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[jaypah]

you know what i noticed? a lot of people who like apple REALLY LIKE APPLE. it took me a while to spot them on GAF but holy shit, you guys love that apple! i think macs are cool, i use one at the studio. but buying software is a pain in the ass due to the guys behind the counter. i mean, you'd swear they were on the payroll. news flash: if i'm buying mac software i probably have a mac and don't need to be sold on one. also telling me how much the PC sucks doesn't really help either. i had heard about how people are batshit insane for apple (cult like) but until the last year or 2 i hadn't really met any. now i've met quite a few and honestly, they creep me out sometimes. but a lot of them own iphones so i can't blame them. iphones are fucking incredible.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

I'd more impressed with Apple if I wasn't literally looking at a great big crack in my MacBook as I type this.

If that's on the palm rest area, it's covered under warranty for a free repair.

you know what i noticed? a lot of people who like apple REALLY LIKE APPLE. it took me a while to spot them on GAF but holy shit, you guys love that apple! i think macs are cool, i use one at the studio. but buying software is a pain in the ass due to the guys behind the counter. i mean, you'd swear they were on the payroll. news flash: if i'm buying mac software i probably have a mac and don't need to be sold on one. also telling me how much the PC sucks doesn't really help either. i had heard about how people are batshit insane for apple (cult like) but until the last year or 2 i hadn't really met any. now i've met quite a few and honestly, they creep me out sometimes. but a lot of them own iphones so i can't blame them. iphones are fucking incredible.

True, but on the other side of the fence, there's something I've noticed here with people that get downright pissed about the Mac ads spreading FUD about Windows, but then they launch right into Mac FUD themselves. Like "those Mac ads are so misleading, disingenuous, and wrong... fuck man, I could just make a better system right now from Newegg with so much more functionality and software support and none of that shiny toy gloss. People only buy Macs because they want to look cool in front of their trendy friends, because the operating system is designed for idiots that don't know how to use a computer and want everything dumbed down. And all that shit about viruses is just dumb." It's weird.

 

[MrToughPants]

Wow that's actually good.

 

[jaypah]

If that's on the palm rest area, it's covered under warranty for a free repair.

True, but there's something I've noticed here with people that get downright pissed about the Mac ads spreading FUD about Windows, but then they launch right into Mac FUD themselves. Like "those Mac ads are so misleading, disingenuous, and wrong... fuck man, I could just make a better system right now from Newegg with so much more functionality and software support and none of that shiny toy gloss. People only buy Macs because they want to look cool in front of their trendy friends, because the operating system is designed for idiots that don't know how to use a computer and want everything dumbed down. And all that shit about viruses is just dumb." It's weird.

yeah, they're annoying too. not as aggressive as mac lovers but still weird as hell. for some reason mac fiends still creep me out more. probably because there's no perceived lifestyle attached to using a PC. people tell me they have a mac all the time, as if i care what their keyboard is attached to. i use both and don't see a need to trumpet macs. it gets the job done but so does my PC. they're just computers....

 

[Tobor]

yeah, they're annoying too. not as aggressive as mac lovers but still weird as hell. for some reason mac fiends still creep me out more. probably because there's no perceived lifestyle attached to using a PC. people tell me they have a mac all the time, as if i care what their keyboard is attached to. i use both and don't see a need to trumpet macs. it gets the job done but so does my PC. they're just computers....

Sure, and I have no problems using a PC at work, but you're implying its not ok to prefer one over the other. Of course it is. Saying they are just computers sells the argument short.

Using both and being able to competently explain the difference, I think that currently, OSX is the better operating system. That doesn't make me a fanboy, it makes me an informed consumer.

I'm going to stick with Apple products for the foreseeable future because they are making better product, not blind love for Steve Jobs. That's the difference.

 

[WrikaWrek]

you know what i noticed? a lot of people who like apple REALLY LIKE APPLE. it took me a while to spot them on GAF but holy shit, you guys love that apple! i think macs are cool, i use one at the studio. but buying software is a pain in the ass due to the guys behind the counter. i mean, you'd swear they were on the payroll. news flash: if i'm buying mac software i probably have a mac and don't need to be sold on one. also telling me how much the PC sucks doesn't really help either. i had heard about how people are batshit insane for apple (cult like) but until the last year or 2 i hadn't really met any. now i've met quite a few and honestly, they creep me out sometimes. but a lot of them own iphones so i can't blame them. iphones are fucking incredible.

Yeah i don't get it. Apple fans are so vocal and open about it, as if it was something to be proud of. lol

It's pretty sad.

 

[jaypah]

Sure, and I have no problems using a PC at work, but you're implying its not ok to prefer one over the other. Of course it is. Saying they are just computers sells the argument short.

