This is the right approach. Windows users are losers who live in trailer parks. Of course money is important.
Think of how many cigarette packs they can buy with the savings.

XD if you look at the comments in the youtube channel its funny!

Eh, i'm up for any ad that stops the Apple brainwashing. People need to know that Macs aren't more technologically advanced than PC's.

But, i do agree that HP, Dell, etc should be the ones advertising this. Meanwhile MS should focus on advertising the features that makes their OS more desirable.

I remember a Mac ad from a year or more back advertising their "unique" feature that would automatically backup your system every day without prompting, thus saving the users data in case of a system failure. Where was MS? They should have been advertising System Restore the next day.

But i digress. Yes, their marketing strategy is questionable.

I live in a trailer park? Thank you for opening my eyes! My Ubuntu Notebook had pulled the shades over my eyes, and I forgot all about the dump I had been living in.

I liked the add and I think that it works. Why plaster the add with the Windows logo when you can bash apple and sell product at the same time. I am also in the same boat as the guy in the add. I wanted a Mac Book but when I looked at the price tag I decided to go for a sony VAIO instead.

I wouldn't acknowledge Apple as a threat to begin with. They have a small market share and it actually shrank in 2008. Their numbers are skewed to begin with because of academic "requirements" to purchase one in some universities. You always know when someone has got over that hump around here because there is a flood of the things that they "wanted so bad" for sale.

Microsoft's ads would be a lot more impressive if they weren't so obviously scripted - and if they were advertising a product that was stable, reliable, and reasonably priced. Microsoft products are unstable, unreliable, and priced outrageously (not to mention the dizzying array of "flavors" of their flagship operating system - how is Joe Consumer supposed to guess which one he really needs?).

i would say more students are "required" to purchase pcs than macs. especially for med school, law, and engineering. be careful before using blanket statements like that roofus.

They are relating to the majority of computer users. If you buy a PC you are buying M$. The adds don't have to advertise a particular product to be successful. Everyone of you remembers the Bill/Jerry adds because they were funny and didn't push a product down your throats.

I honestly don't think this will cause Apple execs to raise too many eyebrows. Apple long ago decided they don't WANT to be a larger company on the scale of Microsoft, and they don't want tens of millions of people using their computers. Otherwise, they'd have to increase their support staff multi-fold in order to handle all of the users (hence, less money in the big guy's pockets). They seem to be completely happy and content in the fact that there is a subculture of Apple zombies who will buy anything with the logo on it with no questions. Most of us are bright enough to realize that buying a computer with half the processing power for twice the price isn't a good deal, so we can be happy in knowing we're not getting the shaft for the sake of a Titanium case and glowing piece of fruit on the cover. Let the others enjoy their fruit.

Fair enough but I still maintain it wasn't worth the $10 million they paid Seinfeld.

This is possibly one of the worst ad campaigns in history. The apple ads (i'm a mac, i'm a pc) are not at all about how sexy a mac is (although they are sexy). The ads are about functionality, the earliest ones were about not having viruses or crashing. This is Microsoft's version of the anti-Obama ad calling him the world's biggest celebrity, and ignoring all of his substantive policies. Just because something looks good, does not mean that it is functionally better on the inside. Apple's ads have never been about what processor you get, the hardware is a platform on which the software functionality is served. Microsoft still doesn't get it, and they only make software.

I think it's a great ad. I'm not "anti-Apple", per se, as I own an iPod Touch and it's an amazing device. But not everyone can afford their "premium". I especially don't appreciate how Apple locks everything down, and places you in their own little jail. PCs have much more flexibility, are easier and cheaper to upgrade and customize, and, all around, provide more 'bang for the buck'.

come on guys, APPLE is selling products with high prices but the hardware is not good enough. Its like a person with a nice look but have no money.

I wonder if Microsoft wouldn't rather spend that 300 Million in solving ALL of the Windows Vista problems!
If I stand correct, I use both Vista and MacOS (in diferent laptops) and I work much faster in Mac: let's see, the software doesn't take so long to load or close, as I close down the lid, it goes into sleep mode, I lift the lid it wakes up instantaniously, weights half as much as the PC and looks great!
I sincerely hope Microsoft works out a better OS with Windows 7 a gives Apple a run for their money (competition is healthy!) but I can't see how! For years they got money from customers who bought windows and other Microsoft software because their wasn't anything BETTER in the market, now that there is, everybody goes to a SIMPLER computer with EASIER software (Apple Mac's come preloaded with a bunch of software). As an example I just bought a PC for desk and my Graphic board and motherboard don't bring any MPEG2 decoder for DVD! DVD MAN!!!!! Old fossil optical discs! In my mac I just get it in the drive and open front row (which by the way supports IR remote natively) but in the PC I had to download an extra codec! (freeware in this case)!

