In new TV hard sell, Microsoft strikes at Apple's art

The latest Laptop Hunter TV spot from Microsoft is the very definition of a hard sell.

No, not because it barks at you to buy a PC or you'll miss out on the deal of the century (even though you will, you will), but because it goes after the fearless foot soldiers of the Apple army--artists.

Sheila is a filmmaker. She wants something with a fast processor and a big screen. She also wants something that will be able to cut video. And all this for less than $2,000.

I look at Sheila's face and I want to make a film with her. She has the eyes of one of those film editors whose only familiarity with daylight is when they stumble out of an editing suite to have a cigarette and suddenly realize dawn is breaking and it's Tuesday, not Sunday.

However, this is a commercial and she's a little too dressy. If she'd been wearing jeans with a thousand coffee stains, a Black Sabbath T-shirt covered in croissant crumbs, and fingernails bitten to the wrist, she would have delivered the authentic film-editing look.

Instead, Sheila looks like a mom who's just popped over to Starbucks for a chai, a maple scone, and a colorful mug for her kids before popping across the mall for a pedi and a neck massage.

As is customary in this campaign, the script-free script calls for the protagonist to dismiss a Mac. Sheila looks at us and tells us the only Mac in her budget has a mere 2GB. Not enough for all the footage she intends to shoot for her L.A. version of "Gone With the Wind"--provisionally entitled "Gone to Bikram Yoga."

She shrugs to dismiss the MacBook Pro, as if to say: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a RAM."

She swiftly chooses a Hewlett-Packard HDX 16t.

Yet, one can't help feel as if Sheila's essential niceness suggests Microsoft has become a little tired of the more robust style epitomized by the first two hunters, Lauren and Giampaolo.

Perhaps, despite the current worldwide charge toward saving money, people still want wit and charm to balance the dry drag of their daily lives.

Even artists are trying to make happy films these days.

[Angmarr]

I love these ads, especially @ how Mac-fanboys (authors included) get soo worked up about them. Good job Microsoft.

[JasonCe]

+1

I find it amusing that this fanboy "author" has written a similar hate-post for every single Microsoft ad that has aired so far. It means the ads are right on the spot.

Those narcist snotty ad campaigns have insulted regular people that loved their PCs. It makes people say

I AM A PC!

[JasonCe]

I meant to say "Those narcist snotty ad campaigns from Apple"

[setgo]

" Those narcist snotty ad campaigns have insulted regular people that loved their PCs. It makes people say

I AM A PC! "

That right there is what separates us fanboys from you. I mean for real, that's nerdy as heIl.

[CDubber]

If a lone Winbot in a forest madly applauds a Microsoft ad, does it make a sound? Or does anyone care?

All these ads say is "you don't deserve a Mac, people. So buy our cheap junk instead."

Way to turn your brand to mush, MS. Oh wait, you did that long ago.

[unknown unknown]

@CDubber and that is the snobbish attitude that drives people people away. I would tell you what Apple's commercials and some of their fans says about them but the moderators would probably censor it.

Haha, the only thing to love about these ads is that they're practically Apple ads made by Microsoft.

"They're very interested in the Apple one. The only reason they are not buying it is because it is more expensive... they would otherwise. This plastic computer is way better, and cheaper. ...Well, it's cheaper. So there."

And in the redhead one, she says, "I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person... =(."

Basically, Microsoft is saying: "And neither are you. BUY THE PC, LOSER."

[Outside_Looking_In]

In the end, the biggest factor of all hasn't changed; Microsoft is a software company that makes an OS. Apple not only makes their own OS but they package their computers. Anyone who has any knowhow can put together a PC from parts bought at Fry's.
Again, Microsoft is a software company, not a computer company. They mimic Sony's Playstation, Apple's iPod and anything else innovational people want. Seldom are they the pioneers of something...

[keeler7]

Mac fanboys, myself included dont like Microsoft misleading the general public. If pc users choose to use inferior systems (pre-built ones, custom pcs can be made that perform better) let them, but MS shouldnt mislead the public into thinking that the laptops in all three campaigns are in the least bit better than a mac. The whole "it only has 2gb of ram" is not a valid argument. (An operating system that uses less memory needs less extra for its applications because it already will have it available) Yet MS wants to show off high numbers (which do not correlate to performance) to mislead the public into thinking that pcs are better than macs. From a purely hardware point of view, macs are just better. Look up the individual part numbers and you will see. Apple uses top of the line quality components whereas pc makers use the crap left over to push down their prices. It is even true that windows runs faster on mac hardware than it does on 99% of all pc laptops.

