Lots of people, including Apple, made fun of Microsoft’s $300 million advertising budget for Vista. Little do we know that Apple actually spends a whole lot more than Microsoft on advertising and product promotion. But unlike Microsoft, Apple’s ideas actually work and they get plenty of visibility.

It looks like Apple’s advertising budget for the 2008 fiscal year that ended in September was no less than $486 million. A year ago Apple spent $467 and in 2006 it spent $338. Microsoft spent $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.2 billion for the same period but these sums covered advertising costs for all of Microsoft’s business which includes Windows, Office and Xbox. But since the Vista campaign costs $300 million it would seem that Apple spends more on its MacBook advertising. So why make fun of Microsoft then?

via TechCrunch

Tags: advertising, Apple, MacBook, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, vista

Not that we necessarily care to worry about Windows 7 right now, but we might as well peak into the inevitable future. The video above is quite old but still funny. It’s a banned commercial which showed us yet again the fatality that awaits any Windows user, the blue screen of death.

Getting back to Windows 7 here, and hoping that it won’t bring us any future blue screens of death, we found out that the new Microsoft OS is faster than Vista or XP.

Tested on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 3.16GHz, with 4GB of RAM the three Windows versions pulled of the following numbers:

• Test Set 1: From Boot Choice to Fully-loaded User Desktop
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Preview, PDC edition, 32-bit): 32 seconds
  • Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit, SP1): 33 seconds
  • Windows XP Professional (SP3):40 seconds
• Test Set 2: From Boot Choice to User Login Screen
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Preview, PDC edition, 32-bit): 23 seconds
  • Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit, SP1): 24 seconds
  • Windows XP Professional (SP3): 29 seconds

So it looks like Windows 7 is faster than Vista and XP. Oddly enough, I am looking forward to checking Windows 7 myself.

via lifehacker

Tags: Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, microsoft, vista, Windows 7, xp

Feel the need of getting a new 23 inch LCD monitor? Dell has one which is almost ready to be sold. The 23 inch SP2309 model has been leaked and here’s what’s waiting for you:

• 2,048 x 1,152 resolution
• 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 98% color gamut
• 2ms response time
• Built-in 2 megapixel camera
• Integrated microphone
• VGA/DVI/HDMI input ports

No matter if this model will be Vista 2 ready (yes we mean Windows 7) it would be sure fun to play with a new Dell LCD.

Tags: 23 inch, Dell, Desktop PCs, Laptops, lcd, vista

Besides iPhone firmware 2.2 beta 2, we heard that the Windows Vista SP2 is coming to town. Is it going to fix any problems? Well, did the last SP1 fix any significant problems?

We don’t know when the new update is actually set to arrive and we don’t know all of its features but we have a general idea. The SP2 is said to add Windows Search 4.0, Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, ability to record data on Blu-ray medua and Windows Connect Now for simpler WiFi configuration. Wow!

Tags: microsoft, Mobile News, software, software, SP2, vista, windows

Apple didn’t fail to respond to Microsoft latest commercials by bringing in their own “I’m a Mac” campaign. Entitled “Bean Counter” (above) and “V Word” (below) the new videos are way funnier than what Gates and Seinfeld tried to pull off. Apple takes aim at Microsoft 300 million add campaign suggesting that that money could have been invested in fixing Vista. During last Tuesday’s keynote, Apple’s officials counted the failure of Vista as one of the elements that helped them increase MacBooks sales.

What do you think about the new commercials?

Tags: Apple, Commercial, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, software, vista

LG has a 12.1 inch laptop ready. It’s the S-210 and I’d chose it over any netbook available today. Too bad I don’t know any pricing details yet but we’ll uncover them later on.

As for specs, the S-210 has a 2.43GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, eSATA/USB, Ethernet, a NVIDIA graphics set, audio in/out, VGA port, HDMI and Windows Vista. If you are in Seoul you can try one at the KES 2008.

