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Microsoft ad receives lukewarm reviews

JAKE COYLE

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 11:57 AM EST 09/09/08

Spot starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates 'not going to help Microsoft look any cooler' ...Read the full article

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  1. Kev Orng from Canada writes: It's funny and makes a fun little short film, but it's also very 90s. Just like Seinfeld. Just like Windows.

    Not that there's anything WRONG with that... it's just that if you want to hook the 20-30 today, using 90s humour to do it might not be the best approach. it's too old to be cool, but it's not old enough to be retro-cool. 5 or 10 years from now, a Seinfeld approach would be pretty awesome.

    Bill Gates did better than I thought though. If their goal is to convince me that Bill Gates isn't evil, well then, I'm listening. Give me a few more installments and I might be convinced to include Gates in my list of People I Don't Think Are Evil.

    Won't turn me into a Windows user though, I've been using Macs since the 90s... just like Seinfeld!
  2. J. Douglas from Burlington, Canada writes: I gotta say I just didn't get it. I never even smiled, chuckled, smirked let alone laugh. And I generally like Jerry. And Bill. I think someone had better go back to the drawing board if they want to take on Apple's ads.
  3. D. Clearwater from Lethbridge, AB, Canada writes: Well... Microsoft has been the big evil empire for a decade now so this reaction is not really surprising. What I find interesting is that there seems to be more and more negative reaction to the constant Mac vs. PC advertising (that, and probably the overly evangelical Mac fanboy crowd). I actually wonder if we will see Apple becoming something like IBM, Microsoft, Sony, etc.... another monster corp. whose mass consumer appeal with start to erode their coolness factor.
  4. Frank The Tank from Argentina writes: I wished they'd use the money to make Vista better. I'm very dissappointed with it.
  5. black and white from canmore, Canada writes: what about an alaskan moose hunter?
  6. Jack Robinson from London, Canada writes: Given Jerry Seinfeld's success in astutely prime-time packaging dysfunctional Gen X disengagement, smarmy cynicism and self-centric angst into a successful market brand 'about nothing'... his toad-hop into bed with Bilious Bill makes past-perfect anal-retentive sense.

    That the 90's are mercifully over, and that neither uber-nerd has 'nothin new to say to the Me Tube-addicted legions of cyber-slug progeny they helped engender... should not only shut the infectious fuggers up... but slamdunk any odious prospects of Bee Movie 2 or Vista Redux.
  7. Terry Terry from Brantford, Canada writes: Generally so what? After looking at that I'd say a lukewarm reception is pretty good.
  8. And you wonder - Why? from Toronto, Canada writes: I gotta chime in... That sucked... badly too.

    Despite making a living off Microsoft for decades, those commercials really are NOT creative or funny!

    Crash and Burn !!!
  9. Joseph Whistle from Canada writes: LOL! Seinfeld is the Mac guy, and Gates is the PC guy. PC looks boring and stupid.
  10. P Scott from Canada writes: Just couldn't get past the fact that two of the most famous (and richest) men in the world are supposed to be "discount" shopping.

    Their real-life profiles are just too big for this type of creative. And yes, it did seem dated. And reminded me of what Seinfeld did with the Superman shorts for Visa (which were quite clever).

    But I have to say, the line "Big Top points" made me smile.
  11. Rob McCleave from Napadogan, Canada writes: I laughed, I cried, I formatted my MacBook's hard drive to NTFS, threw out Leopard, and installed Vista 64.

    It was every bit as entertaining as a Seinfeld episode.
    It had all the seamless flow of a file backup to a shared Microsoft
    server.
    Watching Bill Gates wiggle his bum made me long for Steve Ballmer's monkey dance.
  12. tim bulger from space, Canada writes: That sucked! But then I was expecting it to suck but watched anyhow, just like millions of people know that Vista sucks but upgraded anyway. That commercial is proof that Larry David is the reason "Seinfeld" the TV show was so good.
  13. Tiu Leek from T.O, Canada writes: I stopped caring about either Windows or Macs about 8 years ago.

