Apple posts effective response to Laptop Hunters ads

I'm sure some wanted to believe that Apple would take the high road with regards to Microsoft's Laptop Hunters ads. But those people don't understand Apple. Instead, Apple has responded with an ad of its own. And let's be serious here for a second. It's pretty effective.

(To see the right ad, click on Latest ads and then Elimination).

The point here is simple: Microsoft is pushing the value and choice of PCs compared to Macs, which is unassailable. PCs are cheaper and come in an amazing array of choices from a variety of sources.

Apple, in response, is changing the conversation, because they have to. But what they are advertising here is effectively the truth as well: PCs are prone to errors, crashes and malware. (I say effectively here because one ounce of common sense would prevent most of the security issues people have with PCs. And as my wife or any honest Mac user would be happy to tell you, Macs have all kinds of errors and crashes too, sorry.)

Anyhoo. Quibbling aside, it's an effective response.

Which brings up an interesting point. What will Apple do when Windows 7 ships? I mean, it's smaller, faster, and better than Vista. It approaches Mac-like elegant and design. It's just a better OS. Do they simply prattle on about the same, increasingly out of date complaints? Or is there something new to say about PCs that's relevant in the Windows 7 era?

Discuss this Article 105

Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"unless you pay the "Waethorn Tax" for system cleanup/reinstall on a periodic basis" Still cheaper than the Apple tax. It isn't done on a "periodic basis" either if the user actually takes the advice I give them. "The audience know that whilst not _every_ PC has malware, a lot do (and most consumers have probably experienced it too)." The audience know that whilst not _every_ Mac user pirates music, a lot do (and most consumers have probably experienced it too). (Losta and co. would have you believe that all of their Mac friends are goody-two-shoes that only purchase music legally from iTunes) There I fixed it for you. " I had one last week a friends that uses Vista, and had all updates installed, UAC on, and up to date AV, and yet still got the "Antivirus 2009" malware because they kept on saying OK to prompts." That's intelligent. OneCare, Norton 2009, and many other AV softwares detect WinFixer correctly (all the fake AV software is based off it), and have for many months now, so I know they're either incompetent for using an out-of-date AV, or using something that was free (or they just left it, like they wanted to get infected). FYI: AVG doesn't detect it. " "waethorn" is at the gate with his $150 reinstall program" Sorry, "lostamystuff", but if you would actually LEARN TO READ, you would've read that I charge $75 for a reinstall. Of course, you never let facts get in the way of you making an a$$ of yourself.
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
@bettieboohoo: [Win]Antivirus 2008/9/XP, etc. doesn't get installed unless they visit a site that uses an untrustworthy ad sponser or has intentional Javascript exploits, like most Bittorrent sites. So I know that that friend of yours was probably taking advice to go and download something illegal anyway.
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
Ha Mike, you can just never answer a question when put right to you. Embellish? No not at all. I was not there we my friend got the virus/malware. Reading this link about it, it does seem that he could have just clicked on a link and was possibly never prompted by UAC or anything. I will never know, nor do I care since if you google "Antivirus 2009" you will get some good links at the top for removing it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_2009 The real facts are that I have cleaned this and another version off of probably 5 windows users in the last year. I have not had any of my Mac using friends call me for malware problems. Other problems yes, but not malware. You are full of crap if you say you have never seen a malware infested Windows PC in your time. Sorry for someone supporting Windows computers there is just no way. I am sure Wae can testify to how much good money he makes fixing malware problems. I think today its 90% a users actions or lack of actions that causes it but its still a problem on Windows computers no matter who is responsible.
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
Most of my own Windows problems were actually with 3rd party drivers. Most of my friends with Windows problems were malware, trojans or viruses that they installed themselves or DL'ed from P2P. Those that switched to Macs realize that they can still act stupidly, but they are protected through obscurity since there just isn't much malware written for Mac OS. This equalizes any cost difference for them, especially when I'm not available to help them. My personal plan is to clean install it all. It makes them feel like they have a new XP box. I have not seen many Vista problems, and about half of us use Ultimate [BitDefender]. I'm hoping Win 7 will further decrease the 'help desk' calls to my home.
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"I am sure Wae can testify to how much good money he makes fixing malware problems." Good money? HAH! Most of my money is made on sales. "Those that switched to Macs realize that they can still act stupidly, but they are protected through obscurity since there just isn't much malware written for Mac OS." Sorry Doc, but that's just wrong. As it's been shown already, virus writers take advantage of user stupidity. That's why there's a trojan in pirated Adobe software, and a botnet dropper in iLife, floating on torrent sites.
