New Microsoft site targets users looking to switch from MacBook to Surface Pro
While it was Apple who for years targeted Windows switchers to the Mac platform, the tables have turned as now Microsoft is now the underdog, focusing its efforts on trying to win over MacBook users with its Surface Pro hybrid computers.
In its latest effort to attract potential switchers, Microsoft has debuted a new website called "Making the switch: MacBook to Surface Pro 3." The site aims to ease the transition from one platform to another, providing information on making the jump to the latest-generation Surface Pro 3.
The help guide is divided into four sections explaining the basics of Windows 8.1, what MacBook users need to know, how to move their content to the new hardware, and how to use the Surface Pro 3 with Apple products and services like the iPhone, iCloud and iTunes.
In particular, the "Surface Pro 3 for MacBook users" section of the site explains unique Windows features that could confuse users making the jump from a Mac, including right-click, keyboard shortcuts, searching, and installing applications. There's also a section devoted to viruses that notes "most computers, including Macs, can get malware," before detailing the protection tools included in Windows 8.1.
The new website is just the latest part of an ongoing campaign by Microsoft which has pitted the Surface Pro 3 directly against Apple's hot selling MacBook Air. The ads espouse the virtues of the Surface Pro 3 over the MacBook Air, including its tablet-style touchscreen capabilities, removable keyboard, integrated kickstand, and Bluetooth stylus.
The Surface-versus-MacBook Air campaign has been running for months, though it's unclear how well the company's efforts have been received. Microsoft's entire Surface strategy has appeared ineffective at times, with NFL announcers continuing to call the Surface an "iPad" -- despite a sponsorship deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars -- while news anchors on CNN continued to use their iPads even as Surface devices sat on the table in front of them.
In its latest effort to attract potential switchers, Microsoft has debuted a new website called "Making the switch: MacBook to Surface Pro 3." The site aims to ease the transition from one platform to another, providing information on making the jump to the latest-generation Surface Pro 3.
The help guide is divided into four sections explaining the basics of Windows 8.1, what MacBook users need to know, how to move their content to the new hardware, and how to use the Surface Pro 3 with Apple products and services like the iPhone, iCloud and iTunes.
In particular, the "Surface Pro 3 for MacBook users" section of the site explains unique Windows features that could confuse users making the jump from a Mac, including right-click, keyboard shortcuts, searching, and installing applications. There's also a section devoted to viruses that notes "most computers, including Macs, can get malware," before detailing the protection tools included in Windows 8.1.
The new website is just the latest part of an ongoing campaign by Microsoft which has pitted the Surface Pro 3 directly against Apple's hot selling MacBook Air. The ads espouse the virtues of the Surface Pro 3 over the MacBook Air, including its tablet-style touchscreen capabilities, removable keyboard, integrated kickstand, and Bluetooth stylus.
The Surface-versus-MacBook Air campaign has been running for months, though it's unclear how well the company's efforts have been received. Microsoft's entire Surface strategy has appeared ineffective at times, with NFL announcers continuing to call the Surface an "iPad" -- despite a sponsorship deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars -- while news anchors on CNN continued to use their iPads even as Surface devices sat on the table in front of them.
Comments
Edit: and by not a good time I mean it's a horrible time! Win 8.1 with its "Modern" environment and traditional desktops is a astonishingly complicated. (source: my experience supporting Windows users.)
On the left, sitting quietly is the elegant MacBook. On the right, a garbled Heath Robinson monstrosity.
Like Google and Blackberry, Microsoft need to get out of hardware.
Typical Microsoft double speak : "Windows features that could confuse users making the jump from a Mac, including right-click, keyboard shortcuts, searching, and installing applications." yes they are correct Windows features are overly complicated and not obvious. There is no need to switch why would a sane person want to switch from the Mac OS that makes everything simple to one that makes the same features un-intuitive, slow and more complicated. Yes that's a jump! a dumb jump!
No idea why Microsoft is in hardware (besides Xbox) anyway. They should just focus on cross-platform software and services.
Even back when Apple was in its worst state and close to dying, the switch from Macs to Windows was only 5%.
Ouch... Windows Defender is awful, and this is bad advice...
I recently got given for a Surface Pro for work and I quite like it, but it's a weird looking beasty. Putting its image next to a MacBook Air makes it look like a strange origami-like creature.
"Anyone switching from a Mac to a Surface"... You'll be back, poorer but wiser.
Even back when Apple was in its worst state and close to dying, the switch from Macs to Windows was only 5%.
Lol. They don't seem to know who they are targeting really. It is usually other way around. People start with Windows first, than once introduced to Mac nirvana, they never look back.
Weird that MS is hitting the MacBook crowd so hard. Can't watch 20 minutes of TV without seeing that commercial. Or a Yoga commercial.
Aren't Macs around 10% of marketshare? So MacBooks are even less... what does it mean that these companies are targeting such a small part of 10% of the marketshare!
Anytime I see a MacBook in an Ad that's not from Apple I see it as some kind of concession...
"Your Surface comes with Windows Defender and SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer to help protect you from malware, so you don’t need to purchase antivirus software."
Ouch... Windows Defender is awful, and this is bad advice...
Given the lesser of all the evils, I'll take (and use) Windows Defender than the Nortons, or Symantecs, or etc.... At least Microsoft's version is free and for the most time, relatively transparent to the user. Can't say the same for the others that have since day one, been nothing but a pain in the backside, and would all by themselves, corrupt the PC, or bring it to its knees due to the A/V crap slowing it down.
Originally Posted by Rich Gregory
Aren't Macs around 10% of marketshare? So MacBooks are even less... what does it mean that these companies are targeting such a small part of 10% of the marketshare!
I get the feeling that the real considered threat is the iPad, but the MacBook Air is an easier target, and the iPad and Apple in general is a convenient collateral damage.
To speak up a bit for the Surface, it's screen wipes the floor with my MacBook Air. Really nice. Not much else I can say that favours the Surface over the MBA, but the screen is definitely a plus.
"Your Surface comes with Windows Defender and SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer to help protect you from malware, so you don’t need to purchase antivirus software."
Ouch... Windows Defender is awful, and this is bad advice...
Who are you quoting? I can't imagine Microsoft giving that advice.
Having read the first few pages of Microsoft’s site, I can honestly say I would rather be sealed in vat of my own excrement than use Windows.
Would anyone exchange the seamless Apple experience for the horrors and confusion of Windows ? Have you noticed that what takes one paragraph (or one sentence) to explain in the MacBook column takes several paras on Surface Pro column ? Read "Why isn’t the menu bar at the top of my screen anymore?” section for a good example of how not to write copy: even Microsoft make the SP sound like a second-rate experience.
Did any Mac user ever go back to Windows ? I have never met anyone who has
"...and we're excited to see what you do with your new Surface" - is it just me or shouldn't that read "...what you will do.." or "...what you can do..."?