    Everything Apple says about PC's is true, and yet I still really hate those PC vs Mac ads. They're starting to get annoying as hell.

    BTW, there's a difference between the 90's and this decade? I hadn't really noticed.
  14. strider 643 from Canada writes: Stupid commerical.
  15. Stephen Duke from Vancouver, Canada writes: TOTAL TANKER THERE CP B: Either I am not the target demographic (44, using both a Mac and a PC), or it just didn't work. I am repulsed by the ad. I am more apt to buy a new Mac when my PC Laptop dies. I am enjoying the use of the Mac desktop; and, the experience has been flawless. So, why didn't they target Apple's weakness? The fear of switching is the key to MS customer retention. Let's face it, there are different folks and different strokes out there. Why not remind everyone through product differentiation? Bill Gates is not credible as a pitchman and should not have been featured unless there was a truly endearing element of humor. That would have taken a lot of self-effacing to acheive - perhaps too much. Jerry's brand is his introspection and ability to ferret out the questionable in what normal people experience everyday. "What's the deal with that?" Was it too obvious for CP and B? Why didn't they deploy Jerry's true brand as is, to aim at Apple's achilles? They could have had a field day with the fear of the unknown (re switching) allowing Jerry to remark What's the deal with that?" Or, does MS just want to keep the plain vanilla customer? Perhaps they were right on target then. Customer retention strategy appeals to current users, but if that is supposed to be me, well thanks and no thanks - I'd rather play for the other team you bunch of geeks!
  16. Joe Blow from Canada writes: Microsoft is behind the ball again. I'd say the company is resembling that Bill-Gates knockoff in the Mac commercials more and more. They let those (much funnier) commercials mock their joke operating system for too long... and you can bet it cost them a fraction of what it cost to dig up that rerun Seinfeld.
  17. John H from Canada writes: I liked it just like I like my XP. I never see the blue screen like I did in the 90s. It's hip to use Mac and that's all right by me.
    Maybe the discount was supposed to represent the cost of ownership of a PC versus a Mac? Either way if you appreciate Seinfeld, you can appreciate the commercial.
  18. Rolloff deBunk from Canada writes: Jerry who?
  19. Johnny Choy from vancouver, Canada writes: Pointless commercial...I don't know if its a Microsoft commerical or a shoe commercial..
  20. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: I thought the ad was cute, and Bill Gates does have a pretty good sense of humour.

    But there are far better things on which to spend $300m. For example, that is Apple's entire R&D spending last quarter, more than twice what RIM spent in its rapidly growing R&D budget, and more than 3 times what Nintendo spent.

    Making good products and behaving more fairly in the marketplace would be a wiser investment.
  21. Charles Murray from Toronto, Canada writes: At least Microsoft didn't just copy the Mac ads. That's a start. The ad itself is a bit like Windows Vista; convoluted, hard to fathom, tolerated by the user base and dull.
  22. Paul who is from Vancouver, Canada writes: .
    Well that was just creepy.

    'With no direct mention of Microsoft or it's operating system, Vista ...'

    I'm sure that Jerry Seinfeld has already done those Microslop/Vista jokes on the comedy nightclub circuit.

    Oh, I get it now.

    The ads are just "teasers".

    Microsoft just wants to get the conversation going again about what Windows means in people's everyday lives. (I'm left speechless, sorry Microsoft)

    Microsoft: 'Please don't ignore us. We're cool, we're cool'

    For a moment there I thought that this was just the usual lame attempt by Microsoft to copy a competing company's idea and come out with a half-assed version of their own. Oh, it is.

    Shoe Circus - why pay more? Where are the clown shoes, lmao

    Here are the REAL Apple ads hat Microsoft is desperately trying to emulate.

    http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

    Heard any good Microslop jokes lately?
  23. Metro Man from Toronto, Canada writes: Alright - for those of you who hated the ad, were repulsed or found it "astutely prime-time packaging dysfunctional Gen X disengagement" (whatever that is supposed to mean - but then again I am a PC user)...Don't buy MS products - which 99.9% of you (the complainants) would not do anyway....For those of us who use a computer for email/browsing and goofin around, well we kind of prefer the price point of PC's and really the OS isn't that bad - if you are just browsing with it.

