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"I'm a PC" - Phase 2 of Microsoft's ad campaign begins

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Mojo said:
I'm a Vista user, but I prefer the Mac ads. I don't see why some people are so offended by them.
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Some people get really, really insecure about what they use everyday. If another company comes out and blasts their lifestyle, they lose their shit. This is why the Mac ads have been so successful with the non-techie crowd, because they don't use their computers enough to get defensive over them.

I also think the Mac ads are overplayed in certain demographics and TV channels, so it could just be some people that want to die because they see it all the time.

I'm not necessarily a fan of the ads other than Hodgman owning the character, but it's surprising to me how many people in here treat them as if they're ineffective and bad. The PC vs Mac ads are basically the most successful computer ads of all time if you consider the ~60% yearly growth that's been occurring for Apple since they started. Same with the old "dude you got a Dell" ads that really introduced Dell to the public. I guess GAF doesn't like it when annoying characters spawn success.
 
Shockgamer said:
I liked it. It successfully challenges the idea that only Mac users can be hipster twenty somethings. As a matter of fact, it says that PC users are more than that shallow representation of cool.
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Bingo!

You got MS. Show them how it's done.
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
Some people get really, really insecure about what they use everyday. If another company comes out and blasts their lifestyle, they lose their shit. This is why the Mac ads have been so successful with the non-techie crowd, because they don't use their computers enough to get defensive over them.

I also think the Mac ads are overplayed in certain demographics and TV channels, so it could just be some people that want to die because they see it all the time.

I'm not necessarily a fan of the ads other than Hodgman owning the character, but it's surprising to me how many people in here treat them as if they're ineffective and bad. The PC vs Mac ads are basically the most successful computer ads of all time if you consider the ~60% yearly growth that's been occurring for Apple since they started. Same with the old "dude you got a Dell" ads that really introduced Dell to the public. I guess GAF doesn't like it when annoying characters spawn success.
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Or maybe it's because the Mac ads are very deceptive.
 
The Mac ads are very well done. Love them or hate them, you will still go and see each and everyone that comes out. Who's the winner then?

Microsoft is doing well to capitalise on this. Again, good or bad, you will watch them. That said, I quite like the job MS is doing with these latest ones. A nice tasteful counterpoint to the GEt a Mac ads. Where Apple tries to sell you on their exclusivity, MS tries to point out how they are inclusive.
 
Hitokage said:
Exact same concept as those ads by Time-Warner Cable or some other company for television/internet/phone bundling.
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Yeah. I can't remember which company but they had the "See the whole game" or something like that with watching football on the TV, Laptop, and cell phone and each having more of the field. I was thinking it was Verizon though.
 
womfalcs3 said:
Or maybe it's because the Mac ads are very deceptive.
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People did not get this pissy when Pepsi said Coke tastes worse. It's something entirely different. People have emotional investment and attachment with their computers because they spend so much time on them and likely spent a lot of money on it.

These response ads are really "stop making fun of Windows, Apple," and about 99% of us can relate since we use Windows daily. As it is though, Microsoft is silly to try and play themselves as the underdog.
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
People did not get this pissy when Pepsi said Coke tastes worse. It's something entirely different. People have emotional investment and attachment with their computers because they spend so much time on them and likely spent a lot of money on it.

These response ads are really "stop making fun of Windows, Apple," and about 99% of us can relate since we use Windows daily. As it is though, Microsoft is silly to try and play themselves as the underdog.
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It's not Microsoft saying "Stop making fun of windows," it's Microsoft saying "You're a complete tool if you buy into the 'Macbooks are for cool people not nerds unlike windows' message."

And I can relate. Being in college, the majority of my friend have use Macbooks, and that's great, I won't knock them for it. But the second they start quoting those fucking commercials and getting a superiority complex about it is when I have to remind them what a tool they are for buying an overpriced, less functional computer just for the image.
 
