# I'm a PC **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433 "2008-09-20T14:35:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/41 "2008-09-22T18:13:19Z")
I saw a second ad last night. I like both of the ads. The thing to me is, the PC ads don’t diss Mac. They don’t even mention Mac. Unlike the Mac ads that have a joke PC character who is afraid of Mac, can’t do anything, can’t hook up to Japanese cameras, or has to trick people into buying him. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/42 "2008-09-22T18:41:29Z")
The only hurdle I ever had to buying a Mac was price. If they would come down I would so buy one but truth be told I have never really experienced the majority of the problems so many Windows user have come across. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/43 "2008-09-22T20:09:37Z")
Here’s the problem with the ad campaign right here. We can’t even talk about it without it turning into yet another discussion of PC vs. Mac. By responding to the Mac ads, Microsoft shot itself in the foot out of the gate. Had the Seinfeld/Gates ads come around to a conclusion, it would no doubt have been a major success (ad campaign-wise). They’d have gotten people’s attention while completely ignoring the 'other company’s commercials. The other problem is that we’re supposed to feel sympathy for Hodgman as the PC. Or at least pity. That’s my opinion, anyway. The Apple ads are as much making their brand more well-known as they are about direct feature comparison. I get that the Microsoft ads are implying that he isn’t representative of all PCs, but it feels a little like they dislike him. Finally, there’s the odd thing about the Apple ads in general. Some compare the OS, some compare the computer. One of the Mac ads even mentions using Boot Camp (which lets an Apple computer run Windows) and how one can do _more_ with a Mac than with a PC, which includes using Microsoft products. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/44 "2008-09-22T20:23:13Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I shouldn’t need a dedicated piece of software to transfer files to a handheld device - my Sandisk Sansa doesn’t need one. And when i gave my daughter a Sansa she was amazed that all she had to do was plug it in with a standard USB cable and drag and drop files right to it as if it were just another thumb drive. Which it pretty much is, as far as files are concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/45 "2008-09-22T21:23:14Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > The thing to me is, the PC ads don’t diss Mac. They don’t even mention Mac. Unlike the Mac ads that have a joke PC character who is afraid of Mac, can’t do anything, can’t hook up to Japanese cameras, or has to trick people into buying him. Mac ads have already laid the groundwork. Of course they are referencing Macs. The ad wouldn’t be near as effective if you weren’t already familiar with Mac ads. Indeed, the ads would not even exist if not to rebuff the Mac ads. I’m a Mac guy, but I do think the ads were effective. I think it’s sad they feel the need to strike back at the underdog - I’m sure it’s just Gate’s pride - but still effective I’d guess in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/46 "2008-09-22T21:40:07Z")
> [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](#): > > I’m a Mac guy, but I do think the ads were effective. I think it’s sad they feel the need to strike back at the underdog - I’m sure it’s just Gate’s pride - but still effective I’d guess in the long run. Why would they need to respond to Apple’s ads though? I’d think they’d be a bit more concerned with Linux. Apple is never going to be a real threat to them. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/47 "2008-09-23T00:35:40Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > The fake Hodgman is a Microsoft employee- all of the Microsoft employees in the ad (including Bill Gates) are identified with a “@windows.com” e-mail address next to them. I don’t believe this is true. Do you have a cite for that? Those email addresses are not legitimate MSFT employee addresses, I get no hits name searching any of those aliases in the GAL, and I think I would’ve heard about it internally if any of the people in the commercial were legitimate MSFT employees. -Morbo, legitimate MSFT employee ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/48 "2008-09-23T00:53:49Z")
> [@panamajack](#): > > The other problem is that we’re supposed to feel sympathy for Hodgman as the PC. Or at least pity. That’s my opinion, anyway. No, you’re right on. PC isn’t stupid or malevolent, he’s kind of insecure and stuck in his ways. Windows partisans find him insulting, but most PC users, who don’t identify with their platform in any significant way, don’t. