Comments on: Microsoft: Apple wanted 'Laptop Hunters' ads pulled

Redmond's chief operating officer recounts a phone call he says he got from Apple's legal department, demanding the removal of the TV spots.

[cnet30127]

I use Macs and PCs at work. Macs have just as many issues as PCs do, only different issues. They are no more reliable OVERALL than a Vista-running PC. Yes, OSX is much much "prettier" than Vista, a little quicker, and so far no bored Korean kids have decided to decimate it with viruses (but that day will come). Still, we have Mac stalls, crashes, and hiccups just like any other computer. You only pay more for the prettier OS and a titanium-kryptonian-whoohaaizt body that is for show (who goes skydiving with their computers, anyway?).

Sorry - I use both. I like both sometimes. I hate both sometimes. But the "Mac is better" debate is stupid. Neither is perfect. Both have problems. Macs are overpriced. PCs have too much bloatware, yadda yadda. Get a life, geeks.

[vprods]

I use both at home...lets see, start up windows, after a few minutes I get a message,,,hey I've got updates to install, want to do it now?
Star up the MAC, after a few minutes I get a message,,,hey I've got updates to install, want to do it now?
it's all the same to me.

[Software_Lover]

I am not an Apple Fanboy. I have never owned a Macintosh computer, and have only used them at the library of the High School that I used to attend.

That said, the call that the Microsoft guy "received" sounds very fake.

By the way, stop making stuff up. When you say that your Windows machine crashes every 5 hours, we all know you're full of it. Contrary to what you've been told by every Macintosh advertisement ever made, they very rarely crash.

[Mikeatle]

Just make a new series of commercials showing the people who bought the PCs a couple of weeks later. They are still trying to get those wonderful computers up and running correctly. They've already dealt with sixteen viruses, and their precious PC still has loads of trialware. They finally look straight into the computer and say, "I could have had a Mac."

[samradley]

that's a good one! :-)

[brent516]

Bottom line is that most people can get by with a $500-$1000 PC and it does everything they want it to...There will always be the connoisseurs who buy Maserati's or Rolls Royce or whatever but they are not mainstream america.

I've always had PC's, really love the MAC OS and functionality, but I can't afford one. I bought my last Lenovo for $999 four and a half years ago and it's still cooking. Plus, a lot of the software I use is not available for the MAC....so, why would I pay [a lot] more for the headaches?

In the future when and if the gap narrows [software, price, etc.] I'll certainly consider a Mac.

Until then it's like asking whose a better starship captain--Kirk or Picard? Depends mostly on your point of view..

[aboutjack]

Rarely explored in these Mac vs. Windows comments section debates is the simple truth that the two platforms are aimed at entirely different customer demographics. Specific statements from folks in each demographic group are specifically accurate, from that viewpoint, but are irrelevant to the other group. A guy who likes tinkering with a home built PC is not and never will be a customer target for Apple, so anything he says is pointless to the overall debate. A guy like me who makes a few hundred grand a year and trades Macs every time a new model comes out says what I think, but that viewpoint's irrelevant to the first guy. Two different groups. Different buying criteria. I could screw together a PC from a parts bin, but why would I? I could handle the relatively minor frustrations of using Windows, but why would I? I could deal with software apps that are not integrated to each other or to the OS very well, but why would I? I would suggest we probably eat at different restaurants, buy our clothing at different stores, and buy different cars, as well.

[ckh1272]

@dano10000-That took a lot of guts to show your blatant ignorance like that. I have both Windows and Mac PCs (and 1 dormant Linux box) and I do not upgrade my hardware just because I need the latest thing. That old argument is tired, old, and just plain not true. You like what you like and that is fine, but slamming users like that really just makes you the snob (or a mental midget) as opposed to the Mac users you accuse.

[chrobrego-2009]

Don't get it. Microsoft has 90% or more of the marketplace, and probably a much higher percentage overseas, why are they even wasting any time with Apple since Apple will always sit at the top end in price. Apple I don't think is a threat to Microsoft, but Chrome and Linux is.

Funny that Microsoft is pushing cheap and value, when a Linux system is far cheaper than a PC system -- they might be slitting their own throats by establishing this perception of PCs.

[cloudmatt]

they aren't attacking apple...they're retaliating. If someone you really didn't mind started running wall to wall commercials about how you were slow dumb and fat(not an attack on you I'm sure your athletic intelligent and fit like the rest of us Adonises on tech forums). If you had the means to run a commercial to say "at least I'm not ugly" wouldn't you.

as for Linux and the upcoming chrome windows is probably a little worried of at least chrome but not really. MS is the Heroine dealer and 90% of the world is on the horse.

