8 ms·

Microsoft launches a PC vs Mac website

12 points by superduper 16y ago

mishmash 16y ago
They pretty much nail the "fun" category, but the repeated shots they take at compatibility (and iWork) seem pretty dishonest to me, considering, you know, Office for Mac has been around 25 years? And the Top 10 list made me laugh aloud: 1) the Dock and contextual menus have been around since 2001 2) iMovie and iPhoto were out first 3) Okay, score one for MS. 4) It takes exactly three clicks on Mac OS X as well. 5) Uh, Spotlight? 6) Macs have long been applauded for their sleep/wake abilities. 7) Again, nothing OS X hasn't done for years. 8) Point two for MS. 9) iTunes/Front are good, internet TV doesn't count. 10) Not really seeing this one either.
- tptacek 16y ago
  The top 10 list isn't really interesting because it's just a framing device for Win7 features; the "real" top 10 list would lead with "native support for Word and Excel", and would include something about security.
  - mishmash 16y ago
    > The top 10 list isn't really interesting because it's just a framing device for Win7 features; Right and it's not technically a top 10 of Mac vs. PC, but the tabs are right next to each other which is why I commented on it.
tptacek 16y ago
You know... all snark aside, a lot of these things are true: * Macs get a tiny fraction of the games available to Windows. * Macs really don't have Bluray support. * Macs really are different from Windows, although they are different in arguably a good way, and my mom had no trouble learning them. * Macs really do a crappy job with Word and Excel, and like it or not, and regardless of the degree to which this is MSFT's fault, Word and Excel are important in business. * Macs are less compatible with hardware, although this is getting less and less so. Now, obviously you have to trade this off against: * Macs shipping out of the box able to do solid video and audio editing --- as in, "plug in the Flip camera and go". * Macs superior out-of-the-box integration with the #1 online digital media store (ITMS) * The all-around better user experience on the Mac for the things most people care about. And, I am genuinely baffled by the "it's easier to share on Windows". Uh, no it isn't. As a Mac user I say it's about time Microsoft stopped pussyfooting around making oblique references to Apple. It's a real fight, and they should try to win it.
- weaksauce 16y ago
  I really like the publishing layout view in word. It saved me countless hours trying to write some documentation for work where you have to describe screenshots and how they work. Basically you have a long narrative of a numbered list and link all the textbox regions so they flow from one to another. I don't think the windows version of word has this mode.
- acqq 16y ago
  What's ironic is that Windows 7 was designed to be more Mac like and less like Windows XP and now they want to claim advantage for Windows 7 as being "more like the computer you know to use."
  - yurisagalov 16y ago
    Windows 7 is more like the computer they know to use, even if it is slightly more "mac like"
- epochwolf 16y ago
  Another thing to think about: My mac is able to my TV without any bugs. (Major use case for my laptop) The screen just flashes and I'm ready to go. When I'm done I can be programming again just by unplugging the adapter. No more fixing my desktop icons. (Don't get me started on how windows handles multiple monitors!)
  - sorbus 16y ago
    That's the exact same behavior my laptop, running windows 7, has when connected to an HDTV (multiple monitors work fine, and it's never messed up my desktop, as well). There's no adapter needed, either, which seems to be what that point was getting at - my highschool, which had standardized on mac laptops, was constantly plagued by difficulties finding adapters when using computers to run projectors. They were constantly lost or misplaced, and using multiple generations of macs often meant that the adapter we first found wasn't the right type.
    - 16y ago
melling 16y ago
9 out of 10 people already use Windows. Are they trying to get that number back up to 9.4 out of 10? I think their efforts are better spent in mobile and building an iPad competitor. It's really going to hurt when Apple and Google lock up the mobile and tablet markets.
- tptacek 16y ago
  A huge chunk of their money depends on people using Windows (the Office hegemony depends in part on people being native Windows), so it'd be borderline irresponsible of them to ignore this issue; Microsoft did make a tablet play, which went nowhere, and for all we know iPad-style tablets really are a flavor of the month. It's hard to argue with tens of billions of dollars.
- j79 16y ago
  My guess: The brass at Microsoft was probably thrilled when Apple switched to Intel. To them, this meant easy virtualization/dual boot setups, so obviously, more licenses sold for Windows (because, c'mon, everyone needs Windows with that vast library of software that EVERYONE uses!) Then they realized people switching were happy with just OS X and the cross platform available titles....
  - elblanco 16y ago
    Raise your hands if you own a Mac and don't have a virtualization/dual-boot setup. crickets
    - aidenn0 16y ago
      I don't, but I have 3 computers
    - mattdw 16y ago
      I have a VM solely for web dev (IE testing.) However, of all my friends and family who own Macs (sample size of about 10) one uses a linux vm for dev, and one more uses Crossover for gaming (WINE, basically). The rest have no virtualization/dual-boot whatsoever.
inodeman 16y ago
I am a developer, and have been using PCs for 20+ years, always wanting to throwing out the windows whenever MSFT crashed the thing. Bought a Mac two years ago, and to tell the truth, I never knew how bad Windows was really until I used OS X. My wife started using computers two years ago, and she just loves the Mac, I am professional developer and can honestly tell you that developing on the Mac is just awesome to developing on Windows,the Mac rocks inside out!!!. Pc's are old school, Macs will rule this new century in computing. Macs are rock solid easy to used by both experienced and unexperienced users. This Microsoft site seems quite lame, and is obviously targeted to users who have never used a Mac. Best regards
- statictype 16y ago
  I am professional developer and can honestly tell you that developing on the Mac is just awesome to developing on Windows,the Mac rocks inside out!!!. Honestly, I find this to be true only when developing against Unixy platforms or tools that have better support for Unix than Windows (like git or node.js or arduino)
j79 16y ago
I was amused by this key point: On a Mac, out of the box, you can only encrypt your home folder. With Windows 7 Ultimate, you can encrypt your entire hard drive and even USB drives. So your stuff can be safer wherever you go. Obviously, the problem with this statement is, any and every Mac you purchase will have encryption available - even if it's "only" the Home folder (which, I'd guess, is where 99% of my personal data is located...) The same can't be said for the PCs at BestBuy with Home or Professional installed. Just amused by it. Now the, "the mouse works differently" statement...I'm not even going to touch that one!
powrtoch 16y ago
I think the crowning irony may be "PCs do what you want: they just work."
- beej71 16y ago
  This bullet point needs to be taken out and shot for all platforms to which it refers.
SmokenJoe 16y ago
Doesn't work on my iPad. "easer to share" Not so much and none of the other argument make sense either. How about cheap and not as bad as people say it is for a marketing campaign?
Herring 16y ago
http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ I don't know about the technical details, but comparing it with the Apple website makes one thing clear: Microsoft has no design sense.
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
- statictype 16y ago
  That page does have a better design. It's a bit funny though that one of the points on a Why-Mac page is that "It can run Windows".
snprbob86 16y ago
What is most striking to me is the frequency at which this site says "many PCs", as in "not all PCs". Or "can get" as in "won't necessarily get". With Apple products, buyers don't have to think. They just buy the iMac which fits in their kitchen nook, or the largest (or smallest) MacBook they can afford. I'm reminded of when I went to the Apple store to buy a spare battery for my Macbook. I wrote down the model and serial numbers of both my existing battery and the laptop itself. I got to the store, walked over to the accessories wall and said "I'd like a spare battery for my Black--". "Black MacBook? Here you go." He hands me the battery. "Anything else I can do for you?"
faragon 16y ago
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi
gphil 16y ago
Forget comparing the OSes, instead compare this to Apple's equivalent website: http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ http://www.apple.com/why-mac/. I don't think there's any question who has the better campaign going.

