Sheila the Laptop Hunter picks a PC, keeps it civil
By Paul Miller 
posted April 30th 2009 8:12PM
posted April 30th 2009 8:12PM
posted April 30th 2009 8:12PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Did anyone notice how in every single one they get an HP?
cept that sony
Because they are actors just like John Hodgman and Justin Long are actors. I never hear anyone complaining that those "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC" commercials have actors.
Just deal with it. Mac been hitting on PC for years with those stupid commericals. While these commercials are somewhat pointless, at least you see a different person and some color; not just a white background and Hodgman making PCs look like they are worthless.
Newsflash, more Mac users still need Windows to do certain tasks (hence advertising of Boot Camp) while most Windows users don't need Mac OS X.
because the Mac ads dont try to pretend their actors arent actors?
if you're gonna be butthurt over an ad, at least choose a proper argument.
@JAmerican
The 'I'm a Mac' Apple commercials aren't pretending to be legit in-the-field tests though. Everyone knows that Apple's commercials, while bias, are by actors.
Having Microsoft implying falsehoods is just going to piss people off, it's pretty obvious manipulation.
Also, MacBook RAM costs very little and is easy to upgrade. Lame points all around for anyone with basic knowledge of both systems.
@Who?
Let us say that these are in fact actors:
1. How is this going to piss off people
2. And why is it manipulation?
3. Where does Microsoft state that these are "Not Actors"?
JAmerican,
Newsflash. Apple hasn't promoted Boot Camp since 2007 at the latest. Possibly 2006 as far as I can tell.
We're fine with actors in commercials. Unfortunately, Microsoft has been trying to push these "reality" commercials for far too long. It isn't real life. It's a set up. I've never understood testimonials anyway. Does anyone really aspire to be like the people in these commercials? Yuck!
This video editor, I'm sure, is also not a "real person". As the article points out, and I can personally testify to, a video editor never makes a hardware purchase first. They're either an Avid user, or an FCP user. That's what you make your purchase based upon.
Seriously...HP?
Just grab an Alienware and call it a day already.
I'm definitely a fan of Windows, but to be honest, that was the first 'laptop hunter' ad that I didn't cringe at.
My friend bought a 17" alienware and sent it back right away because it was as big as a lunch tray, weighed a shit-ton, and had 45 minutes of battery life. I think the whole idea of gaming laptop is dumb. You can get a desktop that doesn't have over-expensive underpowered parts that's better at gaming, you can get a small form factor PC or barebone from Shuttle that has similar portability to a laptop but isn't handicapped by using laptop parts.
Alienware "gaming" laptop.
Mediocre gaming compared to desktop rig.
Terrible portability compared to regular laptop.
@Saad Rabia
3. The key word of my post was 'implying', I don't think anyone would argue that they imply these people were chosen randomly and only told they could buy a laptop valued at $___.
2. Implied falsehoods are one of the cornerstones of manipulation!
1. Being manipulated (and knowing about it) is definitely not conducive to a happy mood.
Liftoff! And I just turned around the argument... literally!
@saad rabia
1. people who actually know the benefits of both computers
2. they're getting someone who supposed to be a "film maker" yet goes to frys not knowing what she wants....then puts down a mac (could have been any pc) because it only has 2gb of ram...how is that not manipulation...there are tards out there who will see that and take her "opinion" as a credible source of information, which it hardly is
3. doesn't matter to me if they are or aren't, truth is, whether they're actors or not, they're biased. They have an incentive to buy PC.
Either way, anyone who decides not to buy a mac or buy a pc because of these commercials, they deserve whatever shit computer they get.
@who?
last time i checked today, MAC ram wasn't cheaper...its $1000 to upgrade the mac book pro RAM to 4gb...its only a $280 upgrade to 8gb for an HP...and even with that upgrade for the HP, its still a few thousand lower in price then the mac book pro.
I just built this online
# Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
# – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9800 (2.93GHz)
# – 6GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
# – 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
# – 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
# – 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
# – 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
# – Full Size Backlit Keyboard
# – 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
for $2000 after a coupon and instant online rebate.
Try to match that Apple fanboys.
It is nice, though, that the Mac ads are subtle, and they don't look like they're trying too hard to sell their product. Mac ads are simple, short, and to the point, these new PC ads just seem like creative ways to get cheap shots at Apple.
Alright, my bad. They used an HP 3/4 times. Nobody finds that even a bit unusual? I mean, how many laptop manufacturers are there? Surely there's some that have similar computers for reasonable prices that Microsoft could feature (mostly thinking of Dell here).
@zalcron
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146877
Two of those=4GB for less than $50 after you sell the built-in 2GB.
zalcron=FAIL!!
Also, I wasn't disputing the fact that these are or aren't real; they're obviously not (as in, these are actors). I'm pointing out the fact that the producers picked HPs most of the time.
LOL, these commercials always make me laugh. They never compare apples to apples. Excuse the pun. But really look at what she got a Duo 2.0 Gz 16" 4gb HP HDX for 2k. One she paid way too much for that laptop. But anyways, the 15" apple with the duo 2.4 gz with all the same specs is $174.00 more. Man, wow that's such a difference.
It's like asking someone to choose between a Scion XD and a Mini Cooper with a difference of $200.00. hmm i wonder.
I need a shot at this commercial, I would make it where they can do an honest comparison and show a real tight PC build that really can compete.
so she's a pc and an artist? what is she using to edit video, windows movie maker? any legit filmmaker uses final cut pro.
@chris:
Uh, Adobe Premier is pretty darn great. Also, I think Sony uses Sony Vegas for Sony Pictures films, which aren't bad either.
