PC funnier than the Mac

Apple's Get a Mac advertising campaign has now made it over the ocean, featuring UK comedians Mitchell and Webb as PC and Mac.

I like the fact that Apple is pushing the benefits of the Mac rather than just the speed difference, but this campaign is virtually a carbon copy of the US one - with the same pitfalls.

Again, the PC character is the more likeable of the two. The UK Mac isn't quite as smug as the US Mac, but he's pretty close. PC guy may be the butt of the jokes, but at least he gets the laughs. Is Apple really suggesting that the PC is the funny guy, while the Mac is po-faced?

But more disappointing is the lack of proof that the Mac is a better choice of computer. We see the PC's dreary pie charts but never see anything but a blank Mac OS X screen. We know what iLife looks like and how easy it is to use, but no one else will after seeing any of these ads. Will the power of suggestion alone overturn Windows' dominance?

Microsoft's Windows ads are usually rather vague, but they are colourful. I bet there are going to be a bunch of eye-catching Vista ads in the coming weeks and months. Apple's love of monochrome isn't likely to deflect at least the idea that there's more to Windows than there is with the Mac.

Maybe the campaign should end in June with a Leopard leaping in and tearing the PC guy to pieces. That would be colourful and funny.

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Comments received

gswhite said on Monday, 29 January 2007

The adverts stink! The US ones are much better and the flow and chemistry is far superior.

Why do Yanks always make us Brits look so bloody stiff!

nads said on Monday, 29 January 2007

I find this UK Mac far worse than the US one: at least the US one is cute. And I don't think he's smug, rather appologetic for being cool.

This UK one is not cute, not cool, and smug indeed. :-(

I for one will keep watching the US version. I also think the humour is US humor and does not work "translated". Let's face it, they didn't translate friends, did they?

adamtropics said on Monday, 29 January 2007

Apple ads also started appearing on TV in Australia this week too.

www.apple.com/au/getamac/ads/

I have to admit, I kinda like them, though Microsoft bashing, as fun as it is, is getting a little tired.

dondiego said on Monday, 29 January 2007

Personally, I find neither the US nor UK ads very 'entertaining'. They come across as childish and silly. Apple would be better placed promoting the strengths of the Mac and OSX operating system in some really eye catching, intelligent advertising rather than going in for bashing PC's and Windows OS's with this infantile garbage.

Apple is enjoying a well earned resurrection from the ashes and its market share is increasing, but not I think ,from many consumers taking notice of these ludicrous ads.

I am very pro Mac, both hardware and software, but there is noting in these cringeworthy ads that would have convinced me to switch systems.

dondiego said on Monday, 29 January 2007

Personally, I find neither the US nor UK ads very 'entertaining'. They come across as childish and silly. Apple would be better placed promoting the strengths of the Mac and OSX operating system in some really eye catching, intelligent advertising rather than going in for bashing PC's and Windows OS's with this infantile garbage.

Apple is enjoying a well earned resurrection from the ashes and its market share is increasing, but not I think ,from many consumers taking notice of these ludicrous ads.

I am very pro Mac, both hardware and software, but there is noting in these cringeworthy ads that would have convinced me to switch systems.

AlanAudio said on Tuesday, 30 January 2007

Are the UK Get a Mac ads intended for broadcast use ? I very much doubt it.

I have my doubts that they would be permitted as in the UK you're not allowed to make derogatory references to rival products in television advertising.

I'm not sure what the exact definition might be, but I would have thought that the ads are sufficiently borderline to attract complaints with a view to having them banned.

photonpoet said on Sunday, 04 February 2007

I just wish Apple wouldn't slap them on the home page of their web site.

I wouldn't turn on the TV to watch an advert and I don't want to watch one when I check out a web site.