12 points by superduper 16y ago

They pretty much nail the "fun" category, but the repeated shots they take at compatibility (and iWork) seem pretty dishonest to me, considering, you know, Office for Mac has been around 25 years? And the Top 10 list made me laugh aloud: 1) the Dock and contextual menus have been around since 2001 2) iMovie and iPhoto were out first 3) Okay, score one for MS. 4) It takes exactly three clicks on Mac OS X as well. 5) Uh, Spotlight? 6) Macs have long been applauded for their sleep/wake abilities. 7) Again, nothing OS X hasn't done for years. 8) Point two for MS. 9) iTunes/Front are good, internet TV doesn't count. 10) Not really seeing this one either.

tptacek 16y ago
The top 10 list isn't really interesting because it's just a framing device for Win7 features; the "real" top 10 list would lead with "native support for Word and Excel", and would include something about security.
- mishmash 16y ago
  > The top 10 list isn't really interesting because it's just a framing device for Win7 features; Right and it's not technically a top 10 of Mac vs. PC, but the tabs are right next to each other which is why I commented on it.

tptacek 16y ago

You know... all snark aside, a lot of these things are true: * Macs get a tiny fraction of the games available to Windows. * Macs really don't have Bluray support. * Macs really are different from Windows, although they are different in arguably a good way, and my mom had no trouble learning them. * Macs really do a crappy job with Word and Excel, and like it or not, and regardless of the degree to which this is MSFT's fault, Word and Excel are important in business. * Macs are less compatible with hardware, although this is getting less and less so. Now, obviously you have to trade this off against: * Macs shipping out of the box able to do solid video and audio editing --- as in, "plug in the Flip camera and go". * Macs superior out-of-the-box integration with the #1 online digital media store (ITMS) * The all-around better user experience on the Mac for the things most people care about. And, I am genuinely baffled by the "it's easier to share on Windows". Uh, no it isn't. As a Mac user I say it's about time Microsoft stopped pussyfooting around making oblique references to Apple. It's a real fight, and they should try to win it.

