Apple doesn’t directly respond to most of the things rivals say about it and its products, but I guess Microsoft's ridiculous new ad campaign was too silly to go unanswered.
In one of the ads, Microsoft challenged Lauren to find a 17-inch notebook for less than $1,000 - and concludes "I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person."
Even with a larger budget, Giampolo opts for an HP laptop as well.
"Millions of people have switched to Mac because they love the security, stability and power that comes with world-class hardware and amazing software that just works, right out of the box," Apple spokesman Bill Evans, told Macworld.
"A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want. The one thing that both Apple and Microsoft can agree on is that everyone thinks the Mac is cool; with its great designs and advanced software, nothing matches it at any price."
Good point - why buy a computer that won't get things done?
Check out our new Macworld Mobile site.
Contact Us
Digg
It's easy and free to get the latest news headlines, reviews and opinions straight to your email inbox. Sign up NOW to make sure you receive the latest Mac news, reviews and tutorials on your favourite topics.
Comments received
David said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
Though I agree in principal everything depends on what you need to do, if you only want to do email's word documents, music and solitaire then the £500 notebook is more than fine.
Kurt said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
I am gratified to hear Apple's "direct" response to the misleading adverts by Microsoft.
Now Apple needs to maintain this communication style when releasing software updates ("What is being fixed and why?") and when dealing with overt issues such as the MobileMe fiasco or pricing in the iTunes Store.
A strong Apple is a communicative one!
Kurt said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
Just a quick response to David's comments.
It's true that most people buy more computer than they need, however the main issue with the £500 notebooks is not the included software, but the limitations with the hardware, which will prevent the consumer from keeping up to date with the most current security measures, software updates, and maintaining an adequate performance level (read "speed") with the notebook.
You get what you pay for and this is never more true with the sub-notebook line.
I believe the vast majority of people have moved past the email, music and solitaire requirement for a computer. It now also includes real-time video interaction, graphics & video rendering, and not to be overlooked, social and professional networking.
Let's see that £449 notebook do all of that!
OSX86 said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
"Millions of people have switched to Mac" - that would show a massive increase in the OS usage stats.
But as OS X has been flatlining for over a year at under 10% it is obviously not true.
Tim B said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
Having had a mac for over 4 years there is only Apple centric things I cannot do on my XP machine, the rest I can do cheaper and just as efficient on Windows.
With a tighter budget I won't replace my Mac because I don't see it as a necessity any more.
Drew said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
I stopped worrying about being cool when i grew up.:)
vertigo said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
I'm not sure your right OSX86.
Millions have switched.
However the overall number of computers has gone up. So not may peoples first choice has been mac. Thats probably a familiarity/price comfort zone decision.
I switch almost ten years ago.
Never looked back.
Jaded said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
OS86 - did you respond on the Cornflicker thread? It seems the PC trolls stayed away from that thread. I wonder why.
OSX86 said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
The mac has enough exploits, twats just seem to ignore them.
@Jaded said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
You were saying:
www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?newsid=25756
gregorsamsa said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
@Tim B,
Your 4-year old Mac will give you a much greater return sold as a 2nd-user item than any similarly-aged PC would. Also, when considering the total cost of ownership, for eg. system maintenance, AV software, the cumulative time saved each year, etc. & Macs still represent excellent value.
@gregorsamsa said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
I don't want return, I want something that has expandability. I could replace the motherboard, CPU and graphics card at a fraction of the cost of a new machine.
You need AV software for Mac's (only an idiot would suggest otherwise) and my Mac has had more downtime in the last year than my XP machine. They are lame old excuses.
gregorsamsa said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
You "don't want return" the Mac & yet you love your XP PC so much... then why keep your Mac with all that downtime? I suggest you're full of BS & have never even owned a Mac.
Either that or you're obviously very ignorant about Macs & name calling won't alter that fact. ;0) I've used Macs for every day for only 3 & 1/2 years without any malware infection. Many other Mac users have done likewise for many more years simply by being sensible. If you're that ignorant about safe computing in general & have a tendency to download every program that asks you to, of course you must use the most up-to-date AV software on your XP machine.
Jaded said on Fri, 17 Apr 2009
Ref the botnet story.
At least we will know who downloaded fraudulent copies of iWork09.
@osx86 said on Sat, 18 Apr 2009
Macs used to have 2% market share. If its now 10% thats 400% increase
Tenko said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009
But it has been 10% for years. It's going nowhere, as ever.
gregorsamsa said said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009
a load of bollocks, as usual.
Most of the downtime on my 3 Mac's have been caused by Apple updates and failing hardware.
Apple are nothing special.
Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.
Click here for the latest reader comments