Comments on: Microsoft unveils a new Lauren the Laptop Hunter ad

In its latest spot in the TV ad campaign, Microsoft follows yet another Lauren (and her mom) in a quest for PC (as in price correct) joy.

[ballmerisanape]

From MDN:

"Apple's aluminum unibody MacBook costs US$1,299, not "$2,000," (little miss future lawyer is looking at a 15.4-inch MacBook Pro and inexplicably comparing it to a 13-inch Dell laptop which actually costs $1,099 on Dell's website). Apple's MacBooks all feature 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen displays (1280x800). Lauren's bottom-of-the-line Dell XPS 13 comes with only a 13.3-inch WXGA LCD screen (1280x800). In an attempt to more closely match the MacBook's screen, if you bump it up to a 13.3-inch WXGA WLED LCD (1280x800), it costs another $125 which brings Lauren's "deal" up to $1096.99 (or $1,224 if you use Dell.com's pricing). So she saved very little upfront, for which she most certainly will pay much more later - if not in cash, in time and frustration - and she'll always be stuck with an OS-limited, Windows Vista-mired, Dell-quality POS."

[The_happy_switcher]

I'm sure she will be happy with that computer on boating trips. It will make a good anchor.

[Sourdust]

A refurbed Macbook Pro (15" screen, aluminum unibody, etc) is around $1700 from Apple site. Lauren would find this out if she wasn't rushed into a store and told to purchase a computer on the spot. I'm not suggesting she get a Mac since I don't know anything about her, but buying any computer based mainly on price can lead to frustration.

The ads don't even mention that the shoppers want to run Windows.

[Random_Walk]

@Sourdust: Agreed. If she wants/needs Windows, then Macs wouldn't even be considered (though specification-wise, Macs do run Windows exceedingly well).

But then, the whole point of the ad is to create a contrived scenario with only one outcome (that is, buying a Windows-based computer and not an Apple). Problem is, the scenarios they present are far too contrived to fit reality.

[cowatson]

Does the average person really care if the screen is 13.3 LED Backlit widescreen vs. 13.3 WXGA LCD Screen? Does it matter for email, simple web browsing or word processing? Is Lauren not going to be able to do any of those things on a Dell?

I would care about stuff like that, but I don't see the average consumer caring about that.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Not everyone wants an LED back lit screen. LED technology is still pricey. Dels are not o/s limited. Now that she has it, when Windoze 7 comes out she can easily upgrade to it.
It's funny when you're comparing LCD screens, you say Apple's is 13.3" 1280 x 800, then you day that the Dell "is only" 13.3" WXGA 1280 x 800. Other than the backlights, they sound exactly the same (because they ARE exactly the same). Please don't bother telling me how much longer LED backlights will last. The hardware in the laptop will be obsolete, and the entire unit replaced long before the back lights go bad.
Of course, being a lawyer she can have thousands of software programs that are not available on the Mac.
Naturally you'll say "She can install both operating systems on a Mac", but then she would just end up using Windoze all the time, but will have had to of paid for the Mac O/S as part of her purchase price.
Why would anyone want to pay for two operating systems when they only need one? Unless you Mac people are PIRATING the Windoze o/s to get it for free. Tisk tisk....

Please, you shouldn't call Windoze machines POS just because you don't know how to use one right, and can't seem to install it properly. Windoze has it's problems, but used correctly and installed correctly it works pretty good. 90% of people who buy them don't have many problems, why can't you do the same?

Bottom line is she got a comparable Windoze unit for less than a Mac, she saved money, and she's happy with what she purchased. Go cry in your beer about it.

[umbrae]

You guys all say this like the Mac/PC ads have no falsehoods in them. If Apple can be loose with facts, so can MS.

Before you argue, Mac/PC ads are not about Mac or PCs their about the OS. When you get down to it a Mac is just a PC made by Apple. They lost any differentiating features when they went Intel, which was mainly to run Windows.

[Dalkorian]

by umbrae May 15, 2009 11:14 AM PDT
When you get down to it a Mac is just a PC made by Apple. They lost any differentiating features when they went Intel, which was mainly to run Windows.

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Mainly to run winblows? Wow, your flavor of excrement smells most foul! Where do you M$ prostitutes pull excrement like that from anyway, it can't come from a living being.

[Random_Walk]

"The hardware in the laptop will be obsolete, and the entire unit replaced long before the back lights go bad."

Ah, but that assertion becomes patently false when you step outside of the Windows world.

"Of course, being a lawyer she can have thousands of software programs that are not available on the Mac. "

List some.

[chonnom]

@ randomwalk

"list some"

Pretty much all of them; here are some that you can look into though: http://www.alphalegal.com/softrev.htm#Bankruptcy%20Software

Not that anyone showing you facts will change the way you feel about anything MS related...