weaksauce 16y ago
I really like the publishing layout view in word. It saved me countless hours trying to write some documentation for work where you have to describe screenshots and how they work. Basically you have a long narrative of a numbered list and link all the textbox regions so they flow from one to another. I don't think the windows version of word has this mode.
acqq 16y ago
What's ironic is that Windows 7 was designed to be more Mac like and less like Windows XP and now they want to claim advantage for Windows 7 as being "more like the computer you know to use."
- yurisagalov 16y ago
  Windows 7 is more like the computer they know to use, even if it is slightly more "mac like"
epochwolf 16y ago
Another thing to think about: My mac is able to my TV without any bugs. (Major use case for my laptop) The screen just flashes and I'm ready to go. When I'm done I can be programming again just by unplugging the adapter. No more fixing my desktop icons. (Don't get me started on how windows handles multiple monitors!)
- sorbus 16y ago
  That's the exact same behavior my laptop, running windows 7, has when connected to an HDTV (multiple monitors work fine, and it's never messed up my desktop, as well). There's no adapter needed, either, which seems to be what that point was getting at - my highschool, which had standardized on mac laptops, was constantly plagued by difficulties finding adapters when using computers to run projectors. They were constantly lost or misplaced, and using multiple generations of macs often meant that the adapter we first found wasn't the right type.
  - 16y ago

melling 16y ago

9 out of 10 people already use Windows. Are they trying to get that number back up to 9.4 out of 10? I think their efforts are better spent in mobile and building an iPad competitor. It's really going to hurt when Apple and Google lock up the mobile and tablet markets.

tptacek 16y ago
A huge chunk of their money depends on people using Windows (the Office hegemony depends in part on people being native Windows), so it'd be borderline irresponsible of them to ignore this issue; Microsoft did make a tablet play, which went nowhere, and for all we know iPad-style tablets really are a flavor of the month. It's hard to argue with tens of billions of dollars.
j79 16y ago
My guess: The brass at Microsoft was probably thrilled when Apple switched to Intel. To them, this meant easy virtualization/dual boot setups, so obviously, more licenses sold for Windows (because, c'mon, everyone needs Windows with that vast library of software that EVERYONE uses!) Then they realized people switching were happy with just OS X and the cross platform available titles....
- elblanco 16y ago
  Raise your hands if you own a Mac and don't have a virtualization/dual-boot setup. crickets
  - aidenn0 16y ago
    I don't, but I have 3 computers
  - mattdw 16y ago
    I have a VM solely for web dev (IE testing.) However, of all my friends and family who own Macs (sample size of about 10) one uses a linux vm for dev, and one more uses Crossover for gaming (WINE, basically). The rest have no virtualization/dual-boot whatsoever.

inodeman 16y ago

I am a developer, and have been using PCs for 20+ years, always wanting to throwing out the windows whenever MSFT crashed the thing. Bought a Mac two years ago, and to tell the truth, I never knew how bad Windows was really until I used OS X. My wife started using computers two years ago, and she just loves the Mac, I am professional developer and can honestly tell you that developing on the Mac is just awesome to developing on Windows,the Mac rocks inside out!!!. Pc's are old school, Macs will rule this new century in computing. Macs are rock solid easy to used by both experienced and unexperienced users. This Microsoft site seems quite lame, and is obviously targeted to users who have never used a Mac. Best regards

statictype 16y ago
I am professional developer and can honestly tell you that developing on the Mac is just awesome to developing on Windows,the Mac rocks inside out!!!. Honestly, I find this to be true only when developing against Unixy platforms or tools that have better support for Unix than Windows (like git or node.js or arduino)

j79 16y ago

I was amused by this key point: On a Mac, out of the box, you can only encrypt your home folder. With Windows 7 Ultimate, you can encrypt your entire hard drive and even USB drives. So your stuff can be safer wherever you go. Obviously, the problem with this statement is, any and every Mac you purchase will have encryption available - even if it's "only" the Home folder (which, I'd guess, is where 99% of my personal data is located...) The same can't be said for the PCs at BestBuy with Home or Professional installed. Just amused by it. Now the, "the mouse works differently" statement...I'm not even going to touch that one!

powrtoch 16y ago

I think the crowning irony may be "PCs do what you want: they just work."

beej71 16y ago
This bullet point needs to be taken out and shot for all platforms to which it refers.

SmokenJoe 16y ago

Doesn't work on my iPad. "easer to share" Not so much and none of the other argument make sense either. How about cheap and not as bad as people say it is for a marketing campaign?

Herring 16y ago

http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ I don't know about the technical details, but comparing it with the Apple website makes one thing clear: Microsoft has no design sense.

deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
statictype 16y ago
That page does have a better design. It's a bit funny though that one of the points on a Why-Mac page is that "It can run Windows".

snprbob86 16y ago

What is most striking to me is the frequency at which this site says "many PCs", as in "not all PCs". Or "can get" as in "won't necessarily get". With Apple products, buyers don't have to think. They just buy the iMac which fits in their kitchen nook, or the largest (or smallest) MacBook they can afford. I'm reminded of when I went to the Apple store to buy a spare battery for my Macbook. I wrote down the model and serial numbers of both my existing battery and the laptop itself. I got to the store, walked over to the accessories wall and said "I'd like a spare battery for my Black--". "Black MacBook? Here you go." He hands me the battery. "Anything else I can do for you?"

faragon 16y ago

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

gphil 16y ago

Forget comparing the OSes, instead compare this to Apple's equivalent website: http://www.apple.com/why-mac/ http://www.apple.com/why-mac/. I don't think there's any question who has the better campaign going.