[PCWorld]

Post your comments for MS Exec: Apple Complained About Laptop Hunters Ads here

[dbcad7]

"I think Apple is responsible in part for Vista's poor reputation"
Vista is responsible for Vista's poor reputation.. It was long after the fact that Apple took advantage of it.. and the whole history of MS operating systems.
The MS response that Apple is more expensive is true.. The digg that people can't afford to be cool could go either way.. Stating that Mac's are underpowered is misleading, and stupid if you compare hardware requirements.. What MS really has going for them, is the same thing they have always had.. and that is variety of hardware.. and really MS is not responsible for that, The Kudos for that goes to Intel, AMD, Nvidia, ATI, and others.. and it's Apples choice to limit themselves.. They seem to be ok with it.

[bignumone]

You called it right. No one can complain if the ad is accurate. Or should Apple start running ads comparing the (any) MacBook Pro to the Dell Inspiron running Window Millennium?

[theboots]

We all know that comparative ads can be very misleading, especially product to product comparison, rather then just a "claim" of say, being the "largest network in USA" or something. Its like advertising that your Honda is cheaper then a BMW. It is true. But let the users decide where the value is.

[arkitekt78]

Who cares if they are misleading? Its Apple's fault for selling a laptop for $2000 with only 2GB of RAM in the first place. This is marketing. Everybody pushes the limit - even Apple.

[TechieXP]

The ads are misleading yet....Not all stores have gooten the new Macs yets, It would take a couple months for Apple to refresh the stock of store selling older stuff. Also many store here in Chicago local like Microcenter still are selling older Macs right along side the new ones. I say MSFT can keep funning them.

O love the ads and I go to MSFT website to view my 2 favorites...the one with the 4 year old asian girl and the one with Lauren with the red hair "She's not cool enough to be a Mac person'.

Macs are good computers, but now that they use Intel x86 hardware, it should be agaist the law to sell stuff at a price margin that is that high over a competetor selling the exact same thing. A fancy case and keyboard does change what is underneath. Even with Apple price drops the hardware is still a bit high.

The 13 inch Macbook starts at 1199 on Apples website. The 15in startes at $1699 and the 17 starts at 2499. I recently bought an Asus that has quadcore for 1999.

I dont care what you need a pc for...a 13 inche screen for iver $1000? Stupid. I don't care how pretty it is.

I say MSFT update your ads a bit...but keep them coming. PC hardware is still cheaper even if the specs match even...

I am selling my Air that I only had for 2 weeks on CL. I already have over 100 emails for buyers. However one guy lives in the condo that is just above our office. He came downstairs and is heading to the bank as I type this. Its sold. Now more Apple products for me.

[ousooner54]

Considering the Microsoft ads I see on TV are obviously showing people shop at Best Buy, and the ads for Apple laptops in our Best Buy circular, only carry one for $999. This is what the couple says when looking for a laptop under that price tag. So I don't see where Microsoft is misrepresenting anything. If you want a $700 laptop, you won't be buying an Apple. For both companies, they focus their ads on what they can outdo the other on.

I think this magazine would be more appropriately named Apple World.

[caleparrish]

"He came downstairs and is heading to the bank as I type this. Its sold. Now more Apple products for me."
It is great to see that you enjoy Apple's products so much that now you are planning to buy more already. I suggest the Apple TV combined with the Elgato Eyetv.

[WayTooUgly]

Consider taking the proceeds from your sale and investing in a word processor with a spell check and a monitor large enough so you can catch the typos the spell check won't notice. I'm thinking a full-sized keyboard wouldn't hurt, either.

And I suggest you stay away from words like "stupid" until you clean up your act.

[TechieXP]

lol....

I was actually typing on the Air...maybe the keys are to close together then what I am use to on why Asus where they keys have a bit of space between them.

@ Junkyardheart And 1199 for a 13in laptop is stupid no matterwho makes it...I'm not just picking on Apple. The only company I know that really had one that expensive that is not part of the new catrgory as Ultra-Portable is Sony...You don't see many 13 Vaio's around...do you?

[WinTard]

ROTFLMAO!

I say, what goes around comes around... Well deserved for Apple! They're the bully, being put back into their rightful places... Well, they started it all with these mean spirited and fallacious ads: I'm a Mac, he's a PC...

In Mac vs. PC Battle, Microsoft Winning in Value Perception
Based on daily interviews of 5,000 people, BrandIndex found the age group gave Apple its highest rating in late winter, when it notched a value score of 70 on a scale of -100 to 100 (a score of zero means that people are giving equal amounts of positive and negative feedback about a brand). But its score began to fall shortly after and, despite brief rallies, hovers around 12.4 today.

