Cute Computers Must Die

Posted by Dan Florio Jun 3, 2006

My wife and I were discussing how most people own PCs over Macs, but how the people who own Macs really, really love them. Mac people are brand-loyal and I think cute is a big factor for Apple-philes.

I personally run, run, run from cutesy computer applications. I just want to get my work done. Why do you think Clippie failed so spectacularly? He was annoying. Everyone hated Clippie: "I see you're trying to write a letter..."...BAM! SQUISH!

Anyway, Jill maintains that not only was Clippie annoying, but he also really wasn't very cute. She DOES like the little Mac "waiting" symbol of a smiling computer, and says the iMac is a very stylish-looking computer. I say Meh. The egg-shaped "Base Station" - ie, it's just a router, people - also has her vote for being cute and smart-looking. But she also thinks the iRobot is a good idea. Save me. It's another annoying, trying-to-be-cute product.

The iPod isn't cute, and that's why it has a cross-gender appeal. IMO.

Give me a sleek design anyday, like the one around my new X-Box 360. Forget cute. The X-Box is just darned sexy. Much, much better.