Using both and being able to competently explain the difference, I think that currently, OSX is the better operating system. That doesn't make me a fanboy, it makes me an informed consumer.

I'm going to stick with Apple products for the foreseeable future because they are making better product, not blind love for Steve Jobs. That's the difference.

no, as i stated earlier i don't care what they have attached to their keyboard. it's their choice. i'm talking about people who feel the need to point out to me that they use a mac. that doesn't happen to me with people who use PCs.

"I'm going to stick with Apple products for the foreseeable future because they are making better product, not blind love for Steve Jobs. That's the difference."

why are you telling me this? i don't know you. :lol i'm talking about people who buy into the "apple lifestyle". i have absolutely no idea why you think any of what i said has anything to do with you. that was a weird reaction, lol.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

no, as i stated earlier i don't care what they have attached to their keyboard. it's their choice. i'm talking about people who feel the need to point out to me that they use a mac. that doesn't happen to me with people who use PCs.

"I'm going to stick with Apple products for the foreseeable future because they are making better product, not blind love for Steve Jobs. That's the difference."

why are you telling me this? i don't know you. :lol i'm talking about people who buy into the "apple lifestyle". i have absolutely no idea why you think any of what i said has anything to do with you. that was a weird reaction, lol.

People who use PC's don't have to tell you. They just assume that that's what everyone uses, and there is no need to let you know. :lol

 

[jaypah]

People who use PC's don't have to tell you. They just assume that that's what everyone uses, and there is no need to let you know. :lol

lol, true. but i don't understand why they are telling me. i don't care what brand of anything they use. my microwave is GE. who gives a shit?! if someone told you what brand of soap they use wouldn't that be a little weird? now imaging at least 7 or 8 people telling you that without you asking them. that's how insanely weird this all is to me.

 

[Tobor]

no, as i stated earlier i don't care what they have attached to their keyboard. it's their choice. i'm talking about people who feel the need to point out to me that they use a mac. that doesn't happen to me with people who use PCs.

"I'm going to stick with Apple products for the foreseeable future because they are making better product, not blind love for Steve Jobs. That's the difference."

why are you telling me this? i don't know you. :lol i'm talking about people who buy into the "apple lifestyle". i have absolutely no idea why you think any of what i said has anything to do with you. that was a weird reaction, lol.

I was specifically responding to your "they're just computers" comment. It's a more involved discussion than that. I don't yell my computer choice from the rooftops.

As for others, I have no idea why people would exclaim their Mac ownership to you, but I imagine those same people would be more than happy to tell you what kind of car they drive, or what brand of shoes they just bought.

The point being, it has less a bearing on the product itself than the type of person you're talking to.

lol, true. but i don't understand why they are telling me. i don't care what brand of anything they use. my microwave is GE. who gives a shit?! if someone told you what brand of soap they use wouldn't that be a little weird? now imaging at least 7 or 8 people telling you that without you asking them. that's how insanely weird this all is to me.

In what context are they telling you? You seem to be keying on this, and I'm not sure what you mean. People on the street are coming up to you and telling you what kind of computer they own? You're being a little hyperbolic.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

lol, true. but i don't understand why they are telling me. i don't care what brand of anything they use. my microwave is GE. who gives a shit?! if someone told you what brand of soap they use wouldn't that be a little weird? now imaging at least 7 or 8 people telling you that without you asking them. that's how insanely weird this all is to me.

This man understands.

 

[jaypah]

I was specifically responding to your "they're just computers" comment. It's a more involved discussion than that. I don't yell my computer choice from the rooftops.

As for others, I have no idea why people would exclaim their Mac ownership to you, but I imagine those same people would be more than happy to tell you what kind of car they drive, or what brand of shoes they just bought.

The point being, it has less a bearing on the product itself than the type of person you're talking to.



In what context are they telling you? You seem to be keying on this, and I'm not sure what you mean. People on the street are coming up to you and telling you what kind of computer they own? You're being a little hyperbolic.

well considering you started telling me how you're not a fanboy and how you decided on apple not because of blind love just seemed.....odd. oh well, no biggie. i dug the part about you understanding the tech better and preferring the mac, but the rest of your post seemed to go along with the "apple fanboy" angle i threw out earlier; as if i was targeting you or something.

as for the last part of your sentence i've been in and out of studios recently and cats who are into video/audio production like to tell me they have macs. don't ask me why they're telling me. as you can see i'm just as befuddled as you. also a friend of a friend who was just hanging around the house just started telling me about his mac that he'd just purchased. of course this only applies to me and is all anecdotal evidence so i don't understand why you've become so invested. if you thought that i had personally attacked your purchase let me assure you that it wasn't intentional. like i said, people should use what they want. it has no bearing on me.

