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Interview with John Hodgman, the PC from those "Get a Mac" ads
Yup, we interviewed that guy. But John Hodgman isn't just a metaphorical stand-in for the PC (even though that's what we mainly asked him about), he's also an editor at the New York Times Magazine and a contributor to the Daily Show. Read on to find out whether he's really a PC user, Microsoft's attempts to recruit him, and how he got the gig in the first place.So first things first: Mac or PC?Here is the joke that is absolutely apt, though I once promised I would never make it: "I play one on TV, but I am not a PC." It is true. I am first of all: not a computer, but a human being; and second of all: a Mac user, almost exclusively, since 1984. There was a brief period in the wilderness between 1997 and 2003. Let us not speak of it.
Should this guy buy a Mac or a PC?
This is a strange one. Some person has $3000 and can't decide whether to buy a Mac or a PC, so they did the only thing a sane person could do in this situation; create a website. They are asking folks to tell them which one they should buy.The obvious flaw in this website, if it is meant to be truly helpful, is that we have no idea what this computer is going to be used for. Without those details it is hard to say which would suit them better, but we all know that we should vote Mac anyway.[via Digg]
McSweeney's offers up some more
McSweeney's is, generally, a publication that you either 'get' or dislike. I am usually very entertained by the various trips into the absurd that McSweeney's affords readers, so I was quit tickled when Eric sent us a link to this. Tom Batten offers up 3 ideas for new 'Get a Mac' commercials. I don't think they would sell any more Macs, but they made me chuckle.
Gisele 'Get a Mac' ad surfaces
There were rumors that Gisele was set to star in a new Apple ad, but no one knew for sure. Turns out that a MacShrine reader snapped a shot of the new ad running in an Apple Store. The gist of the ad seems to be that the Mac is elegant and beautiful, like Gisele, while the PC is a cheap imitation.The ad isn't up on Apple's site yet, but we'll let you know as soon as it is available.
Justin Long on 'Get a Mac' ads, being harassed
In an interview more about his career (rather than Apple nerdery), Justin ("hi I'm a Mac") Long managed to wax ecstatic with Mary McNamara of the LA Times about 'the ads' and what they've done for (or rather: to) his career. He had stories to tell of being harassed on the street by people who might have taken the ads just a little too seriously, and he also admitted that, before the ads, he didn't even own a computer (just guess what he owns now). Also of note in the interview is a tidbit Martha wrote about a whopping 20 more ads in the "hottest campaign on TV" on their way (are these spots really resonating that well with their target demographic?). We've seen a few more ads trickle out since they were first introduced, and I would wager more will hit a Daily Show near you once the semester kicks back in.There aren't many more Apple-related details in the interview other than what I've summarized, but check it out if you're interested in learning a little more about the actor who might (or might not) be helping the Apple cause with the powers of comedy.
New Apple ads mean spirited?
Seth Stevenson, writing for Slate, makes a good point about the new Apple ads: John Hodgman (the actor portraying the PC) gets all the good lines. He's the funny, likable one. The Mac (played by Justin Long) is kind of annoying and not the least bit funny.Sadly, I don't think Apple counted on Hodgman's rise in popularity before they shot these commercials, but does that mean the ads don't work? Since I am clearly already a Mac user I can't really judge if they work or not. I know there are a few switchers out there that read TUAW, so tell me: do these commercials make you want to buy a Mac?
Apple's Windows site mentions Parallels Desktop instead of Boot Camp
"If you've ever wished you could enjoy the best of both worlds, now you can" is a phrase at the bottom of Apple's Windows section of their Get a Mac site, and I think they mean that phrase now more than ever. I can't even find Apple's own Boot Camp mentioned on the 'you can even run Windows' page of Apple's Get a Mac site - surprisingly, it's Parallels Desktop that has the spotlight now. Could Apple be giving Boot Camp the back seat in favor of the no-rebooting convenience of Parallels Desktop? Or might Parallels be working with Apple on virtualization (or a buyout) for the upcoming Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard? Is it possible for us to come up with any more wild speculation? Time will only tell.[thanks blackout!]
Apple posts new ads
Apple has posted those new ads Dave pointed out to the Get A Mac website. The ads, available in glorious Quicktime, once again compare and contrast the Mac and the PC. 'Out of the box' highlights the Macs easy setup, 'Touché' touts Boot Camp, and finally 'Work vs. Play' positions the PC as a lame spreadsheet box whilst the Mac is for creative types.What do you think of these new additions?
Video autoplay on Apple.com?
Am I the only one who is annoyed that every time I go to Apple.com I am presented with one of the new ads. I wouldn't mind it too much if I had to make them play, but no Apple has decided that you must watch them. Didn't autoplaying video on websites go out of fashion with those 'Under construction' gifs and the Blink tag?
Joy of Tech on the new Apple ads
The Joy of Tech has a tiny tweak to the Get a Mac ads that they would like to see. I won't ruin the punchline, but I have to agree with them. That would get me to buy a few more Macs (they come in six packs, right?).Thanks, Douglas.
TUAW poll results: Mac ads
We asked, and you answered. The results are pretty clear: The new "Get a Mac" ads are a hit. Here's how our very unscientific poll broke down: 39% said "Pretty funny" 38% said "They're fantastic!" 14% said "Cute, but won't sell Macs" 6% said "These are terrible" (you can't please everybody) "Typically vague" and "Another poll = slow news day" each generated 3% of votes. Personally, the network spot is my favorite.
TUAW Poll: The new Mac ads
We've all seen the ads by now, so it's time to ask the question: What do you think? Are the "Get a Mac" ads another example of Apple's quirky brilliance, or do the lack of specifics (OS, processor speeds, etc.) leave you wanting? Take our poll below, and check back tomorrow for the results. Like the new Apple ads? They're fantasic! Pretty funny Cute, but won't sell Macs Typically vague These are terrible Another poll = slow news day
Get a Mac
It would seem that Apple's newest advertising campaign is called 'Get a Mac.' There is a new section of Apple's website entirely devoted to this (http://www.apple.com/getamac). There Apple lists a number of reasons why you should get a Mac: No hunting for drivers Next year's OS today Design that turns headsInterestingly the site also debunks the usual arguments about not getting a Mac, which include: Yes, Macs run Office No, Mac aren't slow (thanks to Intel!) Your old printer and other peripherals will workFinally, Apple has posted all the 'Get a Mac' ads here (there are 6 of them in total).
