Dude, where's my UK 'Get a Mac' ads?

Well, it's nice to see some people with a bit of sense replying to
this guy.
Yes indeedy, I'm British.
I'd love to the the source for that "54% want to leave" figure. Even if it were accurate, which I highly doubt, it's just another moot point, as only 27% of Americans even possess a passport, how would they even know what other countries were like?
I certainly don't know anyone that wants to leave, in fact one of the major issues
over here is the sheer number of people that are immigrating into the
country because of its reputation as a tolerant, ethnically diverse
country with a high quality of living.
The problem of the huge rich/poor gap in America and the sheer number
of homeless people are problems that simply don't exist in the UK.
The 'underclass' that you speak of aren't that that worse off than
the middle class, so any reports of class separation are totally
incomparable to anything in the USA. As I say, the rich/poor gap is
minute compared to that of the US.

You come across as someone whose entire judgement of the UK lies on
mainstream media and racial stereotyping. The fact we have a Queen is
something of insignificance considering the US has George "bring them
on" Bush, who was ELECTED into power (the "bring them on" quote was
Bush's reply to what to do to deal with Iraqi insurgents). THAT is
treating people like animals.
The reason our taxes are higher is because we look after our citizens (especially the poor and elderly)
more, so the "because you're filthy rich" option couldn't be farther
from the truth.
I'm off to enjoy my free healthcare now...

I suppose it's rather pathetic that yes, I have seen that?

Mitchel and Webb was a bad choice from the start. What apple failed to realise with those to is that PC although looking a bit wet always come through in the end, every one who's watched peep show knows this. The guy playing mac is a bit of a prat in peep shows and therefore paints macs in a bad light and pc in a lovable, yeah he's a bit of an oaf sometimes but we love him light.

simon
@sipedia.co.uk

These guys are on a Britcom called Peep Show which is friggin' HILARIOUS. Seriously, join tvtorrents and get it.

The Guardian writer impales himself upon its own argument. That is, consider these two quotations from the article in context of one another:

1. Ultimately the campaign's biggest flaw is that it perpetuates the notion that consumers somehow "define themselves" with the technology they choose.

and . . .

2. I hate Macs. I have always hated Macs. I hate people who use Macs. I even hate people who don't use Macs but sometimes wish they did.

And of course, hating people because of the technology that they use or simply wished they used is somehow different than "the notion that consumers somehow 'define themselves' with the technology they choose."

Does this guy even read what he rants?

What a loser.

.

That commercial was hilarious...

The "I'm a PC, I'm a Mac" ads in the U.S. are widely considered very successful (I think it's a very clever concept, but Hodgman is the one who *really* makes it work).

But internationalizing it didn't work all that well.

Some of the U.K. versions are also clever IMO, but the chemistry isn't quite there ... and the connection with Mitchell and Webb's "Peep Show" character possibly makes the campaign a bit confusing.

I didn't see translations of the Japanese ads, but by all accounts they were pretty cringe-worthy. Some things just don't go over well in translation.

These are the best comedians on TV, I'm so glad they play PC and Mac here...

Americans just aren't going to get their brand of funny unless they've seen Peep Show, or the m+w situation or similar.

It's a fact that Apple basically doesn't market outside the U.S. I have never in my life seen an Apple ad on TV in Austria, for example. Or Germany.

The UK seems to have been the exception but now it's back to nothing.

I don't really know why.. Other companies, HP, Dell and so on, advertise like crazy, so it's not like tech companies can't advertise in Europe.

The general impression is that Apple is more U.S.-centered than any of the other companies - despite the fact that 50% of their sales come from overseas. Who knows what would happen if they actually advertised their products....

This thread is suffering a lack of cultural context. It's hardly fair to expect the US posters to have any idea who Charlie Brooker is, nor to know the characters from Peepshow - most Brits have never heard of Charlie Brooker.

His style is savagely caustic humour. One of his more known creation's was a character called Nathan Barley (C*nt) - a shallow, low life media creep with no boundaries of taste. Brooker should always be taken with a pinch of salt, though usually his rants contain a fair bit of justified insight. But note, humour is its intent.

The Peep Show characters, as has been said, were not the best choice. The guy playing Mac is actually an odious, cheating, lying scumbag in Peep Show. The PC guy is bit of a nerd but honest and likable. The reaction in the UK to the ads was that Mac was bit of a w*nker. Hardly the impression Apple want of thier products.

We also don't generally approve of ads that straight out bash other products, something which seems to be common in the US. When I was over I remember plenty of ads that were basically saying, "Buy our stuff cos their's is rubbish." I don't think that is actually legal on UK TV (don't know for sure though). It;s certainly shallow and unimaginative advertising.

I suggest people read something by Brooker that they agree with - then you'll get the way he deliciously takes apart all the ideals of something that you yourself also despise. But don't forget to laugh.

For an sample of his work try: http://www.tvgohome.com/
Warning: very strong language and likely to cause offense.