Interesting article on Mac vs PC advertising

The basic premise of the article questions if it was smart of Microsoft to do the Laptop Hunters ads. Its actually a interesting article so I wanted to share it. I know this will eventually turn into a flame war so Mods can feel free to close it right away if they want. Anyway here is the link. http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/05/17/would-bill-gates-have-aired-laptop-hunters/?source=yahoo_quote

 

Any advertising is smart if it makes money. So was it smart of Microsoft to try? Sure.

 

Hey, that thing in your sig is now entirely true. It should say "A Mac can be a PC but a PC can't legally be a Mac." But I will not say any more now, as it is against the forum rules.

"Discussion on running Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware is prohibited."

 

I think it was worth a shot but was not thought out properly. My biggest complaint was trying to make the ad as a documentary when it was obviously scripted in part. As a former Anti-Mac person I can see why the Windows fans like the ads.

 

The reality is that some of us have multiple OS for different uses. I have a Windows 7 notebook for gaming, Macbook dual boot XP/Leopard for work, a separate Vista Home Premium notebook for browsing the internet, and another notebook with Linux. It's not as black and white as it used to be.

 

MS had to try something. Unfortunately for them, Apple has the rep of being the 'cool' computer to use. For teens, that means a lot. Apple also has rep in the pro industry with professional photographers, film makers, producers using them. So they have the cool rep + the 'pros use them' rep. The best thing to attack them on is price, and that's what MS will continue to do.

 

Don't really like the article. Its very one-sided (pro-apple) and don't agree with their reasons why the ads are bad for PCs. Although I do agree that the PC ad campaign has been largely a failure.

IMO, the issue with the PC ads, is not that its attacking apple, its the way they carried it out. The idea behind the ad campain (attack apple's weaknesses to gain marketshare)was good, and was designed to take away or prevent the growth of apple's market share. The implementation of the ad campaign is where it failed. The commercials felt staged, and some of the commercials were so lukewarm towards apple, that it defeated the whole purpose of throwing daggers at apple

In contrast Apple's ad campaign is very similar to the PC's in terms of purpose, but are extremely successful. Again, they focus on PC's shortcomings in order to gain marketshare. However, in apple's case both the idea and implementation of their ad campain were successful. Their ads are successful since they are not real life situations, but rather light, humourous knocks against PCs. As a PC fan, I find these ads funny (even though i don't necessarily agree with them) and can see how they are persuasive in the advertising sense.

 

I agree somewhat with the article. I think it was dumb to include apple in the commercial as it does give them allot of credibility, where some people who haven't of even heard of apple might now consider them as an option. I think they should of just focuses on the pcs and all the new features on modern pcs to keep people thinking up upgrading computers interested in vista and pcs and not macs.

However I do think it was a good idea to release at least some commercials in repose to the pc vs mac adds, they should of just left apple out of and focused on countering the arguments in the pc vs mac adds, and showing the extra features in vista.

 

I understand Microsoft's need to counter Apple's ad, and I don't think Laptop Hunters is a bad campaign, as its consistent and recognizable - big parts of an advertising campaign. Apple hit the consistency and recognition with iPod + iTunes, Switch, now I'm a Mac I'm a PC. I agree that its not exactly correct, but as is with the Mac ads .

The odd thing though is Microsoft doing these ads. All these ads only compare about is hardware - hardware by HP and other manufacturers. Never is OS a factor in the decision, only the hardware designs and specs. There's no real mention of Windows, Office, various Microsoft software - the weird message that Microsoft is sending is that software isn't important.

Microsoft was founded as and still is predominantly a software company.

 

Yeah lol it is kind of funny how they are literally advertising for hp, sony vaio, and dell, and not for Windows and Vista. Very weird, they do need to focus more on the features and advantages of vista.

 

It complements the "I'm a PC slogan", the opposite from the "I'm a Mac and this nerd is a PC" slogan marring their image. It's not "I'm a Windows" or "I'm a Vista". They're seperating what Mac does from the PC world and isolating them as an overpriced boutique. "I'm a PC" celebrates the mundane and simple mainstream whom most are confined to as something more exciting. And now people are clamouring about it >.>

 

Yep and the Mac commercials seem to advertise software and stability more.
I guess it makes sense as they would each go with their forte

 

Starting the article with the fact that Mr. Neal owns Apple stock wasn't the best idea, as it tells you upfront that his opinion will likely be a negative one.

Anyway, the commercials make sense to me. Take a consumer, who holds no affinity to either company's OS, but they do have specific hardware wants. A Windows based notebook will have just as much under the hood for much less, especially if you're at the 16-17" range. That's why the commercial with the mother and son, who end up taking the Sony Vaio FW over the MBP is successful. All MS really wants is for non-tech savvy consumers to look at the hardware specs, because chances are that they'll choose whichever has the most at the lowest cost.

