Mac i-ttack: The Onslaught of the Apple Spokespersons

Published November 27, 2007
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By Lauren Foley

Ever notice how anyone who has a Macintosh computer is incredibly smug about their electronic wealth, as if they had hit the technological lottery with a product such as Apple? Granted, I am not at all satisfied with my PC. It freezes all the time, refuses to play music without skipping, and routinely requires visits to the infamous university computer depot.

Despite all this, I nonetheless remain loyal to my Dell. My loyalty is the only thing that will save me from becoming another one of those Apple People who display their laptops at Starbucks like celebrities display their children: as fashion accessories.

Even while watching television, I am constantly confronted with those obnoxious commercials in which Mac is personified as an endearing, witty hottie whereas PC is depicted as a geeky, pot-bellied schmuck. Granted, the marketing is clearly thought out and clever. Apple computers are rapidly becoming the highest regarded machines with the college-aged set. What makes them even more appealing is the fact that they manage to come across as unique and special to each individual while still remaining undeniably conventional. Everyone who owns one is convinced that theirs is the coolest and the hippest and will stop at nothing until this is known by the entire PC world.

I have found that one of the easiest ways to pinpoint one’s undying loyalty to Mac is to take a quick peek at their Facebook. In the majority of cases, those who have the “ Photobooth” program go to great lengths to post innumerable, annoying contorted images that scream “I have an expensive Mac model and I can take pictures of myself!” I understand that Photobooth is pretty amusing, but sifting through 50 fun-house mirror photos has its downfalls.

Mac Culture is becoming an increasingly strong force within American society. It has caused me to wonder how much longer before everyone begins to add an “i” to every word we say? Already students type notes in class on their ibooks, instant message friends on ichat, call parents on iphones, and watch movies on idvd. It is almost as if the success of the ipod has inspired thousands of horrifying parasitic products, all teeming for the consumer’s undivided attention, not to mention funds.

This cultural force is so strong that I am convinced that it will come into play more and more within our everyday lives. Surveys that once contained nothing more than “name,” “age,” and “religious denomination” may soon pose the question, “Mac or PC?”

An individual’s stance on this issue may soon become as important and telling as one’s chosen gender or political party. The Mac and PC war is becoming something ingrained within us. Already judgement is being passed and lines are being drawn. In a society as technologically based as ours, it isn’t at all surprising that one’s choice of computer can change how people perceive you, but it is nonetheless pretty damn amazing.

Whether I like it or not, Macs have developed a strong presence in the recent years. I am not bothered by its technological power and alleged efficiency, I am simply sick of people spouting the fabulousness of a computer that I hold no interest in. And despite the fact that there are moments in which I despise my PC to the utmost degree, I may never opt for anything different. However, try as I might, I can’t seem to disregard Mac and the power is has over its consumers. Spokespeople and loyalists are everywhere, as alive as the glowing apple on the front of the laptops. They are watching and waiting, ready to i-defend and i-persuade that Macs are destined to rule the world.

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