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I would question any brand ranking that doesn't have Apple on the list today.

This is bogus junk.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:37 am Comment from: Spark

Did the survey use unaided recall or were participants provided with a list to rank? I suspect the latter because it is inconceivable that NO one would mention Apple.

@ dallas
Couldn't agree more.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:38 am Comment from: JadisOne

@dallas,

I totally agree with you on that one.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:38 am Comment from: January 24, 1984

Was it a scrap dealer list?

Mar 20, 08 - 09:39 am Comment from: Jay-Z

How could Apple - possibly the most iconic brand of the last decade - not be included on the list?

Gotta agree with MDN. While I enjoy the ads and I think they do have an effect on computer users I think it is the wonderful experience of using Vista or Windows that is winning the day for Apple.

The take is spot on, but it's missing the nerd who started it all.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:41 am Comment from: BiZarRo BaLlmEr

People trust word of mouth. As Macs spread and users grow, more and more people will be switching to Macs. I think apple would help themselves with a price under 1000 dollars for a laptop though.

Jolly good!

MDN is right about Microsoft's failings but to me it's more of a one-two punch. Leopard is great, iPhone is fantastic, etc. but the huge rise in Apple market share wouldn't have happened if Vista had been even "acceptable" or "slightly better" than XP. It's MS's failings in combination with Apple's perfect execution that's created the change wave. If either one were missing the effect would be perhaps half as strong.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:47 am Comment from: Ampar

"The take is spot on, but it's missing the nerd who started it all."


Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Charles Babbage, Nikola Tesla, Ada Lovelace or Douglas Engelbart?

Just found it on the website of the company that did the survey:

"Respondents are first asked to rate their familiarity with a series of companies."

So the survey takers are given a pre-selected list, not asked who they like.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:50 am Comment from: wannabe

Ada Lovelace has nothing on Grace Hopper.

Ampar

LOL - good one.

I was thinking about this last night after one of my Vista systems had another BSOD, even with SP1.

There are so many factors that are contributing to Apple's success. But the key has been the vision of Steve Jobs and his focused vision.

One thing that came to mind was his vision that UNIX was the future. Many, many years ago, I remember him talking about this. At the time, I believe he was with NeXT. At the time, I was using HP/UX at work and my experience with that OS made me fail to see his point. The X Windows user interface after all was far inferior to the Mac OS.

Systems running Leopard are a simple joy to use. The cliche that "it just works" is true. Steve Job's vision has become reality and we benefit greatly. Now I wonder why Bill Gates did not see his point. Or if he paid attention at all.

The idea that they don't have Apple in the top THREE is ludicrous, let alone in the entire top 100. I would be absolutely astounded at a single reader taking that article even half-seriously.

Mar 20, 08 - 09:57 am Comment from: Macromancer

VISTA. That is all.

You need to look up near the top... and stop looking down!

Microsofts reputation sinking? No. Get out of here. Really?

When your reputation is as low as MS, the only way out is UP

Mar 20, 08 - 10:18 am Comment from: limey

Microsoft's sinking reputation has more to do with Vista and Xbox 360 problems than any Apple commercials.

Mar 20, 08 - 10:20 am Comment from: Ampar

Yes, Grace Hopper rocked.
Sorry I left her off the list but don't let it bug you.

"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission"
- attributed to Grace Hopper

Mar 20, 08 - 10:20 am Comment from: Cubert

Ina Fried ALWAYS creeps me out. Look at past interviews he/she/it did with Ballmer. His face is priceless at the beginning as he tries to figure out just what Ina Fried exactly is.

Mar 20, 08 - 10:24 am Comment from: Cubert

@BSOD,
Just curious what improvements you have seen in Shitsa SP1?

Any thing worse? SmallAndFlaccid has even admitted that several programs will "break" under SP1. I don't remember any software "breaking" with one of the dot updates of OS X.

Mar 20, 08 - 10:31 am Comment from: KingMel

Apple is now selling millions of iPhones, Mr. Ballmer, and both the iPhone and the iPod touch offer a lot more wireless capability and 'community' than you ever imagined. I believe that Apple continues to set the agenda and is 'driving the innovation,' while M$ is still struggling to follow and copy.

Next to market - the 'Zune feel' to compete with the iPod touch.