    PS - the browsing/casual user, makes up 90% of home PC users - interesting that MS has about....wait for it.....

    90% of the marketshare!

    Oh well, I suppose that 8.1% (and growing!) is better, because it never crashes - or whatever it never does.

    The fact that you feel the ad sucks (or the everyone in the world less one person thinks so) doesn't take away from the fact the MS is doing something creative to combat good Mac creative - if they wereen't trying, you could complain. Competition breeds better products.
  24. Stephen Graham from Kitchener, Canada writes: I like it. It's funny and and light-hearted and it's obviously only the first in a series of ads. Who cares if it doesn't say much right now. They're trying to develop a new personality for the company and that's not going to happen over night. As far as the negative reaction on the web is concerned, who cares. The blogging community is full of know nothings who just want a platform and they think it's hip to cream Microsoft. Most of the Vista criticism is hopelessly out of date as they've corrected the majority of the early problems. Microsoft biggest mistake was not mounting a defence a long time ago. At least they're trying to correct that now. I'll be interested to see how things plays out over the next year or so as more ads come out.
  25. Virginia Gill from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada writes: I'm happy for those who liked the ad - but we were confused. What was it about anyway? Not one mention of computers and as someone said, we thought it was about shoes.

    Who was the person who thought up the ad - maybe they should reconsider their career choic.e
  26. Stephen Duke from Vancouver, Canada writes:
    Can't wait for the next in the series. At least they aroused this much interest with their "Commerical about nothing".
  27. Nathan Cool from Vancouver, Canada writes: I thought it redeemed itself in the end.

    They really should have recruited another Daily Show character for the ads if they wanted to be hip.
  28. Nathan Cool from Vancouver, Canada writes: Paul who, and the other Apple evangelicals, I would remind you that Microsoft's operating system is actually useful.

    Maybe it's not "hip" or "cool", but for us adults that need a PC for work and not writing their memoirs in Starbucks, Windows is required.
  29. Sask Langer from Canada writes: D. Clearwater from Lethbridge, AB, Canada writes: What I find interesting is that there seems to be more and more negative reaction to the constant Mac vs. PC advertising

    It's because those ads are idiotic. Apple had good ads back in the day, but then decided it would be better to pad their die-hard fans' overinflated egos on TV. lol, I'm going to make a windows joke. Look at me, I'm so smart.

    Did I like the ad? Yeah, it was pretty decent. It doesn't have to "be" about anything, because everyone likely knows Bill Gates, or at least the Windows logo. It made people sit up and take notice, though, and that's what advertising is supposed to do.

    Would it make me get vista? Hell no. But I tend to stick with the the MS enterprise products at home anyway.

    Would I rush out and tell everybody I see to buy a PC? No. That's their choice.

    Most of the commentors on here are mindless anti-MS zealots anyway, if this were Apple doing it, they'd be fawning all over how "innovative" the ad is, and talking about how Ms would never think to ressurrect a comedic legend like Seinfeld. But I guess it's easier to go on the internet and talk trash about a product than actually learn how it properly so you don't have problems with it.
  30. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: Chillax! It's an ad about nothing!
  31. stan bink from Tee Dot, Canada writes: Maybe I should watch it again... I obviously missed something. Maybe it can't play properly on my Mac.
  32. ss dd from Vancouver, Canada writes: Are you guys saying that MS had actually paid 1 minute 30 seconds of commercial prime time for this cr*p ??

    And they're wondering what their Vista dud is the laughing stock of the software industry.
    These guys are sooo clueless, and they're going down rather quickly. They should kick that Balmer guy out while their stock is still worth something...
  33. Vancouver Canadian from vancouver, Canada writes: Totally studip ad
  34. Deskof Reason from Canada writes: Microsoft will never change. Started by a guy with more business sense (like a shark) than technical sense who has tried to rule the industry like a dictator. Of all the tricks, deceptions, takeovers, collusion, hidden features, failure to follow standards, and outright bullying, the worst part of this guy is probably that he seems to believe that what MS does is really best for all of us. At least that's the marketing message.

