Debunking the marketing speak: Microsoft edition
Usually, I just stay out of the Mac v. P.C. fray. I’ll admit, I’m a Mac. And I’m very proud. I try not to slam it down in someones face, because everyone likes different things. Some people like Ford and some people like Honda. Honda makes clearly superior vehicles, but who cares. Everybody has their preference.
But this latest addition to the you-know-what measuring contest has finally fried me. An entire portion of the Microsoft website is devoted to “Why a P.C. is better than a Mac.” If it was light hearted like the famous ads, that would be one thing. But these guys are bordering on outright lying to try and convince you to buy a product. Editors note: If the ratio of P.C. to Mac ownership is 10 to 1, why are you guys devoting so much time to shuffle me away from Apple products?
So, in the spirit of blogging, I’m going to take the “Top 10 Reasons to Buy a P.C.” page and debunk it, so to speak. But I’ll break it up in two categories: 1.) Macs actually have that feature and it works just fine and is no reason to switch, or: 2.) Ok, you’ve got me there. Then I’ll count how many were in each category at the end. Let’s begin, shall we?
1. Get quicker and easier access to your stuff — use Pin and Jump Lists to keep the programs and files you use the most right at your fingertips.
Oh, so you can pin stuff to that funny little bar on the bottom of the screen? That’s so very original. Oh wait, Mac’s have had the dock since at least those lovely gumdrop iMacs. It improves productivity and honestly looks pretty dang cool. Also, we’ve had it longer. This one goes in the first category.
2. Manage open windows more easily—resize and arrange windows simply by dragging their borders to the edge of your screen.
I checked this out and have to concede it’s kind of cool. But “cool” in the same sense that my car has an “oil life” meter. Cynicism aside, this is kind of cool and I can’t think of a good Mac analogy. This one goes in category 2.
3. Quickly find what you’re looking for—use Windows Search to find a specific file, program, or e-mail in a few seconds.
Again, this would be awesome if we didn’t have a comparable program that did exactly the same thing. It’s called Spotlight. In fact, we can easily search from any active Finder window by just typing in text. We’ve had that for quite some time too. Windows old search? Hidden and crappy. I’m giving this one to category 1.
Even Spotlight gets it
4. Share files and printers among multiple PCs—from one Windows 7-based PC to another, you can share files, music, photos, and even printersacross your home network.
Wait a minute, can’t we all do that? I’m pretty sure Mac’s can also easily network. I’ve seen it in a few places, such as my good friend Rob’s workplace. This one also belongs to category one.
5. Stay entertained effortlessly—with Windows Media Center you get one place to enjoy your photos and music, watch and record live TV, and watch free Internet TV.
WMC is sort of cool, I guess. And yes, Mac users do have to buy a nice little addition to watch/record live TV. So I suppose Microsoft wins this round with a point in category 2.
Halftime
In case you were wondering, the score is currently 3 for category 1 and 2 for category 2. I would say “not bad” but this is a pretty small list of things. Let’s keep going. Next up…
6. Easily create and share movies—create great looking movies and slideshows and share them on YouTube in minutes.
One word: iMovie. I’m calling this one for category 1 on its face.
7. Connect to networks easily—view and connect to any available wireless network in as few as three clicks.
I suppose two of those clicks are the double-authentication required to scroll on Windows? Yes, wireless setup is easy across the board. But AirPort makes it exceptionally simple. As wireless connectivity isn’t usually a complicated process (and frankly it’s always been easier on my Mac side) I’m also going to have to throw this one into category 1. I’ll explain…this isn’t a reason not to buy a Mac or to buy a P.C. If you’ve designed a system that makes wireless connectivity difficult in the 21st century, there’s probably a bigger problem.
8. Do more and wait less—improvements that can accelerate sleep and resume and make your PC more responsive help you get more done.
Really guys? Really? From personal experience and the testimony of trusted friends, Mac’s awake from slumber pretty quickly. In fact, mine always boots pretty quick-like too. Again, this is not justification to go either way, just more meaningless B.S. to distract you from the larger points. More marketing garbate. Category 1.
9. Touch and tap rather than point and click—Windows 7 makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use.
I suppose everyone dreams of working in food service, so why not bring the experience of work home with moar touch screens! This is kind of cool, but mostly for the “ooh” and “ahh” category. However, I raise you one pocket-sized Apple computer. I’m going to call this one a draw, as nobody really cleaves an advantage out of this one.
10. Manage devices more easily—manage printers, cameras, music players, and other devices from a single, consistent, place.
You know the last time I had to go “manage” any of my printers, cameras or music players? Never. I plug something in, and viola! It works. Device management really isn’t a big selling point for someone who already has pretty awesome device management. It’s sad they had to end on this note…another one for category 1.
It was a bit close at the half, with 3 points for category one and 2 points for category two. Now for the final score…
Category one won (whoa) with 6 points total; Category two lost with a sad 3 points; one point was a draw, rendering Mac the winner.
In the end, what does all this mean? In reality: nothing. You probably weren’t swayed one bit. That’s fine. I wasn’t trying to. My point was merely this: you cannot use these horrible vague yardsticks to try and “convince” people to make a change. If you want to sell your product, sell your product for what it’s good at. Not what it poorly duplicates.
Now I’m even less likely to purchase a Windows-based machine based on this nonsense. If you read to the end, thanks. You’re a champ.
Note on hyperlinks: I left them in mostly out of laziness, but partly because I want to let you see the features I’m bashing for yourself. I’m no Bill O’Reilly.
