The second installment of Microsoft's Laptop Hunters commercials went live today, and if you thought our
actress friend Lauren lit a fire, well, get ready for Giampaulo, who professes to be "technically-savvy" and calls the unibody MacBook he looks at "so sexy," but ultimately rejects it because he wants to pay for "computing power," not the "brand." Armed with a $1,500 budget, he walks out of Fry's with an
HP HDX 16 that features a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB drive -- raw numbers that would cost you $2,499 from Apple, although you'd be getting a vastly better display. Fair? We leave that up to you -- video after the break.
P.S.- That's the two commercials and two HP machines purchased, anyone sensing a trend?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read - CNET
Read - The Fry's listing for the $1,099 HP HDX 16
posted April 4th 2009 6:17PM
Once again, DDR2 is fine for most people, and so is a slightly slower hard drive. This is for the average consumer, and you're treating the market population as only the people who frequent this site.
These commercials are interesting, but slightly annoying. As pointed out above, the screens on the Macs are far higher in quality than any of these PCs that are being compared to the Macs. Also, one thing paid for with Macs is the service. When something goes wrong with my Mac, I drive to my nearest Apple Store, show them what is wrong, and they tell me to come back in an hour or so and it will be ready, AT NO CHARGE while under the warranty. If my PC is under warranty and I take it to the store, they look at it for a little, and then send it to the manufacturer to fix it and I have no computer for a couple weeks. If they want to make an accurate comparison of the computers, they need to look at all the details, which they are not. Also, compare with the cost of decent anti-virus and anti-spyware on the computer. I have ZERO anti-virus/spyware software on my Mac, but I've had to buy both for my PCs because they get infected too often. ALSO, when you buy a PC, do they give you a free iPod touch? (Apple does this yearly, usually during the summer months). Don't get me wrong, the price difference is nice, but there are a lot of aspects to think about that simply aren't pointed out, which is why I ended up with my Macbook Pro.
Nobody in their right mind pays for AV software. The best stuff out there is free.
The "free iPod Touch" is only for students, you make it sound like everyone can get one for free.
Sorry, but even with $100 in AV software and a $230 iPod, the price difference is STILL there.
I'll give you the service aspect though, that really is a strong selling point with Apple. Of course, with their recent quality issues, it's a good thing.
Cameron is your typical computer noob. See: Paying for antivirus software and getting infected "so often." Lay off the shady pr0n sites, brah'. And download Avira AntiVir for free. I've never been infected and and I've never seen a warning from Avira. Call it prudence, call it just thinking about shit before you click on it.
@the noob isn't the "computer noob" what microsoft is after in this ad? Honestly, the guy read the specs off a card you could at best buy. That does not make you tech savy. The problem with these ads isn't that they go after normal people with flaws, its the fact that tech people who read this are unable to see how these other people function. Good thing this commercial was not aimed towards this adience (The ones who are arguing about it here). Learn about perspective.
I own a Mac, run Xp, Vista and Windows 7, and use them all for different things. (And I love OS X and Windows 7)
It's true though. Sometimes you're paying for the Apple brand. I did the experience a few months ago by comparing two laptops specs to specs, and the MacBook was about twice the price.
I ended up buying an HP laptop with a wireless all-in-one printer; and everything still came out cheaper than buying an Apple laptop.
Not all Mac's are expensive. Here is an example of a Sony Vaio (w/ XP) compared to the polycarbonate MacBook.
MacBook
2.0GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR2 Memory
160GB hard drive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
Sony Vaio VGN-SR390
2.0GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR2 Memory
160GB hard drive
Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
MacBook - $1024
Sony - $1049
Close??
Both the MacBook and the Vaio have the same 1280 x 800 resolution screen.
But the Vaio doesn't have a NVIDIA graphics card.
And your point is, exactly?
No.... just no....
Sony AND Mac are expensive, that doesn't mean they are not both over-priced.
Sony is the overpriced garbage of the PC world. You haven't established anything except maybe that Sony and Apple are in contention for Wallet-Raper of the Year award.
Woot, shot in my local fry's! :)
Fountain Valley, CA!!! "It's a nice place to live."
PC's are great... except for the bloatware!
