Posted on Friday, 30th October 2009 by Frank
With the recent release of Windows 7, I must give credit where credit is due. Microsoft has done an outstanding job, there’s no question about it. They have took a huge step in the right direction with putting Windows Vista in the grave and brought you an operating system that is respectable. I have used the Windows 7 beta versions before the official version was released and I knew at that moment that this operating system kicked some serious ass. Many people used the betas and I know a lot of people had a lot of the same thoughts as to the positive steps Microsoft was taking to put them back at a competitive edge with Apple. As most of you know, I am a huge supporter of Apple. However, I have used many Microsoft products as well as their operating systems for many years. Windows Vista was a reason why I moved away from Windows, but not that Windows 7 has emerged I will be using both operating systems.
Microsoft brings some added pressure for Apple to deal with, but what’s amazing to me is how Apple always knows how to deal with the pressure from their competition. Granted at this point, Windows has a lot of attention from the public. Not to mention, the first ever Microsoft store has been opened in Arizona to compete with the Apple store. In this regard, Microsoft will have to catch up because their are a lot of Apple retail stores around the U.S. Although, I do expect Microsoft to open more retail stores real soon. Here’s a video from The Next Web showing video footage from the grand opening.
So, what have I and many other people been pleased about with the direction of Microsoft besides the release of their new operating system? Well, the grand opening of the retail store was one, but let’s look at the marketing perspective. Finally, they have restructured their awful TV ads to create something respectable and that makes a positive statement. In the past, I felt all they did was rip Apple in their ads and didn’t pitch their competitive advantage well. See their new marketing ad here, if you haven’t seen it yet. Even though their ads have been improved drastically for the better, Apple did counteract them. Is it a surprise? Absolutely not, that’s how competition works…you always want to respond to what your competitor does as quickly and efficient as possible. If you haven’t seen Apple’s response to Microsoft’s new OS and ads…click here! I have to admit, it is brilliant on Apple’s part for creating this ad, but Microsoft will still be very profitable with Windows 7.
Alright, we have covered all of the positives done by Microsoft during this huge Windows 7 launch. They only negative that this post will cover is the idea of the launch party. All I can say is, “what the hell?” After seeing this video, I thought it was a joke, but no…it’s true. I guess this idea of a launch party for a new operating system they thought was a good idea to promote and share in a video. In a two words…HELL NO! Why would you do this and support this? To me, you’re taking a positive improvement of new technology and making it a joke by having crappy actors help promote your product. This simply was not smart, but I’ll digress because I am sticking to the positives Microsoft has done. Everyone can be dumb from time to time, but seriously, scratch the launch party idea and throw it in a dumpster.
In concluding this post, I once again give kudos to Microsoft on a job well done. You all seriously have made your customers happy and this should definitely boost your customer satisfaction. However, don’t expect Apple to sit around and do nothing. You already saw from their most recent ad what they will do. Not to mention, with Apple recently releasing a new iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook, and Magic Mouse…you know they are going to try and take market share away from your new operating system, but that’s what I love about technology and the fight for sales from companies.
So, now it’s time for you readers out there to voice your opinion. What do you think of Windows 7? Do you like it and if so why? What do you think of Microsoft’s and Apple’s new ads? Do you think Microsoft will loose market share with the new products Apple has released? Is the launch party a completely stupid idea?
Further reading:
Why Are People Afraid To Use Macs Over PC’s?
Microsoft’s Smart Marketing Angle
Microsoft Gives Away Free Software
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Tags: advertising, Apple, marketing, microsoft, operating system, retail stores, Technology, windows 7
Posted in Apple, Technology | Comments (4)
October 31st, 2009 at 11:13 am
I don’t have Windows 7 yet, but I’ve been watching it develop all year. Looking at what they’ve improved from Vista to Windows 7 makes me feel “used” in a way. It seems to me that all of us who have been using Vista have been participating in the largest public beta test ever (as if Windows 7 was the Final release all along, and they gave us Vista to preview some of the features). It’s still going to be a little while before I can indulge in Windows 7 goodness, but I’m definitely looking forward to it!
Just as I’m looking forward to the day when I can actually afford a Mac, so I can be familiar with both systems.
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November 12th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Windows 7 is definitely a great looking operating system. Mac OS X is expensive, but I love using it the most since my primary machine is an iMac. It’s great to have if you can afford it. However, your reference that Windows Vista was public beta for Windows 7 is an absolute awesome quote! You couldn’t be any closer to the truth with that. Vista was a mistake, but luckily they got it right with Windows 7. (Not without a little help from being inspired by the Mac OS X interface.)
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November 30th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I do agree that the launch party seemed like a bad idea for Micro$oft’s credibility, but for the end-user, it was a blessing. Everyone who hosted a party (myself included) got a free signed copy of Windows 7 Ultimate!
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Frank Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am
That’s definitely a positive with getting a free copy of Windows Ultimate. The party hosting did seem like a stretch of an idea, but if all end users got something out of it, then it is worth doing!
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