Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

LightWaver-67 · Dec 13, 2003, 11:35 PM

I was just watching tv and saw a commercial for the Acura MDX (I think it's called) and in the opening shot, there's a guy sitting in his home with HUGE glass exterior walls and a modern looking desk... he's looking out his windows (walls) but below the desk are TWO Mirror-drive G4s as far as I can tell.

Not the most EXCITING news you'll read, but just thought I'd mention it.

MaxPower2k3 · Dec 14, 2003, 12:28 AM

i've also seen that commercial and spotted the powermacs, but i noticed that there are no monitors on the desk. it's like they're just there for decoration in the scene.

LightWaver-67 · Dec 14, 2003, 12:52 AM

Originally posted by MaxPower2k3:
i've also seen that commercial and spotted the powermacs, but i noticed that there are no monitors on the desk. it's like they're just there for decoration in the scene.

Funny... I thought the same thing, but I figured that I just glanced too-quick and just didn't REMEMBER seeing the monitors...

kinda funny... two G4s under a desk with no monitors attached.

Of COURSE they're just decoration... Movies, TV and a lot of commercials LOVE to place Macs in there... sometimes VERY subtle in their usage and/or placement, but they show-up a LOT.

jbartone · Dec 14, 2003, 12:56 AM

In 24, in Jack's office, there's always a G5 (with display) and a Powerbook in plain view. The Powerbook is very visible because of the lighted Apple logo in the dark room.

LightWaver-67 · Dec 14, 2003, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by jbartone:
In 24, in Jack's office, there's always a G5 (with display) and a Powerbook in plain view. The Powerbook is very visible because of the lighted Apple logo in the dark room.

Oh puh-LEEEZ... I could go on & on about all the TV shows that utilize Macintosh or Apple products regularly.

Friends, Two Guys & a Girl, Real World, SNL seems pro-Mac, etc... NBC tends to have a lot of Mac placement for some reason. Fox has it's share too. I have yet to see a G5 placement... but I'm sure it'll happen soon.

Another funny thing I notice as a designer, is that a lot of Mock-up interfaces for commercials have "Mac" widgets and UI elements... I have even seen demo's of Windows-based applications mocked-up with Mac UI elements, since the designer was most-likely working on a Mac.

MaxPower2k3 · Dec 14, 2003, 09:25 PM

nearly every cubicle at CTU in 24 has a G5/cinema display/iSight set up. they've used the iSight during the show, too, with an iChat window on top of some kind of mockup OS

Apple Pro Underwear · Dec 15, 2003, 06:19 AM

new volkswagon commercial for the new luxory car has the guy doing the test on a 17" powerbook!

hilarious commercial too!

drewm · Dec 15, 2003, 08:39 AM

why not just use the MacOS? Why do they hide it? I guess not to imply endorsement?

-Q- · Dec 15, 2003, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by drewm:
why not just use the MacOS? Why do they hide it? I guess not to imply endorsement?

But if people don't want to endorse things, why leave the apple glowing?

My guess is that the commercial/tv show director has a specific vision for what the application should look like so the designers just come up with something fancy to meet that vision.

DBvader · Dec 15, 2003, 03:01 PM

I think that its awesome that a company like Honda would use Apple's computers in their commercials. I know using macs in commercials is nothing new, but Honda and Apple have a similar place in their respective industries. Honda is the largest engine maker in the world with the most advanced Engine Technology (with everything from amazingly innovative F1 engines (remember the turbocharged V6?) to fuel cell technology (they are the only company with a working, near production fuel cell car) and everything in between). Like Apple, Honda constantly innovates. They adhered to LEV standards long before they were put in place, They are able to get Horsepower and Torque from all sorts of places with VTEC and their intrestingly ratiod transmissions. Honda's cars pollute the least, Their side engineering projects, like asimo, are amazing, Their aluminum body technology is some of the best (all aluminum NSX in 90?). Still Honda stays focused, and constantly limits car production to streamline output and consumption. They could easily just produce as many cars as Toyota/GM and sell on that calibur. My point, If i had one, is that Apple and Honda are very similar companies with similar outlooks on product design (especially considering that honda is considered one of the most functional interior designers). So its cool that honda would equate their products with Apple's (It says something like that in the commercials).

l008com · Dec 15, 2003, 04:37 PM

Of coarse Honda cars are the flat out ugliest cars on the road today. And their interiors are SO uncomfortable, you feel like you are riding in a Go Kart. So on those respects, I guess Apple is more like Cadillac.

gbhgbh · Dec 15, 2003, 04:48 PM

On the Vehix.com commercials, they show a G3 Powerbook from the back, but show a Windows interface on the screen.