Say what you will about being against Windows, BUT.....the FACT REMAINS that 94% of the entire world's needs are done with Windows. That includes everything from cash registers, bridges, navigation, you name it! Unless and until that HUGE STATISTIC changes much toward another OS, I'll stick with the proven leader! Enough said! (If you can't keep windows running right, either you try to tweak too much without knowing what you are doing to start with, or you just don't "GET IT!") Gotta ask yourself why YOU are having so many problems while the world sails on. Would be nice if third-party software developers got wiser.

Windows runs most of the entire WORLD'S computers, whatever they do. THAT is a FACT. Why go with anything less? For me, I will stick with the leader.

Say what you will about being against Windows, BUT.....the FACT REMAINS that 94% of the entire world's needs are done with Windows. That includes everything from cash registers, bridges, navigation, you name it! Unless and until that HUGE STATISTIC changes much toward another OS, I'll stick with the proven leader! Enough said! (If you can't keep windows running right, either you try to tweak too much without knowing what you are doing to start with, or you just don't "GET IT!") Gotta ask yourself why YOU are having so many problems while the world sails on. Would be nice if third-party software developers got wiser.

Windows runs most of the entire WORLD'S computers, whatever they do. THAT is a FACT. Why go with anything less? For me, I will stick with the leader.

the only part i find interesting is that this 'guy' cared about battery life, yet buys a laptop that reviews claim under 2 hours battery life..now I don't really like attack ads in general, but if your gonna do it at least pick a better choice than a ~15 pound, desktop replacement

But these ad's scream to me as hp paying microsoft to do the ads, in both commercials they both end up with hp laptops? It's not like they are the only laptop maker in town

Microsoft - being a software company is totally missing the point here. I mean kudos to HP for getting free adverts!

Not trying to start anything here, but Jobs was right when he said it's all about "software software software". Why is Microsoft advertising hardware?

I think Microsoft would be better spending the money on windows itself, making sure their next operating system doesn't suck as bad as Vista.
Microsoft do very well at advertising and hyping stuff up. What they don't get is that its more important that the product itself is good.

IMO, I think microsoft is taking the right tack. They are advertising hardware, sure, but that is what microsoft is good at: playing nice. They can be a jerk sometimes, but the idea of MS is that they place nicely with hardware and software, or at least moreso than Apple. You GET the choice, the price flexibility, and the software expansion. Microsoft IS the company of "And me" (All of your choices of software, and me) not "Only me." (only the hardware we give you, and only me) Advertising that you can use it with other people's brand is a big deal, imo. Windows 7 will sell itself thanks to the hype-machine.

Microsoft just doesn't get it, so they take aim before shooting themselves in the foot. The youtube site is funny and will probably top a million viewers quickly. The most informative comments are from people that have used both macs and PCs. It should be a warning to all the so-called tech-savvy people out there to get a breath of fresh air.

We are still in the dark ages of computers. And the way the world is going right now it might get darker before it gets light. Life basically boils down to the haves vs the have-nots. Most of the world is in the later category. Internet forum chit-chat mostly comes from the former. Twenty years from now after a few more Katrinas and Iraq wars, Gianpaulo might be sitting around a campfire boiling his shoes, and wondering if the case on that 16" console would work as a chicken incubator. Then he would be happy he didn't choose the Mac with its smaller footprint.

Cool! I hope it turns into the Cola Wars or the Burger wars of back in the day! Apple has been, is, and will always be style over substance.

I do not think the general public splits hairs between hardware and software manufacturers. They know PC runs windows, windows runs almost all software. To them, PC = Windows. Also note that Microsoft does offer all these PCs, in fact, it is the support of Windows drivers that allows all the hardware options that PCs offer. It is the single biggest seperation between an Apple and PC. Apple only supports specific hardware, you cannot upgrade to anything they do not allow you to, or move OS X to just any Windows computer, but you can load Windows onto any new Mac.

