The UK 'I'm a PC' Ads are even better

Oh man, these are just great.

Microsoft Watch's Joe Wilcox shows off the "I'm a PC" ads that Microsoft is airing in the UK. And if you thought the US-based ones were great, wait until you get a load of these. Wonderful.

What's so perfect about these ads, of course, is that they cannot be attacked. While Macworld and every Mac fanatic site on earth are busy deconstructing the "Laptop Hunter" ads and "Apple Tax" stories with frenzied and increasing desperation, there is absolutely nothing that Apple or its crazy fanatic followers can do to counter these cute kids using Windows. Any retort would just look stupid and mean-spirited.

Good stuff.

Discuss this Article 97

gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
Johnpapola, can you explain EXACTLY what parts of Paul's posts come across as bitter?
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
"cesjr, macs have problems too. . . .Which, frankly is less forgiveable, considering they control the hardware, the OS, and in several cases, the software. . . . If macs were as widespread as windows PCs, then you'd likely see a very similar number of disgruntled users." Nobody said macs have no problems. They have FEWER problems and when there are problems, they are more successfully rectified. And unlike some people here, I am not pulling that out of personal anecdotes. THE SURVEYS AND DATA SHOW THIS. Until you guys can show hard data contradicting the many studies and surveys showing higher customer satisfaction and greater support success for macs (and apple products in general), please shut up. "cesjr, My family all use Windows PCs and arent very tech savvy. In the last year the only time they call me for help is to figure out how to do something specific or for software recommendations" Another anecdote that cannot overcome DATA (i.e. surveys). "And finally, most of the problems people have these days come from poorly written third party software or funky hardware." WHY there are problems doesn't matter. Except in understanding whether or not they are going to be easy to fix. The reasons that windows has more problems - including greater hardware variability and the fact that more parties are involved - only tells you that the problems will be hard to fix. It does not provide an EXCUSE that consumers will be OK with. "If macs were as widespread as windows PCs, then you'd likely see a very similar number of disgruntled users." Actually the surveys take the mac's smaller share into account - everything is expressed as a percentage. That's what matters - what percentage of your users are having problems. Not the absolute number
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
One more thing - the fact that even macs have problems - is actually an argument FOR the mac. Here's the deal. Computers can be tricky. They are far more prone to problems than say a refrigerator. So when you're looking at which fridge to buy, does it really matter that one is slightly more reliable than another? Maybe, but if they all have 95 percent reliabilty, do you go out of your way to get one that has 98 percent reliability instead of 99? But ALL computers have problems. So unless you want to pull your hair out, you'd be better off getting the one with the LEAST problems, or better support success (ie the mac). I'm talking about the non-technical user of course. If you can fix your own fridge, you probably don't care too much about getting an unreliable one, especially if the unreliable one has other advantages FOR YOU (e.g., you can replace the motor, upgrade the fruit drawers when you want, etc. etc.)
mikegalos@msn.com
on Apr 17, 2009
Totally OT: Channel 9 (one of Microsoft's sites for distribution of videos) has been doing a once a week show on the history of Microsoft. This week's episode is on 1985 and has some great footage from the Windows 1.0 launch. http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/History/The-History-of-Microsoft-1985/ We now return you to bickering over Microsoft's ad campaigns.