 

[Tobor]

well considering you started telling me how you're not a fanboy and how you decided on apple not because of blind love just seemed.....odd. oh well, no biggie. i dug the part about you understanding the tech better and preferring the mac, but the rest of your post seemed to go along with the "apple fanboy" angle i threw out earlier; as if i was targeting you or something.

as for the last part of you sentence i've been in and out of studios recently and cats who are into video/audio production like to tell me they have macs. don't ask me why they're telling me. as you can see i'm just as befuddled as you. also a friend of a friend who was just hanging around the house just started telling me about his mac that he'd just purchased. of course this only applies to me and is all anecdotal evidence so i don't understand why you've become so invested. if you thought that i had personally attacked your purchase let me assure you that it wasn't intentional. like i said, people should use what they want. it has no bearing on me.

andc as for the last part

I don't take any of this personal, no worries. I was genuinely curious. What I said earlier is probably the reason, some people are just brand whores in general.

I'm going to go enjoy some lunch with friends and purchase some Hanes underwear. Only Hanes gives me the comfort and quality I need for my active lifestyle.

 

[jaypah]

I don't take any of this personal, no worries. I was genuinely curious. What I said earlier is probably the reason, some people are just brand whores in general.

I'm going to go enjoy some lunch with friends and purchase some Hanes underwear. Only Hanes gives me the comfort and quality I need for my active lifestyle.

OH NOES UR 1 OF DEM!

 

[Vyer]

yeah, they're annoying too. not as aggressive as mac lovers but still weird as hell. for some reason mac fiends still creep me out more. probably because there's no perceived lifestyle attached to using a PC. people tell me they have a mac all the time, as if i care what their keyboard is attached to. i use both and don't see a need to trumpet macs. it gets the job done but so does my PC. they're just computers....

Yeah, not in my experience. Maybe it's because I didn't pay any attention until I actually started using a Mac, but the OS Warz are about as craptacular as it gets - and yeah, that includes gaming warz. The Mac haters are as aggressive and angry as any Mac fanboy.

 

[LCfiner]

Here what I thought was an interesting take by Daring Fireball (A Mac centric blog) on the new "I'm a PC" ads .

Agree or disagree, I think it makes an interesting (if subtle) point that the "PC" in the Apple ads is not Windows itself - he's a PC who is occasionally burdened with Windows...

http://daringfireball.net/2008/09/digging_deeper

The basic concept in Apple’s long-running “Get a Mac” TV campaign is that the characters portrayed by John Hodgman and Justin Long are personified computers. It’s right there in the opening lines of every ad in the series: “Hello, I’m a Mac.” “And I’m a PC.” Hodgman is not “Windows”; Long is not Mac OS X. They are not representative or average PC/Mac users. They are computers.

They’re not dressed as computers, they’re dressed as people. It’s postmodernism taken to a very silly and profoundly unserious commercial end.

But the concept reflects the actual business that Apple is in. Apple does not sell operating systems. They sell computers. Microsoft does not sell computers; they sell operating systems. (Apple’s boxed $129 versions of Mac OS X are just upgrades; they only work on computers that Apple has already sold.) Apple and Microsoft are undeniably engaged in one of the longest running and most interesting rivalries in business history, but it is very odd in that it is an orthogonal rivalry. Apple’s direct competition isn’t Microsoft but instead PC makers who sell computers running Windows.

This is not a minor semantic point. There is no argument that the single most distinguishing difference between a Mac and a PC is the OS. The genius in the conceit of Apple’s ads is that they acknowledge this without making Windows the target. They do so by diminishing Windows. Windows is just one element of what it is that makes PC (the character) who he is. The ads are neutral, sometimes even deferential, towards Microsoft. Several of the spots have emphasized how Microsoft Office works just great on a Mac. In at least one of the ads, Long’s Mac character even makes it a point that he can run Windows just as well as PC can, via Boot Camp.

The framing of Apple’s ads is not about either/or. Not Mac or Windows, a choice between two rival products, like Democrat/Rebuplican, Chevy/Ford, Coke/Pepsi. The framing instead is special vs. regular. Not Coke vs. Pepsi but Coke vs. “soda”.

Windows is not the Mac’s rival or competitor. It is the omnipresent homogenizer that weighs PC down.

It doesn’t matter whether that is actually true. The point is that this is the rule Apple has reduced Windows to in this advertising campaign. Windows is regular. The default. The norm. Mac OS X and the software that runs on it is special. It is something that the Mac can never lose and which the PC can never have.

And so what makes Microsoft’s new “I’m a PC” commercials so jaw-droppingly bad is that they’re not countering Apple’s message, but instead they’re reinforcing it. That the spots themselves jump between dozens of different people who “are” PCs, that the spots make a point of emphasizing that there are a billion Windows-running PCs worldwide, this only emphasizes that “PC” is not a brand name but a generic.

