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That's funny!! Esp. budgeting.

Budgetting is the best mac ad I've seen...

I can't figure out which is more brutal; Budgeting or Off the Air

Oct 20, 08 - 11:49 am Comment from: Shieldzee

If you listen really carefully, you can hear an office chair being thrown in Redmond.

Ouch.

Simple Great!
Funny and it did not last 15 minutes either cost 300 millions...

Oct 20, 08 - 11:52 am Comment from: makemineamac

Budgeting is absolutely brilliant.

Oct 20, 08 - 11:54 am Comment from: auren

MS left themselves wide open for this.

Best ad yet in an incredible lineup.

Awaiting the posts about how Apple is "threatened" and how the proof is in these new ads.

Yeah, it's a strawman, but usually a true one...

Oct 20, 08 - 12:04 pm Comment from: Predrag

haven't we already discussed these two in another thread, just a few headlines below?

Budgeting is one of the best yet, a nearly perfect response to those ridiculous MS commercials. MS spent all that money on those long, nonsensical ads, and in one simple 30 second spot, Apple just punched them in the face, again. Sweet...

It's a great spot, but I wonder if they're spending a little too much time "going negative" these days. The ads are all about Microsoft's problems and not as much about Mac benefits.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:10 pm Comment from: shawnpetriw

This is really new territory for Apple ads - Budgeting goes squarely after Microsoft management, where their attacks before were via the product.

I love that Apple calls bullsh*t on Microsoft in this way.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:10 pm Comment from: alansky

"Bean counter" has to be the most devastasting ad in the series ever. Interesting that its power comes from simply telling the truth: Microsoft is throwing money at Vista advertising instead of fixing the damn thing.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:13 pm Comment from: shawnpetriw

The best move, so subtle that I missed it the first time, is the scoop of Macs arm to suggest the investment should be made in fixing Vis -- BZZZ -- ta instead of in advertising. Nice contrast.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:13 pm Comment from: alansky

t's a great spot, but I wonder if they're spending a little too much time "going negative" these days. The ads are all about Microsoft's problems and not as much about Mac benefits. —jgarbers

Some of the ads in this long-running series do focus on the shortcomings of Microsoft's products, but others focus on the Mac's strengths (the ability to run Windows, for instance). Besides, this ad campaign has been so stunningly successful that I don't think anyone need worry that Apple is being too negative here. Anyway, Microsoft deserves it.

jgarbers--There's a theory in advertising that going negative can be a positive or a negative for the advertiser depending on how it's done. I think these are done in a lighthearted, humorous way, so they catch on.

A couple of other things. I'm not exactly sure how long this campaign has gone on, but it has to be over 3 years. It's consistent, so we really don't listen to the individual commercials, but at the whole group.

Microsoft has changed their campaign so many times, that I have no clue what they're saying. And Microsoft is acting defensively to Apple, and that means game set match for Apple.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:19 pm Comment from: Lurker_PC

Agree with others. I was really laughing at the Bean Counter ad.

Peace.

I can understand why advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day made this advertisement ridiculing advertising: Microsoft is not their account.

Thankfully for TBWA\Chiat\Day, Apple needs to make advertisements about Microsoft Windows as long as Apple continues to produce an operating system.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:20 pm Comment from: iWill

Very interesting to see Apple's response to the MS "I'm a PC" ads. Initially, we saw a torrent of new iPhone and App Store ads from Apple, yet no new "Get a Mac" ads. I think that these iPhone ads took some of the focus off of the Mac/PC tit-for-tat pissing match, and instead showcased just why Apple rules this new computer/consumer space (palm top smart phones).

Now that the initial blush has worn off the "I'm a PC" ads, Apple comes roaring back with their "Get a Mac" response, and its brilliant; in one deft stroke, Apple has destroyed Microsoft's $300M ad campaign by demonstrating the pure folly of putting lip-stick on a bloated pig called Vist... I mean Windows.

Simple, elegant, Apple.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:23 pm Comment from: The Great Microsoft Shiller Massacre

@The Great Apple Fanboy Massacre

"When you have nothing of your own to boast about, attack the other guy. That's the Apple way. God forbid they would ever have more class than that."

Poor, even for you. You can do better trolls than that.

You're no Zune Tang. Read some of his trolls and prepared to be schooled on how it's done.

Apple's campaign has been good for humor, but doesn't really illustrate to people why they should use Apple products; they come off as more of an inside joke for existing Apple users.

Microsoft has most of IT brainwashed through their MS certified courses.

Brainwashing consumers through TV spots has just run into a roadblock that the certified courses don't have to contend with.

Keep up those negative ads Apple. Throw in one for the MS Certified Weenies as well.

Oct 20, 08 - 12:35 pm Comment from: Cubert

I was loving those ads everytime I saw them yesterday. That and the fact that I was crushing the other guy in fantasy football yesterday.

Oh, yeah - GO PHILLIES!!!

The best hitting lineup top to bottom.

Agree the budget ad is the best yet.

This is very aggressive advertising; opportunistic; like pummeling your opponent when he's down. Unlike some of the really pitiful ads out in the political spectrum, these ads have a consistency, humor and lightness about them - more like an invitation than an insult for those suffering in the opposite camp - and they exploit truths rather than attempt to mislead.