Jane, without actually knowing the person, would you be more inclined to chat with a Windows or Mac guy if they behave and dress the same? (Subconscious attraction?)

Mac might be for posers but there is nothing wrong with being a successful poser. MS is not helping itself with these commercial.

I'll first post this, so I don't get entangled into Mac/PC debates

I like these Microsoft ads. I like the "Life without walls" message. And I like how they pretty normaly tell everyone that they DO have a choice, and that choice is HUGE. This is the No1 message these adds give to general public..

Guy enters store and there are dozens of different models -> CHOICE
Life without walls -> CHOICE
Sexy is nice if you like it but you have.. -> CHOICE

And at the end, they tell you that MICROSOFT (& Windows) give you this huge freedom of CHOICE.

So I don't think this is bad way to advertise. Microsoft isn't about letting people know that Windows exist, everyone knows about Microsoft and Windows. It's about brand management, and making sure that people start believing that Microsoft Windows is about taking care about customers needs, no matter how big or small they are. Making sure that people change their view of "Windows is bad" "Microsoft is evil".

So yes, this is well spent money. Ofcourse, 300 mil is way too much for any campaign, but I guess that's the price if you want to change minds of hundereds of millions of people But it's investition in (brand!) future as well.

OK, now I can go read comments and start flaming in MAc vs PC debates , heheh

OK, I've got to say this - this is perfect example of thinking about computers in a VERY WRONG way. Computers ARE a platform, a complete product. This is exactly the thing that Apple doesn't get, and in my opinion big part of anti-Apple side of these ads.

For the last 5 years or so Apple sells LOOKS and OSX. But they completely fail in the rest of the equation, specialy on the desktop. Good PC, be it Apple or any other, is only as good as it's weakest part. And if they sell a 2500$ desktop that has 50$ graphics card in it - than it failed. And let's make it clear, Apple is selling PLATFORM more than any other PC manufacturer in the world. Why? Because it is extending on devices like phones, mp3 players, portable video players, TV-boxes and so on. And they want you to buy everything-Apple once you're caugh onto just one of their products. So if you have strategy that is so much "platform-driven" and you can't even make your center product (PC) balanced and well designed (technicaly, not in the looks), than you're not doing a good business.

So it's a very good thing what MS does in these ads - basicaly showing people that you can buy various laptops that look like they were "made just for you", and making sure that you tell people that this variety is NOT something that Apple provides.

IMHO, this is smart marketing. Heavily on the psychology of the non-techie masses.. Advanced users know this already, in one way or another.

I remember when Microsoft said they were pushing $300 into advertising and everyone starting to talk negative about it. I always wondered how much Apple puts into its advertising. That one actor is getting bigger and I doubt the 15% off Apple stuff is the only thing he gets paid and the commercials are everywhere. I neutral about the Apple and PC thing, I think they both have their places.

Because it's not all about software. It's all about balancing needs of a user with software functions AND hardware behind it.
As an example, you can imagine perfect software for video editing costing 500$. And than you install it on sub-standard laptop hardware, let's say Celeron of some kind, with 512MB RAM and integrated SiS VGA.. So hardware not costing much more than this one video editing app. Will the user get a good expirience? What about exchanging this setup for a way better desktop PC that costs 750$ but offers better CPU, much more RAM (which comes cheap), and a discrete GPU. Now use a 50$ video editing app on this, and I guess that user will be liking it much more. Why? Because of the overall expirience. He spent less money, and gets a jobe done quicker, even though software doesn't have all the bells and whisles.. but it has good hardware behind it.

Balance - a holy grail of computing.
Basicaly holy grail of everything..
You sure wouldn't want to drive Smart with 18" wheels (just example ). Well, maybe someone would like it at first, maybe it would look good from outside, but I doubt he'd get far driving it

what the hell kind of remark is that.

do you really think that paying extra money for an apple product is worthed? i don't think so.

I agree, Jane, they should be advertising Windows 7 more - a commercial that runs the same time length as these Giampaulo/Lauren ones would be plenty of time to explain Windows 7's new features and advantages over Vista/XP.

But still, I feel like Microsoft should be doing both - defending itself against Apple while advertising their software. So far, it's been more of the former.