The worst Mac PC Ad

[andysayshi]

No, they're dumb for paying twice or more as much for a device that does exactly the same thing. Alternatives are great when they are competitively priced.

That's a common misconception. Feature for feature, Apple computers are actually quite on par with the other major PC retailers like Dell, HP etc. They simply don't offer the low-budget, low-featured alternatives that PC manufacturers do.

You are comparing apples to oranges. That is NOT a microsoft TV ad. Microsoft TV commercials are 30 seconds just like Apple's are.

Actually, I never suggested they were both television ads, just ads. I was just comparing them on their merits, not on their broadcast medium. Unfair? Maybe...

You guys are totally missing a key point here. Microsoft is only selling operating systems, while Apple is selling computers.

AND operating systems. That's actually what they're selling in the TV spot.

Their advertisements are not meant to compete in any way.

Errm... have you watched the Apple spot? I think Apple might "think different"...

Microsoft is only advertising Vista to people who already own a PC and want to upgrade it.

Microsoft have been very careful about their marketing of Vista - they've been VERY public about it's heavy hardware requirements, and that it's NOT for everyone to upgrade. From their own site:

If you purchased a PC in the last two years, chances are good that you can run Windows Vista.
Advanced features, like the new user experience Windows Aero, require advanced or additional hardware. See system requirements for details.

Some product features are only available in certain editions of Windows Vista and may require advanced or additional hardware.

Microsoft have made it clear that they expect the majority of Vista sales to occur from new PC sales rather than upgrades. Which places Vista in a marketplace much closer to Apple - a hardware/OS combo for purchase.

For those that are delusional enough to think Mac is somehow better or has "won" any kind of competition, tell me, why does Dell alone sell more PCs than all the computers Apple sells? Dell isn't the only company selling PCs either, if Apple is so much better then how come most people, businesses, and schools do not buy them?

On this point, I wholeheartedly agree. With somewhere between 5 and 10 percent overall market share (depending on who you listen to) Apple is little more than a thorn in the side of Microsoft. But it's changing fast - Microsoft would be crazy if they weren't paying attention.

And just to clarify, I'm no Mac evangelist. I use whatever platform is at hand, and own both. (But no Vista, yet...)

 

[secondmonkey]

That's a common misconception. Feature for feature, Apple computers are actually quite on par with the other major PC retailers like Dell, HP etc.

Not true. I just configured a Dell Dimension E520 for $739. It includes:
1.8ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive
16x DVD burner
17" LCD

Go to apple.com, and configure the same thing as an iMac, and you'll be charged $1,074. It includes:
1.83ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive
NO DVD burner, it wasn't an option
17" LCD

So for exactly the same thing, same RAM and CPU, Apple charges you an extra $335. And I could build a similar PC as the Dell myself for even less money.

Also, when you look at laptops....
Dell Inpsiron E1505 - $999
2ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
120GB hard drive
DVD burner
15.4" screen

Macbook Pro - $1,999
2.16ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
120GB hard drive
DVD burner
15" screen

Again, exactly the same thing, but the Mac costs you an extra THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!. A THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE FOR THE SAME EXACT THING!!! More than double!

 

[lonestar]

Apple Hardware is more expensive then Dell stuff and I don't mind paying more. I'm a student, so I have to keep an eye on my finance, but hey, you get what you pay for. No body has to buy Macs. It's totally ok to go for a Dell PC (or, guys from Germany an "Aldi PC" ). But after I switched some time ago, I never looked back. Still have to keep XP for some applications, but I would never get a PC again.

And for the Add, it's fucking funny. UAC is totally annoying and pops up more often the the OS X authentification. Vista is not bad, but it's gross how MS copied Apple. I think Bill just said: "Programmers, copy that and that and that". For everyone not using OS X it's cool, nice "new" features. But for many OS X users, it's just a big fat cow

 

[cityboy-stl]

Awww....but Mac is sooooo CUTE!

 

[andysayshi]

Not true. I just configured a Dell Dimension E520 for $739. It includes:
1.8ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive
16x DVD burner
17" LCD

Go to apple.com, and configure the same thing as an iMac, and you'll be charged $1,074. It includes:
1.83ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive
NO DVD burner, it wasn't an option
17" LCD

So for exactly the same thing, same RAM and CPU, Apple charges you an extra $335. And I could build a similar PC as the Dell myself for even less money.