    After hoarding billions of dollars for years while millions of people in his country go without food and shelter, he marries a human and NOW thinks he's a philanthropist? Seems like more marketing.

    Never owned one, but all the best to Apple. They DO have a better image.

    DoR
  35. Kyle Rodney from Canada writes: I am so disappointed with Windows Vista. Right now Internet Explorer 7 can't open any website without error messages or simply opening with a blank page and that annoying message.

    Fix the bugs before you sell the product.
  36. keith smith from Toronto, Canada writes: not funny.
    they both look uncomfortable.
    it's as if Gates gets his way and does the commercial.

    Balmer raving like a lunatic while Seinfeld taunts him...that's funny
    or Seinfeld punting his pc out the window when it freezes...that's funny.
  37. Wabbit of Toronto from Canada writes: This commercial maybe boring and appear odd, but it deploys a psychology that is smart.

    Their reference to the discount shoe store, the shower chat, the bumping into a buddy at the mall.. these are statements of the life of the 'common man'.

    MS is strategically altering its image in this advert.

    Liking it or not at face value is irrelevant. This commerical operates on a different level. It isn't meant to be enjoyed, per se.

    Subliminal would be the wrong word, but this ad uses a method something to that affect. We're just so use to having the eye candy, I get it! types of commercials to see through this calculated message.
  38. Ed Op from Canada writes: Weird.

    Microsoft should not be in this much trouble yet they look desperate here. Hauling Bill Gates out to act average with Seinfeld? That's extreme. Wonder what the briefing was like... "We have to look as cool as those Macs. You know, that hip, cool, attitude thing! With the cool guy."

    This is no teaser, it just looks adrift to me. What are they trying to plant? How is the viewer supposed to see Microsoft after seeing the ad? I can tell you how I think of Microsoft now - desperate, faded, trying too hard. Sad really. And did I mention weird? Weird because MS is still the world's number one OS by a long shot. I don't think any ad has ever affected me as negatively as this one did (well, except for those Spence Diamonds disasters which at least communicate the difference).

    And what's poor Seinfeld doing in this thing anyway? Does he really need the money that badly? I can't even imagine.
  39. A B from Coquitlam, Canada writes: Thank heaven's these two gentlemen can look back at successful careers. Could you possibly imagine launching a major corporation or a comedy series with this ad. Wake up and smell the coffee Microsoft, your customers or potential customers have much higher expectations.
  40. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: This ad is NOT funny; humourous, maybe but not funny. These two guys have completely lost touch with the real world. Gates is creative with code but nothing else while Seinfeld used to be with it, when he was a poor up and coming comedian. Now that he is wealthy, he can no longer relate. An edible computer is just too foolish. Beside all that, computers and software have never been sold successfully with the "celebrity endorsement" approach. That only works with fashion products.
  41. Addie Bundren from Canada writes: What a poorly written article. Needless, too, since it seems all you need is a headline to provoke a comment.
  42. Comments are Closed from Toronto, Canada writes: 300 million bucks of baloney. I'm engaged are you? I always laugh when people condemn money spent on space exploration but lap up this wasteful doo-doo without complaint.

    I thought every copy of windows came with microsoft Bob installed. Why the need for in-store "experts"?
  43. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: It would have worked 15 years ago. Seinfeld is so dated, and un-cool.
  44. Solfest S from Canada writes: It's a teaser, I like it.

    The rest of the campaign will tell if they can do anymore then tease.
  45. Ace Frehley from Vancouver, Canada writes: Jerry Seinfeld is not funny, never was. Even Jerry Lewis is funnier.
  46. R OBryan from Ottawa, Canada writes: I couldn't believe it when Gates chose Seinfeld. First, he is far from popular these days. Even when he had his show, you either liked the humour or you hated it.

    When people read about the hundreds of millions he has made from his show, the only reason i can figure why Gates would use Seinfeld is to protect the billionaires club. Only the rich get richer!

