295
rate

Apple asks Microsoft to stop airing the "Laptop Hunter" commercials.

July 20, 2009 in News comments 29

Remember those Microsoft commercials that promoted Sony's VAIO laptop and Blu-Ray? Well apparently Apple, as a result of the ad campaign, has lowered the prices on their computers, and has asked Microsoft to halt the commercials altogether.

Microsoft went on to say that it was "the best phone call ever".

Absolute via arstechnica.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!
Additional sources:
Latest comment:
Most recently commented on by on Jul 23, 2009

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 1
    Drogo Baggins Jul 20, 09
    I heard about this about a week or so ago.

    I think Apple's feeling over it is that you might pay more for their computers over a Microsoft laptop, but you get what you pay for. In other words, less expensive doesn't mean better. I see why Apple is a little pissed.

    However, it is sort of funny that they actually called and asked Microsoft to stop airing the commercials...I mean, come on, Apple...
    • 6
      Slumpy monkey Jul 20, 09
      You dont get what you pay for in a mac though. Thats the thing.

      You can get a better spec laptop for cheaper than a mac. Your paying like £400 extra for an OS and an image of an apple.
      • 0
        Drogo Baggins Jul 20, 09
        Oh, well, I honestly know absolutely nothing about laptops or most technology, for that matter.

        I just meant that I think Apple feels that you get what you pay for with their Mac. I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the actual statistics of the matter.
      • 0
        Krunal Jul 21, 09
        I do the exact same thing with Sony Products, though they are known to be quality products, Sony Products do cost a lot of money, yet you'll find 3 HD tv's at my house, all of which are Sony.

        Thing is sometimes you get a bit of brand loyalty and you wont care much about what the competitors offers. Though with the Apple, as much as I want one, it just doesn't do what I need it to do... Microsoft is definitely the way forward for me.
  • 8
    RabidChinaGirl Jul 20, 09
    Maybe Microsoft should ask Apple to stop airing those Justin Long "Get a Mac" ads.

    Found Turner's reaction to the call from Apple's legal department very funny though:

    Apple: "Stop it."

    Turner: "LOL NO"
    • 5
      Shinobi_razor Jul 20, 09
      exactly, Apple has no problem bashing and making fun of MS right and left with the Mac vs PC commercials but when MS releases those "im a PC" or laptop commercials, suddenly it isnt funny anymore.

      if one of them stops, the other should have to stop. its only fair.
    • 0
      TurMoiL911* Jul 20, 09
      This is exactly the first thing that I thought of when I saw this article. God, those commercials are making me automatically think of Justin Long as a pretentious, stuck-up douchebag.
    • 0
      Krunal Jul 21, 09
      Actually, I think Turner's reply was something more on the lines of:

      Turner: "LOL, No, I'll air more of them now!"
  • 0
    Strawberryclock Jul 20, 09
    Hahahah. Oh apple, you're a constant stream of hilarity.
  • 0
    bbb7002004* Jul 20, 09
    I wish they'd both stop some of their more, lets call them "misinformed" ad campaigns.

    The Microsoft ones in particular annoy me, considering the main reason people don't buy PC's is not the because they are PC's t, but the convoluted operating systems built by Microsoft you basically have to use.

    And Apple commercials are just patronizing.
    • 2
      BANDITO ATTACK Jul 21, 09
      people who have trouble using windows have no business using a computer in the first place. apple treats all of their customers like morons by oversimplifying the already-simple.
      • 0
        HisServant77 Jul 21, 09
        To me, Windows isn't complicated or anything but it does begin to feel like a monopoly with Windows. I'd like to have a LOT more variety being more common instead of just "Windows vs non-windows"
        • 1
          Slumpy monkey Jul 21, 09
          Naw. MS monopoly on the market is actually good for the consumer in some ways. Because it provides a standard wherever you go.

          Imagine having to have like 3 different OS's because there not compatible with each other. Every time you go to collage or school you find out you cant load your work because its not compatible.

