mac vs. pc — who cares?
The epic battle of Mac vs. PC continues to rage as another round of ads play out in front of all of us on computers and TVs across the country. There is certainly an interesting dynamic at play, but who cares? I don’t ask in some snide tone. I actually want to know who the people are who care?
Clearly, Mac lovers (me included) and PC lovers are able to pick sides and we can all blog about it and include links to bloggers we agree with and bloggers we disagree with. I’m not going to worry about that here. Although Eric over at TechCrunch seems personally slighted by Mac’s current round of ads that skewer Microsoft and its $350m advertising campaign that has been run by CP+B.
“The advertising war between Apple and Microsoft continues. Apple’s latest TV spots mock Microsoft’s $350 million ad campaign
for Windows Vista, suggesting that some of that money would be better spent fixing Vista. The ad is funny (see above), but it does seem petty and elitist. After all, the new Microsoft ads got much better once they dumped Jerry Seinfeld as a spokesperson and went with the everyman “I’m a PC” rallying cry (which itself was a response to Apple’s long-running campaign mocking PCs).
It is also hypocritical. Apple’s advertising budget is also pretty massive. I mean, I see more Apple commercials on TV than ads for Barack Obama.”
So, who cares? Are these ads really designed for peope like me to buy another computer? Or are these companies fueled by mega-ad campaign dollars really trying to win new customers? I don’t really feel like I have a true answer here, but it feels like these campaigns are actually, at least initially, focused on the core group of brand fans (Apple probably want me to buy one of these babies: CLICK TO SEE). Indeed, I am currently making plans to buy a new computer for a new staffer who is coming on board at Comet Branding and it will be a Mac. I wouldn’t wish a PC on my worst enemy. Okay, that’s an exaggeration.
It might be interesting to point out though, especially considering Eric’s comparison to political ads, that neither campaign really states what their products can or will do for the fine people who buy them. This could be due to the over-jargonization of tech applications that create difficulty for shopping. These ads are very much designed to drive emotional connection to a group and a product and not talk about how said product will fit into the buyers life.
Also, it must be nice being a PC hardware company right now. Are they all just sitting back and letting Microsoft battle it out for them?
Oh, one last add on the ads: After the Microsoft Jerry+Bill ads were pulled, why was the theme of first campaign that ran (and continues to run) based on a regurgitation (or a new spin) on the long-running Mac ads?
No matter what, it’s nice to see that Microsoft and Apple both know they need to continue to market and spend money in a down-economy. Kudos to both!








October 21, 2008 at 6:36 am #
I have to admit I laughed pretty hard at that last Mac accounting one. “Hey, we are Apple, we don’t need to save any money to fix anything so we can advertise all we want. Buy you, microsoft on the other hand, what the hell are you doing??”
Very funny. I love the comeback. And as for your new employees, those new MacBook Pros are pretty incredible!
October 21, 2008 at 11:18 am #
It is funny how Apple makes fun of Windows’ ad budget when theirs is maybe bigger.
I think both campaigns preach to the converted, making them feel good about their choice. They might, might, also give the converted ammunition to then convert others.
Apple also is a leader in product development and innovation. So they walk the walk in addition to talking.
But then, I’m a Mac evangelist, too, so take it for what it’s worth.
October 21, 2008 at 1:02 pm #
I agree that they are preaching to the converted, but I do think the Mac ads have helped make Apple seem like the cool, hip brand.
Talking to my boss (a PC user) after the I’m A PC ads came out, he said he realized that the Mac vs. PC ads were actually making him feel bad about being a PC user.
October 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm #
Apple really needs to work on casting… that “cool, hip guy” could use some work.
March 10, 2009 at 11:58 am #
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I took a copy of a part of this post, because I am writing a case study for school about Mac vs. PC and are giving examples of bloggers and forums talking about the case:)
Hope this is OK:)
March 10, 2009 at 12:27 pm #
No problem. Thanks for letting me know.