Mar 20, 08 - 10:40 am Comment from: HMCIV

MS was ranked #11? What the Frak!!!!

@KingMel

Don't you mean the "big ass Zune Feel"? You will probably have to pull it around on a wagon....or what MSFT will call an "advanced mobility device."

Amazing to hear MDN talking about Ballmer being "unprofessional" when MDN itself is often characterized by childish personal attacks -- for example, if the person being discussed is overweight.

You forgot the most important of them all... Alan Turing!


- jacob

Cue ZuneTang's retarded retort in 3...2..1....

I don't think the Get a Mac ads had anything to do with it. Microsoft is perfectly capable of shooting themselves in the foot--and calling it an innovation. I think the main reason for this is that Microsoft is no longer making products for users, just for partners. A good example was the Zune, which was not designed to steal Apple's users, but Apple's suppliers. They are so busy trying to buddy up with the industry that they've forgotten that without users, there's nothing.

AAAARRRGGGHH!!! Ballmer kills me simply saying 'innovation'.

@Cubert

No major difference in performance. A slight improvement in frame rates on games. Not as noticeable as the Leopard 10.5.2 update.

I installed SP1 on two machines. An SLI rig and a MacBook Pro. Both machines have been getting nVidia driver lockups from time to time. On the SLI rig, one of the Microsoft patches that promises to fix the problem only makes it worse. It is a BSOD instead of a driver lockup. SP1 installs that patch, so I now need to roll back that machine. I have not used SP1 long enough on the Mac to see any issues.

I will say this: 32 bit Vista on my MackBook was the easiest Windows install I ever did in my entire life. Apple did a great job making it easy. It is also the most reliable Windows system that I have ever used. My only issue has been with games that get that stupid nVidia driver lockup. nVidia won't take responsibility for it and it is pissing me off.

Here is another thought. I still have my original 128k Mac (Upgraded to Mac Plus). How many PC owners still have a PC that they bough in 1984?

Mar 20, 08 - 11:03 am Comment from: Ampar

Absolutely, jacob. Turing should be on the list. Sad ending to a brilliant mind.

Mar 20, 08 - 11:25 am Comment from: Cubert

@BSOD,
But, is your 128k Mac still running? If so, what OS?

Someone woke up and told the world the Emperor wasn't wearing any clothes...

In this case, perhaps it was Apple.

ORRRR perhaps it's because MS:
1] Promised big things in Vista, then pulled them all out.
2] Knowledge that Vista was completely mis-managed leaked out years before Vista was launched. Started over in 2004.
3] Lack of Vista confidence stalled new OS sales.
4] MS has poorly managed the conversion from 32bit OS to 64bit OS, not to mention the thousands of drivers that are of issue.
5] One month before Vista went RTM, MS was still trying to work out their graphics accellerated GUI technology, which beta testers proved were was too resource hungry.
6] Hardware requirements are higher than the expectations of their customers.
7] Vista is slower than XP (and customers know it).
8] Gamers hate Vista because it's unstable and requires too much hardware resources (resource hog).
9] Vista doesn't present potential customers with any innovation, just a cleaned up version of XP.

@Cubert

It is not a 128k anymore, it is a Mac Plus. It has System 6 and and external SCSI drive. I have not booted it in ages, but it still works.

I used it for Hypercard development. I know I have some neat applications on it. One of them was a Help Desk application that was light years ahead of its time when I wrote it.

Finally ordered my first Macintosh (a Mac Pro) just a few minutes ago. Advertising had nothing to do with it. Vista, with its forced hardware upgrade, was a factor. Microsoft's "Genuine Advantage" program and general embrace of DRM was another.

I'll be giving my new Mac a thorough test. I'll push all the buttons, and see how far I can take it. I might write a few programs for it (leaning towards Java). I'll see how intuitive it is, and how hard it is to shift to a different OS.

Meanwhile, I'll keep my HP with XP Media Center edition going alongside it--to watch TV on, at the very least. Got a dual-input monitor so I can switch back and forth between the two without having to use a KVM switch. If the Mac turns out to be better, I'll continue with Macs. But I'll keep an open mind, and subject the Mac to the same scrutiny I apply to Windows.

MDN Magic Word: "training." Appropriate, I suppose.

"6] Hardware requirements are higher than the expectations of their customers."