Microsoft, on the other hand, has risen from near zero in early February to a value-perception score of 46.2.

Apple had a pretty big advantage, historically, when we look at our data," said Mr. Marzilli. "Apple did a great job of putting Microsoft on the defensive. It made them look old, stodgy, complicated to use and unhip. But Microsoft has started to hit back, and younger folks are more cost- or value-focused."

Google: Results 1 ? 10 of about 994 for microsoft apple laptop ads. (0.18 seconds)

Google: Results 1 - 10 of about 940,000 for microsoft winning against apple google. (0.30 seconds)

Microsoft exec says Apple asked them stop airing Laptop Hunters ads

Apple demanded Microsoft to stop its Laptop Hunters ads
And you know why I know they're working? Because two weeks ago 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. (Applause.)

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.

Microsoft winning against Apple and Google
Yet the Redmond software giant has just been named top UK "Super brand" above both Google and Apple. The results of the annual survey, based on interviews with hundreds of experts and over 2,000 consumers, put Microsoft in first place, while Google has dropped from top spot to number three. Apple - supposedly the uber-brand - languishes at number 9.

~~~~~~~~~~~
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
~ Edmund Burke

The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy.
~ Florence Scovel Shinn

[rkinne01]

The bottom line here is that a lot of folks are hurting in the pocket book these days, they're looking to stretch their dollars as far as possible. If they can get a PC for $800 instead of $1200 (with similar specs for both) then thats what they're going to buy.

Apple really needs to consider the lower income market and make taylor made systems for people who can't afford $1000 plus computers.

[TechieXP]

This is the first time in MSFT's history I can say I really understand their commercials. And it is simple. MSFT isn't trying to sell the brand, they are selling awareness.

When Apple had their OWN hardware when using Motorola and Power PC chipsm the hardware had distinction when compared to other PC's. That margin is now gone. Anything Apple had the could be touted as superior went out teh door when they went Intel x86.

People are looking more now at value for the buck, bec they can't afford to spend needlessly. Even $1 counts and the bigger your family the farther it needs to go. Businesses don't care a whole lot about cost...its a tax writeoff...for the rest of us..what we spend is a lose...Which means we have to get the best possible returm.

I like these ads bec they are down to earth and they are honest and correct. I love the Laurn on the most when she visited the APple store first and on here to MSFT's partner Best Buy...she states "She is just not cool enough to be a Mac person". Fact...this is how people shop. I am one of them. Certain types of fashion fit certain kind of people. My boss for christmas game me a gift card for GAP. I honestly can't where any of GAP clothes...I don't like crazy colors...most of the men shirts have stripes and I prefer solids or some other design and teh pants are made for people who have no butt. I have a butt.

Apple's hardware is driven by the cool effect...while MSFT is simply associated with work. MSFT started changing that all work no play image when they started MSFT Games. Then they built on that with Xbox much later.

Since Apple can't compete fairly and evenly with MSFT all they can do is pull the Republican move....throw mudd. Yes Windows PC's have issues...not all is MSFT fault. Much of it is due to Windows being so popular that developers make crappy appz...and then people who aren't smart download and install them. If Apple was just as popular as MSFT and MSFT was as popular as Apple, you would see a shift in which OS would also suffer the most problems.

Everyone has a price point of what they plan to spend on new hardware. Apple has pretty hardware or as teh one guy says "Apple is about asthetics then performance". The concept is to get what you want/need and not pay to much for it. If I had $1000 to shop for a PC...If I go to Best Buy or any outlet that sell a Windows PC...I will walk oi=ut with a new pc...desktop or laptop...a printer and other PC extras. If I walk into Apple store with $1000 I have a choice of 2 computers...one that doesn't even have a monitor and the other is basically a giant Ipod with a builtin keyboard. That really is a lot of choice. Suppose this is my very first computer..what goos is a PC that doesn't have a screen or mouse or keyboard. For $700 in the cost of a Mac Mini, I can get a full power medium grade PC laptop that has a screen, keyboard/mouse an still have $300 to spend on other things...

Macs today have no phtsical advantage over a standard PC with the exception of looks...however there are plenty of PC laptops that look just as pretty and still have more functionaloty. It took bitchen by Apple own fans to drop the PCIexpress slot from Macs bec they are basically useless and put a SDCard slot. That should have been a no brainer. Macs are suppose to be better with music and video and pictures...why would u have a SDcard slot when all cameras us flash memory and so do many phones that have cameras. You dont see millions of business running around with Macs that would need aircards why would they? Businessmen need aircards to get email on Exchange or something...Why would a mac-person need that?

