Stop the Noiz

Are PC Users Losers?

Frank Fox - 2009.03.31 - Tip Jar

Popularity:

Why all the drama over a Microsoft ad?

Lauren, the star of Microsoft's new ad
Lauren, star of Microsoft's $1,000 laptop ad.

First I saw PC World calling PC users losers . Next up is Paul Thurrott calling PC World losers.

Are PC users losers? Or is it PC World?

Does the madness end with the PC websites?

No, there are plenty of Mac sites talking about this ad as well.

'I Don't Get It'

The way I see it, debating the meaning of a commercial is like answering a rhetorical question. It shows that you didn't get it.

It doesn't mater if Lauren is a "real person" or an actress. Who cares if the PC she picked was a piece of crap. Does saying I'm "not cool enough for Mac" imply that PC users are losers? Probably not.

Do Mac owners suddenly have to defend their purchasing choices? No, it's just a commercial.

Microsoft doesn't give a damn how much the computer you buy costs - as long as you bought it with some version of Windows. If you want to buy a crappy $400 laptop or a $3,000 workstation, either is fine with Microsoft, just so long as it has a legal install of Windows.

Why Now?

The more interesting question is why this ad at this time. Last time I check, Apple's most recent "Get a Mac" ad was at Christmas time. These were both lighthearted ads with only a subtle sales pitch.

Why would Microsoft launch an attack ad three months later? Aren't they supposed to be spending their ad dollars hyping Windows 7?

Ballmer on Engadget Steve Ballmer was recently quoted as saying the tide is turning on Apple - the economy makes it hard for people "paying $500 more to get a logo on it?"

While this is a great headline, I think Ballmer was mostly interested in the possibility that Apple has lost some momentum.

The best time for a strong play is when the other team losses its momentum. Ballmer is hoping for a fumble so Microsoft can carry the ball. Microsoft is trying to play up the weakness in sales at Apple as much as possible to slow down Apple's growth.

Is Apple Significant?

This is funny, because all Windows FUD likes to trash Apple for how small and unimportant Macs are in the market, yet we have Microsoft clearly going after Apple. If the Mac's market share is so small, why spend the money on ads to compete with the underdog?

The truth is that Microsoft is threatened by Apple. So far Apple has crushed Microsoft in the music business, taken over a large share of the smart phone market, and is arguably selling the better operating system. That's a few too many wins under Apple's belt, and success breeds envy.

Microsoft's biggest worry today is that Windows 7 will not be a huge success - or worse, to have success sucked away with endless comparisons to Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard". Microsoft sees the need to generate as much bad publicity for Apple and the Mac as it can ahead of the Windows 7 launch.

Clearly Ballmer's comments and this ad are trying to promote the perception that Macs are expensive and discourage sales of these "high priced" computers.

Offending Microsoft Customers

The other funny thing is I am a Mac user who has both Microsoft Office and Windows Vista installed on my Mac. If I was easily offended, Microsoft might have lost me as a customer because of this ad. I know better, and I understand that any extra money bought more than just a logo.

Good luck to all of those furiously debating the meaning or implications of a commercial. Maybe you all could help me solve another puzzle: Which came first the chicken or the egg?

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.