Microsoft is attacking Apple pricing in new TV advertisements directed at recession weary consumers.
Mercury News reports that Microsoft's agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, recruited unwitting subjects by posing as a market research firm studying laptop purchasing decisions. They placed a call for volunteers on Craigslist and sent them out with a camera crew and $700 to $2,000. When they found a computer that met their needs they could keep it.
In the first video, red-haired college grad Lauren is searching for a laptop with a 17-inch screen and a "comfortable" keyboard for less than $1,000. After entering the Apple store Lauren returns empty handed. She says the only laptop in her price range has a 13-inch screen.
Back in the car, she sighs and says, "I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person."
Lauren then heads to Best Buy where she ends up buying an HP Windows notebook for $699.
Microsoft says that none of the people they followed were told they would be in a Microsoft ad until after they selected a computer. Even the ones that had a large enough budget to purchase a Mac ended up picking a PC according to the company.
You can take a look at the first ad below...
Mercury News reports that Microsoft's agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, recruited unwitting subjects by posing as a market research firm studying laptop purchasing decisions. They placed a call for volunteers on Craigslist and sent them out with a camera crew and $700 to $2,000. When they found a computer that met their needs they could keep it.
In the first video, red-haired college grad Lauren is searching for a laptop with a 17-inch screen and a "comfortable" keyboard for less than $1,000. After entering the Apple store Lauren returns empty handed. She says the only laptop in her price range has a 13-inch screen.
Back in the car, she sighs and says, "I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person."
Lauren then heads to Best Buy where she ends up buying an HP Windows notebook for $699.
Microsoft says that none of the people they followed were told they would be in a Microsoft ad until after they selected a computer. Even the ones that had a large enough budget to purchase a Mac ended up picking a PC according to the company.
You can take a look at the first ad below...