Enough of my ranting. NOT good job microsoft for misleading everyone.

[rapier1]

"Basically, Microsoft is saying: "And neither are you. BUY THE PC, LOSER." "

Actaully, what they are saying is that Macs are a computers of choice for the tragically hip and insuferable elite. It doesn't matter if that is true or not because the American culture has a significant anti-elitist undercurrent to it. They may be able to get a lot of traction by appeal to that sentiment. Its why you see presidential candidates bowling, drinking shots, and downplaying their connections with the elites.

[8301]

"Mac fanboys, myself included dont like Microsoft misleading the general public."

I suppose you don't mind Apple misleading the public with their ads. But really, what company doesn't?

[CreativeMalcolm]

Problem is, Apple already has that market cornered, it's like Apple trying to go after the work computer you love to hate market.

[gerrrg]

? - I think you're using anecdotal evidence to support your empirical assumption.

[rapier1]

Actually, I know quite a few people in the creative arts that don't use Macs. The idea that every artist uses a Mac is somewhat overblown.

[flickrz]

Market cornered? Oh you mean, Apple is already cornered in the market. Same words, two different meanings. Choose your words carefully.

[Seaspray0]

Nobody has that market cornered. All operating systems have been used in video editing. The one nobody has mentioned yet - linux - is used in a cluster by dreamworks. There. Now everybody's favorite OS has had their mention. So, you see? It's the application that makes the money, not the OS. Business has known that for years. Keep your eyes on the big picture, people.

[Kwasiowusu]

@ CreativeMalcolm : "Problem is, Apple already has that market cornered"

Hey, you may have a point there..Apple is conered alright..in a miserrable 2.9% market share worldwide..and that is after Apple has been selling computers for a massive 30 years!
A 2.9% market share after 30 years of business is impressive alright...NOT!

[FutureGuy]

I remember reading somewhere that Adobe sells way more copies of Photoshop for Windows than Macs. I am sure anyone who doubts this can google it up.

[rnaoncfixd]

@ FutureGuy

That could be because there are far more PCs than Macs. Doing research is all fine and great, but it does nothing for you if you don't think about it.

Apple understands that it is not an industry standard company. It sets relatively low bars and crushes them.

[ITDph]

Sheila is welcome to buy any computer she wants. I am so tired of all of these articles because, they really don't make a difference to anyone. People who are devoted to PC's will continue to deal with Windowz and people who Macs will continue to LUV their Macs. So, these commercials are really and truly pointless. Besides, I'm fairly sure they're completely and totally scripted my Microsoft's marketing just as Apple's scripting for their anti-PC commercials are scripted.

Let people use what ever they want. I seriously doubt Lauren is a real film-editor. I've edited on both platforms and my projects are more efficiently done with the Mac vs a PC.

[ITDph]

And, yes, I made mistakes in my post. I WAS up all night editing a film made for a property management company. I chose to use my MacBook Pro versus my HP DV9627CL because, even if the Mac were a slower processor (my 1.8 ghz G5 Tower runs faster than my HP), I wouldn't have been done in time to even read this article.

Correction, let Sheila buy what she wants because Microsoft is paying for it anyway.

[ikramerica--2008]

That's the truth right there.

Free HP or $2000 MBP? Free HP! I guess. I'm a filmmaker and I wouldn't do that, but I do know some independent people who use PCs for editing, so it's not unheard of. ;)

But seriously, any "filmmaker" who goes to Fry's and buys an off the shelf machine without any thought that upgrading it is part of the task it is not someone I'd hire to work on my crew. You go to the website of HP or Apple (or an Apple reseller who gives deals on memory), and configure it RIGHT and then buy upgrades for it from third parties if cheaper than what Apple or HP offer themselves. So, it doesn't matter than the $1999 MBP only comes with 2GB of memory, as the added $50 (mail order) for 4GB is chicken feed...

Why?

