Microsoft takes a swipe at Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads

Like you, we've seen a number of spoofs of the "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" ads. But most of them just make fun of the whole concept, rather than take on Apple, or a particular Apple product, directly. Well, Microsoft's just produced yet another rather clever parody pitting a Zune-toting PC with an iPod-carrying Mac, and apparently screened the ad at a recent company meeting. The sticking point is how "difficult" it is to get music onto the iPod versus how "simple" it is on the Zune. Not that we think the iPod is a paragon of usability, but we can't not bring up the fact that we'd love to see Microsoft live up to its claim and really make getting music as easy as pushing a single button. Anyway, you can catch the video on the next page.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 10:31AM]

I really like the ending: "And they make it in brown. Look at that, it matches. Yeah."

[Liquidmark Posted Dec 14th 2006 6:18PM]

Dude, your boss isn't moronic. He is looking at getting in on the ground-floor of a re-opening re-growing market.

Look, Let me explain:

1) In Windows: You are facing STIFF competition in the software market. There are THOUSANDS of competitors in all categories, MANY of which almost have to give their software away to get any play in today's market.

2) In Linux: Linux shares LESS than 1% of the total OS market with Solaris, Irix, etc...Plus, a great deal of Linux software is FREE. How are you going to make a profit competing against free software?

3) OSX is growing in popularity. Apple's COMPUTER market-share jumped from around 3.x% to 6.1% in ONE quarter and it's not going to stop there. Think of the Mac as the 'New World' in a matter of speaking. There is PLENTY of unclaimed real estate to claim. There's plenty of gold in them hills, just waiting to be mined.

Your boss isn't the moron for wanting to stake a claim. YOU are for not grabbing a shovel.

From where I stand, you lack vision. Your boss has seen an opportunity to establish himself in a market with little challenge. Mac users are extremely reliable customers. That's why Adobe and other companies stuck around after Apple hit rock bottom in the mid-90's. I guess that's why he's the boss and you are not.

You sound like some fools that I told to buy Apple stock when Apple announced they were switching to Intel. Not one of them listened. Apple's stock jumped from $15 a share to over $85 a share in a matter of days. It wasn't a gamble, it's just simple ECONOMICS.

When a company makes a move that big, it means big money can be made.

Now, You wanna tell ME that I'm uninformed?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 10:42AM]

Is it me, or when "mac" described how he got music on to his ipod, it wasn't that hard. Even after they added all the lies like "entering credit card info"(that only happens once). And even after they added the useless "if my buddy's not uploading to his blog."

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 10:48AM]

that has to be one of the lamest commercials i have ever seen.

"it's just as easy as *boop*" except for getting it on the zune in the first place...

both of the characters look and act and sound like douchebags.

[Alan Strangis Posted Dec 14th 2006 10:58AM]

I get a real kick out of the Zune vs iPod debates. It's like the popular kid in high school vs. the new kid. Classic stuff.

Archos gives them both a swift kick in nether region. Too bad THEY don't have the marketing clout of either MS or Apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 11:12AM]

This is retarded.

What is sooo much easier about downloading songs onto a Zune? Last time I checked they hadn't reinvented that.

Let's see-

So first you just "hit a button" and your friend now has your song!
....to listen to 3 times before they have to then go home, go to the Zune market place, search for the song, enter all their credit card information then download the song to there special little Zune version of iTunes and then sync it to their Zune!

Oh yeah that's so innovative, way to go Microsoft. It's way easier doing it that way then opposed to doing it the way iPods do..which is exactly the same.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 3:54PM]

so dumb! honestly buddy, you proved Microsoft's point in your own god damn comment. The point IS so that you can share the song, sample it, and then go download it if you enjoy it. You can't share music on the iPod, so those 3 plays is still 3 more than the 0 you get from sharing on an iPod.

[Kiteless Posted Dec 14th 2006 11:16AM]

Ugh.. It is like a train wreck, you just can't take your eyes off it.

I really would like to see the Zune take off. I think Apple could use some serious competition.

This "commercial" is terrable. I think odds are very good that it is fake. If it is not fake, and Microsoft airs it, they will be shooting themselves in the foot.

- K

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 12:02PM]

sorry...
touch of a button

they seem to have left out the fact that you CANT actually download music onto the zune wirelessly: yea, you can share your music wirelessly and listen to it THREE TIMES!

