Syber News

We know from last week's Apple event that humble though it might try to be, even Apple feels the "Mac vs. PC" ads are an overwhelming success. Try as they might, Microsoft hasn't been able to come up with a similarly engaging campaign (sorry, Jerry).

The latest set of Apple ads, unveiled yesterday, point out just that.

The first one, "Bean Counter," comments on the expense of the campaign, and asks the question: should they be spending the money on fixing Windows Vista, though personally I believe that ship has sailed.

PC: Advertising, advertising, advertising, fix Vista. Advertising, advertising, advertising, fix Vista.

Mac: PC?

PC: Oh, I'm just doing a little budgeting, Mac. You know with all the Vista problems that have been frustrating PC users, it's time to take drastic action.

Mac: By investing in advertising.

PC: Yes, advertising, and I'm also putting something toward resolving Vista's problems.

Mac: Do you really think that amount of money is going to help fix Vista?

PC: I guess you're right. Let's just put it all on advertising.

The second one is called "The V-Word." It focuses on the lack of Vista focus in Microsoft's latest ads, meaning the problematic OS is not even mentioned.

Mac: What you got there, PC?

PC: (holding a large red buzzer) Oh, just something I'm trying out. See, we're officially going to stop referring to my operating system by name.

Mac: You mean V-beep!

PC: Sorry, I didn't hear you there. What'd you say?

Mac: V-beep.

PC: See, we don't say the V-Word anymore. Doesn't sit well with frustrated PC users. From now one, we're going to use a word with a lot less baggage. Windows.

Mac: But, Windows is V-beep. PC, don't you think they're really going to see through that? Not saying the word V-beep is not the same as fixing V-beep's problems. V-beep, V-beep, V-beep, Vista - beep.

PC: Ugh.

Once again, it's one of the few ad campaigns that I'll stop my PVR to watch. But as it's been pointed out, the first of the two ads is a little hypocritical. Apple spends a ton of money on advertising itself. When you look at the numbers supplied by AdAge, and look at just the money spent on their main brands (omitting things like the Xb0x and iTunes), Microsoft spent roughly $328 million last year, while Apple spent about $290 million.

Whatever. I can't deny, I still love 'em (the Apple ads).

http://technologyexpert.blogspot.com/2008/10/apples-latest-ads-gibe-microsofts.html