They obviously do, hence the commercials.

Chromebooks are for people who want a computer that "just works" for what "they" do.  What do these people do you ask?  They surf the inrernet, use email, watch youtube and play flash games.  For these people Chromebooks are great because it gives them all that without the constant updates & security concerns that Windows can have.

I'd rather get a cheap alternative & run Linux myself, but different people have different needs.  The Chromebook is a fine product for the right users.

Bolded stuff you wrote are things that Windows 8 does as good or better or just FUD that is no longer true with Windows 8.

Chromebook is essentially a car you can only drive on weekends but costs the same as a car that you can drive anywhere.

With that said, people like many things and if you like Chromebooks, there ain't nothing wrong with that. I liked a Sega Saturn despite being a "worse" console than the competition. However let's not try to make logical conclusions that Chromebooks are a better choice for some over several existing products, and not just Windows devices.

If Chromebooks are so crappy, why is MS so scared?

Cause they are cheap. We are entering the "good enough" era of computing and price alone can be a threat even if the product is inferior.

If it was a fair world Microsoft would just release poor versions of AdSense and AdWords and show the middle finger to Google in that manner. But there is no incentive for the advertising industry to use inferior porducts. Like I said. when it comes to consumer electronics these days, money talks even when the product is inferior.

Microsofts strategy here is just to let people know that Chromebooks can't do as much as Windows devices... There is absolutely nothing wrong withthat as it is very much true.

You know there are people who refuse to do anything that's not in the browser right?  A lot of older people have become confortable inside the browser but don't dare touch anything else.  For these people the car you can drive everyday just gets in the way of their favourite bicycle.  And I never said I like Chromebook for myself, I just have come across users who it would be a good product for. I'm pretty sure Chromebooks have smaller updates & less security holes/exploits compared to fully functional OS's.  To say it's pointless is to not recognize a market.

That looks like my current laptop. Since mine if a few years old, probably about the same power. The only thing I'm missing is the touch screen.

I get your points, but reacting this way instead of just ignoring it or downplaying it in a more aloof way, they acknowledged it before users' eyes and they gave it more visibility. Even with all its limits highlighted, users like my mom could think "OK, MS, a competitor, just confirmed a Chromebook does everything I need".

You are right that in most cases it is best to play the ignore card...but this case I think is slightly different. Every time I go to Best Buy or similar they tend to merge Chromebooks with Windows laptops in the same section and not really clearly indicate which is which. On the website too that Samsung ARM based Chromebook looks like a hot property for $249, especially to someone that isn't computer savy.

I think Microsofts strategy here is to raise awareness and educate the world that this other product does exist, and that it isn't as good as Windows yet is similarly priced.

lol @ disolitude and is incorrect info on chromebooks.

Gotta do anything to stop chromebooks rise, huh?

Chromebooks don't "require" internet. Most primary apps have an off-line mode that works VERY well. Google drive and all of its office products, games, great number of other apps... etc. Of course having internet takes a good product and makes it great. But really, if you have NO internet, then idk even know what you do with your pc.

There is a reason tablets are outselling laptops. Its because nearly all mass consumers, while away from work, don't need ANYTHING MS or Mac can do in their OS.

All they need is multimedia, internet and some games. All of which is not only done very well on a chromebook, but done better in many cases.

The chrome app store has web dev software, image editing such as photoshop, file sharing tools, tons of android-ish games, full office suite (not as robust as MSOffice.. but if you need that for a specific use then you're at work on a PC anyways... anything a normal user needs, drive does), full web (better than tablets), no need for virus, on/off faster than anything else, touchscreen models for $299 or less, exchangeable SSDs/HDDs/SDCards, free nearly infinite cloud storage if you use google services appropriately, ... so much win its disgusting anyone without a specific work-related or Steam related need has a Win/Mac laptop over a chromebook.

For those wondering why MS makes an attack ad like this.. its because Chromebooks are selling better than any other laptop in the lower-priced category and all other PC markets are still in decline.

If you're curious if you could live entirely in Chrome.. then just try it on your current laptop/desktop. Use ONLY Chrome and its appstore for a few weeks. You may need to check out more than one chrome app to ensure it meets your needs.

As soon as steamOS is fully launched, I'll have zero need for windows and its overpriced and bloated OS/Office.