Week 4 EOC -- Part One

In 1984 the Macintosh by Apple was introduced to the world. I think that the ad that was used in particular shows how much Apple knows about its customers wants, as well as foreshadows the company’s marketing prowess. The ad came at a time of uncertainty in the world. People were just getting over the fear that was spread needlessly about communists taking over the country and after reading 1984 by George Orwell many were scared of what the future may become, if the government grew too large and began taking over their lives and they end up becoming just like everyone else. I think that Apple was also trying to use this as a metaphor for IBM the other major producer of personal computers. IBM at the time was ‘the man’ the big corporation that was only worried about sales and profits and making sure that everyone had this piece of equipment that would change their lives. There were no other producers of the personal computer at the time and IBM was becoming a monopoly, not a choice by consumers but the only option, one that would perhaps grow so large that they may lose their basic freedom of choice. Apple wanted to change that, they wanted to produce a product that not only performed well and was easier to use, but they also created another option for the individual purchasing the personal computer. No longer were they bound to buy a product because it was the only one available, they had a choice, a fundamental right that as Americans we believe we deserve. No longer would IBM become a large monster taking over our lives, we were saved, saved by Apple.