And really... we've all seen the screenshots of setting up the zune software. different kind of easy, erm would that word be tedious, or maybe touch of a [thousand] buttons

at least apple has a better product to stand up to claims made in the i'm a mac ads. Zune's just another wanabe "ipod killer" - notice how it's ipod killer, and not zune killer that new dap's are refered to as... maybe cos the zune aint worth killing as it's bleeding Micro$oft dry, so eventually, after vista flops spectactularly, we can all live in a mac + ipod utopia, free from viruses and jelous M$ execs

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 12:10PM]

The sticking point is how "difficult" it is to get music onto the iPod versus how "simple" it is on the Zune.

Wow, does that mean Zune now works with Vista?

[PreGHz Posted Dec 14th 2006 1:42PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buKaqRG2SFA&mode=related&search=

Has anyone seen that?

Shuffle FTW!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 2:13PM]

This wasn't made by microsoft, or if it was it's clearly not something they'd stand up and take credit for.

Also, everyone is pointing out all the ways this ad mis-representing what the zune does. Hellooo? Anyone seen the real mac-pc ads? "I do spreadsheets" "The kids are using me and putting stickers on me, ow!" They are general mis-statements about the PC and glorification of the mac software.

Personally I've never used a mac until I entered the marketing world, where all anyone uses is mac. They're okay. If you don't enjoy using freeware apps or like playing almost any video games. I don't personally like a lot of the iLife software (iPhoto sucks horribly) so maybe it's a matter of preference.

Zune saying it is as easy as one click to download/share a song is like Mac saying "it's easy for me to make a website or photo book, and it's easy for PC to make a spreadsheet". For one, iPhoto is some of the worst software I've had to use. And two, Picasa (some of the best) is only available for PC. Picasa makes it easy to share, print, and really do whatever with pictures.

Basically, these mac ads really should say, "I sure hope you like the iLife software, because you know what, if you buy a mac that's about all you can ever use. iLife or Bust"

[Wesscoast Posted Dec 14th 2006 2:39PM]

"Just look at any cool add ons provided by smaller developers, and you will see a chorus of message board submissions begging for the "mac version"."

hmm. yea. kinda puts the '5%' thing in perspective...

oh, you don't follow..?
*rolls eyes

[Wesscoast Posted Dec 14th 2006 2:39PM]

"And lastly, APPLE DOESN'T EVEN MAKE THE IPOD, FOXCONN DOES"


*tears of laughter

[Frankenstein Black Posted Dec 14th 2006 2:41PM]

WOW! MS is really taking it on the chin for this one. I wonder how many of the Flame throwers own an Xbox 360? Doesn�t that put MS�s hands in your pocket anyways?

--------------
LDM Water-bending
Masterhttp://www.eternal-champions.com/images/ldm_master_builder!.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 2:47PM]

Wait, so I don't have to write down the music I want on a piece of paper if I buy a Zune? I'm liking that feature!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 3:10PM]

I

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 3:30PM]

ANNNND
even more proof that
microsoft can never be ORIGINAL!
Microsoft you have failed me....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 3:49PM]

Everyone is bitching for no reason. Sure Mac may have less viruses or the OS may be far far more stable. Not to mentioned that Apple always was the first to include new technology into their system. But face it if it wasnt for windows personal computer would have not taken off the way they nor would the internet (e-mail, browsing, ftp, P2P, usenet, online-gaming etc). Same thing for the iPod. iPod was not new or original in any way but users like it an now everyone has an mp3 player (iPod or not) and everyone downloads mp3's (whether legal or not).

Now to this topic. A. the Mac commercials suck and do not diplay either Macs or PC's in the real sense. This is not a MS commercial but Zune hacking site commercial. I'm pretty sure MS would not advertise Zune hacks.

I use a PC because I customize every part (which has its own problems). I cannot do this with a Mac. I use a 256Mb mp3 player cause I never needed to carry more music with me than that. So spending CA$350+ on a 30Gb iPod does not make sense to me. I listen to music when i go to the gym etc then I come home and get a new play list when I need it later.

Anyways I bashed MS for years but now a pretty solid X-box fanboy (if only Square Enix would release FFXII for X-box I will have no need for PS at all).

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 4:22PM]

Ya, so easy. The Zune user gets to play it 3 times and then poof ... it disappears. Then they have to go find it, and buy it, giving all the credit card info just like anywhere else that they buy stuff.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 8:29PM]

im really getting tired of all this mac vs windows crap, ive been using a mac since i was 6 and i love it, having a mac is like being in this cool little club kinda, without viruses and overall crap on windows, if you use windows please stick to it and dont buy a mac because youll ruin a good thing

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 9:20PM]

Are we sure Sony didn't make this?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 9:45PM]

Notice they do not use the term "squirt." This shows that who ever made the piece realises what a terrible mistake it was to use that word. Talk about embarrassing.