Tags: 12.1 inch, KES, LG, Mobile News, netbook, vista

We have more news from the Microsoft world. It looks like Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Vista and Server 2008 is already being used by some software and hardware manufacturers. Is Microsoft ready to launch the SP2 for both OS before Windows 7? Windows 7 is supposed to arrive on June 3rd of next year but we’re going to play with beta versions until then. No details have been leaked about the any of the Service Packs, but we’re anxiously waiting for them.

Tags: microsoft, Server 2008, Service Pack 2, software, vista, Windows 7

In an amazing turn of events we have come into possession of some serious information which will shock you to the core. If you’re not sitting down please do so. What you are about to find out might make you faint.

Steve Ballmer said he isn’t responsible for any problems caused by Windows Vista or the “Vista Capable” computers. He did so under oath in the trial that concerns exactly those capable computers. (more…)

Tags: microsoft, microsoft, software, Steve Ballmer, vista

Windows XP was supposed to be officially discontinued starting with January 31, 2009. According to a leaked email from a PC OEM, Microsoft has decided to postpone the XP retirement. The new rumored date is July 31, 2009. That gives us a whole six extra months to buy XP instead of Vista. After that you will probably be more likely to choose the future Windows 7 instead of Vista. That’s a nice trick Microsoft is pulling. Especially since they are working hard on promoting Vista.

Tags: Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, microsoft, software, vista, Windows XP, xp

Microsoft has released its new commercial and it’s a whole new deal. It’s fast paced, it’s mildly funny, it is short and to the point. And it has a point.

PC has an identity and it works. That seems to be the message so many people proudly deliver. Too bad that in theory that sounds great but in practice PC does fall behind the mighty Mac. Bill Gates is in it, so he wasn’t sacked yet but there’s no Jerry as far as I can tell.

Below you’ll find another video called “I Wear a Suit”. I think it was supposed to be “I Wear a Suit but it’s Vista!”.

Still Microsoft, good job on these videos. If I were Apple I would counter them just to make this winter funnier!

Tags: Bill Gates, Commercial, microsoft, microsoft, vista

I was actually kind of waiting for the third clip starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. I didn’t like the previous two but I was still wondering how far Microsoft will go. But it looks like they are now awake more than ever and they must be listening to what people have to say. And people didn’t understand Microsoft’s message so far. (more…)

Tags: Bill Gates, Commercial, Jerry Seinfeld, microsoft, microsoft, vista

I bet HP doesn’t like the new Microsoft commercials especially if they will end up promoting Vista as the perfect OS. From confirmed and unconfirmed sources it appears that HP has some of its money invested in two directions, both meant to cut Vista out of their current line and possible compete to a closer than ever Apple.

Let’s start with Vista. It sucks! That was easy! HP knows this and it is moving to Linux, or even better, it is building a replacement OS based on Linux. All that is being denied so far. The other rumor is that HP is developing a software which will modify Vista to bring out the best in it.

The chief technology officer of HP’s PC division, a Phil McKinny, is absolutely denying such nonsense. But he admits to such conversations which might have taken place below senior management levels. You know, in the dungeons of HP, where the true leaders are.

HP feels Apple breathing down their neck and knows for sure that as soon as Apple smartens to a point where it will lower PC and laptops prices, the Cupertino-based out of the box company will take a huge share of the market. Everyone would get a Mac if they were cheap enough right? Beware HP, that might actually happen in a little over a month from now.

Tags: Apple, Desktop PCs, HP, Laptops, Linux, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile Software, price cut, vista

This was bound to happen, with Microsoft and Apple being rivals and all, right? It seems that there are various accounts of iTunes 8 crashing when an iPod or iPhone is plugged into the PC.

We don’t mean just iTunes 8 either, oh no, this little bug will bring up the dreaded blue screen of death. Not only that, but Apple hasn’t isolated the problem yet so it could be any number of things.

It seems your best bet now, if your a Windows Vista user, is to either downgrade to iTunes 7 or not upgrade if you already haven’t. We will keep you posted on a patch for this problem.