chuckb84
on May 13, 2009
Waethorn, Spare us the off topic sanctimony, "The audience know that whilst not _every_ Mac user pirates music, a lot do". The start of this was Ballmer's famous statement that the most common music format on an iPod is "stolen". Of course, as Paul likes to remind us, the most common type of iPod is one connected to a Windows machine, so nearly all of that stealing is done by Windows users. If you want to make an off-topic debating point, at least try to make a sensible one.
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
"Most of my money is made on sales" Sure but I bet you would hate to see that easy PC clean up money go away as well.
WebGuy3000
on May 13, 2009
Funny, no one has mentioned the best line in the ad. "I'm a Megan." If you don't get why that's brilliant, well then, never mind.
tayme
on May 13, 2009
Another day on the SuperSite! Clicks are way up again today! --tayme
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"Sure but I bet you would hate to see that easy PC clean up money go away as well." Nothing about it is easy. I don't charge enough to really make a lot of money at it. After paying for time and billing, I'm not making all that much.
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
@chucky: Just try and prove me wrong though. You can't. Site data has shown already that the number of visitors to pirated software sites on OS X is at least at the same percentage level as any other OS when you calculate it from global market share.
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
Actually Wae, DeBugit here does house calls, charging an initial $100 and 100/hr. Driving time will certainly kill those profits, so I can see what you mean thatt here not a lot of money to be made. Also, the Mac players can still act stupidly and be fairly safe as there just isn't much malware out there written for them. There chances of getting something is still very slim. You know that you can lead to a horse to water...
shark47
on May 13, 2009
"The real facts are that I have cleaned this and another version off of probably 5 windows users in the last year. " Wow! What were they using? Safari?
shark47
on May 13, 2009
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
Good find Shark. Why didn't they mention us, Paul's loyal followers? Believe it or not, some references to him include our community.
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
Wow! What were they using? Safari? If it was 4.0 Safari then at least they got the malware really fast:)
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
My guess is that the Zune software for Windows Mobile will be available, as will Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. Has it ever been announced whether or not the Zune software for WM will be available on older WM revisions? I'd like to see it on my existing Touch Diamond. If not, no big deal. Telus has been good to me. After about a year and a half into my 3 year contract, I complained and got a new phone on a new contract price, and they wiped out the old contract. Around Holiday time at the end of the year, I'll be half-way thru this contract so I'll be looking at a new phone to blackmail them into giving me. ;) Even still, I'd rather see a Zune Pass coming to Canada more than anything else. Perhaps in June we'll see better international support....(?)
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"If it was 4.0 Safari then at least they got the malware really fast" Ya, they just need to load up Safari, and *BOOM* - there it is. :P
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
Zune Pass ads earn much merit on itself because of the value for many people. I don't think that they need to even mention the competition at all. If my wife didn't have an iPod connector in her Benz, Zune pass would be perfect for her.
robertsjoe
on May 13, 2009
"Which brings up an interesting point. What will Apple do when Windows 7 ships? I mean, it's smaller, faster, and better than Vista. It approaches Mac-like elegant and design." Smaller, faster and better than Vista? That's not a difficult thing to do. But still very inferior to OS X. Please don't insult intelligent people by saying that Windows is elegant. That's a ridiculous statement.
robertsjoe
on May 13, 2009
What will Apple do when Windows 7 ships? Nothing. It's never been Apple that looks at what Microsoft is doing. It's always been (and still is and will be) Microsoft that looks at what Apple is doing.
robertsjoe
on May 13, 2009
The elimination ad clearly shows that you get what you pay for. When Microsoft runs ads showing cheapskate PC users, that's what it is. Cheap and nasty.
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
" It's never been Apple that looks at what Microsoft is doing." Wrong. And this ad proves it.
robertsjoe
on May 13, 2009
"Mike as a geek, do you not have a large cache of family and friends who see you as doctor PC and Windows guru? " They see him more as a know-nothing Microsoft fanboy with a loud mouth.
shark47
on May 13, 2009
@Wae: "Perhaps in June we'll see better international support....(?)" Maybe September along with the ZuneHD thing? http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/05/13/microsofts-zune-hd-set-to-hit-a... "As we mentioned back in April, the Zune HD is going to launch internationally this time around. "
