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Topic: Apple

Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

Summary: In an apparent attempt to reverse the effects of Apple's long-running Mac versus PC campaign, Microsoft launches a site that suggests among other things that PCs are more fun.

Chris Matyszczyk

By Chris Matyszczyk |

Perhaps it was the sight of Justin Long and John Hodgman wafting into the night, dragging their jokes behind them, that made Microsoft feel a little bolder.

Yes, now that the "Get a Mac" campaign seems to have been retired by Apple, Microsoft has launched a touching attempt to reverse some of Apple's sweet and amusing put-downs.

Microsoft's new creation is a site called "PC versus Mac". Yet if you're looking for a joke or two as you weigh up your options, you will have to search very, very hard. There are no images of bespectacled gray-bearded men in loose Levi's. There are no stray comments about antennas or fanboys.

Read the full story Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site on CNET News.

Topics: Apple, Hardware, Microsoft

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16 comments
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  • Fix your upgrade process, THEN talk!

    For the so-called greatest software company in the world, they sure do have probably the most PATHETIC upgrade process I've ever seen! If you're upgrading your drive along with your OS, you're required to install both the original OS along with the new OS in order to get a working install. Most NORMAL upgrades require only a qualifying serial number. Not these "geniuses"! If you're going to sell the advantages of PC over Mac, the first place to start is making your installations PAINFREE and FLAWLESS!
    frankz00
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

      @frankz00 WTH are you talking about? Sounds like someone got a cheapo upgrade version and now complaining about it... Sad really. And this is part of why M$ has the reputation that it has, because it tries to accomodate all people.
      nicholas22
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

      @frankz00

      The underdogs are barking.

      Dell has also put up it's own Apple bashing effort, called "Apples to Apples".

      But since they can't use the truth to compare themselves to Apple, they use "anti-truths".

      For example, in the first comparison of the MacBook Pro 15 to the Dell Studio 15:

      - the MacBook Pro 15 has a much faster, more expensive 2.66GHz Intel Core i7, while the Dell Studio 15 has a slower 1.73GHz Intel Core i7
      - the MacBook Pro 15 has a has a higher resolution 1440x900 screen, while the Dell Studio 15 has a lower resolution 1280x720 screen
      - the MacBook Pro 15 has a backlit keyboard, while the Dell Studio 15 doesn't
      - the MacBook Pro 15 has a battery good for 10 hours of use, while the Dell Studio 15 battery is good for only 5 hours
      - the MacBook Pro 15 has Bluetooth built-in, while the Dell Studio 15 doesn't
      - the MacBook Pro 15 has a durable, rigid aluminum body, while the Dell Studio is plastic
      - etc.

      If you left out all the facts in a comparison, you could make a Ford Pinto seem like a better car than a Ferrari (the Pinto seats 4, and has much better gas mileage than the Ferrari ;-)

      And with Microsoft telling us that:

      - Windows PCs are more fun than Macs
      - Windows PCs are more intuitive than Macs
      - Windows PCs are more compatible than Macs (when everyone knows you can run ALL software, Mac and Windows, on a Mac)
      - Macs can't be used at work or school
      - Macs don't work well on a network
      - And that you have more choices with Windows PCs (... as long as you're not concerned with quality)

      Really, Microsoft???

      Have you checked the length of your nose lately?

      There is an excellent (and funny) article about Microsoft's lame attempt at:
      http://rixstep.com/1/1/20100810,00.shtml
      Harvey Lubin
      Reply Vote

  • Too bad it's mostly lies

    Except the BluRay stuff.
    itguy08
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

      @itguy08 Most of it is true actually. But some points are subjective... I just happen to agree.
      nicholas22
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

    The reason you ahve to install the old os and then upgrade to the new one is because your too cheap to buy the full version and bought the upgrade, this was a problem before when people were just using the old serial number to install the next version of windows and they never had the previous version.
    Xyberviri
    Reply Vote

    • If they're going to perform a check then go back to asking...