    Bill Gates, if you really want to know how i felt when you hired Seinfeld then here it is ..... is there anyone else that they could hire that would lower my respect for the microsoft name any more than Jerry Seinfeld???
  47. Alex Black from United States writes: I saw the ad on TV, and my only reaction was:

    "WTF is this s***?"

    It was horrible, plain and simple. No need to further elaborate.
  48. Ricky Bobbie from Canada writes: It has all of the signs of an "in joke" and that's what Microsoft has become. That a company the size and with the money of Microsoft could ship such a mediocre product as Vista (late at that) suggests it has lost its DNA. It is so big it can afford to make errors that would sink other companies. It also has a captured base. Companies are standardized on Windows and even though many have refused the Vista "up"grade are stuck with huge support teams that are so concerned about instability that they lock every innovative feature out of the platform. Windows at work has become a flat and uninspiring interface that just seems to get between you and whatever you are trying to accomplish.

    Bill Gates has put billions into improving the health of people in developing countries through the Gates Foundation and changed more lives than anyone on the planet. He should stick to that mission and allow Microsoft to evolve from the obese and listless mass it has become into a company that can make great products again. But when you have the monthly Windows licensing checks to support your feeding habit, its difficult to pry yourself from the all-you-can-eat buffet. Creativity? Oddly, it is one capability that cannot be bought as was clearly illustrated in this advert.

    And I thought Stephen Harper's "fireside" ads were crass....
  49. Harold Alan from Victoria from Canada writes:
    I kinda like it. ;))
  50. Trudeau's Apricot poodle from Canada writes: All that's needed now is a line of pocket protectors with the microsoft logo.
  51. Someone using this line to make some dumb ass comment. from Toronto, Canada writes: Apple products have got a foot hold into popular culture through first it's products such as the iPod and iPhone, and it's sleek and cool designs. If Microsoft first had products that people liked, it would have some substance behind their ads, but they don't. The can't make themselves cool by running ads all the while producing Vista which most people I know who use it hate.
  52. Iain's Opinion from Canada writes: Boring. Bland. Insipid.
  53. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow, how boring. I was hoping they'd be funny like the superman ads Seinfeld did for Amex.
  54. Vijay Kumar from Canada writes: This would have to be the low point of Seinfeld's carrier.
  55. Alec Dubro from Washington, United States writes: What's not to like? It's great. I won't buy Windows, but the ad is great.
  56. L C the 1st from Canada writes: The best way for Microsoft to react to the Mac ads.... is not to try.

    That was just silly.
    As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Score one for Mac.
  57. gao gao from Canada writes: huh?????????????
  58. Joe Wallach from Russell, Ontario, Canada writes: Johnny Choy,

    Your comment is right on. By the way you live in a BEAUTIFUL city
  59. Jake Smith from Unionville, Canada writes: Here is an excellent example again of how if Microsoft doesn't directly copy another firm's idea, it is a total flop! Can you imagine that fortune 1000 companies use a insecure product such as Windows for anything other than the desktop?!!

    And what can we say about Jerry? He had a very successful sitcom largely due to a lack of anything worthwhile to watch at the same time on TV. He never was particularly funny, rather, he was well connected to get prime time for a show about nothing.

    He and Bill laugh all the way to the bank!
  60. Jake Smith from Unionville, Canada writes: Key difference between Apple & Microsoft?

    Apple innovates and produces products (and commercials) people like. And Microsoft?

    Check out following
    http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=ARichNeighborNamedXerox.txt

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XeroxStar

    http://thegrahambaileyblog.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/did-microsoft-really-copy-apple/

    http://users.aol.com/machcu/msrise.html

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple    v.Microsoft

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United    Statesv.Microsoft

    http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/08/12.4.shtml

    http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/intellectual-property-law-patent/6335057-1.html