JoeMartin said:
It's not Microsoft saying "Stop making fun of windows," it's Microsoft saying "You're a complete tool if you buy into the 'Macbooks are for cool people not nerds unlike windows' message."

And I can relate. Being in college, the majority of my friend have use Macbooks, and that's great, I won't knock them for it. But the second they start quoting those fucking commercials and getting a superiority complex about it is when I have to remind them what a tool they are for buying an overpriced, less functional computer just for the image.
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You take computer brands too seriously.

Speaking from the other side of the fence, I don't see a difference in an Apple user quoting "it just works" or "it has no viruses" from a Windows user that says something like "I built this for half the price as your fashion statement" (something you just did) or "yeah, but can it play games?" It's all the same, and it's all worth ignoring.
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
These response ads are really "stop making fun of Windows, Apple," and about 99% of us can relate since we use Windows daily. As it is though, Microsoft is silly to try and play themselves as the underdog.
Click to expand...

They didn't play themselves as the underdog, they took the "frumpy, befuddled, middle-aged" image Apple hung on them and made it look tacky and shallow by showing a whole bunch of real people (some frumpy and some not) doing interesting/important/noble things with a PC. In that sense it was pretty brilliant. Makes Apple's ads look shallow and focused on image over substance. Whether or not it eases people's fears of Vista or sells more OS'es, like fuck if I know (or care).
 
Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
You take computer brands too seriously.

Speaking from the other side of the fence, I don't see a difference in an Apple user quoting "it just works" or "it has no viruses" from a Windows user that says something like "I built this for half the price as your fashion statement" (something you just did) or "yeah, but can it play games?" It's all the same, and it's all worth ignoring.
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Except that's how the ads are anymore. Sure they used to be legitimate complaints (granted, complaints from people that seemingly clicked on every ad they could find on the internet, and singlehandedly managed to get every virus and piece of malware out there - not exactly a fault of the OS), but now all Apple is doing is taking pot shots at Windows, riding high on the wave of success that their Macbook circlejerk seems to have given them. And this is where my problem comes in. When tools tell me how much cooler their computer is than mine.

It's not like I go off on them either. I just shake my head and say "whatever," and leave a mental sticky on their file labeled "MARKETING TOOL." And I may make a passing comment relating. :D

And again, I have no problem with Macbooks aside from the fact that they're insanely expensive. The OS itself is fine and I would probably dual boot it if Jobs would get the steel support beam out of his ass.
 
JoeMartin said:
And again, I have no problem with Macbooks aside from the fact that they're insanely expensive. The OS itself is fine and I would probably dual boot it if Jobs would get the steel support beam out of his ass.
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Yep... I'd love to tinker with OS X, but I'm not going to buy Apple hardware for the privilege.
 
Ceres said:
Yeah. I can't remember which company but they had the "See the whole game" or something like that with watching football on the TV, Laptop, and cell phone and each having more of the field. I was thinking it was Verizon though.
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It was AT&T.
 
Microsoft fails.
The last shot should be of Marcus Fenix and he should say

"Im a PC and I CHAINSAW LOCUSTS!!!! RAWWRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!" (while chainsawing a Locust)

Cole Train should also be in the background and he should be eating an Apple.
 
NutJobJim said:
Microsoft fails.
The last shot should be of Marcus Fenix and he should say

"Im a PC and I CHAINSAW LOCUSTS!!!! RAWWRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!" (while chainsawing a Locust)
Cole Train should also be in the background and he should be eating an Apple.
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dude, that would've been fucking AWESOME!!!!!

bill gates 4 prez
 
K.Jack said:
macVpc.gif
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:lol
Why would he just stand there?!
 
JoeMartin said:
Except that's how the ads are anymore. Sure they used to be legitimate complaints (granted, complaints from people that seemingly clicked on every ad they could find on the internet, and singlehandedly managed to get every virus and piece of malware out there - not exactly a fault of the OS), but now all Apple is doing is taking pot shots at Windows, riding high on the wave of success that their Macbook circlejerk seems to have given them. And this is where my problem comes in. When tools tell me how much cooler their computer is than mine.