      @Xyberviri: ...for the install media. This requirement of having the previous version installed and activated is foolish.
      ye
      Reply Vote

  • The fun PC things I miss

    It's been six years now and after visiting this site I have to confess missing some sad nostalgic PC fun.

    Oh the days of watching those colorful little graphic file blocks dance across my monitor screen during times I defragged my hard drive and then the pure joy, after after an hour or so, when I finally achieved a solid green block of perfectly arranged file blocks.

    Or the exquisite rapture of my first successful registry repair. Oh bless you, PC Tools!

    Or my fun at determing which yellow tagged files by Norton' Anti Virus program was truly safe to delete or repair.

    Or the bliss of awaiting new hardware device drivers promising that this time for sure my hardware would work the way I expected it to work.

    Oh yeah, a tear comes to my eye just thinking about those fun times.
    kenosha77a
    Reply Vote

  • Terrific

    Now Steve Jobs will have to hold another press conference and crybaby to the media because someone is saying not nice things.
    SonofaSailor
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

      @SonofaSailor
      leave stevie alone. His tail is between his legs today by allowing flash into the apple realm *gasp*. Wonder how many people had to force that notion down his throat before he gave in because you know there was a lot of screaming at those meetings.
      rengek
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

    Self confessed bias, but we've debunked some of their 'bolder' claims on our blog: http://blog.pebbleit.com/post/931643829/pc-vs-mac-microsofts-perspective
    pebbleit
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

      @pebbleit Your blog entry is more like a desperate attempt to counter each point, even if you offer few meaningful answers. You even admit you're a fanboi, which is funny. Not really 'debunked' then, more like being partial.
      nicholas22
      Reply Vote

  • Some of you need to chill

    First of all, the blogger at cnet, Chris Matyszczyk is the worst form of modern day journalist. He looooves to write inflammatory headlines to get those click throughs. No easier way to get hits on your page than to write about pc vs macs. He once wrote something that he somehow managed to link it as a facebook issue when it had absolutely nothing to do with facebook but there it was in the article title. You can see all the comments for the article with people writing in anger about the nonsense title. But the more people write, the more hits there are on that page. Forget pro choice vs pro life, pc vs macs is where the money is now.<br><br>Back to the topic. PC people generally just use their PC. Mac people can't seem to be content with just loving their mac personally. YOU MUST also love a mac. If you don't, they will harass you day and night hoping to convert you like they are some twisted catholic church-like priest. I used to like macs but over the last 5 years I have been so incredibly put off by the bad manners of mac people, I can't see myself ever using a mac again. I have dozens of reasons why I won't use a mac but should those reasons really matter to you? I know mac users won't care what reason I give. They will shake their head so vigorously it might fly off. They are the right reasons for me, but personally I don't care what they mean to you unless I'm doing direct business with you and the business revolves around a direct pc or a mac issue. Otherwise who the flip cares ? Do you go nuts if your neighbor doesn't drive the same car you do and you think your car is the shizzle? I hope not anyway, but some of you fanatics are so ridiculous I'm not so sure.
    rengek
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

    Does anyone know of a Windows user with a computer over two years old?
    Anyway, I'm tired of the MacBoiz yelling "the emperor has no clothes", it's repetitive and obvious to the meanest intelligence.
    john_gillespie@...
    Reply Vote

  • MAC users are above it all

    I find it often pointless to argue with die-hard mac fans. All you get is the impression that MacTards think they know much more about computers and ?the industry? than they really do. And/or that they just make up excuses to ?justify? the fact that they paid 2x more for less specs and how an aluminum case makes it as good as a tank. Somehow this latter fact supposed to make them more ?elite? too so PC users are like poor lower class ppls who know nothing because they are just ?one of the masses among the peasants?.
    rasmasyean
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft launches Apple-baiting PC vs. Mac site

    I think MS needs to try a little harder. All I got was with a PC you can get a Blue Ray player, different colors, and Memory Stick!
    JimInKS
    Reply Vote
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