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/21/microsoftalcatellucentpatentlawsuit/

    http://www.computeractive.co.uk/vnunet/news/2127143/legal-action-threatens-microsoft-longhorn

    http://www.lawdit.co.uk/readingroom/room/viewarticle.asp?name=../articles/Did%20Microsoft%20steal%20Symantec.htm

    http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39116092,00.htm
  61. David Niemczycki from Hamilton, Canada writes: What a stupid commercial.
  62. Pete H from Canada writes: As far as the differences between MAC and PC, I couldn't care less. My PC works fine thank you very much. I guess snob appeal is left better to the snobs. As far as this commercial is concerned, I thought it not only very funny, but well crafted and very smart.
  63. Mr. Coffee from Victoria, Canada writes: Vista will never darken my desktop. Not now, not ever.
  64. George George from Canada writes: Like the Windows platform itself, both Bill and Jerry are looking old and tired.
  65. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: It reminded me of those used car and carpet store commercials where the owner is led clumsily through his lines by a small town TV station personality - usually the weatherman. What was that Second City routine? oh, yeah - Ted and Edna Boyle's Organ Emporium. "Come on down."
  66. bruce desjardins from windsor, Canada writes: The commercial message was stuck on the end of a little Saturday night live bit that was about as funny as any recent SNL bit, ie not funny at all. The commercial message had nothing to do with the bit, and both parts bombed.
  67. canuck in chicago from United States writes: Seinfeld? Like most MC products, 10 years behind the game in terms of contemporary relevance.
  68. Philip Yu from Toronto, Canada writes: A bit too surreal, but I got it...not that many will. I'm no hipster and I don't myself switching to Apple anytime soon.
  69. Grampa Canuck from Stirling, ON, Canada writes: Jerry Seinfeld. Yuck. What a listless, useless character he portrayed. But, he did make a contribution to the continued dumbing down of the culture. Appropriate, I guess.

    Repeat after me "Vista is cool, Vista is cool, Vista is cool, Vista is cool...."

    Me, I'm moving to Linux and Open Office, especially since I've experienced Office 2007 after it was inflicted on my workplace. And since my friends with Vista are cursing and swearing.

    Check out http://blip.tv/file/340692/ for a bit of fun.
  70. J S from Canada writes: I saw the ad today for the first time. At the end, I wasn't sure if they'd advertised anything. The only way I knew it was a Microsoft commercial was by reading this article before I saw it.
  71. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: I thought the ads were great! Funny, and it shows that yes, Bill Gates IS HUMAN!
  72. Alpha Beta from Canada writes: not a bad ad at all. for those who dont like it, you probably dont like anything bill gates or MS has ever done, so its no loss to them....
  73. George Nikitin from Hamilton, Canada writes: I'm a die hard PC gamer and so Mac will probably never mean anything to me. Their ads, however, are as powerful as fact vs. fiction. This MS add is as embarassing as it was stupid. Maybe they should have spent $300m on actually developing a 'good' and 'stable' product.

    Bought Vista, installed all the patches, and still saw the blue screen of death on day 1.

    Gates: Read 'The Cathedral and the Bazzaar' for some helpful clues about the future.
  74. George Nikitin from Hamilton, Canada writes: How is Gate's personality relevant if the company's product stinks? If Gates were reborn as cool tommorrow, Vista would still be Vista.
  75. Jacques Shellac from Montreal, QC, Canada writes: Gates looks pretty tall in that advert, I'd always pictured him to be kind of short.

    It was okay, made me smile a couple of times. The mac ad is hardly brilliant, it's just obvious fanboy derision of an inferior OS. Apple is the new evil empire, bank on it.

    Microsoft is definitely not delicious, if anything it has left a rather putrid aftertaste in the mouths of most people I know. Maggots swarming over a rotting corpse is the more appropriate metaphor.
  76. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: I have never had any doubts as to Bill Gates being human, its Jerry Seinfeld I am not so sure about. He seems so puzzled by everything.
  77. this is just my opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: I use XP and OS X at home (four computers, two PC and two Mac) so I don't feel particular allegiance to either brand, they both work well for what they are supposed to do.

