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Apparently Apple have taken umbrage with Microsofts "laptop hunter" ads and have asked for MS to withdraw them. This is due to the price drop recently in Apples computer product line up.




With the tactic of not attacking the "coolness" factor but the price point appearing to be ruffling some feathers we can be assured that the ad will just run and run.

Are these the adverts in which they hire an actor to pretend they are a normal member of the public, and look at all the options on the market before "choosing" a notebook running Windows??

A Register article quoting a Microsoft suit.

That has to be the quinella of credibility.

Im sure if MS COO, so not really your average "suit", has been telling porkies then Apple will be out of the blocks quite sharpish to say so.

I doubt it. The schoolboy "hey, this is true" story says more about Microsoft being irritated by Apple than the other way around. I'd say Apple is more than happy watching MS scratch around in the dark as while Uncle Fester keeps making ridiculous claims that give everyone in the industry a good laugh (everyone except MS shareholders, that is).

Though MS shareholders all ready have had two divendend payouts this year, showing an extra 1% return without having to sell any shares.

A whole 1% you say! Good lord, MS shareholders must be rolling in it (and by 'it' I certainly don't mean cash). Of course, with inflation in the US running at around 3%, that 1% return on investment doesn't look too healthy.

They'd have been better off putting their money in a bank. Even a US bank.

Gawker's take on the story:

“The incident sounds odd, if only because Microsoft's campaign dovetails perfectly with Apple's marketing pitch: Macs are premium computers for discerning buyers. Snobby, sure, but also fully compatible with Microsoft claiming Windows computers are cheap.

Turner says the phone call encouraged Microsoft to intensify its ad campaign; he'd be wise to double check its effectiveness before allowing a competitor to so heavily influence his ad spend.

There's no reason to think Apple's Reality Distortion Field works only on the company's fans, after all.”

Source

But taking $100 off doesn't address the 100% price hike for a Mac model, compared to an "average" Windows model with a similar spec.

Yes, you get the aluminium case and styling, but that is a heck of a price hike, if you are just after and everyday workhorse...

That said, the company has just given out nearly the same for a Toshiba Tecra as a MBP for my new machine...

Two things I really love with the Tecra, the 1680x1050 15.4" display and the fingerprint reader. Mix in the TPM and it makes logging in Vista a doddle!

Actually they may be better off holding Microsoft shares. Banks are paying very little interest, dont forget interest rates in the US are practically 0%, then there are monthly bank fees in the US, and you would also miss out on any potential capital gain from a rise in Microsoft shares. Many may have bought years ago.