Apple vs Microsoft: Who does launch day better?

4 months ago

In case you hadn’t noticed, Windows 10 is out today.

To celebrate, Microsoft has lined up a series of launch day events that are predominantly taking place in the US, and these include a live gig by OneRepublic at a Windows Store in a shopping mall.

NBA and NFL players are also due to make appearances at various stores in the States too as Microsoft makes a big push to promote Windows 10.

This then begs the question, how do they compare to Apple when it comes to launch day hype? Let’s take a look.

Range of events

Apple: The iPhone-maker’s retail stores become hubs of activity on every product launch day, usually having seen hundreds camp outside each for days in advance. On top of that, there’s been fancy dress in the past, as well as the odd appearance by Tim Cook and other executives at stores close to the firm’s headquarters in Cupertino.

Apple also has a habit of making announcement shows something of a spectacle – the modern-day technology company conference is essentially modelled on what Apple has been doing for years. In the last year alone they’ve had U2 and The Weeknd perform, and Drake speak, all during Apple conferences.

Microsoft: As already touched upon, Microsoft is holding special Windows 10 launch events at nine retail stores in the US, including the OneRepublic gig in Colorado. There’s also a “fan celebration” in London, though not many more details are known at this stage.

Although at the Windows 10 show earlier this year the on-stage demo of the HoloLens and holographic computer technology definitely scored some cool points.

Winner – Apple

Twitter buzz

Apple: With a reputation of being either loved or hated, Apple inevitably always draws plenty of conversation on Twitter. Whether it be the die-hard Apple fans tweeting their unwavering support for what is coming off the production line, or other technology fans expressing their annoyance at the ‘cult of Apple’, social media is usually awash with debate, and the trends dominated in the process.

Microsoft: Though the top two trends in the UK were both Windows 10 at the start of the day, one of these was a promoted trend – #UpgradeYourWorld – while the Windows 10 hashtag had dropped off the list by mid-afternoon. That doesn’t tend to happen on Apple launch days.

Winner – Apple

Fans

Apple: Notorious. ‘Apple fan boys/girls’ have been around since the company first began making waves in the industry in late 1970s, and Apple was the alternative to the mainstream of HP and other brands. Even though the brand is now very much in the mainstream itself, Apple has been able to maintain this illusion of being the outsider. Some call it cult-like, others clever marketing.

Either way, the result is a lot of fiercely loyal and excited people come launch day. Many of them happy to wear fancy dress for the cause.

Microsoft: Much more understated, Microsoft’s support lies in its sheer weight of numbers – more than a billion people use Windows around the world. However the firm could use a few more fanatics to spread the word of Windows; this was the scene at the Windows 10 event in January:

Winner – Apple

Venue

Apple: Whether it be mysterious white buildings erected to house product showcases, or the colour-scheme of the Apple logo plastered onto the side of the San Francisco conference centre where Apple holds its developer events – people love to talk location when it comes to Apple.

Microsoft: Sadly the buildings housing Microsoft events never appear to generate as much buzz, however the firm did make a Windows-based appearance at the Xbox press conference at E3 this year. A video games convention in Los Angeles is a pretty cool place to show up, and they showed off a stunning version of Minecraft on HoloLens while they were there.

Winner – Microsoft
Final Score – Apple 3 Microsoft 1

So it’s fair to say that Apple has more fanatical and prominent support, but the Microsoft renaissance some predict will come with Windows 10 is starting to show in the eye-catching things they’ve been doing in the last few months – mainly HoloLens-related. Apple has the edge for now, but Microsoft seem to be making its move.