RobertC
on Apr 17, 2009
cesjr, really, your just repeating the meaningless, irrelevant platitudes that the mac fanatics have been relaying to us all for years. Why can't you be positive about Microsoft and the PC ecoystem for once? Indeed, why can't you accept that creating movies, picture slide shows and playing music is just as easy on Windows as it is on Mac? All we ever get from Mac fanatics is negativity and ad hominem.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Apr 17, 2009
gorath "Johnpapola, can you explain EXACTLY what parts of Paul's posts come across as bitter?" Most likely the ones not designed to appeal to "super-crazy mac nerd that counts Steve Jobs among a short list of personal heroes" (to quote John's bio on his web page)
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
"cesjr, really, your just repeating the meaningless, irrelevant platitudes that the mac fanatics have been relaying to us all for years." And what is your basis for saying that the HARD DATA we cite is "meaningless" and just "irrelevant platitudes." Excuse me, sir. But you are simply ignoring reality. I mean just today or yesterday Forrestor came out with a survey showing PCs woefully behind the mac on customer satisfaction. Johnpapola provides the link above from the NY times, and it was also reported in Fortune I believe. But this is has been the case for YEARS. Apple's Mac vs. PC ads actually resonate with a large or at least significant population of users, who are disenchanted or disgruntled with windows or at least open to spending a little more for something they have heard has fewer problems. Combine that with the apple retail stores, the decreasing stigma of using a mac (because of increased penetration) and the iPod/iPhone halo, and now we see why MS is attacking apple after many years of ignoring it.
anonymous
on Apr 17, 2009
Whew! I just got back from my mating procedure with T'Plak! Wow! I gotta say, that was quite the romantic experience. Maybe it was the candles, or the chocolates, or the way he used his serrated probe mandible to weave his egg sac around my abdominal cavity, but seriously. I've been around the block fifteen or twenty thousand times, and lemme tell you- you haven't been there or done that until you've had an ovipositor dart in the neck! The earth moved, literally. It was nothing like when Waethorn's father told me to lie still and think of England. I bet this baby will be cuter, too- I hope he gets his daddy's jutting jawline and symbiont parasite stock. Waethorn, dear, you're going to need to share the basement with your little brother. That means lights-out at 5pm, and help changing the diapers from his six defecating orifices.
anonymous
on Apr 17, 2009
BEGINTRANSMIT Sweetums, thank you for not mentioning that the spawn-child of our love union will need to harvest and feed from living human flesh before his first molting. Waethorn need not be concerned with that knowledge. Oops, did I type that out loud? ENDTRANSMIT
johnpapola
on Apr 17, 2009
Yeah, I do deeply admire Jobs. That quote from my site is silly hyperbole for the sake of fun, but I'll stand by it. All that said, I think Paul's strong emotions on this are pretty clear in the tone and language of his posts including this one. "While Macworld and every Mac fanatic site on earth are busy deconstructing the "Laptop Hunter" ads and "Apple Tax" stories with frenzied and increasing desperation, there is absolutely nothing that Apple or its crazy fanatic followers can do to counter these cute kids using Windows." - paul His fixation on "crazies" as if there aren't crazies on all side of every debate says it all. It's fine. Whatever. It's just lame. It's the kind of attacking that makes a person small. If that's how Paul wants to be, that's up to him. Just don't act like you're above the fray when you're throwing mud.
stevejobs
on Apr 17, 2009
@johnpapola Why thanks. *blush* I never knew you felt that way. You wanna go get a drink after we're done here, maybe catch the latest Pixar film?
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
@gorath "Johnpapola, can you explain EXACTLY what parts of Paul's posts come across as bitter?" http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/18/dan-lyons-paul-thurrott-the-fak... "Despite the fact that the two companies didn’t every really directly compete, when Apple outlasted Commodore, certain Amiga fans vowed revenge upon Apple in a blood pact of hatred that could never be overcome. Like many Amiga devotes, Thurrott channeled his intense hatred for Apple into Windows advocacy in the mid 90s, thinking that only the death of Apple at Microsoft’s hands could atone for the company’s sin in outlasting the Amiga. I am, of course, not making any of this stuff up." Not that I think the guy un-biased, but dam its gust busting funny.
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
"Amiga Replacement Therapy as a Windows Enthusiast. Over the next half decade, Apple’s squirming torture in the hell created by the spread of Windows fed Thurrott like a loving mother. He celebrated every word uttered by the man he always referred to as “the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft,” Bill Gates. Year after year, Gates would introduce some ridiculous product idea destined for failure, and Thurrott would write about it as if it were magical manna from heaven that would poison remaining Mac heretics to death." TGIF afternoon reading!
