[JustCurious1]

Most of these comments are just silly. First of all, anyone should be able to get any computer they want without ridicule. I still remember, after paying 5k for my Quadra 700 and another 3k for a 30" Supermac grey-scale monitor and card, the derision I received from PC users. Who cares? It was my choice. The person, or actor, in this video made a choice. From a pure positioning statement, this is a very clever thing for Microsoft to harp on. Apple has pretty much taken all other options away from Microsoft. I do think an argument can be made that this was not a well executed video. If I were MS I would really hammer this point. It's all they got.

[lwdesign]

mdawson said:

Same here. I could go to my local Wal-Mart and get a 40 to 46-inch flat panel for well under $1000 for my room in this house, but I know that even the brand name flat panels are crap at that price. I read Sound & Vision when my issue arrives every month, keep abreast of advances in AV technology and I research what I want to get out of my home electronics. For me to get a low-end TV just because it costs less is not a bargain, it is settling for less than my tastes demand just to have it now. I know that it will be a year or more before I am in the position to get what I want, but I also know that I will be satisfied with what I purchase and, as technology marches on, be getting an improved product.

mdawson, it's so nice to see posts that are so consistently well-written and succinct (I tend more towards the verbose). There is a similar theme to both of our posts in that we seem to do our research and really compare various quality and usability factors before we purchase, and therein lies the difference. Having used Macs and Windows for many years, I fail to see how any intelligent person would settle for anything less than OS X. Yes, it has its faults, but they're mercifully few--especially as compared to Windows. Malware, viruses and spyware ALONE should be enough to have Windows users fleeing the platform in droves. I have a Sony Viao laptop that I used infrequently just to surf the web and a very small amount of web design, yet in only about 3 months it slowed to a crawl due to infections, despite having reputable anti-virus software installed.

Why in the world would anyone put up with that? Primarily it's because many people don't have a clue that the Mac experience even exists. They go into their local computer store and see only Windows boxes, therefore, it's the only platform out there. This naturally leads to the viewpoint that since all computers run Windows, it's best to get the best price you can. This is very logical, based on the premise that all computers are "essentially the same."

Here's where the it gets interesting. I've seen hundreds of posts about "I switched to the Mac and love it/would never go back to Windows/can't believe what I was missing/should have done this years ago/if I'd only known... etc." -- all of them enthusiastically singing high praises for the Mac experience. When, on the other hand, have you ever heard the reverse, about people who were so enthusiastic about switching to Windows? You NEVER hear this because Windows doesn't inspire the kind of enthusiastic gushing that's normal with Mac users.

You get more pedestrial comments like, "Windows works well for what I need", "I don't need a fancy Mac", "I only need it to surf the web and get email, so why buy expensive?". The whole emotional tone of Windows users is far lower, because frankly the OS isn't elegant, intuitive or fun. Mention "fun" in relation to using a computer, and a Windows user will only think of it in terms of running games. Other than that it's a "serious" computer.

I only have one game on my Macs--a solitaire program. I'm a graphic designer and have clients around the world: www.designstrategies.com, and using a Mac to make my daily bread, my work, IS fun due to the OS. Try to get that across to the average Windows user and you'll be met with blank stares.

[MrYmath]

Does anyone have any stats as to how many Mac users switch to PCs as opposed to the number of PC users switching to Mac? I have an interesting stat. Using a PC from 1983 until 2007, the number of forced reboots (also known as crashes) averaged one per week (not kidding). From 2007 until today the number of similar Mac reboots - 3. Maybe Microsoft can build an ad around this type of information?

[George76]

MrLarrity said:

Family....please guys, why are you all so wound up? I just opened my Macbook because UNC is killing the zags and have read so much anger, but why?

Macs speak for themselves. If the un-illuminated wish to hack away on PCs, then let them. It feels better to be in the minority anyway, take it from a Black guy! :-)

That young lady doesn't matter, she still wanted a Mac just like everybody. If folks want a new computer in this economy, they can save a bit longer for what they want, if not, good luck with Vista....really. I wish no one harm or stress, and I understand if finances delays a persons Mac gratification.

This is my first Mac, why, because I am just reaching the point where I can afford one. I used the original Macintosh in elementary school back in the 80's and always remembered how much easier it was to use than an IBM or Commodore, so all these years later, I am back where I belong and it feels very good.

She can always get an iPhone and I am sure she has an iPod. When she gets her first acting gig. Lauren will get that Mac she really wants, just like all the m$ people. Until then, keep working hard, keep saving, and we will gladly welcome you into the Wonderful World of Mac when you are ready.

I mean this from the bottom of my Apple filled heart! I love my Macbook...did I already say that?

I don't know if you were being sarcastic or not, but I'm assuming not. The elitist, arrogant, prick attitude you display in your post is why I'm embarrassed to admit to being a Mac owner. NOT EVERY PC owner wants a Mac. Heck, I'd imagine 50% of them would be hard pressed to tell what makes a Mac different than a PC (and neither would they give a crap that they didn't know the difference). As a Mac owner, my next computer purchase will be...drumroll please...a Windows PC. Why? Because Mac's seem so limiting. Want a product for the Mac that does X? Get software A. No option B or C, just A. Want to play a game? Bootcamp into Windows or a buy a console...great solutions. Want to upgrade my hard drive? Pay extra for external drive because there's nothing I can do with the iMac. Part of me thinks the new Apple logo is: "Tired of having options? Get a Mac."

[mdawson]

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lwdesign wrote:

>

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?it's so nice to see posts that are so consistently well-written and succinct (I tend more towards the verbose).

Well, I have been know to be a bit prolix myself.