          Heck, Mac and windows non computability already piss me off, Cant imagine it with MORE os's to think about.
        • 3
          chautemoc Jul 21, 09
          Mmm. Well, there's always Linux (tons of different versions/distros of it), which also has the advantage of being free.

          Agree with slumpy -- three OS' is plenty. Guess I just wish Macs weren't overpriced and trying to sell a stupid lifestyle to stupid people.
    • 0
      Krunal Jul 21, 09
      You do realise that these add campaigns meant that Apple LOWERED their prices right? That for the consumer is nothing but good news. These wars are beneficial for consumers so if anything they should continue to the point where Apple Mac's and Laptops are dirt cheap
  • 0
    Insanity Prevails* Jul 20, 09
    Please stop, you're hurting our profts.
  • 0
    Drogo Baggins Jul 20, 09
    Microsoft should make more commercials with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates...Those were awesome...
  • 1
    Darknet* Jul 20, 09
    They are a lot better than those damn Mac/PC commercials that ooze douchebaggery.
  • 0
    HisServant77 Jul 20, 09
    The reason they wanted them to stop though was because they apparently lowered their prices, so figured they'd use that as a sort of "You're misadvertising our product."

    I love the commercial Apple put out as a result of the "PC Hunter" commercials though. LOL

    EDITED TO ADD LINK:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjscMUVmOBA&NR=1
  • 0
    Crimson Fury Jul 21, 09
    First things first... A high end Windows based PC is just as much as a Mac.
    Second... I do not believe the story. Apple would have to be fools to do such a thing.
    • 2
      chautemoc Jul 21, 09
      An overpriced Windows PC (e.g. with super high specs no one needs) is just as much as a Mac, yes. My current rig can run basically all new games at maximum settings, and it cost me about $500 -- and I bought half of it two years ago, so it would be even cheaper now.
      • 0
        Moonrise Jul 21, 09
        For $800 we got my sister a laptop with the following specs:

        320GB Hard drive (or something ridiculous like that)
        16.4" display, 1600x900 resolution (eh, still 720p or better)
        ATI Radeon graphics card (upgradeable, not onboard, can't remember the model though, probably the HD 4650)
        4GB DDR2 RAM (yeah not DDR3 but oh well, this thing is 800 bucks and the computer supports up to 8GB)
        Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor (64 bit capable)
        Web Camera
        Shitty old Vista Home Premium, BUT with a free upgrade to Vista 7 when it's released.
        HDMI
        3 USB
        Firewire
        VGA

        The reason I was able to get a computer like that for only $800 is because I'm not an idiot and actually LOOKED around when we looked for laptops.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Jul 21, 09
          Vista 7 eh? Actually Windows 7, and everyone who buys Vista within a certain time frame are getting a free upgrade because of how soon Windows 7 will be released. Then those outside of the time frame, may still get a discount.
        • 0
          Moonrise Jul 22, 09
          You're really going to complain about semantics? Wow, I made a typo. I'm sure that really defeated the whole point. Not only that, but I KNOW that everyone that buys a computer within a certain time frame gets the upgrade. Again, I fail to see how that's really relevant.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Jul 22, 09
          Haha, no I'm not going to complain about semantics, I merely said what I did because I don't know you well enough to know that you already knew what I said and that it was only a typo. I was being (I know it's seldom seen, but) Helpful, in case you didn't know what I said.
        • 0
          Shinobi_razor Jul 23, 09
          i have Windows 7 now and its pretty neat.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Jul 23, 09
          I was thinking of trying the beta for Windows 7. Glad to hear you like it, Shinobi Looking forward to when I get it myself.
  • 0
    Darknet* Jul 23, 09
    A bit off topic but I love that picture up top. The mom is all wigged out and the kid is day dreaming.
  • 0
    Epiphany Plus Jul 23, 09
    Oh this makes me laugh like a bear on laughing gas. Silly apple, when will you learn.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.