Microsoft exec says Apple asked them stop airing Laptop Hunters ads
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 15th 2009 9:27PM
posted July 15th 2009 9:27PM
Apple may have publicly responded to Microsoft's Laptop Hunters ads with a counterpunch of its own back in May, but it looks like it may have been singing a slightly different tune behind the scenes more recently, at least according to Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Turner. Speaking at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference earlier today, Turner said that he knows the ads are working because "two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying [...] 'Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.'" Turner further went on to note that "they took like $100 off or something," before stating to applause that it "was the greatest single phone call in the history that I've ever taken in business" -- though he did apparently take a minute to ask: "Is this a joke? Who are you?" In case you're wondering, Turner also confirmed that Microsoft is indeed "just going to keep running them and running them and running them."
[Via Ars Technica]
[Via Ars Technica]
Good for Microsoft! This is nothing more than a case of sour grapes from Apple.
Price is the only thing a pc has over a mac. Especially when it comes to operating systems.
And Blu-Ray, HDMI, better GPUs, etc etc etc
Can't we all just get along???
NO!
Serves them right for those uber lame ass I'm A Mac commercial. Seriously, if you're gonna make dumb commercials like those then at least let Microsoft make something just as lame.
I kind of wish microsoft just copied the mac vs pc adds but turned them to show flaws about the mac and pretty much just parody them. They have some pretty funny ones on youtube.
If you believe this, your insane. Dream on!
I have to buy a PC because I can become a black guy with a hottie like Olivia....SOLD!!!
those ads are horrible. no matter what apple says, microsoft should stop airing them. the only people they're convincing are the people who already have windows machines. and no I'm not going to call them PCs, because they're ALL PERSONAL COMPUTERS. these ads are designed to convince people that dont already have a preference that PCs are better because they're cheaper. most people already have a preference of OS X or Windows. and if they don't, then they probably know that apple machines are somewhat better build quality then many cheap windows machines. would you really buy crappy KIRFs from china that don't even work rather than a fully functioning original, just to save a few bucks?
"these ads are designed to convince people that dont already have a preference that PCs are better because they're cheaper. most people already have a preference of OS X or Windows"
So then how are they horrible? They are accomplishing what their purpose is, correct? I mean that's just what you've stated. I don't see how they can be horrible then.
Actually most people *posting comments on this blog* have a preference on OS. Most people don't give a crap, they just want to turn the computer on and do whatever it is they want to do. So if price is a main concern for them, these ads show where the advantage is. Now, about quality... it's very debatable.
And BTW, you do realize Apple machines are also made in China, right?
@jordan, I worded that first sentence wrong, I meant to say that they're very annoying. and I agree that they serve their purpose. I just think microsoft could find a less annoying way to serve that purpose.
@DivinoAG yes it is very debatable. and yes a lot of people don't give a crap what OS their computer runs. but there are a lot of people posting comments on/reading this blog who do have a preference. And yes I know that apple machines are made in china. that doesn't change the fact that they're well built machines. and so are thinkpads. and many other computers. but apple probably has better machines than half the laptops you'll find in a best buy or wherever they are in the ad.
@lolwecsan: of course they build better machines than half of the options available. But that is the thing with Windows machines: there are options. You can get a very simple and cheap machine that gets the job done but doesn't have the best build quality, or you can get a top-shelf machine that will also be more expensive (tho usually still cheaper than Macs; but not always).
That is not the point being made on the ads however. They are about price. And you can get better (i.e. more powerful) Windows machines with a lot less money than the Apple equivalent.
Is it a slight distortion of reality? Yes, of course. But that's advertisement: finding the best "version" of reality to make your product look better than the competitor's. Just like Apple's ads, when they made an "I'm a Mac" ad mocking Windows for having long "fine lines" for everything, and then the next week they launch the iPhone 3GS with two full pages of fine lines right on the website.
So, the ads are just fine, for what they are trying to do. Can you blame Microsoft for trying to make money? They are a business, just like Apple.
This is hilarious. Wow, Apple is afraid and actually asks the competition to stop after years of I'm a mac/I'm a PC crappy ads. Hilarious. Fail for Apple.
This is just a Microsoft propaganda. Never on Apple's wildest dream to contact MS about this silly ad. The ad has always an emphasis that the buyer always interested on Apple first, overall the ad benefits Apple itself. Unlike the Apple's switching ad Bill Gates did complain about the ad he said to that Apple should stop making their switching ad. Now Microsoft wants an attention so bad that they even want to bring this thing out. Fail!
