http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10244592-71.html

So here's what having a strategy and taking a stand gets you. Yes, results.

At least that seems to be the conclusion one can reach from new data culled by BrandIndex. BrandIndex is a company that seems to get its kicks from tracking brands every 24 hours. A little neurotic, if you ask me. But you have to make a living somehow.

Anyway, its latest data suggests that Microsoft's "Laptop Hunters" campaign is radically altering value perceptions of PCs.

According to a report in AdAge, BrandIndex says Microsoft's so-called value perception has risen steadily since the campaign began in March, while Apple's has fallen.

Last winter, Apple stood at 70 on the value scale, while Microsoft was at zero. (Zero means that as many people feel bad about a brand as good) Now, Apple has fallen to 12.4, while Microsoft has risen to a glorious 46.2.

Here's the thing that might make you pause for wonder: the people who seem to be most influenced by the Microsoft campaign are aged 18 to 34.

Brand Index's global managing director for polling service YouGov told AdAge: "Apple had a pretty big advantage, historically, when we look at our data. Apple did a great job of putting Microsoft on the defensive. It made them look old, stodgy, complicated to use and unhip. But Microsoft has started to hit back, and younger folks are more cost- or value-focused."

wait till Apple buys EA, then Microsoft is gonna get pwnd.

The way I see is, Microsoft needs to keep pounding on Apple the same way Apple has been pounding on Microsoft for years and years with their "Im a Mac, Im a PC" ads.

 I dont think Apple wants an unprofitable, goliath of a company. Apple is a company that has ALWAYS stayed small and survives on huge profit margins. EA is the exact opposite. EA would hurt Apples image.

Thats good, I dislike Apple more than I dislike Microsoft.

But in what world is Apple a small company?

I think he means as far as in house department go...

Why would apple buy EA?.....People are not ging to get Macs to Play EA games...For Apple to have games to compete with Windows games..Macs would have to be around $8,000 or more....

 I meant in size, not profits. They always just keep around 2-4 products at a time, unlike a company like Sony that has their foot in everything from car stereos to movie productions. Apple and Nintendo just have like 2-4 products with huge montrous profit margins.  EA is losing a Billion dollars a year and have more studios and developers than any other game publisher in the world. Most of their games are also hugely unprofitable. They lost licences to IP's like Lord of the Rings and James Bond because of consistent low quality. EA and Apple are a horrible fit. If Apple did want a studio, it would probably be a small quirky studio like Rare.

There is no "value perception" for Apple...they're just overpriced because of all that proprietary hardware. Mac =/= PS3. It doesn't offer more than the competition, thus justifying the higher price lol