Microsoft Ads Makes More People Want Windows
The promise of cheaper laptops appears to make people prefer Windows.
It wasn’t a super cheery day for investors during Microsoft’s recent earnings call as the company reported its first profit drop in 23 years.
On the bright side, Microsoft’s Laptop Hunters ad campaign appears to be working. According to TechFlash, Microsoft’s own research shows a 10 percent increase in preference for Windows PCs since launching the TV spot series.
Microsoft didn’t reveal where or how it came to its 10 percent number, but inquiries have already gone to the Redmond company for more details.
This news came at the same time Apple reported a record quarter, though it was thanks to growth in the iPhone and iPod products. Macs saw a 3 percent drop.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft’s Laptop Hunters TV ads don’t do anything to push the Windows operating system. This is in contrast to Apple’s Mac and PC ads that attempt to highlight various perceptions of the Windows Vista operating system when compared to Mac OS X.
Instead, Microsoft’s latest ad campaign does more service to hardware manufacturers such as HP and Sony, pointing out that PC notebooks are far more affordable than MacBooks.
For one reason or another, that seems to make more people want Windows.
Check out all the Laptop Hunters commercials so far at the links below:

1) Price
2) Performance
3) Features
4) Customization (undervolting anyone?)
5) Compatibility
You see NO reason? *cough*dishonestfanboialert*cough*
I'm not CISCO, I'm a mere A+/geek/enthusiast. I have YET to manage to get Office to crash on me in Vista, and I use it every day. You must be really talented at configuring it.
This doesn't even make sense. If IE or Office crashes, it can be restarted in exactly 3 seconds just like when Safari crashes. Debug? REALLY? Sounds like you're trying pretty hard to make your case.
I use OS 10.4 and Vista as well, and what you just wrote is EXACTLY what I hate about Mac users. Both OS's are rock solid when configured correctly, and personally, my 10.4 has had applications crash far more frequently than my vista machine. MAIN POINT: on either system we're talking about so few crashes that to even discuss them is trivial.
If you REALLY have regular crashes on Windows, you may want to reconsider that certification or possible learn to test your hardware better. Windows Vista just works. Period.
HAHA... so true so true. Several manufacturers offer products superior to the MBP for $1k or more less. Amazing.
I wish I had a Mac for laptop... I keep on stealing my girlfriend's from time to time to work outside... on the other case she steals my powerhorse desktop PC... I believe that in this way I get the best of both worlds and I know how to use both => how to fix both.
Superior?
feed the trolls
I think if you actually read all the posts here you will find that the "people" here at tom's don't have a "pure hate on for mac products". In fact they are just being critical of outright fanboyism and trolls like this:
and what other os supports 10 10.1 and will eventualy 11 for graphics and games
Im running xp64 but it uses 9 vista uses 10 and so on I hate being dictated to by microsoft I dont want to get vister when windows 7 is just vista mark 2 and then the other day there talking about hirering people to start makeing windows 8 be it the server version
I have seen the little penguin but i no nothing about it
If I wanted to use another os what is the best out there even if it isnt as good as windows
Gazz
How do the slower G5 and G4 (they were never able to make a G5 laptop because of the heat/power draw) make the computer into a "proper Unix capable" one? The move to x86 didn't change any capabilities of the core OS.
The Intel switch made macs more useful because no matter what Jobs said, the PPC CPUs were inferior to Intel and AMD. Otherwise they wouldn't have switched. The disadvantage is that Macs are now essentially just IBM clones with some proprietary firmware and stuff to remove the artificial lock from OSX that keeps other IBM clones from running it.
Humans are social beings that want to feel like they belong in a group. Apple has made a very good job of making people who buy a Mac feel special while at the same time ridiculing Windows and its users. Microsoft has until now responded with nothing. Now they're saying people who buy Windows-based laptops are smart, resourceful, economic, educated etc.
I'm no wise guy but I’ll have a dig and say if any os,linux, osx, whatever os out there is as commonly popular as windows, no doubt there would be just as many attempts to test security flaws, given the variety of complex programs/sites already available to make the job easier.
People using alternate OS's are lucky in this regard... for now ;P
Just for the time that Windows costs me, because of crashes, configuration time, debug time, I chose Mac over windows. Yes I have my beast gaming machine but I never use it for anything else, because in my opinion, it's the only thing it does well.
Audio recording? Mac Movie Editing? Mac 3D graphics creation? Mac! text and e-mail? Mac (just because it doesn't crash in my face) Gaming? sure Windows hands down, but even then, for my games to work well, I need the latest OS version, Driver version, Game patch, and it's just more hassle. I'm running an older, fewer feature version of Mac (10.4) and I still find it more stable then windows (ans yes I've tried the 7 Beta as well)
Apple squanders their limited window of popularity in my opinion. If they would allow for clones, phystar for instance, then they could increase their base. People just don't want to spend alot of money on high priced mac stuff right now and that's why the new MS commercials work. By increasing their base they become more attractive for App developers so they get more games and so on. Probably the best time to have done this would have been at Vistas launch to ride on the public distaste of Vista, but now people are use to it so Apple would have more of a struggle.
amd athlonx2 2ghz 2gb ram 667 mhz
nvidia 8200m graphics
250gb hd
15.6 inch
thats pritty dam good for 4 bills