Yeah, PC (Hodgman) is definitely the funnier of the two in those ads. It's kind of interesting the way they made those ads, I mean PC is the one that we all kind of have the soft spot for, and you can tell that he's like this good natured dopey guy, but Mac (Long) really does seem kinda pretentious. I'm a Mac user but I think I identify more closely with the PC guy. Maybe it's because I have to work with PCs all day at the office.
It still amazes me how seriously geeks take a series of commercials where 2 grown men pretend to be computers. Geeks even get upset about it!
"I think just about everyone likes "PC" better than "Mac" in those ads."
Uh, you're SUPPOSED to like the PC guy! The whole point of the commercials is for you to like and identify with the PC guy. The PC guy is a reflection of people's frustration with Windows. But more importantly, the commercials create an awareness of Mac as an alternative to PCs. Most ordinary people (translation: non-geeks) don't even understand what an operating system is. When they see the ads, those people are more prone to either (A) start asking questions about Macs or (B) walk into an Apple Store when they see one.
Geeks get upset about the commercials because they actively make choices about their OS choice, while ordinary people use what's required at work or what's popular. When they see these commercials, with a more sympathetic John Hodgeman playing out their daily frustrations, while contrasted with a cool, relaxed Justin Long, it makes a effective, lasting impression. The people that identify with the frustration of the PC guy are more prone to consider a Mac when it's time to buy a new computer. Therefore, the Get-A-Mac campaign is actually a good example of why Apple's marketing is so effective in the market.
Well, sorry if I overreacted but I always groan when people point out how much they like the PC guy. That's like saying the sky is blue. I mean, are the people that say this implying that Apple wants you to hate the PC guy? What sense would that make? If Apple really wanted you to hate the PC guy, they would have picked someone other than John Hodgeman to play him. Paris Hilton would of been a good choice.
Yes the PC guy is very likable and frankly I assume that's fully intentional in this ad campaign.
They made these ads to show that the PC has many quirks and the Mac does everything better - clearly. But they also communicate that we love you PC users anyway, despite your quirks. The main goal of the ads is to present Macs as a real alternative to PCs - rather than a niche product for designers and creatives. They say "look, you are great but here is something that might be better than what you have".
Macs have a 5% market share compared to 90% for PC. The ad presents a scenario where Apple aims for 50% - makes sense, considering that if Mac market share ever got to 50%, Apple would be the biggest company in the world by far.
Final word: These ads work so well precisely because Hodgman is so likable.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chebwa @ Mar 20th 2008 12:59PM
I think just about everyone likes "PC" better than "Mac" in those ads. Especially the claymation Christmas one where he sings that song. Good times.
Happy Holidays everybody.
Fred @ Mar 20th 2008 1:12PM
Yeah, PC (Hodgman) is definitely the funnier of the two in those ads. It's kind of interesting the way they made those ads, I mean PC is the one that we all kind of have the soft spot for, and you can tell that he's like this good natured dopey guy, but Mac (Long) really does seem kinda pretentious. I'm a Mac user but I think I identify more closely with the PC guy. Maybe it's because I have to work with PCs all day at the office.
Andrew @ Mar 20th 2008 1:16PM
Was that first sentence supposed to make sense?
tribalmasters @ Mar 20th 2008 1:43PM
I like PC guy best and Chebwa is one effing hot emo!
clak @ Mar 20th 2008 1:53PM
It still amazes me how seriously geeks take a series of commercials where 2 grown men pretend to be computers. Geeks even get upset about it!
"I think just about everyone likes "PC" better than "Mac" in those ads."
Uh, you're SUPPOSED to like the PC guy! The whole point of the commercials is for you to like and identify with the PC guy. The PC guy is a reflection of people's frustration with Windows. But more importantly, the commercials create an awareness of Mac as an alternative to PCs. Most ordinary people (translation: non-geeks) don't even understand what an operating system is. When they see the ads, those people are more prone to either (A) start asking questions about Macs or (B) walk into an Apple Store when they see one.
Geeks get upset about the commercials because they actively make choices about their OS choice, while ordinary people use what's required at work or what's popular. When they see these commercials, with a more sympathetic John Hodgeman playing out their daily frustrations, while contrasted with a cool, relaxed Justin Long, it makes a effective, lasting impression. The people that identify with the frustration of the PC guy are more prone to consider a Mac when it's time to buy a new computer. Therefore, the Get-A-Mac campaign is actually a good example of why Apple's marketing is so effective in the market.
Chebwa @ Mar 20th 2008 2:03PM
Geez "clak."
Talk about taking it too seriously.
Fred @ Mar 20th 2008 2:05PM
I don't think anyone was saying that the ads are bad. And I think geeks get upset because many of us LIKE to get all indignant about this stuff.
clak @ Mar 20th 2008 2:27PM
Well, sorry if I overreacted but I always groan when people point out how much they like the PC guy. That's like saying the sky is blue. I mean, are the people that say this implying that Apple wants you to hate the PC guy? What sense would that make? If Apple really wanted you to hate the PC guy, they would have picked someone other than John Hodgeman to play him. Paris Hilton would of been a good choice.
NHAnimator @ Mar 20th 2008 3:05PM
I like the PC guy.
I don't like the BK guy. He makes me have scary dreams.
Brendan Sheehan @ Mar 20th 2008 4:35PM
Hodgman PC guy is a long time Mac user. Mac guy was actually a PC user before the ads, but he is now using Macs since he got a free Mac from el Jobso.
nikster @ Mar 20th 2008 11:20PM
Yes the PC guy is very likable and frankly I assume that's fully intentional in this ad campaign.
They made these ads to show that the PC has many quirks and the Mac does everything better - clearly.
But they also communicate that we love you PC users anyway, despite your quirks. The main goal of the ads is to present Macs as a real alternative to PCs - rather than a niche product for designers and creatives. They say "look, you are great but here is something that might be better than what you have".
Macs have a 5% market share compared to 90% for PC. The ad presents a scenario where Apple aims for 50% - makes sense, considering that if Mac market share ever got to 50%, Apple would be the biggest company in the world by far.
Final word: These ads work so well precisely because Hodgman is so likable.