To be fair you can find similar programs for the MAC but bear in mind that since most businesses still use PCs there might be compatibility issues.
http://www.macattorney.com/

Personally, I fail to see the difference between a PC and a MAC, they're both tools that have good points and bad points; getting worked-up over which is supposedly better is pure sophistry and schoolyard childishness. I do have to admit a guilty pleasure in seeing the MAC and PC people ripping into each other though.... :-)

[Random_Walk]

"To be fair you can find similar programs for the MAC"

Indeed... hence why I asked him to list some of these apps to which there is allegedly no equivalent whatsoever, which is what he stated (apparently you've failed to do so as well, even by your own admission, quoted above :) ).

[ewelch]

Well, she's going to be an ambulance chaser no doubt. Because if her duductive ability could be so impaired as to compare a MacBook Pro to that piece of junk Dell when a MacBook would have been much better, had vastly better software an cost only a couple hundred more (she's going to school, is she not aware of Education stores giving discounts?)

Bottom line, Apple is not moved to respond to these ads. Their new ads are a Nelson-like "Ha ha" pointing at the pathetic loser ads that have no connection with reality.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Yup, wanting a PC makes her an ambulance chaser. You got that right. It's so obvious. Duh.....

[bonesbautista]

Where's the bald-headed guy in the first Lauren ad?

[Random_Walk]

So, let's see... half the battery life, a far smaller screen (that'll be really fun to stare at during long study sessions), slower RAM, a lower reliability rating, and we haven't even come near the cost of all the apps that don't come included... (and did that come with Vista Home Basic, or...?)

...and they compared a 15" MacBook Pro laptop vs. a 13" Dell cheapie? Man, talk about desperation...

[Dalkorian]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[pithenumber]

a 13" screen is far better than a netbook screen for long study sessions
and many college students are perfectly fine with netbooks
the OS is probably Home Premium 64

[Random_Walk]

So a 13" screen versus a 15" screen... (and a much larger keyboard... ever type more than a page on a tiny keyboard? It isn't fun)...

[monkeyfun14]

@Random

With how much you spew out battery life claims one would think you own all these laptops? Until you own the laptop in question you can't judge the battery life.

[seven7dust]

@monkey
my unibody Macbook easily get 3.5-4 hrs of battery life on daily use
with Power saving settings I can get even 5+ hrs sometimes
Eitherway you'd be lucky to get even close to 2 hrs with the Dell !

[Angmarr]

I have a Lenovo gets 3h battery life with no power saving 100% screen brightness. Never bothered to try power saver! got it for AROUND $700 ... 2+ years ago!

Its not Dell vs. Mac people its PC vs. Mac. With PC you have options! and I'd take the options any day!

[DMAN3k]

Oh man, Apples are just so far superior that people just can't figure out the quality difference between a LED-backlit screen to a WXGA screen.

Oh and look, there's a sale at Dell right now for minus $400. That "Apple equivalent" laptop is just under $900! (Configure your own!)

Wow, amazing, y'all Apple fanboys are making Dells look good.

The message is not sponsored by the Church of Steve Jobs.

[kojacked]

+1 Nice pwnage.

Someday I hope the Apple fanboys can get a grip on the idea that it's not the Apple products that are being dissed it's the fanboys themselves. Just reading this talkback you can see their ludicrous of their state of mind. It's kind of like how the Republicans are freaking out and spewing hate speech because they are losing to the Democrats (keep in mind ALL self-serving politicians suck in my books)

[seven7dust]

The Apple Equivalent ?
How exactly are they equivalent?

The Macbook Comes with Double the Battery Life, half the thinness, lighter better Screen
and better build quality too !
not to mention a faster ,more efficient ,better designed resource friendly Operating system
which unlike Vista doesn't slow Down every Few months
you can thank the registry and all the numerous Security Problems of Windows like spyware adware etc. for that
plus Windows Works too if you need !

I have no idea how you Win Fan boys consider them Equivalent
Oh yeah they have the same Clock speed and screen size So they must be Equivalent right

[Aaron Kempf]

you mac fanbois are lame. I bought a 17" HP laptop with 3gb ram.. 6 months ago.. for $599. Apple can't compete with _ANY_ windows laptop on price, performance or compatability.

Macs don't even run databases-- which are the brains behind _EVERY_ company.

[Tedders85]

What in the hell are you talking about?

[Random_Walk]

err, what Tedders said - what are you talking about?

[jbcahill]

Really?!?! You ****....ever heard of this little database called MySQL? Guess what...runs on OSX.

