Stop the Noiz

Microsoft's Focus on 'Cheap' PCs Cuts Both Ways

Frank Fox - 2009.04.27 - Tip Jar

Popularity:

As I've said before, in the "Get a Mac" ad campaign, Apple is focused on screw ups with Vista and PCs in general being junk.

Apple is going to continue to reap the benefits of this argument until things get better, or at least until the opinion of PCs improves.

Steve Ballmer doesn't get this with his claims about the "Mac Tax". Sure, some PCs are cheap, but that doesn't create value. Even the word "cheap" creates the impression of shoddy or inferior to save on cost.

The Mac Tax argument does nothing to improve the public's opinion of Vista or PCs.

If I was HP, I'd be ticked that Microsoft used my product in its campaign to promote the low cost of Windows notebooks. HP, like everyone else, wants to sell its most expensive models. Microsoft did nothing to promote the sale of expensive PCs. Instead, we buy their product when we are broke and need a handout - or "aren't cool enough to own a Mac".

Linux Is Cheaper

The whole low-cost argument also works in favor of Linux over Windows. Why buy a Windows machine when you could get a cheaper Linux computer?

Apple's 'Legal Copy' ad

I guess Ballmer would switch his tune here and claim that value is more important than cost. It may be true, but it isn't good marketing to confuse the customer.

Apple's latest ads, such as "Legal Copy", show how ready it was for more attacks by Microsoft. It didn't even have to change its approach to respond to Microsoft. Nothing has changed with PCs.

Worse, Apple claims that for PCs will still crash years to come.

Microsoft, please let Windows 7 be good enough, or we will be stuck with "Get a Mac" ads for the next 141 years.

Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Recent Stop the Noiz Columns

Dell XPS 13 Takes on the MacBook Air, 2012.01.20. Although Apple's MacBook Air wasn't the first ultrabook, it set the standard. How does Dell's new XPS 13 compare?
10 Reasons iPhone Users Should Like Android, 2012.01.12. Android is good for Apple, because good competition creates better products and more innovation.
Will Apple Introduce Its Own TV or Just Improve Apple TV?, 2012.01.11. Steve Jobs claimed to have "finally cracked" TV, but does that mean Apple will be introducing its own TV set?
More in the Stop the Noiz index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.

Affiliates

Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay