The Thoughts of a PC User: A Response to Microsoft's New Ads

As I sit here, trying to articulate my thoughts on Microsoft's new ads, I find myself struggling to get started. The video is already over two minutes and 30 seconds long, and I'm still trying to gather my train of thought. However, I'll do my best to provide you with my honest opinion on these new ads.

At first glance, it seems like Microsoft is finally taking the bait and engaging in a direct competition with Apple's advertising campaigns. The "I'm a PC" slogan has become a catchphrase for both companies, but Microsoft's latest ads seem to be taking a more nuanced approach. They're not just slapping on a catchy phrase and calling it a day; they're trying to make a point about the capabilities of Windows operating systems.

But, in my opinion, Microsoft is still playing catch-up. Apple's ads have always been clever and effective, pointing out specific flaws or limitations of their competitors' products. For example, the "Get a Mac" campaign was incredibly successful because it directly targeted Vista users, highlighting its shortcomings compared to Leopard. Microsoft, on the other hand, seems to be taking a more broad approach, trying to appeal to a wider audience without really addressing any specific criticisms.

I think what's holding Microsoft back is their tendency to focus on the positives of Windows, rather than acknowledging and addressing the negatives. The "I'm a PC" campaign was always more about celebrating the diversity of Windows users, but it never really tackled the elephant in the room: Vista's reputation for being buggy and unstable. Apple, on the other hand, has always been willing to poke fun at itself and acknowledge its flaws.

One ad that stood out to me was the one featuring a girl working in a server room. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this ad, but it seems like Microsoft is trying to position themselves as a viable alternative for IT professionals who don't need the luxury of Macs. However, I'm still unsure if this is a winning strategy. The ad feels a bit disjointed and doesn't quite land.

As someone who's been in the PC user community for a while, I have to say that Microsoft has finally gotten their act together when it comes to advertising. Their new ads are more polished and less awkward than anything they've produced in the past. But, at the end of the day, I still think they're not doing enough to directly challenge Apple.

One thing that's clear is that Microsoft needs to stop playing it safe and start taking risks. They need to start pointing out real flaws in their competitors' products and showcasing the unique benefits of Windows. Until then, they'll always be seen as playing catch-up with Apple.

But, I digress. What do you guys think? Do you like these new ads from Microsoft? Do you think they're finally starting to get it right? Or are there still too many flaws in their approach? Let me know in the comments!

One thing that's worth noting is that some PC fanboys and Windows enthusiasts have taken umbrage with my opinions on these ads. They've been quick to jump on me, calling me out for not being a true Windows advocate. But I say, bring it on! I'm happy to engage with anyone who wants to disagree with me.

Ultimately, the most important thing is that we're having this conversation at all. Microsoft's new ads may not be perfect, but they're definitely an improvement over their previous attempts. And if we can keep the discussion going and encourage more people to share their thoughts, then I think we'll get somewhere eventually.

As I wrap up this article, I want to leave you with a few parting shots. Apple's ads are always clever and effective because they focus on specific flaws or limitations in Windows products. Microsoft needs to take a cue from them and start pointing out real problems with their competitors' products.

But, at the same time, I think Microsoft is doing a better job than anyone gives them credit for. They're not just slapping on a catchy slogan and calling it a day; they're trying to make a point about the capabilities of Windows operating systems.

So, what do you guys think? Are you excited about these new ads from Microsoft? Do you think they're finally starting to get it right? Let me know in the comments!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis is a follow-up video to my Microsoft what is your point video that I made like a week ago or so actually I believe last Friday a week from today and I got to say the video generated a lot of a lot more Buzz than I expected it to I believe it has over 20,000 views now which is a good thing because I really really like it when people get involved even the haters cuz unfortunately I had a lot of people calling me dumbass and all these other horrible names just because I express my opinions on a commercial guys it's my opinion you have your own opinions but there's no reason to call me a dumbass come on grow up a little bit anyway this is a follow-up video like I said um to talk about Microsoft's latest ads first of all let me just say that the second sign Feld ad much better Microsoft um it's not a direct stab at Apple like the latest ads are but fix my light a little bit it's blinding me um I got to admit the ad was very funny the second ad it was like 4 minutes and 30 seconds long that's a freaking long ad but um I can't really talk cuz my my videos are longer than they should be whatever um but the whole family thing was really funny the humor was great um Bill Gates is actually pretty funny on camera um I won't lie about that Gates is actually pretty funny um I I didn't I didn't really know he had it in him um anyway it seems Microsoft dropped the Seinfeld ads already I don't know if this is because they were unsuccessful or if Microsoft playist all ahead of time and I believe that's what they told the press that this is planned but I guess there no real way of knowing unless you know Bill Gates personally or anyone big at Microsoft so if you have not seen these new videos um go to macrumors.com scroll down it's like the third or fourth story or just or just go on YouTube in that search bar up there somewhere and search I'm a PC yes some get a Mac ads will come up but you will see the uh new ads by Microsoft anyway I'm talking a lot and I'm already up to like 2 minutes and 30 seconds or about um okay so these these new ads are much better Microsoft good job you're finally slapping Apple in the face and saying F you okay not really um that's that's more apple style however Microsoft is finally getting the point they're advertis ing is getting more direct towards Apple the the whole I'm I'm a PC and I sell fish I'm a PC and I I wear glasses I run an IT department I I don't know if somebody said that but they showed some girl in some server room I'm not sure I totally understand this ad but I'm going to shoot out my thoughts right now I believe Microsoft is is going for the whole even though I use Windows that doesn't mean I cannot make a difference kind of thought process um um again I could be wrong cuz it's my opinion so don't freak out but I think they're going for that uh route route whatever you want to say um it it seems good the whole I I sell fish I there were plenty of them the uh real ad's like a minute long but basically what what Microsoft is saying is you don't you don't have to use a Mac to do something special that's that's the way I I I look at it however Microsoft is on the track but I think they could be doing a little better I think they should be going direct head-to-head with apple they're not head-to-head yet they're like almost there but Apple's advertising campaign the whole I'm a Mac I'm a PC thing they're directly targeting Vista and pointing out vista's flaws and stuff like that whereas Microsoft is just going for the more broad view um I think Microsoft should really come out and say you know what all this stuff Apple says in their ads um they're they're not right basically well I think they're right um Mo most of Apple's ads are the truth and I know I'm going to have some PC fan windows Fanboys coming in here and say oh David shut the up and you you don't you don't know what you're talking about what that's how you guys talk unfortunately um I I like I like to be civil unlike you so my my point is real quick that Apple's ads while they do stab it Vista it's the truth the whole cancel or allow thing um the whole seven different versions of Vista maybe five or seven I'm not sure um you don't need five or seven different versions of Vista you just need one there's one version of os 10 leopard well there's there's also server but I'm like talking about for the consumer um this is a very unorganized video I just I just want to get my thoughts out there real quick and I'm sick as it is if you can't tell I'm congested um but I just I just want to make this video real quick to ask you guys what are your thoughts on the newest Microsoft ads um personally I think Microsoft Microsoft is doing a much better job now yes the ads before these did not really have a point and that's the whole point behind them that made sense because I know I because because I know I had a lot of people flaming me saying David that's the thing these these Bill Gates and Seinfeld ads don't have a point that's the thing they're they're just there to show show you that Microsoft is very laidback and stuff like that uh which could be the truth um I guess we'll never really know now that they canceled them well not canceled they moved on to the better ads so I would like to see where Microsoft goes from here I would really like to see them go direct head-to-head with apple they are not doing that yet and and I know I'm and I know I'm repeating myself a lot right now and I can barely talk as it is but those are my thoughts this is is probably the most unorganized video I've ever made but um I haven't had a video in a few days and I like to get my thoughts out there to start up a debate so respond with your thoughts via video audio uh text comment and please try try to be civil with without calling me a dumbass or say oh David you're you're you're so gay for saying this guys come on be civil sound mature and at least sound intelligent so I'm not I'm not flaming everybody out there but there's a small group of windows Fanboys out there that like to jump on me when when they get a chance yes I'm looking at you you know who you are I'm not even going to say her name