It's not like I go off on them either. I just shake my head and say "whatever," and leave a mental sticky on their file labeled "MARKETING TOOL." And I may make a passing comment relating. :D

And again, I have no problem with Macbooks aside from the fact that they're insanely expensive. The OS itself is fine and I would probably dual boot it if Jobs would get the steel support beam out of his ass.
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Macbooks aren't insanely expensive, thats just dumb reasoning. And yes, the design of Windows in how administrator rights are handled are directly responsible for autonomous malware and all the other shit you get for having the audacity to use the internet.

Computers aren't "cool", you use them because of the experience they offer. Considering people spend hours upon hours a day on them, its not hard to imagine people are willing to pay more for something thats easier and prettier. People do it all the time, in fashion, with cars: labels mean something.

If you really think people who buy macs are stupid because you can build a PC from newegg, you are missing the point completely.
 
I'm a custom-built computer with mutliple operating systems installed and I think the new commercial is very good, despite hating Microsoft's approach to the software business.
 
Cheeto said:
When you can buy a more powerful laptop for less money than a MacBook Pro...that is insanely expensive.
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You aren't "just" buying the hardware, you are buying the apple software as well (OS X and iLife come free on every mac). If you want to use Apple's software you'll need a Mac.

But besides that, the resale value on Macs is much, much higher than on PC's. If you use hardware into oblivion it won't matter, but if you sell an older laptop to buy a newer one you'll be amazed how well Macs hold their value.

But all of its moot anyway, because you are stuck on using performance as the only valuable aspect of a computer. What about the user experience?
 
5 pages for a shitty MS ad, GAF? Really? I could understand the Jerry talk, because it was Jerry, but this is just "We are the World" boring fluff.

What's next, 5 pages on the new Swiffer WetJet ads?
 
TheHeretic said:
But all of its moot anyway, because you are stuck on using performance as the only valuable aspect of a computer. What about the user experience?
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Again, I'm not going to spend more money for less performance. User Experience is a convenient buzzword that means absolutely nothing to me. For me, user experience is having your applications and games performing at top notch levels...not having superfluous flashy fluff.

This is all moot anyways, because as many times as I have this argument with someone, they can never give me anything substantial that sets apart Mac OS, from a Windows/Linux dual boot.
 
Cheeto said:
Again, I'm not going to spend more money for less performance. User Experience is a convenient buzzword that means absolutely nothing to me. For me, user experience is having your applications and games performing at top notch levels...not having superfluous flashy fluff.

This is all moot anyways, because as many times as I have this argument with someone, they can never give me anything substantial that sets apart Mac OS, from a Windows/Linux dual boot.
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I'm not here to argue with you, I don't care what OS setup you use. Why would I?

The Mac experience is completely different from anything Windows/Linux, and people are willing to pay for it. Performance at the strata you are talking about is irrelevant for most people. The fact that you regard the user interface to be "superfluous flashy stuff" probably means you don't mind spending hundreds of hours tweaking Linux, yet won't pay a dime more for than the bare minimum for hardware.
 
TheHeretic said:
Macbooks aren't insanely expensive, thats just dumb reasoning. And yes, the design of Windows in how administrator rights are handled are directly responsible for autonomous malware and all the other shit you get for having the audacity to use the internet.
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And OSX is an impregnable fortress of Virus melting code? People want an open ended operating system and they also want it to be secure, and Windows is doing the best it can to provide both. Unfortunately it's hard to pull off completely. OSX is only branded with having no viruses because no one has bothered to make a debilitating one yet. Why bother when you've got the far more massive PC market at your disposal.

And what do you mean all the other shit? You don't need to download ANYTHING to keep your computer clean. I didn't download it, I was born with it - it's called common sense. OHGOD IM THE 1 MILLIONTH VISITOR I GOT A PRIZE I WONDER WHAT IT IS I LIKE FLASHING LIGHTS BETTER CLICK!

