“As usual, the truth lies somewhere in between. But a little whining from Apple isn’t going to stop Microsoft from running the ads.” Looks like Devin was right, as he often is. Microsoft has updated the “Laptop Hunter” ad that had annoyed Apple, and now it’s much more benign.

Well, it’s a big day for Microsoft! Their first official retail stores are dated and partially located, Gates mentions that Project Natal is coming to Windows, and now it appears that Apple has cried uncle with the Laptop Hunters ads. Actually, it probably depends on who you ask. Microsoft will say that its shopping farces were effective, not just on consumers but on the competition as well. Apple might say that their prices have become more competitive after a recent price drop on certain models, so the ads aren’t accurate any more — if they say anything at all.

The Laptop Hunters commercial campaign that Microsoft is pushing seems to be working. Young people in the 18-34 demographic see a laptop running Microsoft Windows as a better value for the money than an Apple laptop running OSX. Apple had dominated consumer mindshare in the winter, but has since fallen behind Microsoft.

Oh man. We’ve seen a Laptop Hunters spoof before, but not one that goes to this extreme. It’s a bit much at times, but still worth watching. However, as the post title indicates, it may not be safe for work.

After the jump you can find the latest Laptop Hunters ad in the famous series of video advertisements Microsoft is putting out there to make people proud of being a PC again (and at the same time attack pricing for Macs).

The latest ad features pre-law student Lauren and her mom, Sue, and these are the things they are looking for primarily in a laptop: speed, portability and battery life.

They end up with a Dell for $971.99. More precisely: this Studio XPS Laptop with Intel Core2 Duo Processor P8600 – Black

Not before checking out the Macs, though!

Okay so a PC is slow or has a small screen or has viruses causing you headaches. Apple’s response to the Laptop Hunters is just a little smarter than Microsoft’s ads. Or not at all. What’s more interesting is this other ad about customer care. Go check them out.

It appears, from shots taken at Crispin Porter + Bogusky (the agency behind the Laptop Hunter ads), that the famously PC-friendly videos were in fact edited on Macs — including, ironically, the one where a PC is selected for video editing. Now, before we all put on our LOLhats, keep a couple things in mind: first, this is an independent ad agency that happened to do these spots, they’re not some top-secret Mac task force that Microsoft has to use because for some reason Premiere wouldn’t cut it. Also, while it may be that for professional video editing and design, Macs are a better choice (i.e. for an advertising firm that encourages the Mac ecosystem and subsidizes purchases), but at $1000 or $1500 the issue is far from clear-cut. Still, it is pretty funny.

HP wins again with the latest Laptop Hunters episode. Is it just me, or are they doing some really creative editing with the dialogue? It’s like NPR interview editing on steroids. As for her choice, I personally would go with a Mac at that price (not so much at $1000 or $1500), or at least go with a more interesting PC. It’s widescreen and it has a good processor and video card? Okay, that’s every laptop at that price.

Microsoft is right in the middle of its Laptop Hunter campaign, but Apple’s got something for Gates & Co. with four more Mac vs PC ad spots. You know the subject too, PCs crash, have tons of legalese, and get viruses. The only ad that’s actually positive and points out novel Mac features is the one about iPhoto and its new Faces features. Watch all four after the jump.

Ironiclly, this spoof on Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter videos is the closest video to the truth. A shopper admires a Mac, but it’s a tad out of their price range so they slump to the world of PCs only to discovery Windows Vista, anti-virus software and plastic. They end up buying a PC ’cause, well, there isn’t any other options. Yay! It’s a PC.

This episode of Laptop Hunters has been brought to you by Microsoft and Sony VAIO. Spoiler: the actors don’t buy a Mac, instead wander aimlessly around the dozens of PC models until finding a Blu-ray equipped Sony VAIO. Sorry to ruin the surprise. Video after the jump.

I’m sensing a trend here. Microsoft is working with a formula for its new advertising campaign, dubbed Laptop Hunter. The gist: A good-looking yet accessible actor goes into a mall. They look around, decide Macs are too expensive/cool/exciting for their down-to-earth lifestyles, and then buy an HP, in this case an HP with bad battery life. While I’m totally down with attractive people being happy, I wonder what, exactly, Microsoft is selling here? Design? Laptop quality? Even HP? It’s definitely not selling anything it makes.

First we saw the Seinfeld commercials. That hot mess took the PC totally out of the picture. It made Microsoft all about Bill Gates (much as Apple is about Steve Jobs) but because no one would want to drink beers with Bill they added Jerry for charm. Again, nothing about Windows.