Yes Apple is noticing bec MSFT has a winner this time and Apple is feeling the effects. Thus this slew of Macs with better specs...Now they are trying o give you hardware that more justifies the cost. MSFT hit a nerve.

Next question is...now that the Macbook Pro sports a 2.8Ghz processor and a 500GB hard disk...what do I fill all that space with? Music? Bec Apple doesn't even have enough software for the average user to need all that power or space. At leats with Windows you can use that 2.8 to game...but not on a Mac.

Apple is just so ingenius aren't they. That's like taking a car with 4 cylinders and dropping in a 12 cylinder...but I still plan to only drive it too work everyday.

No now Macs are 2 out of 3 complete...they are 1 - Pretty 2 - Fast - 3 - they need a reason to use all that power. Right now Macs are like that Lamobighini sitting in my neighbors garage. Its pretty, its fast...has no usage in the city of Chicago except to pick up girls.

[TechieXP]

I wish Asisfish was here. He made an interesting statement once...Apple was the leader in selling laptops above $1000...I was like bec all of them with the exception of 1 cost at least $1000. However this was based on consumer sales...not business sales. For business most laptop models are above $1000. Again playing on words...

Well here is something to see - Apple places 5th in laptop sales - http://news.cnet.com...10288275-1.html

Wonder why? Maybe the cost? Maybe the OS?

Dell for the 1st quarter has shipped over 4 million laptops...while Apple has 1.2 million. Looks like Apple is back to that 5 millions per year sales average they use to have before they went x86.

Are you sure Macs are better than Windows PC's? Even with Vista's issues Apple could capitalize. However they could have had more sales if prices were nick and neck....

How about this Apple...if any person could get a luxury PC for the cost of aregular PC...and they can still install Windows. If they don't like OSX they can simply format and install Windows...you would still sell more hardware which is what you want...right? OSX compared to Windows is just a waste of your money...just become another Windows PC brand...I bet you will make for more money. lol (sarcasm)

[TechieXP]

The hardware Apple sells right now qualifies for what you said.

At teh very least, The Macbook 13in one) and the 15" Macbook Pro both should start until $1000. The 13in should cost no more than 699 tops and teh 15 in Macbook Pro should start at $999. That 17in Macbook Pro should start at 1299. I think that would be fair enough. I agree Macs should cost a lil more than a standard Windows PC.

We are talking about a device that can't be upgrade after it is purchase. Which has a shelf life of about 3 years at best and that is based on your lifestyle not changing often. If you plan to use the same softwares for 5 or more years then fine. But most people don't keep laptops forever. And I said most..not the few who don't need new hardware bec they havn't bought or plan to buy new software.

[goodone121]

"...the Republican move..."

TechieXP, I normally agree with you, but please don't bring politics into this.

[DTNick]

theboots said:

"We all know that comparative ads can be very misleading, especially product to product comparison, rather then just a "claim" of say, being the "largest network in USA" or something. Its like advertising that your Honda is cheaper then a BMW. It is true. But let the users decide where the value is."

Agreed completely. It all depends on what one values in a machine. Amazing how it's turned into class warfare, eh?

--Nick
PCW Assistant Editor

[artzy65]

"It is great to see that you enjoy Apple's products so much that now you are planning to buy more already. I suggest the Apple TV combined with the Elgato Eyetv."
I think the guy meant to say 'NO more apple products for me'... you're new in these parts, but stick around long enough and you'll see most posters here don't edit their posts, leaving spelling and grammar blowin' in the wind... or is it the hot air... leading to confusion about what they meant.

Of course, the possibility remains that you were being sarcastic lol
Message was edited by: artzy65

[TechieXP]

Yea it was a typo...sorry...
I will correct them from now on. Good to see ur still around :-)

[childress]

"The MS response that Apple is more expensive is true.. "

Buzzzzz... no. UPFRONT costs to buy an Apple are more, Microsoft will screw you in the backend costs (labor to keep it running, needing to buy a more powerful computer to makeup for the resources sucked by constantly running anti-virus, firewall and other security applications, re-occuring cost of maintenance licenses for virus program updates). For the average computer user TCO (total cost of ownership) has always been less with a Macintosh. Then there's the included iApp sweet of software, worth $500-600 because it's easy to use, and it just works.

If you like working on computers, get a PC. If you like getting work done on computers, get a Mac.
-- Me

M@