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
When Apple became impossible to ignore by encroaching into markets that represented the holy territory granted by god to Microsoft, Thurrott began posing as an Apple user so he could less threateningly communicate his great displeasure with every aspect of the company’s products. One of the most troubling problems with Apple products, Thurrott the Phony complains, is that the company doesn’t use its products to sell Microsoft’s. One example is that MobileMe doesn’t sync with Windows Vista Calendar; of course, that’s actually because Vista’s Calendar doesn’t yet work yet. Not even Microsoft can sync with it.
gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
Johnpapola, he specifically lashes out against crazy people. He does not mention, even once, or even hint, or suggest in any way shape or form, that there aren;t crazies on MSs side as well. You seem to be jumping to conclusions. You yourself shouldn't act like you're above the fray when you're throwing mud either, you know. CESJR, you're just crazy. I'm not actually disagreeing with you, just entering into debate. I understand statistics, and understand how to skew statistics, which is why I don't put any weight behind statistical analysis of anything in particular, even surveys.
techfan
on Apr 17, 2009
@mikegalos@msn.com Channel9 has been doing those videos for a while. I thought the clips were going to be fun/interesting to watch but I can't say that that has been the case. It's a shame, I guess.
gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
slimshadey, that is a fictitious piece, written seemingly by someone who dislikes paul thurrot more than could be considered sane to do so. THAT, does not indicate any bitterness - from Paul's side. Are you really at the point of grasping at straws?
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
@gorath I am not grasping at shit. I made no claims about Paul. Just pointing out that others came to the same conclusion as Johnpapola. That article is just dam funny. IMHO, Paul is emotional on this blog and on again off again freakishly biased, almost like he is bipolar or something. However I think its all an act to f-with Apple fans so he gets clicks. I am sure there are probably adds on this page, if I had ad-block turned off I would see them.
tayme
on Apr 17, 2009
I see that Real is back here spewing his crap today...did you leave Bobbi Jo behind at school today? Of course, mikegalos is just as bad as Real and Bobbi Jo, just on the other side of the fictional OS wars that you all love to get going on Paul's site. I love mikegalos tagline of "Supporting Rational Thought Since 1956"...quite the opposite seems to be true now, because no rational person would be unable to see the value that both Apple and Microsoft, along with many other technology companies provide to all of us. OF course, his bread is buttered by Microsoft, and he did quit posting here for a while under the guise of "not wanting to have his words mistaken for official MS positions". Whatever... @Scarper - I've been talking about the same things that you posted today for a long time on this site, to no avail. I agree with your position. Paul may as well change the name of the site to "Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Ignorance". This may just be the week that convinces Paul that he needs some sort of moderation here. The idiots posting as aliens, pirates, CEOs, wanna be white rappers, and the mother of someone that used to be respected on this site have hijacked the site and all of the resources that Penton Media has provided for Paul. While entertaining, I hardly think that is what Penton was expecting when they hired Paul for this gig. As for the UK ads, they are pretty good, as all of the recent MS ads have been. They are not aimed at the tech geeks that frequent the many good IT blogs around or this OS war blog. They are aimed at the average users that are looking for PCs. So what if the main point is that Windows PCs are cheaper than OS X PCs? That is an advertising point. So what if they feature kids...so what if Apple funded school field trips at one point. That is what advertising does. How many of you took school field trips to a local dairy or bread company or newspaper office when you were kids? (Real and Bobbi Jo, you will eventually get to go on field trips, when you are older) Take the weekend and get outside and forget about computers for a while...good God, if you work with them all day, every day, I would hope that you would welcome that. There is a real world out there that don't give a crap about your opinion on which Operating System is better. --tayme
j4m3s0n79
on Apr 17, 2009
Dipsh t Admin
on Apr 17, 2009
As I've always said about Paul. He can go off the handle and does change his opinions very quickly and confusingly. However, one thing that we don't know, or really I should say we do know, is the amount of e-mails that he gets from these so called Apple fanatics, and the e-mails he has been getting for years and years at the mere mention of any negativity towards Apple. Read his thin skinned Mac fans post, and see how they take the bait each and every time. So while Paul can get a little worked up, and while this doesn't necessarily excuse some of the behavior, one has to only think about the venom that must be sent his way. I'm sure even death threats or promises of other harms. So in his eyes, he sees these crazies first hand and can't help but react to them. And this all brings me to something I've said over and over. If you can't take the heat, if you think Paul has zero credibility or that he is a tool or lame, no one is forcing you to come here. I often recount that I gave up on Scoble a long time ago and never have looked back. And that was before he cried. I don't miss it, nor do I feel the need to engage in any kind of one-on-one with him through his blog comments. It is also quite hypocritical to claim that Paul goes off the handle, then quoting an article like that laughable Roughly Drafted hit piece. Seriously, if someone is that obsessed about Paul, they really should get some help. And if they are already on meds, it's time for an increase in dosage, 'cause they ain't working.