[Random_Walk]

@jbcahill:

...there's also Oracle for OSX:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/macos/index.html

PostgreSQL for OSX:
http://developer.apple.com/internet/opensource/postgres.html

Sybase on OSX:
http://www.sybase.com/partner/mac

...and of course, you can use JDBC to connect to MS SQL Server from a Mac:
http://www.razorsql.com/articles/sql_server_mac.html

[Kev_Orng]

Specs, Aaron. Lay down the specs

[protagonistic]

Open mouth, insert foot. As Abe Lincoln once said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

[Dalkorian]

by Aaron Kempf May 15, 2009 10:33 AM PDT
Macs don't even run databases-- ...

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Thank you for not knowing when to shut up. Now we know exactly how much "knowledge" you have (or don't have, as the case may be).

[sting7k]

I think Microsoft may have messed up on this one. Speed, portability, and battery life for under $1700 you could get a MacBook for much cheaper. The dell XPS 13 is pretty nice though.

[Angmarr]

Love these! for so many reasons .. hehe

[LLIB_SETAG]

LEGALLY BLONDE the PC ad!
Dumb blonde bimbo who is totally clueless about computers in a white trash megabox store in a white trash strip mall looking at a " Pretty In Pink " PC laptop so she can go to college & become a lawyer.
THAT is the perfect demographic for a PC POC WINDELL LAPTOP!

MS + Dell have always aimed at the lowest common denominator & this is proof of it.

Apple MacBook fits the bill perfectly sister, but you are too stupid to read the card next the MB & only look at the MBP. Mom is dumber than a fence post on Michael Dell's ranch in Texas.

Wait till you go to college & see all the smart women using Apple laptops in college which WAY out number the Dells.... Now who's the popular one sister?

You get what you pay for.

LAME AD # 4.

[James7777777]

Yea, cause Apple definitely has the larger market share. :-)

[iertry]

@james7777777 On college campuses macs have a much higher market share.

[monkeyfun14]

@iertry

Because daddy and mommy are fitting the bill or they are digging themselves in loans wait till the banks want their money back xD

[LLIB_SETAG]

@Jimbo0077777777zzzzzzzzzz

Get the facts before you open your mouth & prove you have no idea of what you are talking about.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2378

ZDNET : Mac Laptops make a huge surge in the college market / education sector.

Also, MONKEYBOYZ:
No body goes to college from a white trash family ( as in the video) without college loans dude, & thet got PAID to do this commercial / get the DEll.

Tip to Bimbo, take Dell back, get your refund, go to college, get a MacBook with an education discount ( WAY Cheaper than a Dell ) then you will be able to work on Mac OSX + Windows on one laptop.

[baconstang]

Mac makes sense for college since it's very unlikely you'll need to replace it before you graduate.

[Angmarr]

ever herd of things call fads people!?!?

Take a look @ the laptops that Arts majors/ social science carry "vs." Engineering, Physics, Math (Flash vs. Functionality)

Its called wearing the apple brand to look cool!
man you'd be surprised @ how many of them don't even know how to use simple features of a mac properly! Honestly it doesn't do macs justice! because GUESS WHAT even as a windows fan I can see some cool features of a mac over PCs! = difference between a fanboy and fan

[seven7dust]

@angmarr
not it's not to look cool
it's because they work better for Education purposes
plus they almost always have better batterylife than the average PC laptop !

Macs are like appliances they work and keep working without the need for constant maintenance
unlike PCs which slow down ,are Virus prone ,require constant updates and scanning of all kinds to keep safe
and not everyone in college is into gaming so windows holds
no advantage whatsoever

[Angmarr]

No advantage!?!?

I see, well you should tell that to:
the majority of software or programs provided by colleges that's only PC compatible/ Parents who cant afford to spend $1000 or more on a laptop each of their kids/ all the kids who want to download majority of programs online!

[protagonistic]

Actually, I get a kick out of these adds. What they really point out is that there are people who buy based mostly on price and those who buy what they really want without regard to price. But they also point out that the people in these ads are a bit hypocritical as they are willing to base a purchasing decision on the difference in price between a Mac and a PC laptop but are unwilling to shop around for the best deal on their purchase.

And Lauren appears to be too dumb to realize that Apple, as I am sure a lot of PC vendors as well, offers student discounts on their products if you buy online. Not to mention that most colleges also have stores on campus that also offer discounts. I don't think I would want this moron to be my defense lawyer in the future.

[coryschulz]

Chris Matyszczyk is awesome! I simply love reading his stuff. It's so clever and interesting. Keep it up!

[Perry_Clease]

She can keep it

[MaggieRed]

Some of these comments are just hilarious.

Every time I see these ads, what comes to mind is what applications are provided with that Dell? Should truth in advertising be considered that once they gets home, they will be off on another buying spree for MS Office and assorted other programs? Some of which can be quite pricey. Doesn't the Mac come with some applications so you can get started, or for that matter buy a package for $79 to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations all of which are compatible with office. Sure if they were savy, one might say they can find an open source package for free somewhere.

