As you have might have noticed in the last couple of weeks Microsoft and Apple have escalated their ad war, each by returning salvos on the key points they are trying to make.
Microsoft is attacking price for performance (the Apple tax), while Apple is drilling the virus vulnerability, bloatware (not really Microsoft's fault but their hardware partners), and reliability. Both Microsoft and Apple's point views are really based on perception, I could argue both ways, but when it comes down to the eco system (number of applications) and price point I would buy a Windows machine. As I have said many times my Lenovo X60 with Vista is rock solid. That does not mean I have not been eying a MacBook Air (the design is outstanding), but if I spent the money I would surely run bootcamp to have access to all the Windows applications I use. I just priced a Lenovo X301 on sale for $1389 with 128MB solid state drive and 3GB of DDR3 memory, although it only has 1.40GHZ processor which is slower than a 1.6GHZ 128GB MacBook Air ($2,299), but $800 cheaper. $800 for design and a 12.5% increase in processor speed, I am not sure I am game but others might see the value.
What I find interesting are the views from the Apple blogosphere, some the venom against Microsoft is pretty sad (just look at the comments on any Microsoft reporting), however I do have to commend Apple Insider for trying to take a more balanced approach. Even though they are slanted towards Apple, which I understand, they try to provide a both sides. Today they reported a study today by BrandIndex which found; Microsoft overtaking Apple in value perception when Microsoft started airing their ads. In the end the study does not tell us whether it will translate into sales for Microsoft and its partners, but I laughed when I read the last sentence; "Apple is still expected to ship fewer Macs in spring than it did last year but in line with expectations reflecting the economic reality rather than the effect of an attack by Microsoft". This is classic Apple to downplay expectation and probably a smart move.
Well, Microsoft's ads don't generally promote Windows, but rather the PC, which is that thing that comes with all the bloatware.
That, in my mind, means they can't just disavow any involvement with the bloatware; they advertise, promote, and sell it--they own it.
Posted by: Chris Carlin | May 20, 2009 at 01:52 PM
I have a Dell, a Lenovo, a MacBook, and a MacBook Air; I love Apple but don't get the Air. The Lenovo is still brand new because I hated it 3 seconds after I got it, the Dell was great while it lasted, but the MacBook is phenomenal and completely worth the $1K price tag. The Air hangs up a bit more than the standard MB and is much more costly. You can get a great deal on a refurbed MB.
Posted by: brit | May 23, 2009 at 05:52 PM