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
@Grand Master Tayme, how is the teabagging going? Do you have any scheduled cross burnings this weekend? I want to make sure I stay clear of those areas of interest.
tayme
on Apr 17, 2009
@Real - I am not sure what gave you the idea that I am racist...unless it was my comment asking you about trying to be black. Was that it, and if so, could you kindly explain to me how that is racist? Otherwise, drop the tough guy act. Eminem, you are not. --tayme
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
"I understand statistics, and understand how to skew statistics, which is why I don't put any weight behind statistical analysis of anything in particular, even surveys" Statistics can certainly be skewed, but what is your proof that these were, from Forrester for example? Take also the consumer reports surveys. These organizations are slanted against the mac and apple, if anything. You guys simply can't face the fact that every reputable study or survey has shown apple customer satisfaction to be higher, including satisfaction with support. Paul simply ignores these studies and surveys, because there is no answer to them besides pointing to lame anecdotes.
gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
Cesjr, I'm not saying that those specific surveys are skewed. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEAD THAT THE WHOLE WORLD ISN'T AGAINST YOU FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR GODS I mean, seriously, do you have learning dificulties or something?
lotsamystuff
on Apr 17, 2009
"heran, you talking about lotsa?" Don't bring me into this. I haven't commented in this thread up until this point. Frankly, I'm a bit concerned, what with all the intergalactic intercourse, Roughly Drafted goings-on and the scary face of "mikegalos". Y'all are starting to creep me out more than just a little bit. I think a few of you in this thread must be as high as Paul's hit count.
lilserenity
on Apr 17, 2009
My god this has turned in to yet another who's got the best computer whack off. Say hello to the bishop for me.
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
"GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEAD THAT THE WHOLE WORLD ISN'T AGAINST YOU FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR GODS" What are you talking about? I don't think the world is against me. I think the available objective data consistently show that customer satisfaction is higher for the mac. That's it.
tayme
on Apr 17, 2009
@Not-Eminem - I think I know why you think I am a racist. You are a friend of Garofalo, right? She is brilliant, you know. --tayme
Master3
on Apr 17, 2009
@tayme "Paul may as well change the name of the site to "Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Ignorance". This may just be the week that convinces Paul that he needs some sort of moderation here. The idiots posting as aliens, pirates, CEOs, wanna be white rappers, and the mother of someone that used to be respected on this site have hijacked the site and all of the resources that Penton Media has provided for Paul. While entertaining, I hardly think that is what Penton was expecting when they hired Paul for this gig." I have to agree that this site has turned into a circus. Paul is free to write what he wants, and people here are free to not read it. The clicks and comments you leave keeps the counter dial spinning like a top. Think about it. But these clowning around, trolls, and 100-post flame-outs would stop if Paul dropped the hammer on the worst offenders. Those remaining, if they valued their posting privileges, would shape up or be gone too.