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
"Wrong. And this ad proves it." Was the word "Microsoft" or "Windows" used in the Apple ad?
robertsjoe
on May 13, 2009
" It's never been Apple that looks at what Microsoft is doing." Wrong. And this ad proves it." I'm talking about computer and software. This is just a response to a response by Microsoft. Nothing more. Not about Microsoft copying Apple, as they always have. This is just a great response to a lame Microsoft ad touting how cheap and tasteless their users are.
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
They're sorta blowing it with the ads. The PC has the more dynamic personality and is sharp and witty. The Mac just doesn't say much. John even had the part of the neurosurgeon in Battlestar Galatica.
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"The Mac just doesn't say much." Stale and lacking in flavour. "Kinda like my grandmother when she died." :P @shark: Wouldn't it be the cat's a$$ if they announced a Tegra-based Zune running Halo? You know, I could see that happening actually. ....one can dream anyway. :D
Waethorn
on May 13, 2009
"John even had the part of the neurosurgeon in Battlestar Galatica" ZOMG!! CYLONS. ARE. OUR. ANCESTORS!!
niyokochan
on May 13, 2009
@mike & @shark I have to say that you two are on the spot about how Mac people tend to act towards Windows problems and how they always seem to fray from pointing the finger at Apple. I think the argument goes both ways in that a person that knows Windows well will find it a better environment than a Mac. The same goes for a Mac user. I have been a Windows user all my life and find it way better than Macs and that it offers more opportunity to businesses and education. I find it easier to manage and tune/customize for any need. I'll go in a circle and say that a Mac user could might say the same. The only thing that bugs me when I see these adds is when they say things like unreliable or mention freezing...I look at my pc and wonder when the last time I saw a blue screen was...I can not remember...maybe back in my old Gateway Solo 9550... I have had PC issues, but only related to bad HP hardware, but they all ways were available and willing to fix. ...I wonder what how Linux could do switcher adds? lol
DRWAM
on May 13, 2009
Yep we are. But John did bork one of the final five ;)
chuckb84
on May 13, 2009
"Funny, no one has mentioned the best line in the ad. "I'm a Megan." If you don't get why that's brilliant, well then, never mind." It is BRILLIANT, and sums up the whole dichotomy. Microsoft ends their ads with everyone repeating the Borg-like mantra "I'm a PC", while Apple has the person say "I'm a Megan". Imagine that, a person, not a "PC". It just captures the difference in one line.
ModernDislocation
on May 13, 2009
Wow this comment thread is painfully stupid. Next can you all figure out if it is tastes great or less filling?
mikegalos@msn.com
on May 13, 2009
DRWAM "If my wife didn't have an iPod connector in her Benz, Zune pass would be perfect for her." She should have waited and gotten the new Camaro. It comes with a Zune connector. (or waited for one of the 28 other GM models across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia that will be adding Zune support) http://socialmedia.mikegannotti.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=76 But, still you could always add the new Kenwood Zune auxilliary unit: http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2009/01/12/snaps-zune-booth-at-ces.aspx
mikegalos@msn.com
on May 13, 2009
Webguy3K Yes, now we'll see all the Mac fanbois repeating "I'm a Megan" in unison to demonstrate their individuality. It should be really amusing. Well, at least to anyone not actually named Megan.
shark47
on May 13, 2009
"Yes, now we'll see all the Mac fanbois repeating "I'm a Megan" in unison to demonstrate their individuality. " Haha. That's funny. A "Megan" sounds like a new species within the hominidae family. So, now we have humans, chimps, gorillas, orangutans, and megans belonging to the family. Come to think of it, a "Megan" might be better off in the Equidae family as its closest living relative is a jackass.
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
From Mikes Link.... "Just a quick note to let you all know that we had our first confirmed & successful test of Zune against a GM vehicle in the wild today." Wow what a technical marvel, the Zune tune got a MP3 player connected to a automobile in the year 2009. In other news GM shares hit $1 today. Maybe the money MS is pumping into them for the right to have a Zune connecter at the end of that wire is the only thing keeping them around?
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
"Come to think of it, a "Megan" might be better off in the Equidae family as its closest living relative is a jackass." Its takes one to know one? Maybe its a family member? Its funny really shark, you calling people names when you are so sensitive to the politically incorrect names that were used here the other day? What happened to your socialist view, where everyone is equal? Watched lost tonight, season finally say two iPhone ads and the ad this blog post is about. No Zune ads or even a laptop hunter ad? Hello MS, probably a very popular episode tonight to show your stuff. I am sure Jerry and Bill will be back soon? This thread has officially melted down.
shark47
on May 13, 2009