I have AVG free running, and I even keep all the passive scans off to conserve system resources. I set it to scan at 4am so it won't interrupt anything. Don't want viruses? Don't be irresponsible on the internet. And should you want to be irresponsible, there's even tools to let you safely do that. But even then, suckers are suckers. Can't help that. Seedy stuff in real life more or less translates right to seedy stuff on the internet.


TheHeretic said:
Computers aren't "cool", you use them because of the experience they offer. Considering people spend hours upon hours a day on them, its not hard to imagine people are willing to pay more for something thats easier and prettier.
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Clearly you haven't asked kids on college campuses why "Macbooks are the most popular notebook on college campuses." I'm sure you'll get the same answer for why people continue to pay for iPods when there's other mobile players with more functionality for less cost. People are paying for "c(t)ool," they're paying for the Apple name.

TheHeretic said:
People do it all the time, in fashion, with cars: labels mean something
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Yeah, except there's a rather explicit difference between an Accord and an M5.
PC to Mac is a step backwards in functionality, just with a prettier face.

TheHeretic said:
If you really think people who buy macs are stupid because you can build a PC from newegg, you are missing the point completely.
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I wasn't referring to building your own PC literally from scratch. You can get far better deals on hardware (+ windows) from just about any vendor out there (and by that I mean HP, Dell, Gateway, etc), and better yet, you actually get to choose the hardware you want in there based on your needs, should you want to add things.

And I completely get the point of OSX. It's an operating system for the average person that knows no more about computers except that they just want their browser to go to the internet and check their mail, maybe play some of their favorite songs, and arrange their pictures in a nice pretty fashion. That's great and I applaud it. It's a shame it's locked onto overpriced hardware.
 
JoeMartin said:
And I completely get the point of OSX. It's an operating system for the average person that knows no more about computers except that they just want their browser to go to the internet and check their mail, maybe play some of their favorite songs, and arrange their pictures in a nice pretty fashion. That's great and I applaud it. It's a shame it's locked onto overpriced hardware.
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You know absolutely nothing about OSX. As an ex-Windows "I build my own hardware" zealot, I know where you're coming from, though. I used to know nothing about OSX too.
 
JoeMartin said:
And I completely get the point of OSX. It's an operating system for the average person that knows no more about computers except that they just want their browser to go to the internet and check their mail, maybe play some of their favorite songs, and arrange their pictures in a nice pretty fashion. That's great and I applaud it. It's a shame it's locked onto overpriced hardware.
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Theres nothing Windows can do that OSX can't do, especially now with parallels.

As for the "point" of OSX, like Apples iPhone its there to deliver the best user experience possible. Everything is designed to be simple, efficient and streamlined. I use 5 OS's spread over two computers, and for anything and everything not including gaming OSX is the best choice. The user experience matters, and its not about being pretty or flashy, its about accessibility.

The reason people bought iPods originally was because they were among the first widely spread MP3 players to play random MP3's from wherever. People keep using them because compared to something like the Creative Zen the interface is a fucking masterpiece. And the same was true of phones, people have been using ugly, shitty, slow interfaces on phones because no-one was willing to put out anything half decent until apple showed up.

Unfortunately now i'm starting to sound like i'm on a payroll, but the differences between OSX and Vista are there if you look for them. Look up Time Machine (and just don't just say "omg system restore"), actually LOOK at how the software works. It makes the most mundane task in the world fun. Its absolutely incredible, and theres more where that came from.
 
Are we really having the Mac's vs. PC's price argument again? Mac buyers will fully admit that there are no computers from Apple in the budget space, but when you compare their machines to similarly specced PC's, they do compare favorably. There isn't a huge difference in price, and when you look at the bundled software, it often makes up for differences.

Now, on the PC side of things, there are a lot more manufacturers, so it is easier to shop for deals.