Rather hardware requirements have been set too LOW. They originally wanted to set them higher, but dropped them when asked to by Intel. It can up in the current court case.

... speaking of which is it surprising that MS are dropping in people's estimation when they're constantly trooping in and out the courts?

Of course, there's such a thing as a frivolous lawsuit, so it's not just the being taken to court: rather it's the revelations that come out in court ... when their own documents are before the court ... well ...

You only have to read MS's own internal mail to see what they really think and what things they're up to behind closed doors. No wonder they deliberately destroy so much email these days.

or as someone in a decent non media spun reality would put it....

the truth about Microsoft finally having an effect

Mar 20, 08 - 12:44 pm Comment from: Mac-nugget

MDN take is good, but he forgot to mention Google, which is Microsofts biggest thorn on their foot. Even bigger then Apple. Microsoft's failure to be able to compete in this arena can not be more clearly represented by their desperate move to buy Yahoo. MS has been in a downward spiral. I have always said it. Microsoft will fall from within. The larger the giant the bigger the fall.

Mar 20, 08 - 12:46 pm Comment from: Big Al

@ Ampar,

What about Leon, Chuck and Dick?

They only invented the first LCD screen in their garage in Hoboken.

Ina Fried = Microsoft toady with zero credibility.

Mar 20, 08 - 12:53 pm Comment from: Grifterus

I have an operational 1982 IBM PC.

I also have an operational 128k Mac.

Oh, and a 1 MB Macintosh Plus too.

I also have a NextStation fully operational.

And (hehehe!!) an beautiful original Apple ][ working too.

Mar 20, 08 - 01:01 pm Comment from: Madmax

You forgot the fridge sized turd that is the new WOW surface turd.

Mar 20, 08 - 01:01 pm Comment from: Jubei

MDN is on a roll!!! LOL

"The chrome-plated turd that is Vista, the brown turd that is Zune, the abandoned "PlaysForSure" partners, the massive Xbox "Red Ring of Death" hardware failures to the tune of $1+ billion, the screwing of 300,00+ Xbox customers with obsolete HD DVD doorstops, the goofy, unprofessional, truth-bending and oft-nauseating CEO Ballmer constantly sticking his big fat foot into his even bigger, fatter mouth... It all adds up."

Mar 20, 08 - 01:38 pm Comment from: Jim - TIV

The survey was done by a company called Superbrands. Here's their specs for companys that qualify and the presidents email addy.



"Brands are rated on the following three factors; 1) Quality, i.e. does the brand represent quality products and services? 2) Reliability, i.e. can you trust the brand to deliver consistently against its promises and maintainproduct and service standards across all customer touch points? 3) Distinction, i.e. is the brand well known in its sector, is it suitably differentiated from its competitors and does it have a personality and values that make it unique within its market place. All three factors are considered essential ingredients in a Business Superbrand. In addition all highly rated brands must stand up against the following definition; “a Business Superbrand has establishedthe finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and or tangible advantagesover its competitors, which (consciously or sub-consciously) customers want, recognise, and areconfident about investing in. Business Superbrands are targeted at organisations (although notnecessarily exclusively so)”. Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the Business Superbrands Council commented at the launch ‘weshould congratulate all 500 brands who have been awarded Business Superbrand status. Beatingthousands of other brands from all fields of industry they represent the business branding elite andcan be proud of their achievement. Owning a strong brand is key to having a successful business, although the need to develop and invest in a brand has only recently been considered a priority inmost business-business markets, making these winners even more noteworthy.”"

Mar 20, 08 - 01:45 pm Comment from: Cubert

@BSOD,
That's SWEEEEET!

I love when MDN posts that vid of Ballmer. Can't get enough of that and his inventive stats: "let's say we have 20% of that high end market".
It's the lack of vision and the crap products that have caught up with them. A series of funny, well-crafted ads alone did not do this.
Bring out the deck chairs!

Mar 20, 08 - 02:13 pm Comment from: Anonymous©

MS's brand is down, has nothing to do with Apple's Get a Mac campaign. If anything, the PC is very sympathetically portrayed.

Brand rep is due to customer service. MS has had lots of terrible customer service due to 30+% failures of its Xbox 360. And, it's terrible Vista OS. That's what is driving MS's brand down.