[mkilmer1]

Microsoft compared to Mac makes no sense, compare it to OSX sure I would get that. But using Mac, we are now comparing apples and oranges. I love my Mac, but its because I can get the best of both worlds. I have Windows running natively when I need a PC and when I don't I use my Mac. If I am doing 2 things, I have fusion in unity that gives me a reliable combination. I think the Mac hardware is superior at least to the manufactures I have purchased, Sony, Toshiba, IBM, Dell and Gateway. Each manufacturer has problems at times but from a reliability standpoint, my Mac hardware is the best PC hardware I ever bought!

[mkilmer1]

Oops little typo...
...and when I don't I use my Mac.. should have had OS after Mac.

[libertyforall1776]

It would be nice to see Apple further reduce prices, but the lower cost you pay up front for most PCs & Windows, you pay for in frustration and other expenses like malware protection, etc. bleh!

[u2mr2os2]

Their ads were misrepresenting Apple's prices before in some cases, and are even more wrong now, so he's going to run the factually wrong ads even more. Seems he'll get another call after a while followed by a letter. In one ad, they attempt to suggest the 13" Macbook costs $1999 by confusing it with the 15" pro model in order to get a price higher than the $1700 "budget" even though the 13" model qualified for that budget and was in the class being sought.

Also, it was said that the people were asked what their budget was, then they gave them the money and sent them shopping, but the commercials are cut so the money is given at the end. Why? We know they give it to them up front as he says from analyzing the video. Why even give them the money? They had a budget they could afford.

[fortheclueless]

LIke all things peel back the onion. Lets do a random compare of a system somewhat equally equipped.

If i configure the Studio15 exactly like the Macbook pro 15, and add all the software to make the bundle comparable the price is $2077. You'll want things like roxy DVD suite so you can actually burn a disk. You'll want office so you can get work done. You'll want some form of virus protection with 3 year coverage. You'll need the 85 w/hr batter to compare to the mac. Oh and I keep forgetting the PC would need acrobat standard 9 or higher to write a PDF file. Sure the box starts out cheap but you didn't get what the mac included. Its not a better value. Intel integrated graphics, 3 hr battery, no office, can't burn disks, and no virus/firewall updates, can't write PDF's. So while the system starts out life at 899, you have to add over a thousand dollars to bring its basic feature set to parity.

The mac, $1922. I configured with office 168 bucks online. Toss in McAffe 3 year just to keep it on par with the Dell offering...price goes up 55$.

So, while the Dell seems to be this killer cheap system it isn't. The mac started out 800 more expensive. But after you make that cheap PC usable...the mac actually saved you 100 bucks.

In both cases extended warranty coverage was not selected. But even if that were added the mac maintains is price advantage by about 100 bucks.

[billmosby]

Nice to see another opportunity for so many inner children to come out to play.

[iakokd]

Does Apple think that we as consumers are idiots? We dont need a commercial to tell us that their laptops are overpriced. You can walk into any store, anywhere to know this. Sometimes the truth hurts; swallow the bitter pill of truth, and stop expecting consumers in a ression, to increase shareholders stocks by selling overpriced items, or watch as consumers do what any intelligent individual would do during hard times, bargin shop. I am a P.C and a nice one @ that.

[spongekill]

Anybody that is personally invested in the defense of their computer brand of choice is a ******* fool and needs to get laid.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE USES, USE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!!!!

You freaking mob mentality lemmings are as bad as the crowds at political party conventions.

[baconstang]

So are PCs red or blue.... I'm confused.

[u2mr2os2]

"so far no bored Korean kids have decided to decimate it with viruses (but that day will come)"

Oh, there it is. The inevitable argument that Macs will get their due. Someday. Soon. Just you wait. No, you'll wait, mired in your viruses or anti-virus payments while I enjoy my computer. Is it really worth it Windows users to suffer this just so you can pathetically taunt us Mac users with this completetly unfounded line about how we're going to get ours someday?

[coffeepillow]

I think this is great. Apple has been running their "I'm a mac" ads and spreading ridiculous rumors about PCs like how apparently you can't view photos easily (windows picture and fax viewer), make movies (windows movie maker, though I use Adobe Premier), and crap that the computers crash all the time. I will agree that Vista has a few irritating things about it, but it is easy to use and makes sense.