Waethorn
on Apr 17, 2009
"THE WHOLE WORLD ISN'T AGAINST YOU FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR GODS" If you don't believe that, then the terrorists win!
chuckb84
on Apr 17, 2009
You know, it would help if Mac users could be discussed in a sentence that Paul writes without the word "fanatics" automatically appended. Of course, Paul is a hit trolling shill, and he'll never change. He makes his living aggrandizing Microsoft. He's a total hypocrite, but makes a damn good living from it! In just this one post, note how it starts the thread on this blog: "While Macworld and every Mac fanatic site on earth" "there is absolutely nothing that Apple or its crazy fanatic followers can do" Of course, the rebuttal is that he didn't mean ALL Mac users, just the "crazy ones". There are two problems with: (1) A nutcase like Paul gets to say what defines crazy? (2) It's a big like saying "crazy n!ggers" and then saying you didn't mean ALL black people or that no insult was meant. The pejorative, deliberately provocative context is obvious, and can't be explained away after the fact. After all of this, Paul fancies himself a "journalist". He's actually become an odd blend of the worst of Dvorak and Enderle.
slimshadey
on Apr 17, 2009
@GrandMaster Tayme,'drop the tough guy act'??? Umm make me. Drop the grandpa act. You an easy button on your chest old man. Yeah I am pretty sure you accused me of try to be something I am not, or am I?? based on my skin color?? Then you brought up the church you attend, which from the looks of the web site, its not very tolerant. Westboro Baptist Church - http://www.godhatesfags.com/ You have issues with skin color, and you and your church have issues with other peoples private choices. Add in your love the for the right wing teabagging parties you went to and I start to see a picture being formed. You know white hoods, burning crosses that sort of stuff. Good luck with those choices.
gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
"apple or it's crazy fanatic followers" Where in that does it actually state that all apple's fans are crazy fanatics? I swear some of you either have learning problems, or a very weak grasp of the English language (which isn't my first language, I might add before someone gets really anal about spelling or grammar). Slimshadey, Tayme asked you how it was going trying to be black, as a dig at Eminem. Hell, even Eminem sees the oddity of a white guy being a succesful rapper, he raps about it frequently. I think his exact lyrics in "without me" are: "I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley To do Black Music so selfishly And use it to get myself wealthy" See, even your idol acknowledges (with tongue firmly in cheek) what Tayme was getting at.
kent909
on Apr 17, 2009
Paul has become obsessed with Apple. I hear more about Apple on Windows Weekly than I hear on Mac Break Weekly. If Apple were that benign I would think they would just go unnoticed. Paul must dream about these things. A couple of months ago he said he was giving up his iPhone. A couple of weeks ago he indicated he still had it. Says he hardly ever uses it, but it seems he can't let it go.
gorath
on Apr 17, 2009
"Paul has become obsessed with Apple. I hear more about Apple on Windows Weekly than I hear on Mac Break Weekly." Just looking at the first page of recent postings demonstrates what a silly comment that is.
johnpapola
on Apr 17, 2009
@gorath, I'm not jumping to conclusions at all. When it comes to apple and the apple users, Paul is completely unreasonable, totally bigoted and mean. Here's a few quotes from some past emails I've had with him: Responding to a question about his opinions on well-known dishonest shill Rob Enderle, Paul wrote: "I honestly don’t think the guy’s a D-bag like everyone in the Mac community." 01-08-07 than there was this gem: "Statistically, the number of Windows zealots is about 0." 3-01-08 So, yeah, Paul is not fair or honest or respectful. He's emotional, blinded by prejudice and bitter. And that makes him smaller.
Master3
on Apr 17, 2009
"Of course, Paul is a hit trolling shill, and he'll never change. He makes his living aggrandizing Microsoft. He's a total hypocrite, but makes a damn good living from it!" Yet people that hate the Windows platform, and have no interest in using MS products are on a site Called Winsupersite to bitch and moan about the guy writing the blog? And what's with Apple fans coming here to tell Windows users how much they think the products they use suck? What is the prognosis of their mental state? How about we start to question the obsession of this core group of trolls that stream into this site everyday to reek havoc. I mean such a complete loon, like Paul, who has no sway anywhere, could easily be a nobody, yet it seems the people who are "obsessed" with his "obsession" with Apple, seem to hate him the most, yet provide the bulk of his hits. Here is a clue: STOP POSTING ON, AND STOP READING THE GAD D@MN SITE! Do you not get that Paul doesn't give a flying frigg about your sniveling little breakdowns because he mentioned Apple? Do you not get that you have no real power here other than to make fools out of yourself? Some of you call Paul a "nutcase", but it seems he has you wrapped around his finger.
