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Apple pressures Microsoft to cease laptop hunter ads?
So much indeed that apparently Apple has been pressuring them to pull the ads. Whether this means the Mac maker is threatening legal action or simply trying to strong-arm isn't clear. The company is essentially saying that Microsoft's ads are based on old pricing structures, as they’ve recently updated their laptop line and lowered some of their prices.
Apple believes the ads aren't fair, but if you take Microsoft COO Kevin Turner’s word for it, they have no intention of ceasing them. You can read the full transcript from where Mr. Turner’s commentary was taken here.
Is Apple really putting pressure on Microsoft? They’ve certainly enjoyed poking merciless fun at Vista with their “I’m a Mac” ads, so do they actually expect Microsoft drop their price-focused campaign on grounds that it is outdated? Personally, I think taking this matter into legal territory would be a PR disaster for Apple. What’s your take?
User Comments (62)
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captaincranky
on July 19, 2009 11:14 PM |
Those $400 17" laptops have incredibly shitty screens though, something like 1440x900 on a 17". Thats piss poor, so while you can get a big heavy fast 17" laptop, they have to cut corners on price somewhere, and the thing you spend looking at while you are using might not be the best place. But then again, if all you want is a big laptop for cheap, then there you go. Its all about choice, the people that spend a lot on Apple products know they are doing so, all this fighting about it is a waste of time. I always refer back to the prices of "Net Books", when I compare, features, price, and of course screen resolution, in a low price laptop. Fact of the matter is, most 19" stand alone monitors have 1440 x 900 resolution. So, it's difficult to condemn a 400 dollar carry around for sporting the same rez. That, coupled with the fact the new generation TN panel screens are pretty much crap by any definition of standard anyway. I actually didn't realize that we were fighting, (as a group), I'm just being my obnoxious opinionated self. My way of having fun, as it were. This thread is so far off topic anyway, you should probably re-title it anyway. Anyhoo, I don't know if I've mentioned this, but my son is the proud owner of a broken Mac-Mini. I gave him a Celeron 356 PC, which runs circles around the Mini in spite of the fact I didn't reinstall Windows when I changed the mother broad, just jambed the HDD back in it, and plugged it in. It's sort of typical but I really have to walk on eggshells when I discuss the Mini. Every statement must be prefaced with, "now Apple obviously offers a fine product". If not, and sometimes even if I say this, an argument ensues, thematically revolving around, you're picking on me, (again). So I guess he's the typical Mac owner, "to love me, you must also love my Mac". The kid. love him as I do, is quite a snob, went to art college and all that. |
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SNGX1275
on July 20, 2009 2:52 PM |
Netbooks are insanely cheap for relatively good features, I just bought a Lenovo one for my dad. Apple doesn't have anything in that area, they have the Air, but comparing it to a netbook is perhaps unfair. It is better compared to the Sony Vaio's that are basically netbooks but with 3-5x the price. |
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Guest
on July 20, 2009 8:43 PM |
I doubt it. If you had any idea what kind of man Steve Jobs was, you'd be hesitant to say that. |
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Guest
on July 20, 2009 8:45 PM |
When they are showing exact prices that is where the issue arises, since those prices aren't valid anymore. Microsoft would likely have been fine being vague. This is just my understanding of what is allowed, I could be wrong, and this is pure speculation based on a pretty unbelievable statement from Microsoft's COO. What is a COO doing taking phone calls from Apple's marketing dept. I doubt Apple would call the COO about it, and I actually doubt Apple would call at all. Really, when you think about it Apple has been pretty harsh on PCs for years now in their commercials, I really don't think they would be so callous? to get upset and tell Microsoft to quit. The phone call may not have even taken place, and if it did, it seems more likely that IF it went down like the dude claims, then he was likely talking to someone pulling a prank. That's what I was referring to when I said I doubt it. Sorry for the double post. |
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Guest
on July 20, 2009 10:49 PM |
Wouldn't it be a far better excercise for both M/S & Apple be requested to produce a laptop at a given price, say $1200.00 for example, and THEN compare the product that they come out with? Just to make it a fair contest that we could all accept, make one of the conditions be that the laptop model must be freely available on the market to the public for a period of approx 6 months. |
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SNGX1275
on July 21, 2009 4:38 PM |
That would be difficult considering Microsoft doesn't make computers. |
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Guest
on July 23, 2009 2:19 PM |
macs are made in china too... |
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SNGX1275
on July 29, 2009 1:53 PM |
Despite my reluctance to push this back up to commented, I feel it is necessary because of solid information. Apple's complaint about the ads was indeed because of the price shown. |
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captaincranky
on July 29, 2009 4:57 PM |
Enough already with Apple complaining about disinformation with respect to their prices.When I'm going out to buy a $300.00 laptop, I don't care which brand it might be!, If there's a Apple for 3 georges, I'll buy that. But, it has to be an actual computer. I'm not settling for just an empty white case. |
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Guest
on August 5, 2009 12:56 PM |
I think Apple should run a response commercial with a script something like "In their commercial, Microsoft claimed this computer cost $1999. Now, after a price reduction, it's only $1899. See? Macs are affordable now!" I think that would really clear up the issue for everyone. |
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captaincranky
on August 5, 2009 3:16 PM |
I think Apple should run a response commercial with a script something like Then M$ should run the same commercial with a, "I'm a PC still, and a hundred measly dollar price rollback, doesn't really mean very much" punchline. "In their commercial, Microsoft claimed this computer cost $1999. Now, after a price reduction, it's only $1899. See? Macs are affordable now!" I think that would really clear up the issue for everyone. Perhaps then Apple could run another ad stating that their computers are now only "almost extravagantly' overpriced, as opposed to being, "extravagantly overpriced". That'd hit M$ where it hurts....., or possibly not. |
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Guest
on August 6, 2009 2:57 AM |
I was recently at a Microsoft Partner event where Steve Balmer stood on stage and with huge satisfaction and glee, announced that his best day this year was when Apple phoned him and said they wanted Microsoft to pull the adverts. He said "FINALLY! we're getting to them". And he's right, the MS adverts are great, very true to point and Apple products (great as they are) are overpriced and overhyped. I'd buy a PC any day - although I still believe there is nothing to touch the iPhone - which is fantastic. |
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