial. All those do is reinforce the preconceived notion that somehow mac users are more hip than pc users. You’re not bringing new users to your brand – you’re simply widening the gap between them. It’s stupid insulting and annoying.
My mom and I were watching TV together once when the “I’m a Mac” and “I’m a PC” ad came on. She mentioned how funny she thought the ad was, and my reply was something to the effect of “Yeah, but they don’t tell you how much more the Mac costs.” I don’t mind the laptop hunting ads. If you can afford the Mac, hey, great for you, but if you don’t have the money to be able to afford the Mac in the first place, then the fact that it may be worth the price tag is kind of a moot point.
What they usually forget to mention is that Macs already come loaded with the operating system, extra features etc., while with a PC you have to pay for them separately. While this doesn’t make up for the difference in cost, I find that I have far fewer problems with my Mac at home than with my PC at work. I’m willing to bet that PC users spend more money on troubleshooting over the long run than Mac users.
Let’s also not forget about the $$$ you’ll be shelling out when you get socked with spy ware and viruses on a PC. I’ve been using a Mac for 10 years and not a one problem. The family PC in our living room? Not so lucky.
I like the fact that in the commercial posted above, the parents are so focused on the PC, they fail to notice their child chewing on the corner of the box. Maybe Microsoft can work in something about PC boxes being more nutritious than Mac boxes.
I worked in IT for a few years and supported PCs. When I went to buy a new computer, I bought a Mac. I’ve had my laptop for six years and still runs like a dream. The stable platform it is built on and not having to defrag is worth it. I also mock my friends who have bought two PC laptops since I bought mine – the Mac is so worth it. I will never go back. The commercials irritate me because I don’t feel they are explaining things realistically but at the same time, that is for the consumer to research – their job is to sell you something or at least get you to consider it. Research research research. Only then will you find exactly what you are looking for. But certainly don’t discount a Mac because of its price.
REDISCOVER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndIZuppIPkA
I have a laptop HP PC and my son got a Mac laptop for school. After comparing the two, I can state unequivocally that that next computer I buy will be a Mac, whether a PC is cheaper or not. I’m tired of the bugs, freezes, crashes and viruses. These commercials are beyond irritating to me.
I like PC’s. I hate Macs. Just thought I’d voice a contentious opinion to all the Apple love in these comments.
Obviously, there’s nothing either of us can do to persuade the other that our choice of machine is superior. It’s like the clashing of two religions. Neither side will ever change the other’s mind. I’m cool with that. Just don’t tell me PC’s aren’t as powerful or as useful or are harder to maintain. And don’t be douchey about how much cooler you are because you’ve joined the Apple Cult.
I have a 6-year-old laptop that I still use in my studio and it runs as good as the day I bought it. The hardware’s totally obsolete, but the computer operates perfectly and is a a very welcome complement to my set-up. Nearly every virus that’s ended up on my PC was because I did something stupid. Machines don’t just contract viruses like humans contract colds and flus. I defrag maybe twice a year and keep Windows updated and optimized. It’s not hard to do. Just think before you click.
Certainly there’s room for both Mac and PC’s (and Google’s Chrome OS should mix things up a tiny bit), and nothing gets on my nerves more than a computer e-peen fight about which is better. Even though these comments are all anecdotal, they do illustrate the benefits most people experience with a Mac: security, long term value, out-of-the box performance, an intuitive interface. However, if somebody just wants a portable internet box, especially in this economy, then it’s great they can find one for 700 bucks. As a graphic designer I have different needs, which are met by Mac. If Apple is concerned with Window’s success with their “Laptop Hunter” campaign, perhaps they should bring back their Switch campaign, or a variation of it, aside from “I’m a Mac/I’m a PC” (which is a lil smug for a lot of people). Also, I should add that while this is primarily about finding an affordable laptop, Apple is crushing it with the iMac desktop, when it comes to all-around value. oops character limit
BOTH sets of commercials are beyond irritating, frankly. I’m a Mac user at home and at work and I wouldn’t dream of using anything else. A question for the adamant PC users: Aside from the obnoxious commercials, what is it about Macs that you hate so much? The price to me is a non-issue… I just got a new Mac after 10+ years of my older one. Never gave me a single problem. My Dad, however, went through 3 PCs in the same time period and had countless problems. To me, that sounds like the Mac is the better investment, so the price issue is moot. I’m a graphic designer, so I’m obviously Mac biased (no one in their right mind would do design on a PC)…I’m just genuinely curious as to whether the Mac haters have ever actually used one. Have you? Do you still hate it? Why?
Actually, I’m a Mac user that has had tons of problems. In fact, it was a good thing that I had a good warranty, because it had to be sent in 3 times because things kept going wrong with it that were certainly not user error. Also, the Mac customer service was terrible, and it’s a pain to have to send the whole thing in if something goes wrong.
I’m a mac user, and I love the ads and here’s why: Apple’s products are ridiculously expensive. I’m hoping that highlighting the price of PCs will force apple to lower the prices of its macs more. It probably won’t happen, but a girl can dream.