cesjr
on Apr 17, 2009
"Yet people that hate the Windows platform, and have no interest in using MS products are on a site Called Winsupersite to *** and moan about the guy writing the blog?" If all Paul did was cheer for the Monopolist, I wouldn't bother coming here. It's really about his attacks on apple and apple fans. Hey, don't expect us to just let him publish his drivel without fighting back. f*** that. He brings this on himself, plain and simple. And we're not going away. sorry guys. "And what's with Apple fans coming here to tell Windows users how much they think the products they use suck? What is the prognosis of their mental state?" Our mental state is fine. It's called fighting back and not being a wimp. Plus it's really amusing (as I've said before) to see the mass delusion of the windows zealots and shills like Paul. I only post here because it's fun. Sorry if it's not fun for you. too bad. Also, I don't think windows "sucks" in some abstract sense. Even with all its flaws and downsides, it's the best choice if your a gamer, IT shop, or like to build and service your own PC. It's better than a mac for those uses. But for most people, a mac would be a far better choice, if you can afford the extra bucks.
Dipsh t Admin
on Apr 17, 2009
Wow, this thread has taken a very bad turn for the worse. Marshall Mathers, I fail to see where Tayme brought up race, nor do I see how the tea parties were at all about race, unless as Tayme says, you are listening to that b-list "actress" Garafolo. I used to like her years and years ago, you know, when she was actually funny. What a vile human being she has become. Tayme is right in that maybe we should all get some air. You might want to take a walk down that 8 mile road. Take my advice, though, and lay off the spaghetti.
Dipsh t Admin
on Apr 17, 2009
john, please don't tell me you have been so obsessed with Paul that you keep e-mails from years past? Seriously, don't you guys know when to cut and run? Additionally, don't you all realize that every time he mentions something about Apple that the Mac lovers just prove his positing about you guys being thin skinned? You guys fall in to the trap each and every time like clockwork, all while Paul gets extra clicks from a core group of people reloading the page every minute, cackling all the way to the blogging bank?
robertsjoe
on Apr 17, 2009
Obviously someone isn't thinking about the children. Won't someone think of the children? This has to be some form of child abuse. To force them to use Windows. It's similar to children that are born in to cults. They don't know any better, they are innocent, and are made to serve the cult because of their parents. They are not able to, and not given a chance to, see anything better. Making your child use Windows is child abuse.
robertsjoe
on Apr 17, 2009
These are ads, with actors, reading off a script. Whereas real customers prefer Macs over PCs. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/04/17/apple_trumps_windows_pc_ma...
RobertC
on Apr 17, 2009
You know what's ironic, robertsjoe? You're the one complaining about children being abused by cults, yet you're here everyday without fail exhibiting cult-like worship of Apple. I think the Department of Child Services should take you away. Steve Jobs has been abusing you way too much.
RobertC
on Apr 17, 2009
johnpapola, the joke is on you. Paul's always taken a rather sardonic approach to this whole Apple vs Microsoft religious debate. The hilarity of the situation is that the Apple attack dogs take just minutes to start flaming him with argumentum ad hominem. Heaven forbid that someone have a different opinion.
Mum
on Apr 17, 2009
"john, please don't tell me you have been so obsessed with Paul that you keep e-mails from years past? Seriously, don't you guys know when to cut and run?" I keep all my mail, I have an archiver for that. Every once in a while I dig out a work-related post or an attachment that is a key file for a software from years back. Am I possibly obsessed? Again, the argumentation turns into ad hominem. That's pretty much the point of the whole blog though.
Los Havros
on Apr 18, 2009
@ cesjr, Where's YOUR concrete data/statistics sources? What you're saying seems pretty anecdotal to me.

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