"Its takes one to know one? " Are you telling me you couldn't distinguish between an ass and a human? That's trippy, dude. Are you on drugs or something? "Maybe its a family member?" Yeah, I've got a cousin that just bought a Mac. "What happened to your socialist view, where everyone is equal?" I didn't know that was a socialist view. I thought everyone was actually equal. Are you living in the 1800s? Anyway, I don't see why you're taking offense. I compared ra fictitious Megan to a jackass. Why are you getting your panties up in a bunch?
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
http://microsite.chevrolet.com/allnewcamaro/#camaro=photos Wow nice photo of an iTouch in the new Camaro, LOL! It looks like a standard USB connector in the center console. So I am assuming that the Zune support (and others) is in the radio even though it shows a iTouch in the photo.
bettieblu
on May 13, 2009
Shark it's so easy to push your button. The only panties I have came from your house. Do you want them back? Its a nice dream to have about everyone being equal, but thats all it is. I mean according the Laptop Hunter ads, only money is holding back those people from being "cool" Mac owners.
DigDug
on May 13, 2009
I'm just sick of the Mac community sometimes. I run OSX at home and Windows at work. I really can't say that I prefer one over the other in any way. I run support for a father with a Dell Laptop and a mother-in-law with a MacBook occasionally. They both ask the same questions. "How do I create a folder" "Why isn't my printer working" and the same answers usually. "Look for a new folder option in the menu" "Did you plug it in?" I just decided at some point that all the better/easier/fewer headache comments from the Mac crowd have to a placebo effect. You tell people its better, they'll think its better even if they're banging they're head against the wall trying to get something done. I do wish MS would focus more on the "I'm a PC and I'm 6 ads" though. They're cute, and they emphasize some of the best things MS has going for it. I mean, if a 9 year old can make a video and put it on a TV its gotta be fairly easy to do. I don't care how many times Justin Whats-his-name tells me its not.
mikegalos@msn.com
on May 13, 2009
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." --Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence - 1776 Article I. All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. Massachusetts Constitution - 1780 "What happened to your socialist view, where everyone is equal?" ... and ... "Its a nice dream to have about everyone being equal, but thats all it is." bettieblu - idiotic Internet posting - 2009 Apparently even after over 200 years the Enlightenment has yet to reach some circles who appear to prefer the hierarchic view of the Divine Right of the Upper Classes and the caste systems of feudal "society".
chuckb84
on May 13, 2009
"She should have waited and gotten the new Camaro. It comes with a Zune connector. (or waited for one of the 28 other GM models across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia that will be adding Zune support)" Of course, choice! You can choose to plug your Zune into any of --28-- models of automobiles.....from a bankrupt car company. I'm sure this will save GM.
lotsamystuff
on May 13, 2009
"waethorn" spews: ""Next can you all figure out if it is tastes great or less filling?" I don't care what your wife thinks of you Thursday nights after you had your vasectomy!" I respectfully ask that Paul pulls this post. It appears to violate the TOS of this site: "Without limiting the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy, you shall not post on the Web Service any content which (a) is libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, abusive, harassing or threatening; " Of course, since Wae's a good little WinJihadist, I'm sure the disgusting post will stand.
ModernDislocation
on May 14, 2009
@ Waethorn Really? Was that supposed to offend me or just further prove the level of idiotic this thread has gotten to? It failed on the former but is a smashing success as at the latter. And just a minor correction, we gay men (people like yourself who like to indulge in name calling might need to substitute that for faggot, queer, butt pirate or whatever you think is clever.) tend to have boyfriends (husbands in a few states) not so keen on the wife.
bettieblu
on May 14, 2009
@Mike I believe that all people, not just men, are born equal, but unfortunately that all falls apart at some point, especially in America where money, or lots of it, is the great de-equalizer. Don't kid your self and quoting Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves, is not going impress anyone.
Dipsh t Admin
on May 14, 2009
If anyone questions whether the MS ads have been effective, they have their answer now. While we can argue semantics and effectiveness of either sides series of ads, it is now Apple that is on the defensive, at least in this series of ads. Regarding malware, check the statistics. The biggest slice of the malware infection pie is taken up by Windows XP RTM and SP1, all before the Trustworthy Computing Initiative. SP2 made great strides in the defense of malware, one of the least being activating Automatic Updates by default.
shark47
on May 14, 2009
"I mean according the Laptop Hunter ads, only money is holding back those people from being "cool" Mac owners." Sure, if you believe "cool" Mac kids are in some way superior (or inferior) to PC owners, you got it. It's strange that you, lindy, and slimshadey make the same grammatical errors and say the same things. Either it's the speech to text thing in a Mac or...

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