You have to admire Steve Jobs; he truly has taste. In contrast, Uncle Fester comes across as a lowlife, straight-faced liar. I see parallels in this battle with the current election campaign. The forces of light should triumph over the forces of darkness. Before any retard stands up to cheer, I should add that I'm not talking about skin color... but heart.

The end does not justify the means.

No offense... but the real reason Apple is going for this type of marketing is clear. They're taking advantage while they can.

Apple knows that many of Vista's problems will be fixed by next year when they release their incremental upgrade (they're moving to an Apple OSX model of incremental upgrades, as opposed to ground-breaking ones).

Now I love OS X and my iMac, but I don't think Windows doesn't have its place. I'd shudder to think if there was no Windows around. To a certain degree it keeps Apple honest. Remember, folks, they make great stuff, but Steve Jobs does not love you.

Oct 20, 08 - 01:14 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

Brutal.
Brilliant.
TRUE!

Oct 20, 08 - 01:18 pm Comment from: Andy

Seeing the beancounter makes me wonder if Steve reads MDN, since that's been the running joke here ever since the half billion (then 300 million) ad campaigns started.

It's a shame PC didn't take a lighter to the cash pile and then declare "Problem solved!"

As much as I enjoy these ads, I REALLY wish Apple would just have an ad that stuck with the issue. Show users all the great features that you can do with OS X versus VISTA <bzzz>. Sorry ;(

Anyway, I REALLY like the ads that they have for the iPhone. Direct and to the point what you can so easily do with the iPhone. No iPhone versus Windows Mobile. That would be pointless.

And what was the result? FLOCKS of users trashing their old 'smart' phones and moving to iPhone. Personally, I have seen droves of non-mac users dump their old phone for the iPhone, based simply on the issues.

Apple, I think if you do the same you can clobber MS where it hurts. Everyone knows that millions spend on advertising will not change the fact that Vista is a pig. Get the real word out, line by line go over the features and functionality that really make a Mac a Mac and the lines will be clearly drawn.

What will MS have left, nothing but pointless attack ads like Mac is the preferred computer of terrorists or that the unified solution of hardware and software is the technological birth of socialism or something like that.

<a >Get 'em where it hurts</a>

Oct 20, 08 - 01:44 pm Comment from: Andy

Jeff Goldblum ought to do a cameo at some point, in those ads. Who can remember the G5 PowerMac 'blow out' ad?

Oct 20, 08 - 01:47 pm Comment from: ken1w

There seems to be an endless number of ways to make fun of Microsoft and Windows Vista. They can keep doing these commercials forever.

Stick with Issues, ... My theory is that Jobs made a deal with the devil way back when, when MSFT loaned AAPL money, when Apple was on the verge of going under. If you notice, Apple has NEVER shown the working screen of one of its computers on a TV commercial. It goes beyond my understanding... there has to have been some sort of deal made. How can you not show the strongest features of one of your products? Thank God for the Apple stores. At least there, outsiders can see what they are missing.

They did: MacBook Air Commercial.

The Air in this commercial is normally running.

And have you noticed that Apple's iPod and iPhone commercials are pretty much the only ones NOT saying, in fine print, "Screen images simulated"?

"My theory is that Jobs made a deal with the devil way back when, when MSFT loaned AAPL money, when Apple was on the verge of going under."

That's either revisionism or ignorance of the subject.

Oct 20, 08 - 02:54 pm Comment from: Boghog

Somewhat related to the V Word commercial:

Microsoft gets bleeping patent

Oct 20, 08 - 03:09 pm Comment from: Macintosher

Ho ho ho!

To all those who say Apple should point out what OS X can do, versus what Vista can't, my question to you is, Where have you been? Haven't you seen the other 50 ads Apple has already done?

If Apple didn't respond to MS's "I'm pissy" ads, then they would be doing exactly what MS did, which is to let Apple define the relationship. Apple is responding immediately, because it can.

As some have noted, going negative, can hurt you, but only if you don't have a leg to stand on. Going negative can help, if there's truth in what you're saying. I mean, the reason why everyone laughs upon seeing the beancounter ad, is because it's SO TRUE!

I think VAGINA has more baggage than vista, but they both come in different varietys and packages, dumb girl just won't go away.

@v word

that was the perfect way to end this thread. lol

Just wondered when Mr Massacre was going to start saying something positive about Windows in his post?

Apple manage to clearly separate the terms 'PC' vs. 'Windows' in less than 1 sentence than all the "I'm a PC" ads attempts to confuse the two. Brilliant!

These ads are STUPID. They remind me of Junior High kids who try to build themselves up by tearing down others. Apple should spend its time fixing Apple's problems on Apple's products not putting down Vista. The MONEY spent on these stupid ads would be better spent improving Apple products. GASP! Isn't that the point of the ad????? What the?????? Apple is looking more like MS everday. Soon, their execs will be wearing Balmer masks.

Oct 20, 08 - 09:43 pm Comment from: The Great Microsoft Shiller Massacre

@JoshtheiMacGuy

"Apple should spend its time fixing Apple's problems on Apple's products not putting down Vista."

Name a few.