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Microsoft ads brag that Windows powers cheap PeeCees

Written by: Dennis Sellers

Article Overview: Is it just me or does anyone else think Microsoft needs a new ad firm? First, it was the Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld spots (surreally bad and mercifully short-lived), then the “I’m a PC’ campaign (which put most viewers to sleep). Now the Big M has a new ad campaign that basically brags that Windows powers cheap PeeCees.

Microsoft ads brag that Windows powers cheap PeeCees

Is it just me or does anyone else think Microsoft needs a new ad firm? First, it was the Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld spots (surreally bad and mercifully short-lived), then the “I’m a PC’ campaign (which put most viewers to sleep). Now the Big M has a new ad campaign that basically brags that Windows powers cheap PeeCees.

I understand Microsoft’s strategy: convince folks that Macs are too expensive in this current economic climate. But this tactic ignores the theory of the Sellers Research Firm that people will spend more moolah on a computer that they’ll be using as an integral part of a digital lifestyle—which are what Macs are designed for.

Microsoft’s new ads fail to mention why the generic PCs are so much cheaper than the Macs they’re compared to, the fact that said PCs are much more prone to viruses and malware, and the fact that Macs come with better software (such as iLife). The ads also mention the Zune (which has bombed) and the XBox (which is being trounced by the Nintendo Wii).

And as noted by "AppleInsider": "Microsoft’s software isn’t cheap. Retail upgrades for Windows are nearly twice as expensive as Mac OS X, and more expensive than Linux, which can be obtained for free."

Another take on the new Microsoft ads comes from "Acmeplex": “Isn’t this campaign going to tick off all their partners—basically telling people who are buying PC’s there is no reason to pick and choose from Sony, Hp, Dell, Asus or whatever—just go for the rock bottom pricing computer – why pay a penny more as long as it’s got MS Windows in it? A solid selling point for MS & Windows – but how do PC makers who spend millions/hundreds of million on branding feel about this … Microsoft is specifically telling customers NOT to expect to pay more than $699 for a computer with Windows on it.”

Of course, I’m biased. Still, though the Mac may initially cost more, the total cost of ownership matters more to me. The ease of use, fewer problems and less headaches are worth a few bucks more.

But Microsoft is getting desperate. As "InformationWeek" notes, Microsoft needs Windows 7 to be a hit. “Vista has failed to catch on with mainstream computer users while businesses have shunned it outright,” the article notes. “Users have complained about Vista’s hardware requirements, intrusive security measures, and lack of compatibility with older applications. Partly as a result, Windows sales fell eight percent in Microsoft’s most recent quarter, while Macs have been gaining market share in recent months.”

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Article Tags: ad campaign, asus, better software, bill gates, cost of ownership, digital lifestyle, economic climate, headaches, jerry seinfeld, mac os x, malware, microsoft ads, ms windows, nintendo wii, os x, rock bottom, tactic, viruses, wii, zune



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