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lwdesign wrote:

>

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Having used Macs and Windows for many years, I fail to see how any intelligent person would settle for anything less than OS X.

Well, I would not go that far. Each operating system has its place. Had it not been for Microsoft?s years of bullying, we would have a level playing field and perhaps four to five mainstream operating systems. Imagine what our computers could do today in such a competitive environment. As I stated previously, Windows is just fine in a corporate environment where it can be managed?most companies have rather draconian IT departments that do not permit individual users to customize their PCs to their working style?but in smaller companies, K-12 education and home users, anything that requires the level of maintenance that Windows demands is not a good choice.

Along with Microsoft?s megalomania, came a disturbing trend in (Windows) user behavior. Windows users did not simply choose to not use Macs, but they scorned Mac users as if they were a defeated enemy that had brutally enslaved Windows users in the past and wished Apple would just die. The most die-hard of Mac users may refuse to use any Microsoft products, but they do not exhibit such a level of hatred toward the general Windows using public; on the other hand, PC weenies and those that troll boards such as these?.

As to intelligence, people have been conditioned to settle for mediocrity in this country and that is what the Wintel platform is all about.

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lwdesign wrote:

>
Why in the world would anyone put up with that?

?We often have little choice but to put up with shoddiness in PC products. Who in their right mind would tolerate these sorts of problems with cars, TVs, or telephones??
?Cathryn Baskin, Editor-in-Chief of PC World magazine, March 1998

Of course, far too many people have foregone land lines strictly for (highly unreliable) cell phones, so this level of consumer stupidity is expanding into other markets.

lwdesign wrote:
>
Primarily it's because many people don't have a clue that the Mac experience even exists. They go into their local computer store and see only Windows boxes, therefore, it's the only platform out there.

And hence the reason for the Apple Stores because even when Macs shared shelf space with Wintel PCs the sales people made a point of leading customers away from Macs. If I recall correctly, the Wintel OEMs were paying off the sales people, but Apple took the high road and lost out because of it.

[angryshortguy]

She's an actress, so there's a darn good chance that she already owns a macbook pro.
Watch the part where she goes in and out of the Apple store.
Notice the guy with the camera walking by?
He's in the shot of her walking in, and the shot of her walking out.
She was in the store for a total of one second.
Those Apple Genius's are really fast!
Why would an "uncool" mover and shaker need a 17" notebook?
Those are typically the choice of designers or gamers. The 17" laptop she purchased is barely usable.
Slow, Vista home, terrible monitor and graphics.
She'd be better off with a netbook.

So, what have we learned from MS?
They can bribe people to purchase 3 year old technology that's slower than grass growing.
Sorry, they can 'pretend' to bribe someone...
Their commercials do more damage to their product than good.
And Apple must own the Ad Company that's producing these ads, why else are they as bad as they are?
There are some really good MS laptops out there.
They're just as expensive as a comparable Mac.

[Grapho]

I don't know, generalizing that Mac users are less likely to troll PC boards is kind of a blanket statement. Humans can be pretty radical and simply choosing a Mac will not isolate you from this type of thinking. I have seen some pretty nutty people out there, both Mac fanatical and Microsoft apologists.

One can only attest to their own experience and I would generally agree that the Macintosh platform does have it's advantages, but in areas where it does not, like gaming, well what can you really say. Windows is a lot better at doing one thing at a time by hogging the processors while the Mac is a lot better at multitasking. Games generally are better suited for the former. Now all this argument of mine might be in vain, if these people have their way. If this presentation that I am linking to is real and successful in could nullify the PS3, nVidea and the XBox in one single punch. Then the Mac and PC will have full parity as far as gaming goes.

[mdawson]

Actually, there are no Microsoft laptops out there. Microsoft does not design, manufacture or sell hardware and that is where this commercial is totally flawed. Macs can run Windows also, so Microsoft should be focusing on their operating system and not an aspect of the Wintel platform over which they have no control or interests. But then that is the issue, Microsoft's ads avoid discussing the aspects of Windows because they know that the flaws pointed out in the Mac ads are true. Going after Apple on the operating system angle is one thing, going at Apple based on hardware, let alone price as if that is a feature, simply shows that Microsoft's product is not worthy of mention.

[Xenu]

So if your broke and totally uncool, a PC loaded with Microsoft products is the perfect fit. Way to go Microsoft marketing! You get what you pay for.

[chunkymunky1131]

i signed up to say this- microsoft are too lame for their customers. tats y more and more pc users are converting to mac =)

[djgamble]

Sorta wired because it's promoting HP and Best Buy... with Apple actually being a PC maker now (you can put Windows on Apple's machines natively) what's M$ saying here?
"Don't buy Macs and install VMWare or BootCamp..."
It sounds like it.
Shows Apple's ad campaign has worked. They've convinced the worlds richest computer company who have something like a 90% monopoly that it's worth attacking a company with a 4% market share who manufacture machines capable of running Windows.　

[btorbo]

Apparently, the marketing incompetence of this company knows absolutely no boundaries. It's like watching a nerdy little kid desperately trying to crack the social code of the grownups, failing miserably. Painful.
Greetings from Norway, by the way. You have me entertained!

[hagen]

Since most everyone is obsessed with how everyone else perceives them, everyone so obsessed strives to "be cool". Microsoft has effectively just advertised for Apple saying if you're not cool or have no plans to try to be cool, you might as well just buy our crappy product. I wonder how much HP had to pay for that plug as well 'cause you bet they had to.

[Schneb]

I wish I worked for Apple's ad agency. I could come up with SUCH a great spoof of this!