I love the current Apple-Microsoft ad wars. And Microsoft has finally pulled out a big gun: PRICE. You can watch the commercial below, but I paraphrased it (with a couple editorial changes) if you'd rather save some time:
I want to find a vehicle for under $20,000 (the economy is tough these days, you know) that has cushy seats and can easily hold me and at least six of my friends.
First I'll go to the Honda dealership. Hmm...they only have one choice that fits my budget, and it's a compact car. No thanks. I guess I'm just not cool enough to be a Honda person.
Maybe I'll be able to find a better fit at CarMax. Wow, look at all the choices they have! Ohhh, I think I found it. This shiny pink 2008 Ford Econoline van is the one for me. Not only is it a great deal, but I can probably fit 10 or even 12 of my friends in the back! Plus, we all know that girls love pretty colors.
Sir, I disagree!
Rather, it's frustrating to me that Apple is taking x86 components similar to their PC competitors', building nice machines, and then marking them up so they're priced above their competition.
A MacBook Pro probably has much nicer fit and finish than the HP she bought. I'll let you argue that Apple uses higher quality components that should make it less likely to fail and includes better product support. It likely even has more memory and a nicer graphics chipset.
But that doesn't account for the $2100 price difference between the two machines. They picked specs to match the top-of-the-line MacBook Pro, which has the most artificial mark-up of any of the Apple laptops. I think the commercial effectively highlights the disconnect between components and price, even with the deceptive apples-to-oranges comparison that was used to exaggerate it.
Oh, you definitely won't hear me try to justify the price of the 17" MPB. I'm convinced that it exists only to fleece existing Mac users who are too tied to the platform to be able to even consider purchasing a 17" Windows machine. Also, I'd bet that a good chunk of them end up getting reimbursed by their employers. I would love for Apple to come out with some sort of consumer-level 17" notebook...but then they'd probably have a tough time differentiating their price points. (God forbid they mess with their price points.)
I still have to maintain my point, though - Lauren's decision of what to purchase was essentially based on price and screen size. People like her will almost never ever consider getting a MBP (unless they urinate money). Also, I think that there's a pretty strong belief already that Macs are more expensive than PCs. Whether or not that's true across the board, why spend money beating what looks like a dead horse? If I didn't know a thing about Macs, I'd probably end up going to one of their stores to ask them to defend themselves. But maybe that's just me...
"unless they urinate money"
You crack me up, babe.
I agree completely with ck, who made the argument I would have made, if I knew anything about computers.
Also, I will add: I HATE MACS SO MUCH!!!! HOW DID YOU EVER SWINDLE ME INTO GETTING ONE????
Furiously yours,
Michelle
P.S. - The girl in the commercial is so cute! I dig her hair.
P.P.S. - BILL GATES 4EVA!
You are such a contrarian! You know, some day you'll wake up and see that the tides have turned, and all the hipsters will be sitting in their coffee houses sipping lattes and blogging on their Windows computers...and what then? What will you do then, Michelle??
Also, remember that they changed Mine Sweeper and Solitaire when they released Vista. You don't really have any solid rationale for going back anymore, so you might as well embrace your inner Apple. If you don't open your heart, you'll never fully know what OS X is capable of doing for your life!
Vista made the built-in games prettier. And easier to win!
Ohhh...you've never seen Michelle play Minesweeper. Seriously, it's an amazing sight. Microsoft might as well have slapped her in the face by making it easier and and prettier.