    I do work in advertising, though, and my opinion of this ad is not high. I can almost see the creative and client meetings in my mind's eye..."What can we do that will upstage those Mac ads? Well, what about a celebrity who's a bigger star than John Hodgman? - and we'll put him in everyday situations with Bill Gates to show that Windows is for everyday situations...I know! Jerry Seinfeld! He had a show about everyday situations!" "Yeah! And, you know, it will be cooler if we don't even talk about computers at all..." "Are you sure that's a good idea?" "Oh, absolutely. Ads that don't mention the product win all kinds of awards...uh...I mean, sell all kinds of product." etc. etc.
  78. The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: it sucked... made me change the channel
  79. David Gehring from Kingston, Ontario, Canada writes: Similar to the TV show, a commercial about nothing! It certainly wasn't Seinfeld's best work but it was mildly entertaining and created some buzz. Although unless they have followup ads with a clearer branding message, Microsoft just wasted $300M. If they spent their efforts making a more streamlined, efficient OS, like building a "Snow Vista" to compete against the Snow Leopards and Linuxes of the world, then MS might slow down and even reverse the bleeding of their user base switching to the competition. Mac/Linux isn't as good as the MS-bashers make them out to be, but MS has to focus on building a better OS, not a bigger one that needs constant upgrades. This is just like when the Big 3 started to realize they were losing to the imports, but thought they could fight back with marketing gimmicks instead of improving their product.
  80. Luka Noxton from Montreal, Canada writes: I get the commercial but could not shake off the "that-is-so-10-years-ago" vibe. I know, I know... The 90's were not that long ago. In terms of buying a computer though, that's like, 50 years :P

    Before anyone dubs me a fanboy (or fangirl, actually), I own both a PC and a Mac and I like them both. I think the Apple commercials are almost as annoying as the E-Harmony ones. This Gates-Seinfeld commercial, however, is not even annoying... it's just bland.
  81. A C from Albertario, Canada writes: .

    Really cutting edge stuff from two icons . . . if you were cutting the edges off of 1994.

    I can hardly wait for the software Nazi: No Vista for you!

    The ad was more tired than a narcoleptic overdosed on cocktail of thanksgiving dinner and melatonin.

    Meanwhile, check out Larry David's anti-cancer ad on Youtube if you want to see how two paths diverge. That's both funny and original about a subject that shouldn't even be funny, never mind original.

    How come nobody writes an article about Larry David? I bet it's just because he's bald and Jerry isn't.

    .
  82. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: I could care less about their ads. I just wish they'd do something to speed up that heap of crap they call Vista.
  83. Canadian in Canada from Canada writes: I think the ad was better than those cheap shot as by apple.

    I am an average joe who uses his pc for work and at home to pay bill and I never had any serious problem with my pc. Mind you, I have Vista ultimate and I did NOT have any problem.

    I feel people who pay twice or more for a mac to do the same thing are SIMPLE STUPID.
  84. Walter Mak from Ontario, Canada writes: Microsoft should have hired Newman (Wayne Knight). He suits their corporate image better...despicable and overwieght.
  85. ss dd from Vancouver, Canada writes: Canadian in Canada from Canada writes:
    I think the ad was better than those cheap shot as by apple.

    I am an average joe who uses his pc for work and at home to pay bill and I never had any serious problem with my pc. Mind you, I have Vista ultimate and I did NOT have any problem.

    I feel people who pay twice or more for a mac to do the same thing are SIMPLE STUPID.
    ...
    There's always the option that nobody likes to talk about: use a knocked-off version of XP or even w2000 for the minimum price that everybody knows... :-). This would be a stop gap measure, until MS would decide to come up with something half decent as an replacement OS.

    Incidentally, I believe this is what's actually happening in the real world, and that's why nobody is panicking over XP's dismissal... yet... :-)
  86. Mike Witcher from Montreal, Canada writes: These new ads are representative of Microsoft in every aspect.
    Apples does something new, innovative and interesting (their ads, software, ipods etc) and Microsoft goes ahead much, much later and copies it in a very mundane, inept fashion.

    Well, at least Microsoft is there to infuse some money into Apple when they need it.
    The truth is that Apple could be renamed "Microsoft's R&D department".
  87. A C from Albertario, Canada writes:
    Mike Witcher writes: The truth is that Apple could be renamed "Microsoft's R&D department".