Bill Gates didnt whine when he bailed apple out of the toilet either, but jobs goesw on bashing eh? ( look it up you panseys, for those old enough to remember m$ bailed Apple out of a big fix)
APPLE = bunch of pussies
Microsoft is hitting them where it hurts, price point and amount of ram/harddrive/speed per price. Apple can try to run ads showing that you "get more" for your money, but in an economy where cheaper price is the winner, people don't honestly care
So the topic here is ? er, Apple just realized M$'s game is run them out of biz by forcing them to lower their prices ....ah, quite clear the fruity company enjoys all those high sales figures?
I wonder what pills M$ have in stock for google .....
Only a matter of time before legal reps from google calls M$
$100 off on a Mac is like taking a $1000 off of on a brand-new sports car. The savings pale in comparison to the full price.
Wrong. The bottom of the line Aluminum Mac Book which was $1299 has been replaced by the 13" Mac Book Pro is $1199 (over 9% discount) and is a better computer. That was a valiant effort though.
Show me a "sports car" that improves, and reduces the price by 9-10%.
Maybe I'm wrong, but the bottom of the line MBP that got replaced was 15 inches wasn't it? Now replaced by a 13 inch as the bottom of the line? If this is true, 100 dollars less is bunch of crap.
Yes jordan you are wrong. The price point of the cheapest aluminium macbook was $1299, now it is $1199, thats for the 13" model and it got quite a bit better in the process. The 15" models didnt get cheaper as such but they got better, and a lower end varient was added at a cheaper price.
They are telling them to stop airing them due to the fact that they "quote" the wrong prices in the commercial........
RIGHT! Which means, MS has to spend money to remove their Ad's, and spend even more money to air some more. Apple is not dumb, neither is Microsoft. It's all about competition and I like how they compare specs, because their kinda the same. People can rant all they want about cars and stuff in comparison, the analogy is a bad one. Computer parts are computer parts, apple uses the least expensive parts they can buy, put them into an aluminum body and add in the apple logo for additional value, and play on people's ignorance that paying more $$$ will get you better things.
Gap and Banana Republic is rediculously expensive and are bland in colors, kinda like Apple's color schemes. Macy's Levi's and Dockers, even Ross are almost 25% to 50% less then Gap inc all together, and they are practically the same comfort and fit, but have better design palletes.
I'm a Mac & PC owner, and quite honestly, they both are the same deal. http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/9349/9349_mac_vs_pc.jpg
But technically, even with Apple's changed prices, the ads are not false advertising. What they ads say is that a consumer went out and a Mac cost $X while a comparable (comparable as far as technical specs) PC cost $Y, where Y
I want to see Apple run their legal threatening mouth against a giant that can consume it 10X without any hesitation..
Then M$ will show Apple it is really the biggest software giant on Earth and puts it mouth where its $$ is...
I imagine Apple will run out of biz by the time the legal issues get ironed out..
I love these commercials. They make it look like Wintel PC's are so cheap. They forget to add in Office, Anti-Virus, Etc. Then of course you will need my time to pull the latest trojan off the computer once it becomes hopelessly infected with cyber herpes. I am no fan-boy, but my 13 year old talked me into a Mac and in 5 years I haven't needed to work on it. Since then I have had 3 laptops and 2 networks.....
Johnny "I love these commercials. They make it look like Wintel PC's are so cheap. They forget to add in Office, Anti-Virus, Etc. Then of course you will need my time to pull the latest trojan off the computer once it becomes hopelessly infected with cyber herpes. I am no fan-boy, but my 13 year old talked me into a Mac and in 5 years I haven't needed to work on it. Since then I have had 3 laptops and 2 networks....."
Your son must of also forgot that the reason Mac's Operating Systems don't get trojans or many viruses is because that Windows owns about 90-95% of the operating system market. People that like to create those trojans and what not believe that creating the code for Macs is useless and also believe that 90-90% of the operating system market is bigger target to hit. Your point? Kind of a fail if you ask me. If windows were to be that remanding 5-10% of the market you would also, again, never see a trojan like you do now. Phew, thats over.
Ever heard of OpenOffice and AVGFree??
Anyways, you have to be pretty friggin stupid to get a virus, clicking the links in all of those popups and installing anything when prompted to do so.
You also need to buy Office for Mac. And you can buy the notebook and the antivirus for less than the Mac. Or you can just use a free antivirus, there are plenty of options out there.
Sorry, but those arguments are very short-sighted. I fully understand and support anyone who says they just prefer using Macs because it works better FOR THEM, but no pricing, build quality or feature comparison is anything more than an attempt of twisting reality.
I use Windows because it runs the software I need to use, the games I want to play, and because I don't like how some interface features work on OSX. No hate towards Apple or anything like that, I just prefer Windows, fully aware of its problems and advantages.
You do what your 13 year old son tells you to do?
How come I'm not suprised that you have a Mac?
The only thing really that Microsoft banks on in these commercials is that a PC costs less than a Mac and they know that. That's why these commercials never get into the true specs and OS they run. If it's a Microsoft commercial then why aren't they talking about Vista and what it can do... You'd think you'd want to tout your software, if thats you bank on.