I just got a Macbook Pro as a gift for making a film and once the film was over, I got rid of it ASAP. There is nothing that is "user friendly" about a mac. You need to already know all of the keyboard shortcuts to do anything because apparently right clicking does nothing useful in OS X. Also, *** is with a low resolution screen on a $2300 computer? My HP cost less than that and is better in every way... The macbook pro had all of these ridiculous special features that are nice, but do not add to the computer's abilities. Light up keyboard, brightness sensor that automatically adjusts, trackpad with two finger scrolling (which for how "special" that is, it should be a tablet too...), aluminum frame (with no fans anywhere... Seriously, I could have fried an egg on the back), and a bunch of other crap that doesn't need to be there... Also, why is the backspace the same as the delete... Why are the arrows so small? Forget any games that use the arrows... Why does it run Windows Vista like an 8 year old computer? Why is there a POWERFUL MAGNET attached to it?!! Why is there a command button AND a control button? Why are the edges of the laptop so damn sharp?! I had lines on my wrists that looked like cut marks every time I typed. How come when you empty your trash can, you have to hold option to make it actually do what you told it to do?! Why can't I just highlight stuff and click delete? I can only move the files to far when using a trackpad... Why doesn't the "maximize" button fill the screen?

Just so many stupid things... I agree with that one guy in the commercial, macs are just fancy fashion statements with a huge price tag...

[crmldp]

Seriously?? Stupid? I find many of these things great. The cmd and ctrl buttons serve different functions. Keyboard shortcuts aren't terrible hard to learn, and anyway, if you were using one of the macbooks with glass multitouch trackpad, you right click using two fingers, or holding down ctrl as you click, or you could've used your favorite two-button mouse. The maximize button *can* fill the screen, I did it just now.
And, seriously, windows movie maker? Me and my sister got our computers at around the same time, they're similarly specced, I just decided to switch to mac and she did not. Her laptop DIES every time she makes a movie.
And me? I'm the house tinkerer. I'm in charge of tech support. I move around software a lot.
Funny story, just 'cause you all annoyed me. I go to school for chemical engineering. We have to run this software, very powerful, very resource heavy, and it runs only on WinXP (those who have Vista virtualize it using virtualbox, for the most part). I have a virtual machine running on vmware (took me about half an hour to set up), and ironically, this thing runs faster on my laptop than on my friends' laptops, again, all between 0 and 3 years old.
So yeah, keep believing Windows is for people who like to mess around with computers. In my opinion this is not true. Also in my experienci, 2 kinds of mac users -> those who have no clue what's going on, have no idea what UNIX is, and just want to surf the web and send email. Ok cool, if it "just works" for them.
Me, I'm not just a sucker for the graphics -- I enjoy the UNIX underpinnings and the fact that vmware has actually given me a better windows experience than windows hardware ever did.
Also, I find the light up keayboard very useful in dark classrooms.

So hey, if you ever get another macbook, or hell, any kind of computer you don't like 'cause it's not exactly what you're used to, give me a call. ;)
Just sayin.

[ckh1272]

@coffeepillow-You just don't have a clue do you?? I can't even begin to take the time to totally debunk all of BS you flung out there. BTW, my 3 year old macbookpro runs Vista as fast the 1 1/2 year old Dell sitting right next to it (it is a Core2Duo). The rest of your rant borderlines on hilarious. Oh a POWERFUL MAGNET, too funny.

[mbertwave]

Say what you will about Microsoft vs. Apple, the only thing that really matters is the truth. The Apples ads are well done and amusing but exagerate or outright mislead the viewer about Windows perceived shortcomings. The Windows ads are dull but truthful. I prefer the latter.

[vvlada]

Hi,

A years ago (in '80), in Europe, there was two most popular computers, Commodore 64 and Spectrum. And like you now, as a kid, I was always fighting with other owners, who has a better computer - I (Spectrum owner) or one that had Commodore 64. This is the same situation, and it is stupid. It is good that we have a choice - someone will pick up PC (with Windows or Linux) and someone will use Apple. Best choice is to get what you need and to use it. If you are happy with what you selected - this is even better.

Best regards,
Vladimir

[Gibran1994]

in order to solve all problems everyone in the world needs to be republican

[AluminumMonster]

Hey while we are making complete generalizations about Mac and PC users let me chime in, and say all Mac users are 22 year old hip cool adults who wear birkenstocks in the winter, and then discuss neo classical art at Starbucks for 3 1/2 hours.

When i 1st read the topic title i was really looking forward to reading the respones because they never cease to amuse.

[Perry_Clease]

I am 58 years old, and look and dress more like PC than Mac. However, I do discuss art and I do like coffee shops.