    Hmmm, interesting, except that Apple is highly profitable and Microsoft's R&D department isn't. Zune? XBox? Still burning cash all these years later. Wait until the Microsoft phune gets released in 2012.
  88. Kim Philby from Ottawa, Canada writes: Judging by the generally negative response, I guess Bill and Jerry are no longer masters of their own domain.

    I haven't seen the ad, but I've seen enough of those Mac versus PC ads to last me three lifetimes. Stop already!!
  89. R G from Wolfville, Canada writes: Why doesn't Microsoft just emphasize it's main selling point? A PC does everything just as well as an Apple for hundreds of dollars less and there's none of the silly in-crowd smug private club attitude of the Apple cult. As for those asinine PC vs. Mac adds they got old months ago. Please drive a stake through the heart of those tiresome ads. And I wish people would stop whining about Vista - it works and works well. Suck it up princesses.
  90. scsi duck from Canada writes: This silly in-crowd smug private Mac clubber thought it was pretty funny. Stupid, but in a funny way! The conquistador thing got a giggle.
  91. Cronos 187 from Toronto, Canada writes: This isn't nearly as bad as people have made it sound. I was actually amused. Microsoft may be an "evil megacorporation" and the proprietor of the world's most overpriced OS software, but I was amused.

    Sure, the ad doesn't make a lot of sense and doesn't say anything of importance.

    Ads don't need to make sense! They just need to have a statistical impact.

    This ad, to me, seems like a first step in a long-term plan from Microsoft. They don't want to bring big guns out right away, they're probably testing the waters and priming the market.

    Windows annoys the hell out of me sometimes, but I think people are underestimating Microsoft's marketing savvy, and if you think Apple is much less of a money-hungry corporation then your hilarious brand loyalty is probably blinding you.

    I'm think I'm going to buy a Macbook in a month or so (but keeping my PC desktop).
  92. Sam G from Toronto, Canada writes: IMHO, this ad did what was supposed to do: get people to say "Windows" and talk about it. That's the Wave #1

    In Wave 2, we are going to do something a littttle bit different.

    In Wave 3, every mortgage application will ask "do you own Windows?"

    In Wave 4, your entire life will be in the Windows Cloud.

    Or something like that. I doubt that Bill will suffer either way.
  93. paul childs from camelot, writes: The ad was much like Windoze; unclear, obtuse, hard to follow, and ultimately annoying. In those respects then I guess it succeeded, otherwise, much like Windoze, it just made me wonder what else was on and was less frustrating to use.
  94. Dr. Strangelove from Edmonton, Canada writes: Microsoft should have spent their money improving their products. I just spent several hours before successfully installing the XP SP3 upgrade. When a "typical" home user has to start running "subinacl" scripts in order to get an upgrade to install, there is something seriously wrong with Microsoft's approach to "user friendly".

    As for the ad, it likely means nothing to 99% of the population that uses PCs or Apples.

    .
  95. Mario Reis from Toronto, Canada writes: I think it is hilarious... Jerry almost always displayed a mac on his sitcom (somewhere in the background) and now he too has come over to the empire... eventually all mac users will come over to the empire...

    BTW: Who saved Apple Computers with a generous $$$$ donation when it was about to go belly-up... hmmmmm?
  96. The South from Canada writes: Clearly this ad is designed to promote Mac or PC side discussion. Once they pick a side, they become brand loyal. It does exactly what it is supposed to do…have Mac users denigrate Vista and Bill’s lack of ‘coolness’ without offering the opportunity to go into detail. Read the comments…Mac users sound petty because they continue on the same rant (that the average PC user doesn’t understand) while PC users are defending on an emotional level because the ad does not attack Mac in any way.
    Well done with the ad, Microsoft. If the shoe fits…
    PS Vista is driving me crazy. I am finding it really hard to run my pirated software.
  97. Guy Olivier from Columbus, Ohio, United States writes: It's a boring ad and does nothing for Seinfeld or Windows.

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