DBvader · Dec 17, 2003, 04:50 PM

Hondas arent the best lookers, but there are some stand outs. The NSX, even 12 years later, is beautiful. Its replacement, the HSC is gorgeous too. So is the S2000, The RSX, TL, and TSX. The rest, like the Accord, Civic, etc are really just normal looking cars, and i think they try not to please or disatisfy.

Im not sure what you are basing your go kart interior statement off of. Hondas interiors are loved by every car publication for their comfort and functionality. Take a look at the S2000 comparo in C and D not too long ago. Even though the S2000 cost a fraction of its competitors (BMW, Porsche, Nissan, and Lexus) it had a "perfect fitting interior." The same is said about the TL, TSX, Accord, Odyssey, RL, NSX, and every other Honda car review I read. These reviews also praise Hondas handling (even though many of the cars they compete with are RWD...FWD is a complaint in the TL) Cadillac, though they are one of the most independant stylists lately, have horribley boring interiors. My family was thinking of getting a CTS when they came out, but were put off the boring, run of the mill interior (and relatively weak engine). Plus GM's engine technology doesn't touch Hondas. We dont want to compare apple to a company, that as of late, has been all looks, do we?

MacsGalor · Dec 17, 2003, 07:03 PM

There are also a lot of shows that have Macs but cover up all the Apple logos. Just shoot me has a lot of Powerbooks and they always have a sticky on the apple.

l008com · Dec 17, 2003, 10:33 PM

My statements were not based on Acuras or expensive S2000's, but cheap old "normal" hondas like civics and CRVs. And its all based on 1st hand experience, as I used to work at a car dealership. Also keep in mind that the CTS is the cheapest Cadillac, its their civic. Also keep in mind that for 2004, they have a new more powerful engine, and rumor has it their coming out with a version that has a small block V8 in it. But having spend countless hours actually behind the wheel, I can tell you honda are not comfortable at all, and they have a very cheap feeling to their inside. Now go drive a "real" cadillac like an STS or an Escalade, and see what a comfortable car is all about.

DBvader · 02:20 AM

yeah, the CTS-V has a 400 HP Z06 engine (dont know where the extra 5 HP went) in it. Hondas competing engine with the CTS (the TL engine) puts out 270 HP and 240 FtLb Torque out of a 3.2 liter engine. Caddy manages 255 HP out of their 3.6.

Im still not sure about why you feel caddy is a better company to represent what apple is in the computer industry (god this is lame). They showcase ZERO technological advances. They dont make some of the (including the most) most effecient engines in the world (120 HP/L for the S2k before 04, 100 HP/L for the RSX Type S, Integra Type R, and 2000 Civic Si), they dont have the highest resale value of any other company, they dont have the lowest total emissions of any company, they dont have the most fuel effiecient car, they dont have any aluminum body technology, they dont have any F1 wins, and they just dont innovate at all.

And remember, you may think the Civic has poor handling but it also only costs 14 or so grand. You cant say the CTS is Caddys Civic. You can say its Caddy's TL, but it then doesnt stack up so favorably. My buddy has a new CRV and its ride quality is fantastic. Though, my cousin has a last generation CRV and its way too tightly strung. comparing caddy to honda is pointless. Acuras cars have much better build quality than the caddys, and when GM gets anywhere near 120 HP/L, you can start talking about their engines. LIke i said before, i think the new Caddys (with he exception of the Escalade) are gorgreous, and I love how they are styled so much differently than other cars. The point of all this is that Honda used the macs in an MDX commercial, and that SUV is beautifully tailored both inside and out. so i thought it fit.