See, that's where the misconception happens. With the Mac equivalent you get higher video specs, firewire, bluetooth, wireless, a camera, and a higher resolution screen. Granted, you get a combo driver rather than a DVD burner - not sure what Apple think they're doing selling THAT dinosaur drive. Ultimately if you don't need the fancy extras, the iMac may be a bad buy.

You also get a suite of really good software - the Microsoft equivalents simply don't compare. You save money on anti-virus software coz you don't need any. And finally, the build quality of Apple stuff is, on the whole, quite high. Dell system build quality sucks, but they're monitors are quite nice.

It's really not a fair comparison to look at build-yourself systems, they're a whole different market for a different type of customer.

Seriously, I'm no Mac evangelist, but they're a good value, solid, stylish, reliable computer, especially for people who don't want to or can't cope with the idiosyncrasies of Windows. Macs don't compare to low-budget, feature-poor systems, but when you start adding up all the extras they come in pretty close cost-wise.

 

[InvisibleThrills]

Also, when you look at laptops....
Dell Inpsiron E1505 - $999
2ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
120GB hard drive
DVD burner
15.4" screen

Macbook Pro - $1,999
2.16ghz Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM
120GB hard drive
DVD burner
15" screen

Again, exactly the same thing, but the Mac costs you an extra THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!. A THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE FOR THE SAME EXACT THING!!! More than double!

Once again, like andysayshi pointed out, you are miscalculating because does the Dell laptop include a Firewire 800 port? Essential for any video editting purposes, and the fastest port around. Does it have a built in Webcam? No, does it come with a Webcam? No. Built in Bluetooth? Built in Wifi including Wireless N? What about motion sensors that detect when the device is falling to know to shut off the harddrive? Does it include a media remote? And finally, does it pack all of this into a slim 1 inch case?

Your arguements lack any depth, yea, you can match specs, but it goes beyond the processor and amount of memory. Also, the amount of software that you recieve adds a huge amount of money, and it isn't software that is shareware that gets plastered on your computer when you buy and you have to go through the long task of deleting it all off before you want to even use your computer. I was a Windows user until 4 years ago when I switched, and I will never go back.

 

[secondmonkey]

With the Mac equivalent you get higher video spec

Wrong. On all the computers I configured the Dells had way better video. Go ahead, configure one yourself.

firewire

Dells have that too.

bluetooth

Dells have that too.

wireless

Dells have that too.

a camera

Webcams are extremely cheap. They do not justify an extra thousand dollars. I have a very nice webcam that clips onto my laptop that I got for $27, and I never use it anyway.

and a higher resolution screen.

Wrong. Totally wrong.

You save money on anti-virus software coz you don't need any.

Anit virus software is free, and I've never had any in my 10+ years of constant computer use...nor have I ever had a virus.

And finally, the build quality of Apple stuff is, on the whole, quite high. Dell system build quality sucks

That is complete bullshit. Dells are just as high quality as an Apple. And I think they look a hell of a lot better - even I wouldn't own a mac because it looks too gay.

 

[secondmonkey]

does the Dell laptop include a Firewire 800 port?

No, but the vast majority of PC AND Mac users do not need that feature. You can buy a card for $20 that will give that feature to any computer that doesn't have one. Again, not worth a THOUSAND dollars extra.

Does it have a built in Webcam?

No, again, most people find that unneccessary. Webcams are extremely cheap if you want to add one with the extra thousand dollars you have left over.

Built in Bluetooth?

Yep.

Built in Wifi including Wireless N?

Yep.

What about motion sensors that detect when the device is falling to know to shut off the harddrive?

Worthless feature when you have as good of a warranty as Dell provides, and I don't drop my laptop. Most hard drives these days can withstand a fall just fine anyway, they are designed to be shock resistant.

Does it include a media remote?

Yes, that is available for any PC, and it's not included free with Macs.

And finally, does it pack all of this into a slim 1 inch case?

There are plenty of PCs available smaller than Macs from many different brands. Still cheaper.

You're just further proving that most mac users are completely delusional and cannot follow any logic what so ever. I guess that's why they only give you one mouse button...

Macs are computers just like anything else, they do exactly the same tasks as PCs. They do not do it faster, they do not do it better, they just do it differently. The difference is they cost twice as much, and trying to argue that they don't is like trying to say the sky is green. Nobody will believe you except people who are delusional.

