applead from Gizmodo on Vimeo.
In Apple’s typically smug fashion, they have once again responded to Microsoft’s Laptop Hunters ads. This one features a Lauren-type actress giving her list of specifications, and the suited PCs are disqualified a few at a time, until eventually they all leave.

The entire ad war is pretty silly and stupid. Having said that, say what you want about Microsoft’s ads, but they are rarely condescending and smug as Apple ads often are. Just kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

The Mac VS. PC war is still raging, albeit in a quiet nerd way, not a full out battle with explosions. You’ve probably seen Apple’s new Hodgman ads. The “legal copy” ad is the most interesting. Whenever Hodgman says how easy PCs are to use, a bunch of fine print explodes upwards. The folks over at MacJournals have actually transcribed every word of it. Nearly two full pages. Here’s an excerpt:

To remove unneeded bloatware first open uninstaller, select applications to remove, and uninstall. To remove optional components, click start, go to all programs and open control panel, select remove components, select components you want to remove, select next, when done, select finish. Once initial prep is complete, PCs may then be easy to use under certain controlled conditions and when properly maintained. In order for PCs to achieve optimal performance on a regular basis and for long periods of time, routine maintenance should include (but is not limited to) the following: download and install updated anti-virus software, run anti-virus software, check for system updates, clean out registry, defragment hard drive, free up disk space, remove temporary Internet files, empty the recycle bin, remove unnecessary programs, run error check utility and fix file system errors.

Microsoft’s latest ad in the Laptop Hunters series follows Lisa and Jackson, a mother and son. They need a computer that’s “fast” because they need to look up stuff online before they haed out the door to baseball practice.

They don’t have any trouble finding great PC options for under-$1500. They make it look like they almost bought a Mac which are “popular at this age”. They soon select an affordable VAIO and get their cash back. The moral of the story? Probably that kids don’t want a Mac. Video below.

Remember Lauren the actress from the first Laptop Hunters commercial? Well, she’s got her PC and is probably happily using it while a new guy by the name of Giampaulo goes shopping. If you thought the first ad hit the nail on the head and lit a fire, Giampaulo doesn’t mince words.

He calls himself “technically-savvy” and thinks that the unibody MacBook he looks at is “so sexy,” but ultimately he rejects it because he wants to pay for “computing power,” not the “brand.” Sound familiar? Many people feel that way.

Video: Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion
The ongoing war between Microsoft & Apple continues. In this new ad, Microsoft exploits Apple’s Achilles heel, being outrageously overpriced. It’s a brilliant ad that hits them right where it hurts. Because it’s true.

The ad shows a customer looking for a laptop for under a $1000. She searches both the Apple store and a conventional electronics store and finally settles on an HP laptop for under $700. Unlike their previous ads, this one works because it actually speaks to the consumer, and what matters to them. Getting a decent computer for a fair price.

Forget Samsung’s viral marketing ad with LEDs strapped to a bunch of sheep. Honda has gone all out, showing off its new Insight by turning their LED headlights into a gigantic animated Lite-Brite for an upcoming commercial. The commercial is called “Let it Shine,” and you can watch it below.

The Insight can cruise on electric power alone but not accelerate, so it isn’t technically a hybrid. The Insight’s main selling point is the price, starting under $20,000.

Kids love to stick stuff in their noses. (They also like to dig deep and pick stuff out, but that’s another story.) The little tykes will stick toys up their nostrils, candy, their finger, you name it. In fact, if there’s nothing nearby to actually stick up their nose, they often go into withdrawal, constantly sniffing and touching their nose while snorting, like a junkie checking themselves for powder on the outside.

Well, Mag-Lite is exploiting the phenomena in their latest ad campaign. Making “light” of it even. Maglite is launching their smallest flashlight yet named Solitaire, with these images of kids who breath light out of their nostrils.

Video: Kylie
In the latest $300 million “I’m A PC” ad campaign, set to air Sunday night during the Grammy awards, 4 and a half year old Kylie uses Windows Live Photo Gallery to send a picture of her fish to her parents. So, now they’re using cuteness, which is a steep departure from their previous attempts. Some of the previous ads were downright creepy.

Cute is probably the way to go. How many 4 year-olds do you know that use a mac? I bet they aren’t as cute as this kid. How Apple will retaliate is anyone’s guess, but the ball is now in their court.

Enjoy this commercial, which should have been a Superbowl commercial by the way. Just don’t ask us to explain what goes on in the minds of advertising executives. I guess it could be considered a tad NSFW due to butt cheeks. I’m not sure this will sell many extra GPS devices for the company, but it is an entertaining 42 seconds. Not sure what else I could possibly say about it…

Has this ever happened to anyone? And if so, did you hear that popping sound?

Some of you might consider this NSFW, even though it isn’t really. There’s no nudity. Here’s the synopsis: Some creepy guy at the office is telling a story about the office hottie and his Lenovo W700ds. He starts bragging about one of it’s features. Next thing you know they’re playing strip poker. In this case, she strips everytime the w700ds beats her laptop. Then it’s time to brag about his second screen and she strips all the way. It all ends with a joke about how big it is and a “That’s what she said” joke.

CNET thinks this came from inside Lenovo, but who knows. It’s stupid yes, and dorky. But also genius as marketing. Sadly in the real world, women aren’t that impressed with laptop specs. Unless I’ve been hanfing with the wrong women.

John Lennon may be long gone, having died 28 years ago, but he’s still a force for change in the world through his music. And now, thanks to technology and Yoko Ono’s consent, the Beatle has returned in a new OLPC spot.

In the ad, the late musician say’s “Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want.” If you are a Lennon fan and believe in the cause, by all means go make a donation and click through to see the video.

Check out this creative marketing campaign for Sony’s PSP gaming console. Have you seen one in your neighborhood? I’m guessing no, since this is actually a concept for a PSP campaign made by a fan. But how cool would it be to spot a transparent PSP with a Tie Fighter, or even Spiderman in the background. Hit the link for more pics. Sony needs to hire this guy at once.

I’m A PC — Crowdsourced from AlleyInsider on Vimeo.
Alright, so the Seinfeld-Gates ads were interesting. Then came the “I’m a PC” ads that were different, but not really all that cool. That’s when Apple’s latest ads began to get lamer as well. So now we’re on to the latest round of “I’m a PC” ads and this one is appropriately creepy for Halloween. It features a bunch of Youtube types saying “I’m a PC”. Problem is that I found them all to be pretty creepy.

It has me seriously thinking about a Mac. I’ll break it down for you. A few could easily be serial killers, specially the first dude who is so in love with his shirt, one chases zebras and obviously is on serious medication, an old lady who wrangles lamas looks like she has to have about a million cats and I’m sure must throw them at people, a bling lover and more. Yeah, this one is just wrong.

Nothing much new to see here, but since we have been taking a look at the pissing contest between Microsoft and Apple, I thought I’d share this one as well. Microsoft’s marketing guys are spending all the money on advertising Vista instead of actually fixing Vista, so he’s holding a bake sale with some pricey cupcakes. When will it end?

So Apple and Microsoft’s pissing contest continues. Apple has some new ads now. Instead of attacking Vista directly, they now attack Microsoft’s marketing of Vista. After watching this one it seems clear that they are saying less and less with each new ad campaign. It just gets more and more pointless. It’s basically just a “I know you are, but what am I?” type thing. I’m waiting for Microsoft’s next ads to retort, “Infinity!” so we can just all shut up already. Do you guys even care anymore?