TOW #19: MAC vs. DELL advertisement

   The competition between Mac and Dell computers has been around for the last ten years, with competing advertisements being thrown into TV stations left and right. One recent ad features a Macbook laptop calling a Dell laptop a "nerd", and a the Dell calling the macbook a "pretty boy". This advertisement was for Dell. With use of clever word choice and personification, Dell essentially argues that their computers are better.

    The Ad provides clever word choice to the audience, as "nerd" and "pretty boy" are often said in the gossip going around high schools or even to label someone. The terms are not only relevant to the computers, but the word choice was perfect because it is easy for the audience to understand. For example, the Dell laptop calls the Mac "pretty boy" to show that the Mac is loved so much because it is designed to be a more visual appealing computer. On the other hand, Mac calls Dell a "nerd", because although it may be smarter, the computer is less attractive. So, Dell provides the underlying yet ultimate question: when it comes to computers, which aspect is more important, the visual aspect or the intelligence of the technology? Dell figured that most would choose the intelligence aspect because computers are made to provide information among other things. Because the two terms "nerd" and "pretty boy" are the only text on the ad, it is impressive that Dell is able to make such a solid argument.

  The ad also utilizes personification. The audience is perfectly aware that computers technically can't talk to each other, but the ad jumps at the chance to allow the devices to speak to each other, not only for a bit of humor, but also to represent the rivalry between the two companies. Dell wants to make its position clear and the company does so by allowing their computer to speak. This makes it much easier for audiences to comprehend, and also gives the technology a personality. The personification allows Dell to cement its argument.

The Dell and Mac rivalry will continue, but this ad provides a new perspective and raises that question of whether the value lies within the attractiveness of the laptop or the intelligence. Dell uses personification and clever word choice to make it clear to the audience that Dell is the better laptop, because it is smarter, and because the looks of the laptop doesn't mean much in the long run.