More importantly, they introduce themselves as a mac and a pc and then start blabbing away like two users. This is not how the Apple commercials work. The Apple commercials are written by people who know how to write and the dialogue is always from the point of view of two computers talking to each other.

That's the main reason this thing does not work: the concept is flawed from the very beginning. A bit like a computer running windows!

Keep smiling

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2006 9:51PM]

Annoula

there are more than 12000 apps for os x. If you can;t find what you need or what you like you should look in the mirror because I think that;s where you will find the main problem.

Also, it's hard to find a major app that exists only on windows. Mac however has a number of industry leading apps that are not available for windows, And in the real world this can mean the difference between employment or spending your day playing with Windows and sorting out virus problems.. Try getting a job as a video editor without knowing Final Cut Studio. Pro audio and you never used Digital Performer or Logic? No job for you my friend. Pro design and you know Photoshop on windows? Haha. You better not tell them at the interview.

For ordinary people, however, a mac comes with pretty much everything they will need without buying any more apps. And that really is the important thing.

It's true you can play lots of games on windows. Pow Pow. Bang bang bang.

keep smiling
waddo

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2006 12:40AM]

keith, I could easily turn that around and give you a dozen or more industry standard engineering Apps that aren't found on a Mac.

Also I have to call myth on your statement about video editing software. The industry standard is Adobe Production Studio and has been for a long time.

I will concede that if you want to work only on a Mac then yes your only option really is FCP because the industry standard doesn't run on a Mac. While you can probably get by knowing only FCP if you move from one Mac job to another, APS is an absolute necessity in the broader industry.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 6:12AM]

Wait, Microsoft music transfer isn't a single button? I've always been able to click "Sync" on a variety of programs to just sync my libraries between my PC and my Zen Xtra.

Microsoft would've have to seriously mess up something with Zune to have that NOT work with most programs.. Not that I particularly love the company, but I've never had trouble syncing music without effort.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 10:51AM]

Sorry, but I didn't see the PC's friend that he shared the tune with.

Don't you have to be in the same room. Oh, maybe they couldn't find one! Welcome to the social.... not!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 10:54AM]

Three Days later... all of PC guys music is gone!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 11:32AM]

juztin

no one would argue with you. what would be the point?

keep smiling

waddo

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 8:10PM]

uhn tiss uhn tiss uhn tiss

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2006 7:28AM]

I liked it. "And they're making it in brown...matches"

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2006 12:15PM]

Now, let's take a look at some WiFi sharing information straight from the Zune product manager. You don't even know what music can be shared until you buy it, download it, sync it and actually try to squirt it. Only then does the Zune let you know, "You don't have the rights to transfer this song."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TPJ7GQOuzk

After that, check out what Zune really does and doesn't do.

http://mindsplice.com

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 18th 2006 11:58AM]

This is called knock-off marketing strategy. It could be proper case study for someone who is doing Masters in Marketing!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2006 9:45PM]

If you are a computer user, MAC v. PC isn't really an issue....if anything, dropping into terminal on a Mac and accessing a unix shell give mac an edge (add parallel systems and you have COMPLETE flexibility between most business systems).

If you a gamer, then yes, by all accounts (sans WOW) PC beats mac. But DAMN! Who (besides the hardcore gamers) spends ALL that money just for a game machine (http://voodoopc.com/showroom.aspx?productid=1100)?

I am a web developer and I do the majority of my design/programming on a Mac and testing in Windows.

And lastly, stop using the "only 2%" (heard it was getting closer to 8...I know it is growing) of the world uses Macs. It means nothing. I could factually state that 87% of the people in Burundi live on less than $2 a day.

Does that mean that that the "other" 13% have it wrong?

Seriously, what may suck doesn't suck for everyone.

People need to get a life and quit being fanboys or anti-fanboys.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 31st 2006 9:11PM]

omg they make it in brown? No way, im getting a zune now my mind is made up.

Who actually wants a Brown zune? Brown is such an ugly color. I dont really like the iPod or the Zune, I sold my iPod but ive never really used a Zune too much so i dont really have a right to complain. I just heard alot of bad stuff about it in reviews and stuff. So i guess i just dont like iPods.

[Danja Posted Jan 3rd 2007 10:06AM]

Lol, Give me my Samsung K5 anyday, eitherway, for y'all to giggle at.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6553260189868317794

Makes me titter each time... though its no anti ipod.. its just a dig at macs.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 18th 2007 3:29AM]

That ad was bull**it..........
'Nuff said