Stop putting your head in a bucket, and realize there are great alternatives out there, that don't require a Mac. Adobe Premier and Sony Vegas both work on Windows, you know. It's not just Windows Movie Maker.
@Greg
I worked at an electronics retailer, selling mostly computers and I'd say at least 4/5 people (probably more) bought an HP over Toshiba, Acer, Sony, etc. There were also a few of those die hard Sony fans though, that wouldn't look at anything except Sony..
Hi, I'm a graphics designer and I need 64 Bit Photoshop.
Hi, I'm a mac, and I'm out. Peace.
@Proud Japanese
# Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
@ Chris:
Adobe Premiere Pro. Works great. On an HP.
@ MK:
64 bit - still rocking CS3 huh?
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/04/03/photoshop-cs4-64-bit-in-windows-only-32-bit-in-os-x/
I'm not knocking CS3, just letting you know. Peace.
@Quikboy
You used it's recent incarnation? Typical fucking Adobe, Cak cak cak.
@ Proud Japanese
Cool specs that all go to hell when you run Vista on it. I can't stand people who whip out a price comparison. So Freaking what if you spec out the ultimate laptop, it's got Windows on it! Why can't Windows users understand this???? Keep your Swine flu machine away!
@chris
Dude, that was a pretty dumb post.
I'm a Mac user. I'm a videographer. I've done somewhere in the neighborhood of four-hundred hours worth of footage in the last year. In that time, all of it has been edited using Final Cut. I love final cut. Think it's great. I don't plan on switching to anything else any time soon.
However, I came to the decision to use Final Cut very carefully. There are a million things one considers when choosing a platform to edit on. I've got experience with Vegas, Premier, and Avid in addition to FC. I tested many different pieces of software before deciding that my business was going to be Mac based and utilize FC. I can honestly say that the reasons I chose FC might be reasons another videographer would choose Avid. The software it integrates with, the software it's packaged with, the built in filters, available third party software, layer management, and a whole slew of other things are factors in making your choice. This is a long term investment, and once you've bought enough third party plugins and supporting software, you more or less become married to it.
If you're going to bash the woman in the commercial, don't bash her for choosing Windows as her platform, bash her for choosing her computer before her software, or for looking for the cheaper investment rather then the most productive investment (not that I'm judging either investment as more productive because I don't know her workflow).
Besides, why is she choosing a laptop as her editing machine?
@Chris Dunning
Because sometimes people want to take their computer with them. Yes, even people who work with video.
JAmerican,
The corollary to your first argument is that Mac users have orders of magnitude more Windows experience than the average Windows user has Mac experience.
This means that the average Mac user is much better to understand why they choose the Mac, while the average Windows user doesn't know enough to make an informed choice.
I think this ad was the weakest out of this ad campaign. I saw 4GB of RAM at 1066 mhz today for $55 on Redflagdeals. She dismissed the Macbook Pro because of the amount of the stock RAM. And does it really take that long to shop for a laptop? The ad started at mid-afternoon and ended with her in the parking lot in the evening.
@bootareen
That was how long it took to train her in and get her to follow the script correctly. She kept on going for the desktops because they had the most RAM. Go figure...
@MK
Hi, I'm a photographer and I need 16 Bit printing from Photoshop.
Hi, I'm a PC, and I'm out. Peace.
@Proud Japanese
That's all very exciting but how can I put this - if Mac owners were interested in a PC then we'd buy a PC. Specifications do not make the computer - software does.
Honestly, these commercials are not really meant for us. Most engadget readers are tech savvy. We already know the pros and cons of choosing windows or OSX, and people choose their OS accordingly. These commercials are meant for the average-joe consumer. So while we can debate we she chose to buy a laptop, and what editing software she is going to use, etc it doesnt really change the general message of the ad. These commericals, just as all commercials (including the "Im a Mac" ads), are meant to promote your products positives over the competition, while ignoring your products flaws.
I like the ads if only for the fact that competition helps the consumer in the end.
JAmerican, Justin Long and John Hodgman are not acting like customers. They're acting like computers. That's the difference. These "Windows" ads show actors impersonating customers.
HP? Sony? Real Windows users get Thinkpads!
And butt ugly too!
LOL they filmed this at the Fry's electronic store in Fountain Valley, CA. Interesting
@ Proud Japanese
That sounds good but, I would also like to be able to make an appointment and go somewhere to sit with a tech and ask questions about my new computer if I need to. Also, I would like to got to workshops about the software that came with my computer for building web pages, managing photos, making movies, creating DVD's etc.
How much extra is that?
@zalcron
"last time i checked today, MAC ram wasn't cheaper...its $1000 to upgrade the mac book pro RAM to 4gb..."
WHAT???
it costs $100 to get APPLE to upgrade the ram for you. NOT $1000. Are you touched in the head??
@mxpxp86
Wanna tell me the advantages 64 bit Photoshop has over 32 bit?
I mean, I know people that shop circles around CS4 users with photoshop 4. It is the user, not the tool.
You're a Mac.
You're a PC.
I don't give a shit what the fuck either of you buy. You both are still going to pay me $100 an hour to support the fucking thing.
@Blackstar
"You both are still going to pay me $100 an hour to support the fucking thing."
Except that AppleCare support is a one-time payment of $300 for three years of unlimited support.
@ Greg
When Applecare and/or their techs comes to your home on demand, then you come to me, we'll talk.
How come they always choose hps?
cause the couldn't find the dells
They don't. See above comment.
HP > Dell > anything > Nothing > Apple