Microsoft Airs “I’m A PC” Ads; Makes More Sense

After what seemed to be a vague start for the new Microsoft Advertising Campaign “Windows, Not Walls” with Jerry Seinfield and no less than Bill Gates himself which generated quite a buzz (some positive, mostly baffled) Microsoft is finally doing it right (to me, at least).

To kick-off the so-called second phase of the $300 million worth campaign (though, i am still confused as to what they were trying to accomplish with the first wave of the ads because to me they were waste of airtime and money), Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the agency handling the project, decided to meet head-on with the known competition Apple.

Directly picking up from Apple’s Get-A-Mac ads (with the infamous I’m a PC, I’m a Mac), the new campaign turn’s the supposedly negative “I’m A PC” humdrum into something positive, smart and highly relatable. The new ad actually makes one smile and say “Hey, I’m A PC! And I’m cool too!” without sounding (and being) arrogant, narcissistic and holier-than-thou. The ad just shows how many people, from all walks of life (and not just the elitist) uses the PC; maybe not because it’s the best option in the market, but because it’s one that’s best and works for them; its the one that could give them what they need at the time and price they could afford.

And seriously, there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with owning a PC. Like i always say, PC’s and Mac’s are just tools, they’re not suppose to be the anchor of one’s “pride” as a person.

However, the one thing that confuses me though is the branding direction of Microsoft on this. In as much as i think the new ads are fantastic , i still think that Microsoft needs to actually build on what the company really is: a software company. I think if and when they make and master an outstanding Operating System and have a great marketing and advertising campaign that would stress on how it could be installed and work at its optimum on whatever computer hardware you have, be it Apple’s or Dell’s or HP’s, then Microsoft could really, really be talking and communicating.

Take a look at the ads and tell me what you think.

Great workspaces set-up (Mac Edition)

I love windows; hey i use Windows almost everyday as well even if i have a mac. I love my windows machine as i love my mac. I haven’t been really affected by the Mac fanboy “virus” because to me they’re just machines (a tool meant to make you productive). And really, one should respect each ones choices of machine. It’s the man that makes the machine and not the other way around; that’s why i don’t understand all the mac fanaticism that is sloooowwwwlllyy growing in the country (believe me i’ve seen one too many in some forums). And sometimes, they really get to me. I find it absurd and unnecessary.

BUT one thing is sure though. Apple makes some of the most beautifully designed products in the whole wide world! Damn, all macs are delicious! All macs looks sleek and sexy without trying so hard. That’s why when you have a Mac, you’re somehow inspired to make your workspace set-up equally beautiful. And so i have gathered some of the best Mac set-ups i’ve seen over in Flicker. Here they are:

Extra storage for my Mac (Time Machine here i come!)

I am a sucker for additional storage. With the kind of work that i am doing, having large capacity external hard drives is a MUST (unless one would prefer to have hundreds of cd’s and dvd’s compiled and stack-up in boxes as i have done over the past couple of years and then later find out that they have become unreadable over time!). Well, yeah, external hard drives can conk out on you at some point, BUT the key here is multiple external had drives that holds your precious work. Multiple external hard drive = Multiple back-ups! Hey, better be safe, backed-up than sorry when you need that one file you made two years ago for a returning client!