I am a PC

re: I am a PC

Adrian Langford — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:30:11 GMT

The fact that Microsoft believes showing a few cool (albeit not in the opinion of many of the replies to the original blog) people in their ads will bring about a sea change in evaluation of their brand just shows how they - and Lady geek - has fundamentally misunderstand the nature of Apple's success. Yes they are cool, yes they are stylish, yes they are non-conformist but these values are faithfully reflected in their products, applications and ethos. Indeed the manifestations of the Apple brand are inextricably linked, which is why it's so powerful.

Simply look and marvel at the way in which even trivial details (eg tiny icons on an iPhone status bar say) are finessed at a pixel level. Someone has really sweated the details here. Someone cared about elegance. Now look at the plug-ugly dialogue boxes in Windows (not just Vista - the appearance hasn't really changed since the 80s). Case closed your honour.

re: I am a PC

Adam Foster — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:45:16 GMT

There is no doubt that the marketing from Apple is one of the reasons their market share has grown so much. However it is only when you switch from PC to mac that you are really aware of the benefits and simplicity of Mac products. One spokesman from Apple described PCs as clumsy and lacking class which is spot on. Whatever your line of business I can guarantee that if you switch to a Mac you will never switch back.

re: I am a PC

UK Web Hosting — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:57:58 GMT

As a long time female Mac user and 'lady geek' I agree with what Belinda is saying about Apple turning into the monster of a company it has always been fighting with Microsoft. There is a bit of a playground scrap going on at the moment, however with the success of the recent Apple products I see there will be only one winner. This is a shame because i'm getting a bit fed up with 'Apple Bling' being a teenage must have and jewelry like accessory, and rising prices that go with such a trend. Bring back old Apple.

Simone

<a href="http://www.fastvision.com">UK Web Hosting</a>

re: I am a PC

francesco colantonio — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:35:14 GMT

I agree with Amud:

"Advice for MS: Fix the problems. And let us tell you how great you are"...and of course..in the I AM A PC ads i don't find anything extraordinary...when i bought my first Apple, I set this password: DREAM! i now i'm still dreaming about its usability excellence...

re: I am a PC

Gordon Macmillan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:33:26 GMT

Lisa when you grow, it will happen.

re: I am a PC

Lisa Devaney — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:51:21 GMT

I love when brands fight in public. I'm a PC but I really want to be a Mac someday.

re: I am a PC

SEAN RUTTLEDGE — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:34:27 GMT

Pardon me maam, but did you REALLY just say that Asus & ACER were "sexy" brands ?

re: I am a PC

Matt Law — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:25:37 GMT

Hi Belinda! I didn't realise you were Famous On The Internet.]

I also think the I'm a PC campaign works, and while it does tip the hat to Apple's new position a little bit, on balance it does a good job on taking the wind out of their sails. The Apple PC/Mac campaign was actually slightly misjudged IMO as perhaps Apple failed to realise their new mainstream identity. It's difficult to be that big and still be the rebel.

With regards to campaign longevity, the 'life without walls' idea has legs, and will work for as long as Apple tie you into their proprietary software and file/data formats (so basically forever).

re: I am a PC

Thomas Brunkard — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:47:35 GMT

I think the point has been missed. The PC character in the Mac ads is an personification of a MS equipped computer not a user of same. The Mac trounces the PC on every barometer except for price. Just had an awful Vista experience today. When I was on a System 7 Mac back in the day I was far more productive. Once I get re-employed a Mac will be the first pay-day purchase I'll make.

re: I am a PC

Gordon Macmillan — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:32:06 GMT

Smug Mac - that's what I can't stand. It makes me want to hurl my dysfunctional PC laptop across the room.

Apple is definitely a clan who are attracted to what a lot of people (in the early days at least) saw as some kind of rebel brand that pooled a community of creatives and geeks.

re: I am a PC

Belinda Parmar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:53:34 GMT

Agree Microsoft do need to evolve the campaign or take the media in a different direction. The point has been made. Move on Microsoft.

Interesting what you say about 'clan.' If Microsoft have achieved some kind of clan status, they will have achieved an affiliation and a belonging that before this campaign, wasn't really there.

re: I am a PC

Sarah Waite — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:06:14 GMT

When I first saw the ads, I was impressed with some of the casting - the teacher in Africa, Pharrell (the epitome of understated cool), Eva L... but as the weeks go on, I'm growing tired of the truly boring, new examples.

Amusingly, the quality of most of the digital outdoor displays is shockingly bad and pixelated. (In line with recent Windows performance?)

I have to admit, as a Mac, the ads make me feel even more smug and glad not to belong to that 'clan'.

(Belinda: I do share your point that the Mac vs. PC ads went on far too long, to the point of RTB exhaustion.)

re: I am a PC

Sarah Waite — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:05:41 GMT

Amusingly, the quality of most of the digital outdoor displays is shockingly bad and pixelated. (In line with recent Windows performance?)

I have to admit, as a Mac, the ads make me feel even more smug and glad not to belong to the PC clan.

(Belinda: I do share your point that the Mac vs. PC ads went on far too long, to the point of RTB exhaustion.)

re: I am a PC

Barney Ware — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:40:10 GMT

I agree with lots of this things Belinda said – I’ve never owned an Apple product and don’t feel the need to, however I do fully understand the appeal they hold for others.

I particularly like her comments about Apple turning into the cool school yard bully and the unconditional and (arguably) undeserving love Apple customers lavish on the brand (annoys me). And the Apple “Reality distortion field” – brilliant

She still didn’t seem to get the “I’m a pissy” comment made early on!

I think for me this comment about MS sums it up for me “Advice for MS: Fix the problems. And let us tell you how great you are.” Then maybe they can start to think about cleaver, emotionally engaging ad campaigns, otherwise it just doesn’t work for me.

re: I am a PC

Barney Ware — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:35:45 GMT

I agree with lots of this things Belinda said – I’ve never owned an Apple product and don’t feel the need to, however I do fully understand the appeal they hold for others.

She still didn’t seem to get the “I’m a pissy” comment made early on!

I think for me this comment about MS sums it up

“Advice for MS: Fix the problems. And let us tell you how great you are.”

Then maybe they can start to think about cleaver emotionally engaging ad campaigns, otherwise it just doesn’t work for me.