Re: Apple's new line of commercials..

["Greg Andrzejewski" <pressyourluck85@yahoo.com>]

"Mitchell Spector" <mitch2gs@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
l3kv62dpfdtpumsr2quqbrhh4e34gtr4t3@4ax.com">news:l3kv62dpfdtpumsr2quqbrhh4e34gtr4t3@4ax.com...
> "Terry Olsen" <tolsen64@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> I think the new ads are fairly witty, and do address some real-world
>>> differences between Macs and PCs (obviously with a strong Mac bias), but
>>> the characterisation might tend to aggravate rather than entice PC 
>>> users.
>>
>>As far as I'm concerned, Macs are overpriced, and over proprietary.
>
>    That's always been the case, since day one. Only difference is in the
> past there was a reason for it that made it understandable.
>
>>And now that they are Intel based, they are no different than every other 
>>PC
>>out there.
>
>    I would tend to agree, especially with Apple's own "Boot Camp" software
> that allows Macintoshes to _natively_ run Windows XP. There is absolutely
> no emulation involved, making it no different from booting up Windows on a
> Compaq or Dell now. Some vendors are selling Mac's with Windows already
> pre-installed out of the box. Who would've imagined 10-20 years ago that
> the Macintosh would become a PC compatible.
>
>    There is only one unique thing left, and that is MacOS X. However it
> won't be too long before people have OS X running on PC's (legal or not)

They already are http://www.osx86project.org/. Sure it's a leaked deaveloper 
copy, but to the casual observer it's the same OS X.

> and the line between PC and Mac will have completely vanished. I wouldn't
> be surprised if Steve Jobs one day announces MacOS X development is
> being retired and Windows XP or Vista will be the official operating 
> system.
>
>    I do like the visual and cosmetic look of MacOS X over Windows XP,
> though I find Windows having far more flexibility and user control (albeit
> more confusing to first time or novice users--my parents for example). :)
>
>>As far as mine is concerned, those commercials do nothing for me except 
>>turn
>>me off even more toward the Mac. I've never had to re-start my PC. I've
>>never had a virus harm my PC (though i've had infected files, McAfee has
>>always caught them as soon as I tried to access them).
>>
Windows XP, IMHO, is the best GUI from M$ yet. I can count on one hand how 
many times I've had to restart my system due to a crash. And, for the most 
part, it still runs all the Win 9x/3.1 software I've collected through the 
years. Try saying that for OS X. Classic doesn't count,  ;-) The only 
drawback is that it's far too easy for new users to get into trouble with 
malware. And usually the requires a novice user doing something stupid 
(installing certain p2p apps, opening mysterious attatchments, tricked into 
visiting malicious websites).

>>What was the last commercial about? Something about a Mac being able to 
>>talk
>>to a digital camera and the PC couldn't?  Funny, my PC talks just fine to 
>>my
>>digital camera.
>

Mine too.

>    The ads with the "Mac" as a hip 20's-something guy and the "PC" as an
> overweight middle aged guy in a business suit? I thought they were pretty
> cheesy, something that would make me embarrassed to proclaim myself as
> a Macintosh user. The ads aren't even about what the Mac does better
> (no surprise, the Mac essentially is a PC these days) just the message 
> that
> you're really cool, hip and young in spirit if you use Mac's. No reason 
> why,
> anymore than say a soft drink ad giving the same message would.
>
The thing I've noticed about Mac commercials through the years is that THEY 
NEVER SHOW THE PRODUCT. Isn't this like advertising 101? How are people 
supposed to know what to buy if they don't see it? With all the emphasis on 
how Macs are more "stylish" you'd think they'd at least put in a shot of the 
comptuer. This is also the first time I can recall Apple promoting the "no 
viruses" (virii?) angle. I tend to believe the same kind of exploits present 
in Windows XP are also present in OS X, but computer hacking seems to be big 
business now. The 3% marketshare of Macs just isn't worth it.

>>I'm getting completely turned off to even hanging out in Apple 
>>communities.
>>I go because i'm fond of the Apple II. And when a community, chat room or
>>newsgroup, titles itself as an "Apple II" community, I expect to encounter
>>conversation about the Apple II; not how great the Mac is and how much the
>>PC sucks.
>
A friend comes over and sees my setup including various II's, "Ughhh, I'm 
surrounded by old Macs."
Please don't call them "Macs." We...don't like it when you call them "Macs."

>    I should end this by saying I find both the PC and Mac dull appliance
> like machines. There's little fun or magic in them, they're just 
> appliances
> (mine acts literally as a digital VCR, digital stereo system, digital 
> photo
> viewer/processor). Sure, there's more to them than that if you want but
> that's just the general feeling I get thinking about my computer today.
>
>    That's why I still have an Apple IIGS sitting on my desk and still find
> myself tinkering with older 8 and 16-bit computers. Is it likely I'd find
> myself cutting up cables, rigging up continuity testers and splices cables
> up to connect my PC to a monitor? (still working on that one). ;)  Nah, 
> I'd
> just buy the part from a shop probably...that's no fun. :)
>
That's one of the things I love most about the hobby. Always something new 
to try. Also, I'm not too worried about causing damage because, hey, I've 
got plenty more machines stacked up in the corner :-)

-Greg

> Mitchell Spector