NewsBite

Apple brings back ‘I’m a PC’ guy announcing new M1 chip for Macbook, Mac Mini

Fifteen years ago he was a schlubby, nerdy point of ridicule, but fans were thrilled to see the iconic character return for Apple.

Jack Gramenz
2 min read
November 11, 2020 - 7:12PM
Apple announce custom chips for Mac

Apple has revived one half of its iconic “Get a Mac” ads from the mid-2000s as it announced a “huge leap forward” for the company with the return of custom-designed chips in its computers.

“PC Guy” made a long-awaited return at the end of Apple’s streamed “One More Thing” event, where the company announced a new system-on-chip that’s “the most powerful” it’s ever created, which should make its computers more powerful, run cooler and last longer on battery.

“Stop, hang on, wait, one more thing,” PC pipes up after Apple CEO Tim Cook had ended the presentation.

“I’m a PC, is there a time for questions because I have one. Why make all these advancements, what’s the point?”

John Hodgman reprised his role as PC Guy for the Apple event.
John Hodgman reprised his role as PC Guy for the Apple event.

RELATED: New tool for social distancing

RELATED: Annoying noises prompt Apple swap

RELATED: Save hundreds on your new iPhone

He then goes on to mock Apple’s new fanless MacBook Air for not making machine noises and question the need for improved battery life and faster processing speeds.

“Where are you going? Just plug it in … Fast? I’m still fast, I’ve still got it, I’ve always been there and I always will be,” he claims, doing a little dance before quickly running out of breath.

“My battery’s drained, I’m gonna go plug in,” he says before wishing Apple luck and leaving the frame.

The ads first started airing in 2006, the last time Apple began transitioning to new processors as it is doing now.

John Hodgman is perhaps the less well-known member of the pair who played the Mac and PC in the ads.

The cool Mac character was played by Justin Long, who, despite what you might think, was Hollywood hot property at the time.

Those who tuned in for Apple’s Wednesday morning event were thrilled to see PC Guy return.

In addition to PC Guy, the company also brought back the “chime” sound that plays when you turn the computer on, which was the key announcement for some.

The after-credits Easter egg might have detracted somewhat from the key announcements of the event but people have had plenty to say about those too.

The company announced updates to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro and now some are trying to guess the dimensions of the new devices.

The new computers owe a lot to the iPhone and iPad, but thankfully not all of Apple’s approaches to the former of those products has carried over.

The Mac Mini has received a $200 price drop, while the laptops are the same price as they were before the improvements were announced. That’s too much for some, who are now trying to figure out how they’ll afford it.

Apple also brought back another beloved company figure in senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi, who made a return to speaking in keynotes after a silent cameo at the September event.

He is now dangerously close to becoming a meme after “setting the mood” for the announcement, opening a MacBook to demonstrate how quickly it can turn on and start playing some sensual sounds.

Originally published as Apple brings back ‘I’m a PC’ guy announcing new M1 chip for Macbook, Mac Mini

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/technology/online/apple-brings-back-im-a-pc-guy-announcing-new-m1-chip-for-macbook-mac-mini/news-story/a87a3fa0a7d88ed6a9357bc20afdba0d