Apple’s Mac vs. PC commercials are killing me. I admit, they are very funny. The laughter offsets the increase in my blood pressure. It’s the double standard that bothers me. As Kevin Tofel’s experience shows, cryptic error messages aren’t unique to the PC and that’s what Apple lampoons in their latest episode. Despite the happy go hippie image often portrayed by Apple, they would gladly be as evil as MS if they had won the OS war.

My second gripe is that Microsoft hasn’t bothered to respond. I think the commercials are hurting them. Microsoft is at it’s best in a face to face showdown. IE vs. Netscape. Excel vs. Lotus. Word vs. WordPerfect. Bob vs… well you get the picture.

Microsoft should be showcasing their strengths in places where the Mac doesn’t compete. The Tablet PC, the UMPC, the Media Center PC. MS should pick a “style” of commercial and partner with HP, Samsung, Lenovo, etc. for a series of ads. Really, this is easy and both Samsung and HP are doing some cool commercials now days. How about one featuring Hugo Ortega? God knows he’s got enough enthusiasm to take on Apple.

Despite it’s maturity, the Tablet PC continues to get people’s attention when you pull out the pen. It’s still cool. My Samsung Q1 still makes Mac people jealous when they see it. You can feel their insecurity. If I hear “Apple is coming out with a Tablet PC next year” from another Mac person they’re going to have to surgically remove my Q1 from their rear. It’s a good thing for them that it’s small.

I also can’t tell you how excited people get when I tell them I have the episode of Idol/24/Desperate Housewives that they missed recorded on my Media Center PC. You want a DVD so you can catch up? No problem. You’re kid is on TV? Sure I’ll record it and send you a WMV file.

The Apple vs. PC Tablet PC spoof on YouTube is still one of my favorites. It showcases the kind of creativity I’d love to see from MS. So how about it Microsoft? Are you ready to give Apple a sMac down with the UMPC?

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