Update 7/24/09 11:24 a.m.:

Microsoft has changed the laptop-hunter ads that hammered Apple for its higher prices. Apple had complained that the ads were no longer accurate because it had lowered its prices.

In the new ad, Lauren says of a Mac, "It seems like you're paying a lot for the brand," without mentioning a specific price.

Microsoft released a statement that said, "We slightly adjusted the ads to reflect the updated pricing of the Mac laptop shown in the TV advertisement. This does not change the focus of the campaign which is to showcase the value and choice of the PC."

Check out the new ad here:

Earlier 7/15/09:

Microsoft said it received a call from Apple saying Microsoft needs to stop running the laptop-hunter TV ads that harp on Apple for expensive computers. Why? Because Apple has lowered its prices.

That's according to Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, who said he took a call from an Apple attorney two weeks ago. He initially thought it was a practical joke, then said he found out Apple had cut prices on its computers.

"It was the greatest single phone call that I’ve ever taken in the history of business," Turner said in a presentation at the Microsoft Worldwide Partners Conference in New Orleans. "I did cartwheels down the hallway."

I have a call in to Apple.

The television ads feature people shopping for a laptop and comparing prices on PCs and Macs. According to Microsoft, PCs have gained market share since the ads began running.

The ads were a response to Apple's relentless "I'm a Mac" ads teasing Microsoft mostly about problems with Windows Vista. Click here to read about the Microsoft laptop hunter ads and check out the ad below: