Microsoft is Kind of Lame

I do not understand this series of Microsoft ads that are supposed to make me want to buy a PC.

I’m sure you’ve all seen them, but if you haven’t, they all follow a basic formula: Someone wants to buy a computer and they have a limited budget.  So they first go to the Apple store and find out they can’t afford a Mac for their budget, which leads them to Best Buy where they purchase a PC for less money.

I know the point is to make Apple look pricey and inaccessible, but I’m not sure it makes any sense.  I mean, what if Ford used the same structure for an advertisement?

Scene: Jenna, a perky 20-something with curly brown hair, is sitting in her 1991 Toyota Corolla.  It’s a crappy car.  She looks into the camera with a big smile.  Cut to yellow intro screen with words, “Jenna wants a new car.  We told her, you find it. You keep it.”

Jenna: OK, so, like, I’m looking for a new car.  It needs to have four wheels and an engine, as well as a trunk in case I ever need to put something big inside my car.  I’d also like it to have a CD player.  My budget is $17,000.

Shot of Jenna walking through the parking lot of a Mercedes-Benz dealership.  She quickly leaves.

Jenna: Well, gee, looks like I can’t afford a Mercedes-Benz for under $17,000, so I’m just going to have to go elsewhere.

Shot of Jenna standing and looking at a red Ford Focus in a dealership lot.

Jenna: This has four wheels and an engine, and (she walks around to the back of the car), yes!  It has a trunk!  And it’s for under $17,000!

Voiceover: There you have it, Jenna.  It’s a car.  And it’s under $17,000.

Jenna: Whoo hoo!  Guess I’m just not cool enough to be a Mercedes-Benz person.