I know people who don't even know that MacBooks use a different OS! Microsoft doesn't bring it up because of all the bad publicity the Apple nerd ads are bringing, so they've made it a strictly 'hardware vs hardware, and at what cost?' campaign.

Of course they're actors.

 

SAM highlights a good point. The consumer market is based mostly around hardware. While larger businesses typically have a lot of assets tied up on one operating system or another, the home market is more tolerate of change. Thus the OS becomes a secondary factor to reliability, aesthetics, and price.

But I disagree that Microsoft took a less than ideal road by downplaying the OS factor among the home market. The reality is that the OS often is NOT a primary factor among the home market. While Microsoft is a software company, their customers are OEM, which are hardware companies. Microsoft only stands to gain by promoting the value of choosing PC hardware.

BTW, the article is crap. It is just basically one guy's rant about how Apple is the underdog and Microsoft is Goliath. We've all heard it before.

So the guy thinks the ads increase Apple's credibility? This would be true if it was a small startup with a shallow history. Rather Apple is well entrenched in the home market and pop culture. It's like saying if U2 bad mouthed Nickelback's songs that it will increase interest in Nickelback. I think Nickelback's popularity will do just fine with or without criticism. Now if U2 started bad mouthing some band name Lemon Jelly, then that would be something else. Everyone's first question will be "who's Lemon Jelly?" But when people watch the Laptop Hunters ads, they aren't thinking "OMG, I so wished I had considered an Mac during my last purchase!!!!!"

 

I don't have a marketing background or anything close so I could be wrong here but I can't help but think that these MSFT commercials will backfire at least on some level, and here's why:

The concept of value is deeply embedded in every consumer's mind. Tied to it is the widely accepted notion that you get what you pay for. When MSFT highlights the fact that Macs are more expensive, I can't help but think that at some level the message is being sent out to at least some consumers that hey, since they're more expensive they must have something inherently superior in them than the other options. This opens the door for consumers, who may have otherwise completely ignored Mac products, to at least pique their interest to learn more about them. And somehow I don't think that was the aim of these ads.

 

the whole apple underdog against the giant microsoft thing just doesn't make sense when apple is a HUGE company, easily on the same scale as microsoft.

go to wikipedia and check out the assets and equity of apple and microsoft.

i think a lot of people will be surprised how big apple is these days.

sure, microsoft is bigger, but not a lot bigger. not order of magnitude bigger.

 

True, but also to non-tech savvy people a computer isn't something that they think should be a huge investment. Also they don't see the different between different computer hardware or software. These adds show that if they want a big screen and a fast computer they can get one for however much money less than the mac with the same screen size. They also take advantage of the fact that the macbook pro has 2gigs standard. ( I think its $100 or something ridiculous to get 4gigs ). So its true that they might thing macs are better but to a non computer-enthusiast they might not think its worth it when they can get a bigger screen/more ram for less.

masterchef341, Apple also has a HUGE ipod business. I think their current market share in the computer market total is around 9%, with Microsoft having something like 88%, vista around 40% I believe. HP and Dell are by far the largest producers, with around 25% each.

 

It does makes sense when you realize you had to wikipedia numbers and compare them. Microsoft has been embedded in the minds of the public with labels like "Giant" and "Monopoly" and Bill Gates, which is synonymous with Billionaire.

Apple? Everyone gets excited when they double their market share from 4% to 8%!!!!! When Microsoft's market share moves single digits, it doesn't even warrant an article.

Only to a fanboy does this NOT make sense.

 

MS has help in marketshare from large business purchases. I read some report i wish i could find right now that had some info where the majority of all PCs sold were not to home users but to businesses. If your focusing on what a home user should buy, and take out marketshare by businesses, Apple would be MUCH higher.

I thought the Laptop hunter ads were really good from a marketing stand point.. and this one was even pretty truthful... (of course MS didn't make this one)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbJSuduTrPs

 

I found this article today while reviewing my stocks, and since I own AAPL shares this came up: http://seekingalpha.com/article/138481-are-microsoft-s-anti-apple-ads-actually-working?source=feed

 

Another article/chart http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-microsoft-apple-commercials-2009-5

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Microsoft's ads.

 

If you want the best computing experience and class, get a Mac.

If you want a computer thats just good enough then get a PC.

Period.

 

I dont think it really has anything to do with the ads but that pcs are much cheaper and mix it in with the real world recession and its inevitable results.

 

For consumer like you, that's the case. But if you're customizing a "PC", you'll can much much higher end computer than Mac can offer, maybe even for cheaper price too.

 

This only adds to the stereotype of Apple Fanboys.

I could response with, if you want a $1000 web browser, gat a mac. If you want a computer and have left over money to buy "optional" software, like Office and Photoshop, get a PC.

Apple overdoes the negatives of owning a PC. PCs crash? So do Macs. PCs have driver problems? So do Macs.