cuz you're not worth my time all right thanks for watching um respond with your thoughts that's it peacethis is a follow-up video to my Microsoft what is your point video that I made like a week ago or so actually I believe last Friday a week from today and I got to say the video generated a lot of a lot more Buzz than I expected it to I believe it has over 20,000 views now which is a good thing because I really really like it when people get involved even the haters cuz unfortunately I had a lot of people calling me dumbass and all these other horrible names just because I express my opinions on a commercial guys it's my opinion you have your own opinions but there's no reason to call me a dumbass come on grow up a little bit anyway this is a follow-up video like I said um to talk about Microsoft's latest ads first of all let me just say that the second sign Feld ad much better Microsoft um it's not a direct stab at Apple like the latest ads are but fix my light a little bit it's blinding me um I got to admit the ad was very funny the second ad it was like 4 minutes and 30 seconds long that's a freaking long ad but um I can't really talk cuz my my videos are longer than they should be whatever um but the whole family thing was really funny the humor was great um Bill Gates is actually pretty funny on camera um I won't lie about that Gates is actually pretty funny um I I didn't I didn't really know he had it in him um anyway it seems Microsoft dropped the Seinfeld ads already I don't know if this is because they were unsuccessful or if Microsoft playist all ahead of time and I believe that's what they told the press that this is planned but I guess there no real way of knowing unless you know Bill Gates personally or anyone big at Microsoft so if you have not seen these new videos um go to macrumors.com scroll down it's like the third or fourth story or just or just go on YouTube in that search bar up there somewhere and search I'm a PC yes some get a Mac ads will come up but you will see the uh new ads by Microsoft anyway I'm talking a lot and I'm already up to like 2 minutes and 30 seconds or about um okay so these these new ads are much better Microsoft good job you're finally slapping Apple in the face and saying F you okay not really um that's that's more apple style however Microsoft is finally getting the point they're advertis ing is getting more direct towards Apple the the whole I'm I'm a PC and I sell fish I'm a PC and I I wear glasses I run an IT department I I don't know if somebody said that but they showed some girl in some server room I'm not sure I totally understand this ad but I'm going to shoot out my thoughts right now I believe Microsoft is is going for the whole even though I use Windows that doesn't mean I cannot make a difference kind of thought process um um again I could be wrong cuz it's my opinion so don't freak out but I think they're going for that uh route route whatever you want to say um it it seems good the whole I I sell fish I there were plenty of them the uh real ad's like a minute long but basically what what Microsoft is saying is you don't you don't have to use a Mac to do something special that's that's the way I I I look at it however Microsoft is on the track but I think they could be doing a little better I think they should be going direct head-to-head with apple they're not head-to-head yet they're like almost there but Apple's advertising campaign the whole I'm a Mac I'm a PC thing they're directly targeting Vista and pointing out vista's flaws and stuff like that whereas Microsoft is just going for the more broad view um I think Microsoft should really come out and say you know what all this stuff Apple says in their ads um they're they're not right basically well I think they're right um Mo most of Apple's ads are the truth and I know I'm going to have some PC fan windows Fanboys coming in here and say oh David shut the up and you you don't you don't know what you're talking about what that's how you guys talk unfortunately um I I like I like to be civil unlike you so my my point is real quick that Apple's ads while they do stab it Vista it's the truth the whole cancel or allow thing um the whole seven different versions of Vista maybe five or seven I'm not sure um you don't need five or seven different versions of Vista you just need one there's one version of os 10 leopard well there's there's also server but I'm like talking about for the consumer um this is a very unorganized video I just I just want to get my thoughts out there real quick and I'm sick as it is if you can't tell I'm congested um but I just I just want to make this video real quick to ask you guys what are your thoughts on the newest Microsoft ads um personally I think Microsoft Microsoft is doing a much better job now yes the ads before these did not really have a point and that's the whole point behind them that made sense because I know I because because I know I had a lot of people flaming me saying David that's the thing these these Bill Gates and Seinfeld ads don't have a point that's the thing they're they're just there to show show you that Microsoft is very laidback and stuff like that uh which could be the truth um I guess we'll never really know now that they canceled them well not canceled they moved on to the better ads so I would like to see where Microsoft goes from here I would really like to see them go direct head-to-head with apple they are not doing that yet and and I know I'm and I know I'm repeating myself a lot right now and I can barely talk as it is but those are my thoughts this is is probably the most unorganized video I've ever made but um I haven't had a video in a few days and I like to get my thoughts out there to start up a debate so respond with your thoughts via video audio uh text comment and please try try to be civil with without calling me a dumbass or say oh David you're you're you're so gay for saying this guys come on be civil sound mature and at least sound intelligent so I'm not I'm not flaming everybody out there but there's a small group of windows Fanboys out there that like to jump on me when when they get a chance yes I'm looking at you you know who you are I'm not even going to say her name cuz you're not worth my time all right thanks for watching um respond with your thoughts that's it peace\n"