 

[andysayshi]

Well, I have neither the patience or interest to break the inaccuracies down one by one, other than to say part of my job is to purchase technology for the company I own. We purchase mostly Macs and a few PCs for specific purposes. The Dells break down a fair bit, the Macs generally don't. The Macs cost around the same as the Dells when fully configured. (So long as you don't buy extra RAM from Apple, which is overpriced).

I am not encouraging you to switch. You are clearly far happier using the technology you use, so enjoy it. But as someone who purchases and owns both platforms, I simply reiterate the real-world cost differences between them are marginal.

 

[secondmonkey]

I simply reiterate the real-world cost differences between them are marginal.

Again, you're totally wrong. I just proved it 100% above. All my numbers are completely accurate. Exactly as you said, configured feature for feature, Macs are always more expensive. Even the Mac nut above agrees with that. You can argue all you want whether they're better or not, but there is nothing to argue about price wise. We're not just talking a couple bucks here, or even a hundred bucks. We're talking a THOUSAND dollars. I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money to spend for no reason.

One more time I have to point out Dell sells more computers than Apple. Need I say more?

 

[trawler69]

This thread has gone way off topic already so I don't feel too guilty about posting this. Today I helped a mate set up a wireless network or rather I did it for him, I installed some software for him that need a couple of reboots of his xp machine which was running Norton anti virus. The experience lasted 2 hours, most of that time was spent while computers rebooted, reconfigured etc. I was amazed by the amount of spyware / malware he had accumulated and how out of control his machine had become in just a month of operation. I could have sorted it out but just chose to get the network functioning and the software installed and save myself another few hours ( I wasn't getting paid). Well it was such a relief to get back to my newly purchased mac about which I daily discover new cool features.

Yes it has cost me substantially more than a pc but it has allowed me to get on with my computing life rather than fight to maintain it and all the stress and time that is involved in doing so.

It is not perfect, it does crash but recovery is 25 seconds rather than a week in intensive care! Ok said my piece, off topic & I appologise for that but I needed to vent!

 

[rotary]

Need I say more?

No. How about you just let people spend their money the way they want and stop with the name calling?

 

[_AJ_]

you know what pisses me off is that a couple of mac enthusiasts write some articles slagging vista having used it for half a fucking hour then all the other mac guys take that article and with out having touched vista argue how much better OS X is i have never come on saying macs are shit only defending PC's since it seems the in thing to bash them

i mean really fucking grow up vista is a really good os Iam using it and have had very few problems except my driver for my wifi card still being a bit buggy because its still beta oh and itunes is a resource hog and looks dated next to vistas interface.

 

[secondmonkey]

No. How about you just let people spend their money the way they want and stop with the name calling?

Guess what? I'm free to post whatever the hell I want. If someone tells me I'm wrong, I'm going to prove otherwise, and that's exactly what I did. If you don't like it, tough shit. I didn't say you couldn't buy a Mac. You're free to waste your money however you please.

Did I hurt your feelings?

 

[hotatlboi]

I wouldn't own a mac because it looks too gay.

I hear that a lot but I find it especially humorous on this forum.

 

[secondmonkey]

oh and itunes is a resource hog and looks dated next to vistas interface.

I agree...itunes is one of the most poorly written programs I have ever used. This has nothing to do with my hate for Mac computers, I love my ipod. I have two of them in fact. Itunes is GAWD AWFUL! It slows down my computer as much as if I was encoding video, just to play a simple song.

 

[_AJ_]

I agree...itunes is one of the most poorly written programs I have ever used. This has nothing to do with my hate for Mac computers, I love my ipod. I have two of them in fact. Itunes is GAWD AWFUL! It slows down my computer as much as if I was encoding video, just to play a simple song.

it probably works properly on mac's and they just couldn't be bothered porting it properly

 

[secondmonkey]

it probably works properly on mac's and they just couldn't be bothered porting it properly

Or maybe they do it on purpose so they can keep up the ridiculous "macs are faster" bullshit. Obviously Apple likes participating in the propaganda just as much as their users...just look at their website. It's even worse than the commercials.

 

[wascallywabbit]

Guys, calm down. They aren't meant to be taken so seriously - they're just commercials. You understand that, right? Or do you fly into a rage every time you open a bottle of Mr. Clean and a bald homosexual doesn't materialize?

 

[rotary]

Or do you fly into a rage every time you open a bottle of Mr. Clean and a bald homosexual doesn't materialize?

I prefer the pine sol lady.