Not only can you do less with a mac, you pay more for it! Why are all of you allowing yourself to be brainwashed by some dude in a black shirt and blue jeans? Just because he had a few acid trips as a teen doesn't mean he knows more about life. If he grew any prospective, he realized that consumers think of their products the same as religion. Thus, he created the Church of Apple, and all of you are his ample followers.
Peter, stop being a fucking troll. Do tell me what you can do on a PC that I can't do on my Mac. Remember, I run Windows on this too, so, your argument is flawed. Even though, most of my work applications (you know that word, right, work?), are on OS X, so, really.. STFU.
Right, Beanie, so you've proved my point. The fact that you have to create a new brain for your mac to do the simplest tasks that OSX is not capable of doing is shooting yourself in the foot. Personally, I think I'll keep my money instead of picking myself up a fresh copy of Quickbooks 2009 for Mac.
Thanks for the comment, though. Keep trying to think as long as it doesn't hurt your head that much, we wouldn't want you to be in pain.....
P.S. I'll spare the name calling for another day. Suggestion: Try to find a new job where you aren't so over worked and underpaid. Myself, I prefer to work smarter, not harder.
And what exactly are these "simplest" of tasks?
Do tell me what you can do on a PC that I can't do on my Mac.
Save money.
You are nothing more than an ignorant troll. But hey, you are in good company here - this is where all the anti-Apple trolls live!
skyblaze's balls 2 da wall hdx specs [and already ordering the SSD+7200rpm HDD to replace the ones this has... throwin one of the old ones on my PS3 :)]
- tHP HDX18t Premium Series Notebook PC
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
- 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
- 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M - For DDR3 Memory
- 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
- Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
- Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
- Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
- HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
Yeah lets forget the better display, the solid one piece chassis... I mean forget how flimsy and cheap that HP notebook is going to feel... Go ahead and configure a similar notebook, with all the things that come on a MacBook Pro and Ill pay an extra $300 or so for a well built machine that I dont have to erase and reinstall the OS every six months. Yeah, remember to add on that crappy media software that comes with the Mac. Oh yeah, and bluetooth, the backlit keyboard, better display, faster hard drive...
You know, when you go car shopping it like "I want the cheapest six banger with power windows and cupholders." No. Because thats dumb. Your going to pay a bit extra for the well built car that doesnt need to go to the shop every six months and doesnt feel like it was built in a plastic toy factory. Tell me, if you pick up your laptop from the corner, does it squeak and flex? Yeah it does. No, mine doesnt.
Got any original arguments are you just going to recycle the same old debunked crap for the rest of your life?
$300?? Did you even read or watch what you are trying to talk about? He bought the computer for $1,099... the comparable mac was $2,499. Now I'm pretty sure that cute little macbook of yours came with a calculator, but just in case it didn't, that's a difference of $1,400.
I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 SE that cost me $800. I just checked, and no, it doesn't 'squeak or flex' when you pick it up by the corner, so...um...what were you talking about again?
Hey numbnuts, Go build it yourself. Theres quite a bit of upgrading to do... I mean dont forget to add bluetooth and a decent battery...
And as for some original "crap", how about this:
Most of you chumps just cant manage to get the coin together to get a Mac. Yes thats right, you cant afford it or are too cheap. You just want to believe SO badly that its all about the system specs... Buts its not. What good is something thats always broken? Your getting a quality product with something like a MacBook Pro, just take a look at all the people out there that have switched over. Time and time again, they talk about the stability, ease of use, quality of build, and how nice it is to have something that works. Over and over. BUT, I guess I could pretend that I hate BMW M5s and their owners because I cant afford one. And at the same time brag about how they overpaid, and that my Pontiac with 4 doors and a V8 is the same. Yeah, ok. What a joke.
Dude get a clue. I can do everything you can do, without the pain of Windows. And I can do that too... And I do, every day all day. I work on computers for a living. I am not some Geek Squad guy, Ive got my own business and I make a good living in a job I dont need anyone to create, as Ive done it on my own. My bread and butter is the constant flow of customers with Windows. I walk into offices full of PCs, pop open my MacBook Pro, and get to work. Meanwhile, every single day, the people who work in these offices gather around, commenting on my computer and asking how I like it. All I hear is how "I was going to get one, but they are so expensive." When they do I hear how much they love it and how they wish they had left Windows long ago. Maybe one day youll be there too. But I guess I dont know what I am talking about, eh? And yes, call it flex, or whatever you will... Your computer feels less solid then mine.