If she's really a filmmaker using this machine to cut on, what software is she using? Final Cut Studio is quite expensive at $1300, as is Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium (for PC) at $1600, or ACS4 without video apps for Mac at $1300, as is Avid of any form (media composer starts at $2500), or Maya for 3d/CGI starting at $2000, or whatever she plans on doing, plus the terabytes of external storage and backup for that storage (where FW800 comes in handy, not just "it has firewire"). And of course the camera and equipment rentals on every movie, or the cost of a camera if she's truly going to be working all the time. Far more expensive when totaled up than the machine is, to the point that the $50 extra she may have to pay for getting enough RAM on the otherwise better MBP is peanuts in comparison.

Again, like the other ads, I'm not actually sure that she left the big box store with what she was looking for when she went in, but she did get a FREE computer for the effort, so that will go a long way toward paying for the thousands of dollars of other things she needs to be a filmmaker.

But that $50 the rest of us would save who aren't getting a free HP? Hardly worth talking about...

[flickrz]

Wow, mac fanboys can't even grasp the ads. Yes, they were paying for 'any' pc (including made by apple called 'mac') and not only for PCs made by other manufacturers. The ad shows that people are conscious about shelling out money even for a computer.

[Seaspray0]

@ikramerica. She was not limited to what brand she selected to get it for free. Once again, you try to skew the truth.

[paulzie22]

Microsoft is not going to pay for an ad that shows her choosing a Mac. That part got edited.

[t8]

Sheila gets no choice but Windows when she buys a PC. Microsoft saw to that one years ago by doing illegal deals with OEMs. Even though the Justice Dept stopped this practice, it was too late. Windows was entrenched and so Windows is pretty much it when you buy a PC.

Thankfully Windows has a shelf life that will expire when we do more productivity in a browser than in software. That day will see Microsoft having to bring the price of their OS down remarkably or lose out to the likes of Google who provide an excellent browser and Cloud services to boot.

[topgunb2]

what are you talking about , I love these articles , we all love to ***** about something in life

[fwjs28]

GAG! one wore: linux....

[infinitely]

lol

[Perry_Clease]

"GAG"

The Graphics Art Guild? :)

[gt1948]

The ad is is mediocre at best. She speaks of video cards ( is it fast?) and it only has 2MB of ram. It always amazes me that people are willing to spend that much money on a computer but know nothing about it.

The Mac power book is far above anything out there in the laptop department. Look at the recent Consumer Report ratings....Macs top all categories.

Didn't realize that computers cut video?thought editors did that.

[Perry_Clease]

"The ad is is mediocre at best."

Well then it is appropriate to what they are selling.

[gerrrg]

? - I think you missed out on the configurations in the CR test. They were in fact apples to oranges, excuse the pun. The Apple laptops use the newest Intel processor with 1066 FSB. If the laptop processors in the test reflect a Txxx designation, they are 800 FSB. That's a 33% increase in bus speed. If it has a Pxxx designation, the processor carries a 1066 FSB. Witness how the Dell 13" Studio was rated highest in Performance benchmark, over all three Apple laptops.

[monkeyfun14]

@Perry

It obviously has done it's intended effect look at how quickly the Mac fanboys flock to defend Apple.

[Renegade Knight]

The Mac's are higer end. They aren't highest end. I'm not sure wher you mean. If MacBooks dominate laptop ergonomics Consumer Reports is not doing their homework.

[faceless128]

having only 2GB of RAM would suck when editing video, but surely, it's not hard to just buy a 17" mac with 2GB of RAM and more RAM for under $2000? are macs really that expensive? i really don't know, because i'm a PC.

[gerrrg]

No. There is only the MacBook Pro that has a 17" screen, and that HAS 4GB RAM, but it costs $2799.

[stockyjoe]

The extra $799 is for the cost of applying the Apple logo to the case =P

[scweezil]

Windows 32 bit can only address 3 gigs of ram.

[stockyjoe]

No Vista 64 can go to 8gigs windows 7 higher then that.

[pithenumber]

@scweezil
where were you for the last few years
64bit OS are widely available and come with this specific laptop
Mac OS is moving to 64bit with 10.6

[monkeyfun14]

@stocky

Vista 64 can use well over 100gb's..

[K177135]

No the extra $799 is for the better operating system.

[Magicland]

HP HDX comes with the 64 bit version of Vista, so who cares what Windows 32 bit can address? It'll address as much ram as you can stuff into it.

[flickrz]

@ K177135: No, it is for an OS that doesn't have 'cut' option for moving files on a hard drive. Extra $799 so that, you can only drag.