My guess is that they feel that showing the former prices of computers is false advertising on their part.
I hate just looking at that kid, he just annoys me... but I can't believe that apple legal would call, granted the ads are old news now, and granted most normal computer users shouldn't be buying $2000 laptops, if you want a "big screen and good battery life for $49!!!" then macs aren't for you, go buy the kia, ill take the BMW thats how i look at the mac vs PC price debate.
That kia vs BMW analogy doesnt really work seeing that BMW costs more because they actually have a better car. Lets say that Car A costs twice as much as Car B, they both have the same engine, suspension, chassis, tires, ect. They both perform pretty much the same one may be a little better at this and the other one better at that. But Car A has a slightly nicer paint job and a few aluminum parts where Car B had plastic. Is the huge price difference worth it? For some yes but most no.
Brilliantly said James,
and if someone also uses the argument that Macs are expensive because they have higher specs then most PC's, remember the keyword... MOST, meaning not all, and there is definatly a PC that has the same/higher specs then a mac, for cheaper or same price
Apple wants Microsoft to stop those ads because they are sooooo terrible. It would be for Microsoft's own good to stop them...
I have to ask: if Microsoft's strategy is based on low costs, why shouldn't consumers choose Linux? That's even cheaper.
Duh. Because Linux is a cancer, and it's unreliable software made by a bunch of stupid hippies in their spare time. With Microsoft you pay for quality software and world-class technical support! The real argument is that Microsoft's software is priced *perfectly*, neither too high nor too low.. while Apple is just ripping you off.
But apple has been blatantly lying in their commercials for years!! Now they are complaining because a commercial says they are expensive, when they have reduced them from stupid expensive down to dumb expensive.
The hilarious thing is listening to all the Mac fanbois trying to convince everyone that their laptops are just expensive, not OVERPRICED. There is a big difference.
Its not like a BMW vs a Hyundai, as thats a tangible difference in hardware, but with most Macs its the exact same hardware as another competitor at about a 40% markup, and is more akin to designer jeans, where you're paying for a label. Its the only legal way to get OSX, so if a legal OSX license is worth $500 to you, then by all means have at it. If not... seriously, wake up, lol!!!!
As the proud owner of a Thinkpad T60 hackintosh, the legal OS X license is probably worth it; I'm just too cheap to spend my own money for an Apple laptop right now. The freebie work Thinkpad is good enough, but don't kid yourself into thinking OSx86 is trouble-free. Anyway, for comparable hardware/form factor, you're probably only talking ~$200 markup, not $500. Then again I'm only interested in the 13" MBP.
I found your designer jeans comparison strangely apt. Maybe it's how they look - fabrics and wash (design), maybe it's the tailoring and fit (OS), or maybe IT IS the swallow association of luxury, I chose to wear designer jeans and use a mac. But it's just like different jeans for different people, we shouldn't read too much into it.
The fact still remains that Microsoft produced these commercials to start with because they were getting concerned that they were losing market share to Apple.
They definitely shouldn't be able to run the ad where the "filmmaker" says "this is the best Mac for under $2k and it only has 2GB of memory". That is false advertising.
I'm not quite sure why Apple would have that kind of reaction to the Microsoft ads. Yes, Macs are priced higher, you are paying a premium to have an "adorable" product. Macs are priced higher, you are basically paying for the Apple symbol, like when you buy a luxury car, you are more or less paying for the badge at the front and back of the car, the insides aren't all that special. Microsoft is using the price as its main focus of attack on Mac, but really its because they produce the operating system, that can be put into any machine, including a Mac, whereas the Apple is making the OS and the hardware for the Macs. Its really not a "fair" advertisement...in that regard, but at the same time the "I'm a Mac" commercials aren't all that accurate either (for example, I've had a PC all my life and have NEVER had a virus or malware...then again I'm not an idiot and use my computers with great care. Either way, its going to be interesting to see how this plays out...personally, I'm more interested in the Apple/Palm war about iTunes.
As someone who has a great interest in both cars and technology, I strongly disagree. I think in both cases you typically get what you pay for; companies that overcharge and underdeliver rarely survive. But then again, I have a knee-jerk reaction against fashion; i wear old jeans and whatever t-shirts vendors give away for free.
You're certainly right that the Apple/Palm war is vastly more interesting -- both from a "is this good or bad for Apple" standpoint, and also from technical standpoint.
This laptop hunters is just a stupid spat about marketing. I find it hilarious that Apple would whine about something so stupid.
Companies that overcharge and under deliver don't prosper? UHHHH... Monster Cables, Sony, Bose. Care to modify that statement that clever marketing with huge markups rather than high volume can produce great profits? ;)