Tags: iPhone, ipod, iTunes 8, Uncategorized, vista

Well that’s surely no wonder! Microsoft is inflating Vista Sales and HP declares publicly in an APC Magazine. As you remember, Microsoft XP got canceled officially more than a month ago with some computer sellers. XP comes now only with netbooks and UMPC officially.
(more…)

Tags: Desktop PCs, HP, Laptops, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, pc, vista, xp

This isn’t a next generation Q1 Ultra here but we do have two new UMPC versions from Samsung. Released today, the Q1U-CMXP has an HSDPA 3G integrated cellular modem , and the Q1UP-V which is an Ultra Premium Q1 with preinstalled Vista Business. I understand the need for new. I don’t understand the need for Vista.
(more…)

Tags: Mobile News, Portable Devices, Samsung, Ultra Mobile PCs, UMPC, vista

I think you should hurry and get that Dell laptop packed with Windows XP you wanted. Microsoft is going to discontinue XP while trying to shove Vista down our throats. I have nothing against that, after all Microsoft stands for monopoly right? But for God’s sake please make an OS that won’t crash and slow me down. How many times did you say that? How many times did Windows made your PC life miserable?
(more…)

Tags: Dell, microsoft, microsoft, vista, windows, xp

Remember that June 18th deadline for getting a Dell laptop/notebook with that cool, close to perfect, Windows XP? Well if you just missed it and you’re thinking of getting a ripped off version when your new Vista packed Dell PC arrive then just hold that thought for now.
(more…)

Tags: Dell, desktops, Laptops, Laptops, microsoft, Portable Devices, Ultra Mobile PCs, vista, xp

I might have easily said he was dodging them but I’d like to think he has just missed them this time. While in Hungary, Steve Ballmer was giving a speech when he was stopped by a young (student?) man. After quickly babbling something in an almost understandable English about Microsoft and taxpayers money, he went throwing like a girl a couple of eggs, non of which hitting the target.
(more…)

Tags: iPhone, microsoft, microsoft, steve jobs, vista

Remember the colorful MSI PR200 YA Edition Laptops unveiled during the 2008 CES in Las Vegas? They are making inroads to German this month. Available in Denim Blue, Coral Pink and Wasabi Green, the YA200 series features Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core 2 Duo processor at the heart and a sleek 12.1″ TFT WXGA display.

Users can also enjoy WLAN 802.11n wireless networking, integrated fingerprint reader that lets only authorized users to logon. It can take in up to 4GB of RAM (one of which you will never see with Vista). Other goodies include a 4-in-1 card reader, a DVD Super-multi drive, 1.3 megapixel webcam and HDMI output.

MSI

(more…)

Tags: 12.1 inch, core 2 duo, Intel, laptop, Laptops, MSI, PR200, taiwan, vista, windows, wxga

Toshiba unveiled the new dynabook Satellite T31 notebook PC featuring a 15.4 inch display. The Satellite T31 comes in two models: one is powered by Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2GHz processor and GM965 Express chipset with on-board video, while the other features a Celeron 540 (1.8GHz) GL960 Express chipset configuration. The laptop comes bundled with Windows Vista Business, but you can choose to use Windows XP if you want.

The display, at 1280×800 pixel resolution, is a widescreen LCD. The RAM leaves a lot to be desired for, at just 512MB, as is the 80 gig hard drive. But then again, this appears to be the entry-level model. For optical media, you get CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. Rounding up the feature list are 4 USB 2.0 ports, an SD/MMC/xD/MS PRO memory card reader slot, S-Video output and IEEE 1394. The Li-ion battery offers a life of 1.3 hours (for the Core 2 Duo model) or 0.9 hours (for the Celeron model).

Measuring 362mm x 267.8mm x 33.5mm, the Toshiba Satellite dynabook T31 weighs in at 2.8 kg.

Prices:

T31 200E/5W with Core 2 Duo: ¥206,850 (US $1,853)

T31 186C/5W with Celeron: ¥175,350 (US $1,571) (more…)

Tags: celeron, Laptops, notebook, pc, Satellite, t31, Toshiba, vista, xp