[seven7dust]

that extra 799$ gets you a better computer
better Keyboard ,better trackpad {multi-touch} better batterylife {5 hrs}
better build quality {unibody aluminium}
nifty extras like magsafe ,slot load drive, thinner and lighter design
LED backlit Glass Screen
and not to mention ability to run all Operating systems{OSX Windows and Linux} and hence more software
Generally better things cost More it's simple logic !

[sartor1]

I just find it so interesting that Microsoft seems to be so scared about loosing market share, they are attacking Apple of all companies. loosing market share to Linux also.. yet no anti-Linux ads.. YET..

I wonder what type of ad they will come out with regarding the dominance of OSX on the iPhone/iPod touch vs their mobile software.. ! Windoz is their cash cow, so maybe they won't attack Apple in that respect..

[gerrrg]

Indeed, that they are running ads are somewhat funny, given that Microsoft has 87% of the OS market share and 66% of the browser market share - now why would the Justice Department investigate Google and their 63.5% US search market share and 1.42% of the browser market share?

However, in response to your comment, Linux is a tiny drop in the bucket, even in comparison to Apple OS. Linux is sitting at around 1%.

[pentest]

Linux is growing without ads, if some company started to put out ads for Linux. MS would be out in force putting out "communism" ads.

[stockyjoe]

Linux is niche and ALWAYS will be until it standardizes and adopts commercial support for 95%+ of the hardware, drivers, software and games on the market. Without that its always a hobbyist or niche OS.

[monkeyfun14]

"I just find it so interesting that Microsoft seems to be so scared about loosing market share, they are attacking Apple of all companies. loosing market share to Linux also.. yet no anti-Linux ads.. YET.. "

Linux is not even close to a threat to Windows with just over 1% marketshare.

Microsoft is retaliating against Apple since they are being attacked by Apple when Linux somehow gets money to do any real ad campaign and has ease of use then maybe just maybe they will be a threat but atm no.

[Renegade Knight]

Good question on Apple vs. Linux. Look at the demographic. I've never met a stupid Linux user. They are willing to invest the time to do the job they want to do, and do it on their terms to the greatest extent possible. Ads won't sway them.

However the people flocking to Mac have a large percentage who are doing it becasue "it's cool" and not much more reason than that. They can be persuaded since they didn't have much in the way of "computer convictions" to begin with. MS can do some good with ads in this market.

[man_w_balls]

Sheila points out the fact that RAM can never be upgraded - the amount the computer ships with is what you are stuck with for life. And the plastic casing of her Windows laptop is far superior than the aluminum unibody of the MacBook Pro.
... And Bush was a great president.

[monkeyfun14]

When did she point out Ram could never be upgraded and why should the consumer have to risk taking apart the laptop and breaking it to get it to do something she wants.

Plastic or Aluminum what does it matter I can guarantee if I whip them both against a wall both will break.
And really unnecessary unless your slamming it around really. How many people actually have issues with their laptop cases breaking?

Also if the Mac was truly unibody the Ram would not be upgradable because it would not open.

[flickrz]

Not all Macs are aluminum unibody. The highest selling apple laptop is the white plastic one that has cracks in body only after 1 year.

[ckh1272]

"by flickrz May 9, 2009 6:10 PM PDT
Not all Macs are aluminum unibody. The highest selling apple laptop is the white plastic one that has cracks in body only after 1 year."

Ummm yeah...I am typing this as I look at the (just over a year old) $800 Dell next to me, which happens to have stress cracks in the corners. My point behind this statement?? Feces occurs with any plastic product!! Sell your narrow FUD to someone who has never seen a computer.

by monkeyfun14 May 9, 2009 3:48 PM PDT
"Also if the Mac was truly unibody the Ram would not be upgradable because it would not open."

Sarcasm is not your thing, otherwise that is one retarded statement!!

S

[monkeyfun14]

@ckh

Main Entry: unibody
Part of Speech: n, adj
Definition: of a vehicle, a one-piece frame and body structure

If it was unibody the laptop would have no openings.