Then I think, good for them, just like the oriental 4 year old toddler that is a PC too. I wish them great success.

[monkeyfun14]

I love how quickly the fanboys get pissed off its amusing.

[Yelonde]

lol, compare a

Dell:
2GHZ
8400 M
13.3 inch
4 hour battery

To a:
Macbook pro
2.6 GHZ
9600 GT + 9400M
15 inch
5 hour battery?????

lol, Microsoft was making stupid commercials in the past. This was probably the WORST commercial yet. Honestly, why didn't they compare it to a $999 macbook with the same specs? lol, microsoft as usual.

[loose_screw]

To be fair, she was looking at a wide range of laptops, including that Mac.

On a related thought, I think Best Buy should open a Genius bar in their stores.

[Perry_Clease]

"To be fair, she was looking at a wide range of laptops, including that Mac."

http://movies.apple.com/media/us/mac/getamac/2009/apple-mvp-elimination-us-20090512_480x272.mov

"On a related thought, I think Best Buy should open a Genius bar in their stores."

Geek Squad?

[ednerdtheonly]

You would never catch me buying a mac, but I totally agree with your point. The white macbook compares VERY well with the Dell, and is the macbook that comes closest to matching its PC equivalents in hardware to price. That said, I'm far from impressed by the Macbook Pro, though the iMacs compete very well with PC all in ones.

[baconstang]

Should be 'Goon Squad'. Besides BB likes to charge for that stuff, Genius Bar is free.

[seven7dust]

wats Funny is that she talks about Good batterylife
which she most definitely doesn't get with the Dell

Speed ? Duh it comes with Vista
and secondly slows Down with Time ! Due to awesome Design of Windows

Portability ? yeah A 13" Boat anchor
Reliability and Build quality - Dell is almost always last on Surveys
while Apple has topped it For many many years and counting !

So wat Does that Leave Price , well the white macbook starts at 999$
so yeah she saved a whooping 70$ , great job Lauren !
you got just wat you wanted alright !

[jahrends]

Wow!
I dare any of you M$ zealots to compare spec to spec. We have a 2GHz Dell laptop with 2GBs RAM and a 1.66GHz 1GB RAM Mac Mini. The kids fight over the mini. The PC Laptop can NOT keep up. WoW runs WAY better on the mini. The pc has the better specs and memory yet the mini runs circles around it.

Windows will never run better than a UNIX box. End of story.

The biggest problem with these windows adds is that they compare cheap crap PCs to better mac hardware and say that the PC is better. You get what you pay for.

Another challenge for you. Go look at what you can get for your used mac compared to what you can get for a used PC. Macs hold their value better!

50% of MAC buyers are switchers... how many people EVER switch from MAC to windows?

You can debate and fight this issue all you want but the truth is Windows is crap in comparison to just about every other OS out there.

So enjoy your little temper tantrums where you ultimate answer is to call mac fans fanboys in attempt to try and feel superior. The fact that Y'all stoop so low and to try to insult someone for being a fan of a product that just plane works. Explain to me the huge differences in customer sat scores between those cheap crap PCs when they need service..... Now that is a fanoi who desperately needs to feel justified in clinging to a product that just plane sucks.

So go back to your M$ temple... we don't give a rats ass if you buy a mac or not... your probably not smart enough. If you doubt that go look at the demographics for people who own macs... like maybe the percentage of post grads that own macs. Might make your head spin so be careful.

[Groucho6]

I find it amusing that the PC manufacturers other than Apple are having such a difficult time selling their own products that one of their SUPPLIERS has to advertise their products for them. Macrosloth sells SOFTWARE, not COMPUTERS. And yet, here they are, advertising COMPUTERS. Could it possibly be that they're feeling the pressure from manufacturers who can't compete with Apple on quality OR price? Could it be that perhaps the HPs and Dulls and Sonyets of the world have pressured Macrosloth to spend their dollars on advertising, lest they start examining alternatives like shipping Unix flavors?

No, I'm probably all wrong. I'm sure Macrosloth is all over this out of the goodness of their hearts. Just as I'm sure these ads are totally unbiased....oh wait a minute, that first girl was an actress, it turns out, wasn't she? Hmm.

I'll bet dollars to donuts miss Lauren has herself a shiny Mac laptop before she gets to the bar.

[kelmon]

I'd very much like to see a follow-up with these 'real' people in say 6-months or so to see how happy they are with their decision. Ultimately, this is what counts. This is not to say that I believe they will be unhappy and that the Mac would have been a better purchase (I am a Mac user but realise that they aren't 'right' for everyone) but it is this information that is more useful to people, whatever the result.