Google thinks Microsoft Windows is an old car that's falling apart

Last month, Microsoft released an ad for its Surface range of devices in which it took a direct jab at Apple. So much so that it had a character called Mac Book who recommends everyone to go for the Surface over the MacBook. Now, in what can be termed as a case of giving a taste of their own medicine, Google has released an ad which takes a sly dig at Microsoft.

Google’s ad is about its latest Chromebook laptops and its urging users to Switch to Chromebook. The ad features Bill Nye “The Science Guy” who was the host of a popular American show by the same name. While there is no direct mention – unlike the Mac Book ad – to Microsoft, it’s clear that Google is taking shots at Microsoft and its Windows OS. For instance, Bill Nye in the ad asks users how “they fear something as small as switching from your old laptop to a new Chromebook.” He further says that “one that boots up as fast as six seconds, the other takes forever.” Then he goes on to take a dig at how Microsoft Windows users have to install an anti-virus while Chromebook comes with a pre-installed option. As he says, “One has a built-in virus protection, the other should be quarantined. So why haven’t you switched?”


The only direct reference to Microsoft comes at a moment when an old raggedy car is shown. The car’s license plate reads “WNDWS” and then Nye goes on to pat the car and says “We have been through a lot together” and the vehicle immediately falls apart.

Clearly, Google is upping the ante in the world of laptops and personal computing devices with the Chromebook. While they aren’t as popular as Microsoft Windows-based devices, Google’s making it clear with its ad that who it will be targeting mainly with Chromebooks.