[seven7dust]

@Flikrz as someone who has used one and Know many people who currently
use that White Macbook your taking about , you Full of FUD
the cracks were only for a small batch, 90% weren't affected
and is that the best you can come up with ?
Plus the plastic used is polycarbonate plastic not Cheap kind used by HP !
have you ever used or touched the plastic Macbook before ? thats things a rock
Macbooks are built better than those crappy plastic Hps or Dells, thats a fact !
See any Survey and Apple has always topped the list for many many years !

[jnork]

@monkeyfun14:

Um, unibody cars have openings. Doors and windows. Holes through the firewall to let control linkages and wiring through. Trunk lid. Not to mention the engine compartment goes straight through to the ground.

Unibody doesn't mean it's one solid piece with no openings, it merely means that the main body is cast or otherwise created as a single piece, as opposed to one that is created by attaching separate pieces together.

[CDubber]

@jnork:

Your rational explanation is pointless to mindless MS astroturfers like monkeyfun14...

[muskratboy]

And what will she be cutting these films with, on the PC? windows movie maker? Premiere?

If she's a pro, she uses avid, and that won't fly on that laptop.

A mac let's her use final cut.... Industry and pro standard.

Seriously... What WOULD she use to cut on that machine?

Plus, the mac gets you 2 computers in 1. So slick. So macs actually cost HALF as much. :)

[Magicland]

Pro's don't use Final Cut Pro (despite apple's overly optimistic name, only "pro-sumers" use FCP), and Avid will run just fine on that laptop.

[flickrz]

You seem to have heard about only one software for editing movies - Final cut Pro. Go out and look around. There are many more options.

Magicland, you are on crack.

First off, I go to USC, and the Cinematic Arts school is undisputedly the best in the nation, if not the world. George Lucas went there, and Steven Spielberg has donated millions of dollars to it. Fox and Universal both have labs there.

What equipment will you find there? It's all Final Cut and Avid for video processing, and tons of Macs.

300, Cold Mountain, The Rules of Attraction, Corpse Bride, The Ring, No Country for Old Men (which won the best editing Academy award in 2007), Burn After Reading....... ALL used Final Cut Pro.

The television show Scrubs is one of many that use Final Cut Pro, and FCP also won an Emmy for its impact on television, and it accounts for 49% of the pro editing market.

These pro-sumers are just getting so out of control, making movies like 300 and such...

[jnork]

@flickrz:

He knows of at least two, he mentioned two in his message.

I know, I went back and counted them.

[rnaoncfixd]

Thankfully, someone mentioned software. Avid is great but is also over $2000. Final Cut Studio 2 will run you about $1300. You also get more, not just an editor. Soundtrack, Compressor, Color, and DVD Studio have superb interfaces (at least in my opinion) and allow me to crank out high quality work at a speedy pace. Because Apple built FCS2, it runs blazingly fast on what it was built for; there is a very tight integration for all of it.

Avid's learning curve is really quite high. It produces some amazing stuff though, I have to admit, but being a poor video grad, I'll go towards the FCS2. Also, buying ram and installing it yourself is a much cheaper way to get ram. As someone who upgrades ram himself, it's super easy! Just pop it out and slide it in. That's what she said.

[pentest]

Don't you realize that these real people are actors?

[rapier1]

Really? What's your source for that? I do remember one fo the people was an actress but that she wasn't hired as an actress for the commercial.

Uh... common knowledge...

Reality shows = scripted.
These commercials = scripted.

Gosh.

[rapier1]

Common knowledge is often false. Unless you have some sort of proof that the ad agency is hiring people to purchase the systems in a specific way you're just enaging in base rumour and pointless FUD to promote your specific agenda.

even if apple did a commercial like this i would still say it was actors...you're very naive

[seven7dust]

@rapier
so your saying that these commercials aren't scripted ?

[rapier1]

Yes, I'm saying the commercials aren't scripted. For various reasons I believe that if it was there would be issues with the FTC's testimonial guidelines. Is there editing and cherry picking? Sure. I don't think there is a script though. The agency that created the ads, Crispin Porter + Bogusky (seriously, its their name), obviously massaged things but I don't see any reason why anyone would think the ads are scripted. They just kept using different people until they got the results they wanted.

[Martin Pilkington]

@rapier1: I suggest taking a look at this: http://lmnt.me/f5nh . Either that guy walks VERY slowly or Lauren walked in and out of the Apple Store without looking at a single computer.

[Dalkorian]

by rapier1 May 10, 2009 6:33 AM PDT
Yes, I'm saying the commercials aren't scripted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, that one floored me. It's in a commercial, so it must be true! ROFLMAO!

