May 12, 2006
Mac Ads are funny but are they correct?
So Apple has been running a new series of ads on TV where a middle aged "dorky" looking guy in a suit represents a "PC" and some hip young guy is supposed to represent a Mac.
Now while the ads are fresh, new and entertaining, I'm not sure if they are actually technically correct.
A few examples:
In "Network" the ad explains that PC's and Macs can network together. Then the introduce a new "camera" into the picture and show that the Mac can talk to the camera, but the PC can't. "Everything just kind of works with a mac," they say. As far as I know, PC's probably have more drivers written for them and are compatible with more models of cameras than Mac's.
In "Virus" the ad shows a PC with a virus and the Mac not being concerned about getting a virus. Not only can Mac's get viruses, it's also dangerous for Mac users to think that they're immune to viruses.
In "Better" and "iLife" the mac claims to be better at things like movies, music and pictures due to the fact that the software is bundled with the OS. While this may be true, this isn't to say that you can't do everything and maybe evern better than the bundled software on Mac's with Free and Retail PC programs. The other interesting fact is that if Microsoft did decide to bundle all of this software with Windows, I'm pretty sure we'd hear the pitter patter of lawyer footsteps and the shouting of anti-trust.
In "WSJ" it's amusing because they quote Mossberg as saying that the Mac is the "finest desktop PC on the market at any price." So is a mac a pc? anyways, they go on to ask if the PC guy has received any reviews, and the PC guy fumbles at the question and makes up a fake magazine name. To imply that PC's haven't received favorable reviews from the media is kind of ridiculous too.
While I am impressed by the Mac, and their ads have always been different and interesting, I'm not sure if they're always or ever based on fact.
Posted by Bryant at May 12, 2006 03:58 PM
Comments
Well, I recently picked up a macbook pro, and i have to say i'm absolutely in love with it. As you know, I've been using PCs for nearly 2 decades, and at various times I've even been fairly anti-mac. So, I totally get where you're coming from, but I've got a few things to add.
Mac's actually do work with pretty much any camera /without/ specifically installing drivers. iPhoto recognizes that it's a camera, mounts it as a volume, tracks down any image files, and imports them. They finally came to terms with the fact that manuafacturers don't really write mac drivers, so they put in a workaround that covers most machines.
Virus: agreed. it is dangerous for mac users to think they're immune, but I don't run antivirus software at the moment.
I've really come to think of macs differently--especially the intel macs. Apple hardware is elegant, high end stuff, and OS X is an extremely workable BSD distro. As a Unixen server administrator, having my familiar toolset part of the default install is great. And as someone who supports Windows users, being able to dual-boot to XP or trivially run a virtual machine with any x86-compatible OS is a godsend. I've got a 5 pound aluminum box with 2GB of ram, a 7200rpm sata drive, bluetooth, b/g wifi and a dvd burner that contains the exact operating environments of all my clients. Could this be done on a traditional PC? Mostly. But how many other vendors are really putting it all together so simply?
iLife is fine and all, but it's the little stuff that really sets Apple apart--like built in cameras, ambient light-sensing keyboards, and a/v remote controls. Does that stuff make my work easier? Maybe not much, if at any, but every time i tap the side of my screen to switch to another virtual desktop* i still giggle a bit (at least inside).
--j.
* Haven't heard of the Smackbook? Watch: http://www.youtube.com/v/6uvQTTPr9Rw
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