@Robamus:
You seem to be pretty proud of your Mac ownership, and that's cool. But just because it isn't worth buying one for some of us, does NOT mean we can't afford it or are too cheap. Actually, I am too cheap to pay hundreds of dollars more for the same hardware, when my own needs can easily be met with a Windows machine; and I am definitely not suffering.
My Dell broke down *once*, and that was due to the Fujitsu hard drive failing. Dell sent a technician to my apartment the next morning with a replacement.
Meanwhile, my friend (who has a MacBook Pro) has needed help three times in the past year for help fixing his computer. In just his normal use (Internet, e-mail, and school work), his Mac decided to no longer boot. We eventually worked through the issue and had to reinstall the operating system. Six months later, Safari quit working entirely. He decided to take it in to the Apple Store here, and they charged him $150 to reinstall the operating system (plus $150 for a new battery). Safari still doesn't work, and now I've convinced him to just use Firefox.
I don't know where you work, but everyone I work with (Mac or PC) just sits down and does their work; none of this daily gathering to admire the glowing logo.
Wow Robamus, that WAS original, I don't think I've ever heard anyone use that argument before.
I have used both OSX and Windows. And guess what? I really don't like OSX. Guess what else? I love Windows---Vista to be more precise. Just because something is more expensive doesn't mean it's better. Why would I pay such a premium for something I dislike?
And don't get on us for not being as rich as you are. Not everyone gets huge-ass allowances from rich parents every week. I'm not saying you inherited your money, and if you did earn it, then good for you, and if you happen to prefer OSX then that's fine, you're entitled to your own tastes and distastes. But don't assume that we don't like Macs just because they're more expensive.
If I really wanted a Mac then I would save up for one(even though it would take quite a bit longer than saving up for a PC), but it just so happens that I prefer the look, feel, and functionality of Windows, not just the price.
BTW, I did upgrade my laptop to have 4gigs of RAM, bluetooth, and a faster hard drive(it came with a huge battery, so I didn't need to do anything there). The total price still came out to less than $1000. And its very reliable, I have never needed to have it repaired. What have you done to your computer? Oh, that's right, you cant even open the case. But you don't need to 'cause it's totally perfect(i.e. non-upgradeable), right?
How do Steve's balls taste?
Eh, isn't anybody tired of these lame arguments. I mean I guess it's not even worth mentioning that every new Mac that rolls off the line is a PC as well, right? And while I'm not defending the pricing on some of Apple's machines OSX is head and shoulders above MS Windows (any current flavor) and I use both daily. I think my biggest problem is that I don't understand how the company with the biggest market-share by a gigantic margin is so insecure that they need to go after Apple all the time. It's just this relentless, "we're better than Apple" thing. And don't get me wrong the Mac/PC ads from Apple aren't much better, but at least they're clever. UGH, I need a nap now.
So your tired of the arguments but willing to launch into one anyway.
Touche´
The laptops these people seem nice enough, it's just too bad they have to come with Windows. I'd pay more money for a beautifully made piece of hardware that runs a rock solid operating system flawlessly any time.
When you say beautifully made I presume you are referring to:
- the cracking hinges
- the mooing
- the overheating
- the melting magsafe adapter
- the discolouring plastic
- the failing graphics cards
- the dodgy displays
- the USB ports that nothing fits into
- the audio ports that don't work
- the incompatible RAM
- and so on...
And by rock solid OS I presume you are referring:
- to the frequent kernel panics
- the fact that it gets hacked in seconds
- the beachball of death
- the lack of backwards compatibility
- the lack of third party software
- and so on...
Apart from that they seem like they must be great. They certainly look like they must be the cool thing to have.
then why don't you pick up Leopard and see how much easier it is to use than windows? Mac people don't have to defend and get all grumpy. We're happy people with happy computers. I bet everyone's windows comp has frozen somehow while they're writing their little hate messages. Relax. I used to hate mac. Hate it. Until I got one. That's all there is to it. They ARE OVERPRICED. But they last and they do the job right and easy. Everything is so simple and comprehensive. It's really a battle of OS's and Mac's is better. Why do you think so many Vista users use "mac dock-like" emulators. They call it tricking their computers out. I call it.... default
Windows 7 BETA here, yes BETA.