Is it worth a 40% markup? That's for you to decide.

 

That's unfair to say man. Not everyone likes the Mac experience and not everyone likes the PC experience. You can't say that Mac is the best computing experience.

It's a different experience yes, but you cannot say best.

 

if you want the best of both worlds, get a mac.macs support windows whereas pc don't support mac os x.

 

Illegally, "PC", a poor man's computer, can also support Mac OSX.

 

higher end computers is not something that matter to most buyers... its overall experience and getting done what they need to do.. not stretching out ghz or gbs... most people that buy computers have no idea what any of the listed "specs" even mean.

 

a typical pro-apple article...

“Anyone who has taken time to dissect the Microsoft ads (as so many have), knows they’re full of holes big enough to drive a truck through.

all ads are done this way. ask yourself how many ads give total truth and the writer should see some light unless he/she was being again an extremist in this article that renders the argument pointless. are apple ads without holes? blah

apple's strong sales DOES NOT come from computer sales, it is their ipods and iphone that generate the net profit and all, yet people always want to coin its success relating to computer.

main issue with MS vs. apple is that MS != apple, the overlapping thing between them is windows/osx and this gap won't close up any time soon, regardless of how one might dream up on. (let's leave zune alone, late comer doesn't get any pie; let alone a late comer + slow delivery)

main issue with PC is that most people like to compare apple products to lesser products from dell/hp/compaq/gateway etc where ignoring those that are comparable in price such as latitude, elite, thinkpad, so on. those are actually great products, and again, OS issues are at times users problem when exposed to too many choices when compatibility will certainly be in question and that's more of political democracy vs. socialism.

windows is embarrass to advertise vista though, since the real upgrade from XP is actually 7... lol

why created the flame war anyways? mac or ms?

 

Well, I'm sure he was referring to legally.

P.S.- It's against the Fourm Rules to talk about running OS X on non-Apple hardware. Also, it's against the EULA to run it illegally.

Just giving you a heads up.

 

It's illegal to illegally install mac os x on a pc.

 

The chart shows how the Microsoft ads have effectively increased consumer perception of the value of PCs in relation to consumer perception of the value of Macs.

Bottom line, those of you in this thread who are suggesting the laptop hunter ads are ineffective and will "backfire" on Microsoft are just wrong.

Macs computers are great and are definitely the cool thing to have but I wouldn't be so quick to judge Microsoft's ads as ineffective.

 

But they do understand $1000 vs $600

And they'll understand 80GB vs 250Gb when they run out of HD space.

Like I said before, if you want a glorified web browser......

Seriously though. All we talk about is the consumer home market. There isn't ever any talk about the enterprise market..........

These conversation where computers are trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator is painfully discouraging. Seriously though. Give the average consumer more credit. The average "Apple user" may not care about the specs.........

 

P.S. You just broke to rule as well. LOL

Anyways.. the rule says we can't talk about running OSX on non-apple hardware. There's no indication that we can't talk about such thing is possible. I'm not discussing the details thus I'm ok.

 

I hope that was completely sarcastic, if not its just dripping of total ignorance.

 

Unfortunately, that's what most people use their computer during their spare time. Where else do those "viruses" come from?

 

I was having a little fun with your previous post. You refer to the consumer's lack of a need for a "high end" machine. If you want something that can cover low spec needs, practically every computer can do that. Heck, my quad cores are more than capable of handling browsing and word documents.

But if you needs are a little higher, like say you want a competent gaming machine along with your browsing needs...... then a macbook will not do it for ya. You will have to cough up an extra grand.

So much talk about satisfying the lowest common denominator. How about talking about people who want to get real work done, instead of Youtubing for four hours.

So much hate.....

 

"Real work" is a bit subjective isn't it. I can get plenty of work done on my Mac and do it more efficiently that I could with my Vista machine.

I can see this conversation has gone down hill as I predicted. There was an interesting discussion for a little while at least. Looks like it's time to close this one down.

 

Everyone already knows that macs are extremely overpriced for the hardware you get. Yes, you can get a similarly speced pc with the same hardware as the MBP for half the price, and the $2000 enterprise lines of pcs will destroy the MBP in terms of performance and build quality, however the price for apple is made up through:
- OS X ( idiot proof OS )
- Pre-installed software ( iLife, photoshop + others )
- Very good customer support ( which is the most expensive part of the computer )
- Looks good
The cost is made up, so Macs may or may not be for you however they are by no means a "Glorified web browser".

Thing is Microsoft already knows a commercial won't have much effect on people who know allot about pc specs, as they know what they want. However they are advertising to the common consumer, who might not think a computer should be a huge investment, and a showing them that they can get a computer that is just as fast for less. And its effective. They may be somewhat bs, but the apple mac vs pc commercials are more bs. I think the laptop hunter adds are more effective.

 

Closed by request of original poster.