Intel has launched a new series of ads starring Justin Long to highlight the benefits of PCs over Apple’s Mac line of devices. This marks quite the departure from before when Long was used in commercials to promote Mac products over PCs in the ‘I’m a Mac’ series of ads. This also comes at a time when the latest Mac devices come powered by Apple’s own M1 chips, as the company moves away from Intel-powered options.
Previously, the ‘I’m a Mac’ ads were used to highlight the various benefits of Apple’s computers over PCs. This included the commercials focusing on the more creative side of Mac, the lack of viruses affecting macOS, the ability to connect with different devices, and so on. However, a lot has changed over the years, and not just Long’s involvement in the ads.
Intel’s latest ads start with the same “I’m a'' intro, but Mac has been dropped in favor of "just a real person.” While the ads once again focus on the differences between Mac and PC, many of the same points are raised, albeit in favor of PCs this time. For example, one video focuses on the more creative design of PCs, while another focuses on the ability to connect to more than one monitor at a time. Others include the touch screen support (versus Mac’s touch bar), the ‘no one games on Mac’ point, and just the general wider choice of devices compared to the Mac’s more limiting selection.
Intel Vs. Apple Draws On The Power Of PC
One of the most interesting developments here is the shift in focus. Back when the original ads were released, and while the emphasis was primarily still on the difference between Macs and PCs, it was never in relation to the processor. After all, Mac computers were also using Intel chips back then. Now in 2021, Apple is in the process of replacing Intel-powered Mac devices with its own Apple silicon M1 chip. While the latest series of ads also focus on the differences between Mac and PCs, the ‘Intel Inside’ is mentioned in every one of the new commercials. The difference here is not only between Mac and PC, but between Intel and Apple.
The other interesting point to note is the more general change in narrative. The original ‘I’m a Mac’ series of ads focused on how PCs might have been considered dated while Macs were advertised as the modern equivalent. In contrast, the latest commercials by Intel look to highlight how Mac devices have barely changed over the years while PCs have become available in different form factors, how they embrace newer technologies, and, in 2021, might even now be considered more modern than Apple’s computers.
Source: Intel/YouTube