JoeMartin said:
Yeah, except there's a rather explicit difference between an Accord and an M5.
PC to Mac is a step backwards in functionality, just with a prettier face.
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I'd like to know how OS X is a "step backwards in functionality"? What can someone do on a PC that you can't do on a Mac?? And saying that a Mac is designed for the average person who just wants Internet/E-mail is completely ignoring it's Unix under pinnings. Opening up the console gives you access to so much stuff and allows you to tweak and play all you want.
 
Tobor said:
5 pages for a shitty MS ad, GAF? Really? I could understand the Jerry talk, because it was Jerry, but this is just "We are the World" boring fluff.

What's next, 5 pages on the new Swiffer WetJet ads?
Click to expand...

My dad bought one of those Wet Jets and it kicks ass. that little motorized spray is righteous.

My dad has not bought Vista

Effectiveness of Wetjet ad is now scientifically proven to be better than MS branding ads.



my dad doesn't own a computer
 
VALIS said:
They didn't play themselves as the underdog, they took the "frumpy, befuddled, middle-aged" image Apple hung on them and made it look tacky and shallow by showing a whole bunch of real people (some frumpy and some not) doing interesting/important/noble things with a PC. In that sense it was pretty brilliant. Makes Apple's ads look shallow and focused on image over substance. Whether or not it eases people's fears of Vista or sells more OS'es, like fuck if I know (or care).
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Actually the thing about the Mac ads that I think reaches people, on an emotional level are the examples Apple uses in their ads. For example, the ad about how Mac finds it do easy to make a web page or whatever by using a Mac, but he not only expresses how easy to the process was, but that he had fun doing it. Apple largely implies in their ads that the user will ENJOY using their OS, AND that ordinary tasks are far easier on a Mac (probably true). People can relate to that since these things are generally more difficult on a PC (for a casual user).

The MS comercial, in my opinion had a bunch of random people just claiming that they use PCs, but they didn't seem to convey that they enjoyed the experience as much as the Mac ads do. Also I found that "selling fish" really has not a lot to do with what verison of Windows you have.
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
I'd like to know how OS X is a "step backwards in functionality"? What can someone do on a PC that you can't do on a Mac?? And saying that a Mac is designed for the average person who just wants Internet/E-mail is completely ignoring it's Unix under pinnings. Opening up the console gives you access to so much stuff and allows you to tweak and play all you want.
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Why pay more for the Mac hardware, when you can just install any Linux distro and even x86 versions of many Unix OS's, like Solaris, and get more of that tweaking advantage?...for free.
 
Sean said:
Not really. Apple's "Get a Mac" commercials don't really mention marketshare - they talk about other things like viruses, bloatware, Macs being easier to use, etc. Saying that a lot of people use PC's doesn't really hurt the credibility of Apple's ads.
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I disagree, I like the Mac ads quite a bit, I think the humor is spot-on and they're very well done. But if these new Microsoft ads are in heavy rotation, the PC-guy stereotype who only does pie-charts while the Mac does 'the cool stuff' will start feeling very very forced. Granted, some of the ads do hit the nail on the head content-wise, but others really won't work any more for most people after they've seen these MS ads.
 
Cheeto said:
Why pay more for the Mac hardware, when you can just install any Linux distro and even x86 versions of many Unix OS's, like Solaris, and get more of that tweaking advantage?...for free.
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True, but the GUI for Linux is no where near as refined as OS X and you get the best of both worlds.

And again, no one debates that you can build a computer for cheaper or that PC's have better options in the budget space.
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
True, but the GUI for Linux is no where near as refined as OS X and you get the best of both worlds.

And again, no one debates that you can build a computer for cheaper or that PC's have better options in the budget space.
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I'd argue that PC's have better options in the high-end space too.
 
everyone seems to be forgetting the whole point of computers is to look at pornagraphy. both mac and pc do it well :lol
 
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