These ads emphasize the same message as Apple’s: that the Mac is the one and only brand-name computer in the world.

 

[Slurpy]

Microsoft is trying too hard with these ads. The reason the mac ads work is because although they use humor, they also relay a major feature of a major advantage of a mac in every ad to the viewer, be it lack of viruses or built in software. You know, they actually tell you something about the product.

 

[Juice]

John Gruber takes the time to put the only sensible response to this in words:

Daring Fireball

The basic concept in Apple’s long-running “Get a Mac” TV campaign is that the characters portrayed by John Hodgman and Justin Long are personified computers. It’s right there in the opening lines of every ad in the series: “Hello, I’m a Mac.” “And I’m a PC.” Hodgman is not “Windows”; Long is not Mac OS X. They are not representative or average PC/Mac users. They are computers.

They’re not dressed as computers, they’re dressed as people. It’s postmodernism taken to a very silly and profoundly unserious commercial end.

But the concept reflects the actual business that Apple is in. Apple does not sell operating systems. They sell computers. Microsoft does not sell computers; they sell operating systems. (Apple’s boxed $129 versions of Mac OS X are just upgrades; they only work on computers that Apple has already sold.) Apple and Microsoft are undeniably engaged in one of the longest running and most interesting rivalries in business history, but it is very odd in that it is an orthogonal rivalry. Apple’s direct competition isn’t Microsoft but instead PC makers who sell computers running Windows.

This is not a minor semantic point. There is no argument that the single most distinguishing difference between a Mac and a PC is the OS. The genius in the conceit of Apple’s ads is that they acknowledge this without making Windows the target. They do so by diminishing Windows. Windows is just one element of what it is that makes PC (the character) who he is. The ads are neutral, sometimes even deferential, towards Microsoft. Several of the spots have emphasized how Microsoft Office works just great on a Mac. In at least one of the ads, Long’s Mac character even makes it a point that he can run Windows just as well as PC can, via Boot Camp.

The framing of Apple’s ads is not about either/or. Not Mac or Windows, a choice between two rival products, like Democrat/Rebuplican, Chevy/Ford, Coke/Pepsi. The framing instead is special vs. regular. Not Coke vs. Pepsi but Coke vs. “soda”.

Windows is not the Mac’s rival or competitor. It is the omnipresent homogenizer that weighs PC down.

It doesn’t matter whether that is actually true. The point is that this is the rule Apple has reduced Windows to in this advertising campaign. Windows is regular. The default. The norm. Mac OS X and the software that runs on it is special. It is something that the Mac can never lose and which the PC can never have.

And so what makes Microsoft’s new “I’m a PC” commercials so jaw-droppingly bad is that they’re not countering Apple’s message, but instead they’re reinforcing it. That the spots themselves jump between dozens of different people who “are” PCs, that the spots make a point of emphasizing that there are a billion Windows-running PCs worldwide, this only emphasizes that “PC” is not a brand name but a generic.

These ads emphasize the same message as Apple’s: that the Mac is the one and only brand-name computer in the world.

Edit: Beaten. That's what I get for watching football before hitting submit. :lol. But mine has different bolding!

 

[LCfiner]

John Gruber takes the time to put the only sensible response to this in words:

Daring Fireball



Edit: Beaten. That's what I get for watching football before hitting submit. :lol. But mine has different bolding!

Now the entire article is bolded. :lol

Which I think says a lot about Gruber's writing, in general.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

John Gruber takes the time to put the only sensible response to this in words:

Daring Fireball



Edit: Beaten. That's what I get for watching football before hitting submit. :lol. But mine has different bolding!

Eh, sometimes they act indifferent but they are also attacking windows. When they complain about vista that's not attacking microsoft? When they talk about the pc getting viruses are they talking about linux then since they're not singling out windows? Some of them have to be about windows because it's the only way it makes sense and other directly put down vista which is in the windows product line... Conversely the guy does make some good points but he also makes a lot of bad assumptions and shows his hard apple slant.

 

[tedtropy]

I'm a PC and my penis is hugeeeeee.

I'm enjoying these ads, but then again I enjoyed the Seinfeld ones too. I love that dumbasses get upset or instigate flamewars over these things. Does anyone honestly think these Microsoft ads are going to "convert" anybody? They're just here to remind us that "hey, Microsoft is still around and dominating your world".

Just sit back and enjoy watching them blow wads of excess cash. I'd love for them to take some of it hire a crack team of lawyers to get the Mac hipster out of his contract, and throw a blank check in his lap just to have him pop in for two seconds at the end of one of these commercials and go "I'm second-day stubble guy and I'm a PC." THE INTERWEBS WOULD BE ABLAZE!