[LazziMann]

pentest is absolutely correct. These are actors. They auditioned and got the parts because most of them (like Sheila) don't look like "actors."

rapier1, production cost are desperately high. It is not unusual for a commercial shoot to range from $10,000 to over a $100,000 a day! Nobody, including MS, would fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars for development and production of these commercials, not to mention the multiple millions of dollars expended for face time on broadcast, cable and other media outlets, and then take the risk of using ?real? people. There is WAY too much at stake to even consider it.

As a retired actor (over 25 years in Screen Actors Guild) and a former producer and director of television commercials I speak with some authority on this. The only time ?civilians? are used on anything is news, talk/interview and ?gotcha? programming. The only exception to this are the people used as background players ? formally known as extras. These are often non-union but many producers are required (depending on the production contract) to use members of SEG ? Screen Extras Guild.

99.9999% of the time if anyone talks on camera they are professionals and are members of SAG and/or AFTRA.

PS I?m a Mac

[Giorggio]

I agree with pentest. REAL aritsts (yeah, filmmakers are artists too sometimes) know that you DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT edit or even finalize your work on a laptop. THat's why APPLE is not big on RAM on Laptops. A desktop MAC will kick any PC's ugly butt any time, anywhere when it comes to art.

[stockyjoe]

wrong. It has nothing to do with whether its a mac, or pc. The hardware of these machines today is pretty similiar. With Apple you just pay more for a label. Actually most large post production facilities that grind out high end effects and editing etc dont use MAC's or WINDOWS PC's They use Linux farms on PC hardware because Linux is inexpensive. But if I were to build an individual editing machine for home use that was high end, I probably wold buy a high end windows PC over a MAC because I can get way more horsepower and memory for the price. Then I would use Avid express pro. I would rather use linux because it would be even cheaper but avid express pro does not have a linux variant.

[Magicland]

And how will it do that, when they both run the same software, but the PC runs it faster and better?

[Giorggio]

And also agree with muskratboy.

[El_Gringo_Guapo]

If anyone (incl. Sheila) had cared to notice the difference between the HDX and the MBP, they'd notice....

MBP runs DDR3 RAM, not older DDR2 like the HDX.

HDX weighs 7.1lbs, MBP weighs 5.5lbs.

MBP & MBP carry same GPU; MBP uses DDR3, HDX uses DDR2

HDX uses 1366x768 display (1920x1080 is $175 upgrade!); MBP uses 1440x900 display standard on all models.

MBP can be ordered w/ SSD drives, HDX cannot.

HDX = tray-load optical drive; MBP = slot-load optical drive.

Backlit keyboard = $50 upgrade on HDX; MBPs have this standard

Tech Support = HP is in India, Apple is in US/Canada

Battery Life = HDX is 2hrs at most, MBP is 5hrs.

Bottom-line: Sheila is an idiot.

All data is from the following sites...

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html
http://www.shopping.hp.com/
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/04/10/review-hp-hdx-16/ << Battery Performance & Review
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavilion-hdx16-1040us/4505-3121_7-33348169.html

[monkeyfun14]

MBP runs DDR3 RAM, not older DDR2 like the HDX.
A system with more ram in video editing verses one with a little bit faster ram is going to outperform the faster one.

HDX weighs 7.1lbs, MBP weighs 5.5lbs.
2 pound difference big deal?

MBP & MBP carry same GPU; MBP uses DDR3, HDX uses DDR2
HDX has more ram. If I have a desk top with 6gb of DDR3 and a machine with 12gb of DDR2 the one with DDR2 will outperform the other.

HDX uses 1366x768 display (1920x1080 is $175 upgrade!); MBP uses 1440x900 display standard on all models.
A what 300 pixel difference?

MBP can be ordered w/ SSD drives, HDX cannot.
A SSD is not going to handle the drive thrashing movie editing does over a long course of time.

HDX = tray-load optical drive; MBP = slot-load optical drive.
Does it matter?

Backlit keyboard = $50 upgrade on HDX; MBPs have this standard
I fail to see how backlit keyboards are really any useful. Who edits movies in pitch black darkness?

Tech Support = HP is in India, Apple is in US/Canada
Both get my computer fixed. There is alot of incompetent american tech support lines as well have you tried talking to a comcast rep lately?

