Microsoft took its ‘Scroogled‘ anti-Google campaign one step further today by ridiculing the Chromebook in a new online video ad. It depicts a woman walking into a pawn shop and asking for a price-check on her Chrome OS laptop, only to be told that “it’s not a real laptop”.
Stars of the reality-television series Pawn Stars belittle the Chromebook and its inherent drawbacks as a Web-focused device. “When you’re not connected, it’s pretty much a brick,” the store clerk says. “That’s a major drawback. A traditional PC utilizes built-in applications like Office and iTunes, which work even when you’re offline.”
The ad touches upon other parts of the ‘Scroogled’ campaign, namely the privacy concerns surrounding high-profile Google services such as Gmail.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
“Google is always trying to find more ways to make money off of your personal information,” the pawnbroker adds. “This Chromebook hardware makes it even easier for them.”
Chromebooks regularly top the best sellers list on Amazon, so this latest attack from Microsoft isn’t entirely unexpected. The limitations of Chrome OS are offset by the low price points offered by Chromebook manufacturers, but Microsoft is clearly worried by the impact, or potential impact, it has on sales of low-end Windows-based laptops and PCs.
If you’re interested, there’s also a new page on the Scroogled website that breaks down all of the disadvantages and negative media coverage associated with Google’s Chromebooks.
Read next: Taking a cue from Microsoft, Nokia is trying to sell the Lumia 2520 by ridiculing the iPad
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.