And guess what, it has been rock solid for approximately 3 months now since I switched over to it as my primary OS.
As far as aesthetics go, it looks far slicker than anything out of Cupertino -- I mean really Apple, the steel/silver/white look within the OS is so 1990's, it has nothing on the Windows Aero interface, especially as implemented in Windows 7.
At the best buy in Fort Smith, which is a smaller big town, I see all kinds of people looking at apples, from the dirt poor who save up to get one, to the middle class hard worker, they are all walking out with them... We sell 4 or 5 a day. granted yes we sell more 400 and 500 dollar laptops, but you get what you pay for most of the time. I'm not particular to apple, i'm actually writing this on a desktop I built for gaming which cost me about 600 less than the entry level iMac that i'm using in conjunction with my new xbox 360 for TV, but I do see more and more apple sells in this """recession""" just goes to prove that people are sick of windows and want to try something new. Hell, i had one sell on a 1500 imac today from a couple in their 60's. They were just tired of virii and the normal stuff with windows.
Just my two cents.
SEXY is worth paying more money for, as long as you can afford it, IMO.
That said, I do think the unibody MacBooks are overpriced. I'm not pulling the trigger until they get SOME sort of spec bump, and retain that $1299 pricepoint.
Hi
I am a PC, and i dont have a clue.
Really?
Ha. I like that. Ready?
I'm a Mac and I don't care about this argument
Can't we all just relax?
did any of the mac fanboys on miss the fact that he said he needed something to accommodate his games...that pretty much shoot the mac down instantly..and i dont want to hear that bootcamp crap either because it got old a long time ago
Why did it get old? Because it's a viable solution and an actual answer for gaming on the Mac platform?
He's a little old for gaming anyway, don't you think? : ] Maybe he should try e-Harmony on his Macbook and get a job
Not on the 13 inch Macbook, with that 9400M.
Sure, you CAN run games, but to play them, you need a framerate that reaches at least double digits. and the first digit can't be 0.
If you want the best laptop for under 1500, you have to look at Gateway's FX series. I have the p7811 fx, and that thing is lightning quick...plays any game I throw at it and NEVER seems to lag...even though the processor runs at only 2.26, I think the DDR3 ram makes up for it. I'm a little pissed, I bought it for 1300, but I saw it on sale at my local Best buy for 1100...Seriously, best laptop under 1500 that you can buy.
true..those gateways are hella fast...faster than the fastest macbook pro
I have owned both PCs and Macs. I found my mac to be of better value. Yes, I paid over $1000 for it, but, I don't have to worry about replacing it to run the new OS in a year.
This is so funny, I won an HP HDX 20.2 inch 2.8ghz, 4gb 800mhz ddr2, 8800m gts 512mb.
I've had nothing but troubles - not bagging MS, I'm just saying that this is the second bad HP I've had :/
Microsoft Ads wont show you how Lauren and Giampaulo lost their peace of mind after buying Windows Vista :)) Vista ask your permission every time you change settings in control panel or whenever you want to open something. Time to time you will get 'alerts' from anti-virus program. Internet Explorer ask you whether to run activex or not. :)
Try to run Windows Media Player, Yahoo messenger and web browser at a time, if you just have Intel's integrated graphics and 1gb RAM (as come with Dells), you will know the actual face of Vista:)) No need to say how often it stuck and restarts itself. I had to buy 512Mb Nvidia graphic card and 4Gb RAM to run this Vista smoothly.
Giampaulo, your 4Gb RAM and Nvidia graphic card laptop is not a high-end configuration, it is minimum requirement for unnecessary-graphic power-hungry Vista.
Never trust any advertisement. All tells lie. They bring products prematurely to the market due to stay in the mainstream of business. You can see this in all sort of business - camera, cell phone, etc. Vista is a premature product between XP and Windows 7.
If you dont like Mac, get Ubuntu. If you are still adamant to buy Windows wait for Windows 7 :)
You don't know what you're talking about but it still took you 5 paragraphs to spit it out.