Battery Life = HDX is 2hrs at most, MBP is 5hrs.

Most people doing any video editing will have the laptop plugged in.

[professionaladventurer]

Monkeyfun14: to all those "does it make difference, matter, etc?" YES. Not as good = cheaper every time.

[flickrz]

Does SSD come free with MBP? Why dont you mention that you have to shell out $500 to upgrade to 128 gb ssd from 360 gb sata drive.

[Stormspace]

About the slot load optical drive...
I hate it when those things fail, you can't get your disk back. I'll never own another slot load anything. A tray loader is way superior in that regard.

[michaelcorley]

a macbook with 2G of RAM provides a much better user experience than any windows machine with 4G of RAM, tough to find a competitor to iLife for video editing at the same price point on a windows machine... another STUPID ad by microsoft

[stockyjoe]

ROFL. You Apple people get more hilarious as these threads move on. Apple's are nice computers. I like OSX, but come on man what you said is just a fallacy. There are tons of factors that attribute to a computers performance. RAM, video hardware, CPU. Apple's use the same ram and cpu tech that are in PC's.

Ignoring the catastro-postrophes in your post (as in "Apple's"), there are more things than hardware that affect overall performance, and OS X makes much better use of resources, and the Mac system architecture for the hardware is superior to that of most PCs.

[pithenumber]

except when video editing
more RAM makes a big difference

[seven7dust]

Stockrice
when your comparing Vista to OSX thats exactly the case
Vista cant even perform on OSX levels even with 4 GB of ram
also the 64 bit version still has numerous problems too !
Do a google search for Vista 64 bit problems and see for yourself !

[scweezil]

Ummm can Windows 32 bit even address 4 gigs of RAM?
So she paid for a computer with a gig of RAM that the system won't even recognize?
I guess the MS waterboys like paying for something that can't use. As long as they can be BSed by specs.

http://www.realtime-vista.com/installation/2007/08/windows_vista_ram_limitations.htm

[stockyjoe]

No but 64bit windows can go 8gigs.. Go in the stores, you'll notice a lot of compters now are coming with 64bit vista, Windows 7 will go even higher. Vista 32 can only adress 3 gigs.

[pithenumber]

the computer came with Vista64

[Magicland]

Hey fanboi, stop drinking the cool-aid long enough to realize that the HDX comes with a 64-bit OS, not a crappy 32 bit one like a mac book (not) pro.

[scweezil]

"Hey fanboi, stop drinking the cool-aid long enough to realize that the HDX comes with a 64-bit OS, not a crappy 32 bit one like a mac book (not) pro."

Hey, "MagicHand" I looked it doesn't come standard. The OSX is 64 bit & can address both 64 bit & 32 bit apps & has for some time now.

Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit) is a 120 bucks. How much is it if you buy it later? Without knowing which configuration she bought (the commercial doesn't really say) how do you know?

Vista 32 can only adress 3 gigs.
Which is what I said.

[ckh1272]

"by Magicland May 9, 2009 6:09 PM PDT
Hey fanboi, stop drinking the cool-aid long enough to realize that the HDX comes with a 64-bit OS, not a crappy 32 bit one like a mac book (not) pro."

Perhaps YOU should put down the misinformed Kool-Aid!! Understanding that there are many 3rd party apps that need to catch up to MS and Apple regarding 64 bit, I submit this link as FUD rebuttal:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/technology/64bit.html

That link is for both you and "monkeyforfun14", since you both seem to be operating out of the same basement. Now, can we move on to a more valid argument?? Man, you people are a laugh riot here!!

[pithenumber]

@ckh
Leopard isn't full 64bit yet
its 32bit with some 64bit features

Snow Leopard will be Apple's first 64bit OS

[LLIB_SETAG]

64 Bit OS?
Hardly STANDARD on any laptop PC or MAC.

Also, IT DOESN"T matter if you have 64 bit OS if you are still running 32 bit apps.

ALL of your apps must be 64 bit capable or IT DOES NOT make a difference in speed.

The same as apps must be OPTIMIZED to take advantage of multiple processors or there is no speed bump if you have Dual / Quad processors if you are using legacy apps.

Only PRO LEVEL video apps are 64 bit capable & multi-core processor optimized like AVID or FINAL CUT PRO by Apple. Microsoft does not make a PRO video app.