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/49 "2008-09-23T01:41:40Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > I don’t believe this is true. Do you have a cite for > that? Those email addresses are not legitimate MSFT employee addresses, I get no hits name searching any of those aliases in the GAL, and I think I would’ve heard about it internally if any of the people in the commercial were legitimate MSFT employees. > > -Morbo, legitimate MSFT employee “In one of the new commercials, a Microsoft engineer who resembles the colourless PC character in the Apple adverts says, “Hello, I’m a PC, and I’ve been made into a stereotype”. He’s followed by a montage of real-life PC users, celebrities and Microsoft Windows engineers who all repeat the “I’m a PC” mantra. Gates also appears, saying, “I’m a PC and I wear glasses”.” [London Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3043687/Microsoft-adverts-with-Jerry-Seinfeld-and-Bill-Gates-scrapped.html) “One of the images is of a real Microsoft engineer, identified only as “Sean,” who resembles John Hodgman, the actor who plays the PC character in Apple’s iconic ads.”- [Macworld](http://www.macworld.com/article/135659/2008/09/microsoft_ads.html) “But the stars are everyday PC users, from scientists and fashion designers to shark hunters and teachers, all of whom affirm, in fast-paced, upbeat vignettes, their pride in using the computers that run on Microsoft operating systems and software. Among them are more than 60 Microsoft employees, who are accompanied in the ads by e-mail addresses — even Mr. Gates’s ([bill@windows.com](mailto:bill@windows.com)).”- [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/business/media/18adco.html?bl&ex=1221883200&en=1e3acb5115249581&ei=5087%0A) I was thinking of the Telegraph article when I wrote that. So they are Microsoft _engineers_ and employees. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/50 "2008-09-23T03:40:55Z")
I don’t recall where I heard the name first, but IIRC the PC is Sean Siler. Here’s evidence that he was working at Microsoft (IPv6 Program Manager) before the commercial: [http://www.executivebiz.com/newsletter-executives-detail.php?who=ssiler](http://www.executivebiz.com/newsletter-executives-detail.php?who=ssiler) ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/51 "2008-09-23T05:22:41Z")
Some might find this to be of interest: [http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/microsofts-new.html](http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/microsofts-new.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/52 "2008-09-23T05:41:18Z")
> [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](#): > > I think it’s sad they feel the need to strike back at the underdog I imagine that you don’t stay #1 by letting the other guy make ads mocking you for years on end and doing nothing about it. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/53 "2008-09-23T09:23:22Z")
I like this one, although I’m surprised at some of the celebrities that chose to be in it, and I absolutely despise the other commercial with Seinfeld. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/54 "2008-09-23T09:48:13Z")
I have to admit, I respect the amount of chutzpah Apple - one of the world’s largest consumer electronics companies, the company possessing absolute domination of the portable media player market - has exhibited in positing itself as an “underdog”. Yes, it’s the underdog in the personal computer market. Just as Microsoft is the underdog in the portable media player market, or the game console market. Microsoft is bigger, sure, but Apple ain’t that small. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/55 "2008-09-23T15:37:09Z")
So far as I can tell, the Ipod isn’t marketed based on an “underdog” positioning. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433/56 "2008-09-23T17:52:41Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > “In one of the new commercials, a Microsoft engineer who resembles the colourless PC character in the Apple adverts says, “Hello, I’m a PC, and I’ve been made into a stereotype”. He’s followed by a montage of real-life PC users, celebrities and Microsoft Windows engineers who all repeat the “I’m a PC” mantra. Gates also appears, saying, “I’m a PC and I wear glasses”.” [London Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3043687/Microsoft-adverts-with-Jerry-Seinfeld-and-Bill-Gates-scrapped.html) > > “One of the images is of a real Microsoft engineer, identified only as “Sean,” who resembles John Hodgman, the actor who plays the PC character in Apple’s iconic ads.”- [Macworld](http://www.macworld.com/article/135659/2008/09/microsoft_ads.html) > > “But the stars are everyday PC users, from scientists and fashion designers to shark hunters and teachers, all of whom affirm, in fast-paced, upbeat vignettes, their pride in using the computers that run on Microsoft operating systems and software. Among them are more than 60 Microsoft employees, who are accompanied in the ads by e-mail addresses — even Mr. Gates’s ([bill@windows.com](mailto:bill@windows.com)).”- [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/business/media/18adco.html?bl&ex=1221883200&en=1e3acb5115249581&ei=5087%0A) > I was thinking of the Telegraph article when I wrote that. So they are Microsoft _engineers_ and employees. Holy crap! I wonder why there wasn’t anything in the internal magazine or in email about this. Still, those addresses are probably for marketing purposes - they’re not internal addresses. I am an engineer, and we don’t use “@windows.com”. Thanks for the legwork on that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-pc/464433.md?page=2)