Mac Attack

#1
orange+white=heaven

orange+white=heaven

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#1
So you have to have seen the new ads mac is running, and I've no doubt you have an opinion on them. I found them clever, but just as stereotype entrenching of the mac as the competing PC and therefore ineffective.

Slate magazine's ad guy did an article that cornered my thoughts, so here it is...

Mac Attack

Here's the question. A clever set of spots, yes, but does it make you think you'd rather have a mac???

By the way, how many of you have macs? PC's?
 
#2
#2
I have both (PC desktop and Mac laptop).

The new Macs can actually run Windows (if you want to do that). Many people are running both Mac OS and Windows XP at the same time.

Macs just work better - less crashes, no viruses, etc. but the software is still limited relative to Windows. Ditto for peripherals

The Mac OS is awesome and the iLife software is excellent as well. Finally, the iMac and Mac laptops have the design edge as well.
 
#3
#3
A few comments on the ad review and the ad:

1) the link to the "if Microsoft designed the iPod box" is pretty good.

2) the author is right and wrong in his criticism of what a Mac can do that a PC can't. Specifically he complains about the networking spot where the Mac works with the Japanese camera and he says his PC can do the same thing - right and wrong. What doesn't come through in the ad is the true "plug and play" of the Mac. You don't have to load any software - the iLife suite handles it beautifully. Buy pretty much any brand and connect it an viola. With the PC, you will have to load something (or have already loaded it or it came bundled from a 3rd party with your PC).

On the next complaint about right out of the box, again the point is right and wrong. What Mac is saying is two things. First, the software is pre-installed from Apple and is part of the computer. There generally aren't third-party trial versions pre-loaded that you either have to buy or remove (or leave cluttering the hard-drive). Second, the primary computer from Apple (iMac) is a one piece computer (rather than separate PC and monitor). You just plug the keyboard and mouse in and you are done.

So, the author is wrong that his PC can do exactly the same thing (as he says, why insult his intelligence) --- these differences may not matter to the customer choosing PC/Mac but they are differences.

But, the ad is wrong because these differences are subtle and they do not come through in the ads. You have to know the Mac to get the ad but clearly that doesn't achieve the goals of the ad.
 
#4
#4
(volinbham @ Jun 20 said:
On the next complaint about right out of the box, again the point is right and wrong. What Mac is saying is two things. First, the software is pre-installed from Apple and is part of the computer. There generally aren't third-party trial versions pre-loaded that you either have to buy or remove (or leave cluttering the hard-drive). Second, the primary computer from Apple (iMac) is a one piece computer (rather than separate PC and monitor). You just plug the keyboard and mouse in and you are done.

So, the author is wrong that his PC can do exactly the same thing (as he says, why insult his intelligence) --- these differences may not matter to the customer choosing PC/Mac but they are differences.

But, the ad is wrong because these differences are subtle and they do not come through in the ads. You have to know the Mac to get the ad but clearly that doesn't achieve the goals of the ad.
Click to expand...

Doesn't a Mac that runs Windows kinda defeat the point? Sounds like ordering a Quarter Pounder w/ Burger King fries. Pay more for a box that runs the same software? However, I do use a program to make my Windows desktop look like a Mac so maybe I'm confused too. :dunno:

They do have a point about 3rd party software though. I made the mistake once of doing a full install of Windows and spent three days finding it all so I could delete it. Always do a custome install and keep that crap out.

Personally, I build my own and like to customize my computer. New video card, new hard drive, memory, etc. so a Mac would never work. You also can't play with the Mac settings to improve performance. I know I'm in a very small segment of the computer-using population though. I just don't like the thought of someone telling me what my comp should look like or do. PC's allow me more freedom on that point.
 
#5
#5
(utvolpj @ Jun 20 said:
Doesn't a Mac that runs Windows kinda defeat the point? Sounds like ordering a Quarter Pounder w/ Burger King fries. Pay more for a box that runs the same software? However, I do use a program to make my Windows desktop look like a Mac so maybe I'm confused too. :dunno:
Click to expand...

Most Mac-aficionado's would agree with you. But, since the new Macs use the Intel Duo Core they can run Windows. Apple "unofficially" supports this through a program called Boot camp that basically partions the computer so you have two stand alone operating systems.

From what I can tell, it's an incentive for those weening off of Windows or those with big software (especially gaming software) collections.

I'm considering going Mac but if I do, I won't be running Windows!
 
#6
#6
Those two in the commercials really get on my nerves. I want to punch the mac guy and give the pc guy a wedgie.
 
#15
#15
(volinbham @ Jun 20 said:
Most Mac-aficionado's would agree with you. But, since the new Macs use the Intel Duo Core they can run Windows. Apple "unofficially" supports this through a program called Boot camp that basically partions the computer so you have two stand alone operating systems.
Click to expand...

Ahhhh, I forgot the whole Intel thing. Now I have another reason to never use a Mac. Go for the underdog, choose AMD! :biggrin2:

 
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