The ads, unfortunatly, are effective on some people. These commercials themselves are good- clean, simple, pure. However, they are nothing more than insults to PCs and their users. Sure, we can do spreadsheets, and Word documents. And Macs can stream photos or movies. So, by de facto, Macs are apperently the only computer that can have fun. Maybe they are forgetting games. Until recently, when Microsoft software and Intel chips made their way onto Apple computers via BootCamp and trade agreements, Macs could run almost nothing. Games were made for Microsoft Operating Systems, because they ran on computers with the processing power, like Dell or Alienware.

After watching these ads, someone once sang praise of them across an internet forum. They posted links and pictures, heralding Mac as the greatest computing company around. There were disagreements. One person basically summed up the commercials like so-

“Oh, I get it. The PC is represented by a middle aged man who just returned from his high-paying job and is about to meet his loving wife and children to tell them of his recent promotion. The Mac, however, is represented by an unwashed young man who works at Starbucks, having been fired from his own job because he doesn’t know how to dress properly.”

I am a fan of Mac Computers. I use them almost every day in school for certain classes like Digital Imaging and Computer Art. Yes, I understand Mac has many other types of programs that you won’t find on a PC. But, I can gaurentee there are at the very least, 5 other identical programs that do the same thing as the programs that are exclusive to Macs.
As for reliablility, I have never had a PC that crashed without it being because of something I did. I used to have an old PC from like 1999 that worked perfectly. It didn’t crash, it didn’t freeze, it didn’t make me reboot at all. As for the Mac computers I use, they would crash and make me restart without any reason. I would be Photoshopping something, and without any warning, the computer would freeze up and make me reboot.
As for security, I do agree with the fact that Windows-based PCs are more virus prone. BUT, that is if they are left by themselves without the proper security. For example, I currently have a computer running on Windows XP SP2 With Norton Internet Security 2005, and it is running behind a router. I, have not yet had any single threat to my computer. Don’t get me wrong either, I have actually tried to put viruses on my PC. I tried downloading one once and before it even got into my computer, my security deleted it.
Finally, we move to compatibility… HA don’t make me laugh. Everyone (Even Mac Users) should know that PCs are hands down winners of compatibility. Why? Because almost every program imaginable is DESIGNED to run on a Windows based computer!!!! DUH!!!! Like I said earlier, even though there are Mac Exclusive programs, there are at the least, 5 clones that do the same thing.

Once again I say, do not get me wrong. I do enjoy using Mac computers. I like their style, their OS, and the features they offer. But I also feel that PCs should not be underestimated by the Apple Superiority Complex that is made up of die-hard Mac fans. PCs could be as good, or better than any Mac currently on the market.

Frankly, I’m closer in age to the Mac guy than the PC guy. I dress alot sharper, too.

-But don’t get me wrong, I like Macs, I love the one I use at work for my design work. I might get one to back-up my PC laptop. But insults and half-truths aren’t the way to sell to people.-

Here’s the list o’ Apple BS:

1. Macs have to reboot, just like any computer. I don’t care what you have in there, or what you use to cool it with, but processors need downtime, and memory and whatnot has to be cleared periodically. Any computer that you badly maintain will fall apart, period.
2. Macs don’t get as many viruses, but they still get them. Why not so many? Because Macs aren’t near as prevalent as PCs.
3. I can edit movies on my laptop, do photos and everything like that. It’s all due to a great company by the name of Adobe. I don’t do spreadsheets on my PC. Aside from gaming, I do things on my PC that may be (now) labeled as Mac things to do.
4. Thanks to WinXP, I’ve had no problems with adding any hardware, especially a digital camera.

-Macs are good machines…but so are PCs. Find a smarter, more truthful way to advertise, Apple. How about saying that your GUI has some easier ways to navigate, or talk more, and in depth, about the MacOS/Windows compability, or the Apple-made software that is in fact, better than some of the MS-made software?-

About the Ad for viruses
macs can get viruses as well, the blue screen of death, when this affects a PC all you have to do is reboot a computer, but when a mac gets this virus, thats the mac gone then, you try to phone the apple company and you get some guy drinking a latte, probably skimming the apple troubleshooting book from a manbag.
A piece of corrupt data can destroy any programme, there are ways to fix it but the guy on the phone will probably tell you to get a new mac.

Then we come onto games….How many good games are mac compatable?? exactly.

and personally, I don’t read the wall street journal so I don’t particularly care.

I’ll get a decent p.c at the next given opportunity

lex.steele@hotmail.co.uk

Apple = Elitist out of touch Liberals
PC = Everyone else

Apple attacks PC to make itself seem to look better.
Apple fails to mention any facts… at all.
Apple uses vague ‘PC’ so to avoid a fact filled reply by a competitor.
Apple maintains a smug know-it-all posture without any justification.
Apple complains but offers no solutions other then ‘buy/vote’ me.
Apple thinks you don’t ‘know’ what you “know” to be the truth.
Apple Says almost not-a-thing about itself.

Now look at whom the executives (Steve Jobs, Al Gore, etc…) are over at Apple and then what political agendas and groups (ie: moveon.org) they support and contribute to and there you have it.

If you think I’m wrong prove it.

Unlike the ads suggest, my Japanese made digital camera was able to “talk” just fine with my PC on the first try. The same goes for my latest PC “just working” right out of the box.

If you want me to switch don’t lie to me – tell me why your product is better (and BTW please don’t confuse me in the process by making me relate more to the square 40 year old than the young guy my age – another rant).

I think this might work with the non-computer owning market that is nervous about buying their first computer and is a bit out of the loop; but how many of these people are really left?

Personnally I want to see the commercials dealing with Gaming, Customization and upgradability!

I hate FUD, and while I (obviously) don’t disagree that Windows is malware and virus-prone, it’s been quite some time since I had a PC that needed to be restarted all the time, or didn’t do the right thing when you attach a camera..

So, two against one so far. Damn I hate being wrong!

Considering they’re ads though, I think they’re pretty ineffective. If I were not a Mac user, I don’t see how they would compel me to buy a Mac or even look into buying one. Apple missed the mark on this one - these ads only provide entertainment value to existing Mac users.