Renowned for his role as the laid-back "I'm a Mac" guy in Apple's iconic advertising campaign, Justin Long has made a surprising return to the spotlight. However, this time, he's not championing Apple products but lending his wit and charm to Qualcomm's promotion of Windows on Arm PCs.
Surprising Role of Justin Long in New Qualcomm Skit
Justin Long, known for his role as the affable "I'm a Mac" character in Apple's past advertising, has resurfaced in an unexpected role. This time, he's not promoting Apple products but taking a humorous jab at the company.
The Verge reported that Qualcomm, the chipmaker behind Windows on Arm PCs, has enlisted Long to star in a 30-second skit that appeared during its Computex 2024 keynote presentation on June 3.
In the skit, Long finds himself overwhelmed by macOS notifications and nag screens, leading him to consider switching to a Snapdragon-powered PC.
This move marks a significant shift for Long, who previously worked with Intel, underscoring the changing dynamics within the tech industry. Long is known for his role in Apple's "Get a Mac" TV commercials almost two decades ago as he portrayed the character of the Mac guy.
More than 20 years ago, Long humorously teased the PC guy (John Hodgman) for his susceptibility to viruses and spyware, perceived lack of access to creative tools, and tendency to focus on mundane tasks.
But in the latest light-hearted moment captured on camera, Long said, "Things change," as he navigates through pop-up notifications on macOS before searching for a Windows on Arm PC. The notifications range from warnings about app compatibility and low disk space to battery alerts, highlighting the challenges of using a Mac computer.
Long has been on some rehabilitation tours. In 2021, he cut advertisements for Intel that joked about the features of the Apple MacBook as the company decided to move away from Intel processors.
The 2021 ad with Long mocked Apple's Touch Bar, criticized the absence of multiple monitor support, and ridiculed the color options for the M1 MacBook. Apple had John Hodgman reprise his role as the PC guy, enabling the company to boast the performance and battery life of its M1-powered devices.
Justin Long has resurfaced in an unexpected role. This time, he's not promoting Apple products but lending his wit and charm to Qualcomm's promotion of Windows on Arm PCs.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Signaling a Shift in Tech Dynamics
The ad concludes with Justin Long saying, "Things change," a sentiment Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon echoed at the event's closing remarks.
Both Qualcomm and Microsoft have intensified their efforts to challenge the MacBook Air's dominance. Microsoft showcased confidence in its transition to Windows on Arm, touting its benchmarks and battery life.
The introduction of new Copilot Plus PCs, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips, is slated for June 18, further emphasizing the competitive push against Apple's products.