Video / Film industry is dominated by Apple because Apple has been in the industry for many, many years WAY before MS even thought of it as an "industry". MS is for blue suits in corporate businesses who like to creative with bar charts & pie charts in the MS slide show presentations to the Bored Members...period.

[josmor]

Ohh man.. you have a nice article title... and far too much time.

[Orion Blastar]

Just a fugly as those I'm a Mac and I'm a PC commercials.

Please just do a commercial that tells the truth, not one that bashes the competition.

If you cannot afford a Mac, you can always get a payment plan from Apple to finance it, or charge it to a credit card.

If you want the cheapest laptop money can buy, get a Windows laptop.

She should have bought an Amiga instead. :)

[rapier1]

So a firend of mine bought a system from Apple on their payment plan. At the time the interest was running 18%. The interest essentially doubled the price of the system by the time he finished paying it off.

...............that's how payment plans and loans work, dude.

[rapier1]

I know that's how payment plans work. Just seems ironic that someone would say "if you can't afford a mac, get a poayment plan, so you end up paying twice as much!"

[screamapillar]

Because everyone using payment plans to pay for things they can't afford has done such wonders for the economy... oops, did someone just drop the debt ball?

[Motyoj]

Orion: Nice post! Amiga did make a darn nice system. I wish I would have went Amiga instead of an IBM compatible PC back then. I've learned my lesson now after many years of wrestling with Windows. Now, instead of trying to keep the computer running smoothly, I g

[Sourdust]

One thing I don't like about these ads is that they show someone go to one store, talk to a sales person for a while and make a large purchase based on that little bit of info. If you do research you may find that a Mac suits your needs better than a PC (i.e. as a filmmaker Sheila may prefer software that's specific to the Mac or that runs better on the Mac, etc.)

Most people that have bought a PC or laptop know that going only by price can give you a machine that has inadequate features (i.e. slow video, poor screen, etc), poor driver support and sometimes issues with software compatibility. The commercials gloss over those issues and may lead newbies to purchase based on price, have a problem with the machine, get frustrated and switch to a Mac.

[Mweaver2k9]

Using a laptop to cut video is just pointless anyway. I really wish these ads would go in the direction of desktops as they are easily more powerful and easy to maintain and upgrade.

[stockyjoe]

I agree. Bring on the desktop comparisons. The cost differences would still shine through. I don't think it matters. Plus people running PC hardware whether windows or linux can custome build a machine from scratch with very high end components.

Agreed about that, it is stupid to talk about video editing on a laptop because that makes the entire commercial lack any real point, because the very premises are preposterous.

Any intensive video editing would be done on a desktop.

[Kwasiowusu]

"Any intensive video editing would be done on a desktop"

Oh rubbish!
I have seen Sun Solrais laptops that are more powerful than any desktop I have ever seen. It all depends on how powerful the laptop is, doesn't it?
You can't go about generalising like that.

[stockyjoe]

I wish they would show a real IT guy trying to get hardware support for a Dell PC and then a MAC. Now that would be hilarious. Watching your IT guy standing in line at the Genius Bar.

[Perry_Clease]

I "real" IT guy would call it a Mac and no the difference between it and MAC.

[monkeyfun14]

Now if Mac's just work why would they need hardware support xDD

...because as with any machine, things can and do go wrong.
no machine can work perfectly, but we can get them to break as little as possible, and statistically, Macs "break" less often, depreciate much more slowly, and have longer-lasting good performance.

[jnork]

Eh? Why would an IT guy necessarily stand at a Genius Bar? You can phone in for support, I've done it. Was personally more convenient for me to visit the Genius Bar, but I could have shipped the unit back myself.

[ckurowic]

Media Access Controllers (MAC) have nothing to do with this commercial. I do assume of course you mean Mac as in Macintosh, or maybe you don't know enough about computers to even comment. Perhaps? I think that is the case. Either way, as some have pointed out, Apple computers simply do tend to last longer and have a much higher resale value. Consider a PowerPC G4 iMac that is around 7 years old will still fetch $350 easily. Show me how much a 7 year old PC goes for...thats right, it won't go at all because at this point it has been recycled into soup cans and condom wrappers.

[Motyoj]

If it were a real IT guy, he wouldn't be needing to stand in a line at a Genius Bar. He'd have things up an