What’s the Car Equivalent of a Mac?
Driving home from Viget yesterday, I was behind an old green Volkswagen bug that had Apple stickers on the bumper and a license plate that read “MACBUG.” I dig geeks that like their Macs and express some personality via their cars. The question I had, however, was that if this guy were to go for current design, technology, and performance over nostalgia and bring his “Apple II” car up-to-speed, to which maker/car would he go? Would he stick with Volkswagen, or is there an automotive company/product that fits the Apple/Mac model more closely? I drive a silver 2005 Volkswagen Golf by the way, and I’m not a car enthusiast. Just curious.
BMW
There was a time where I would have said a VW Beetle, but I think now it is definitely a MINI. The MINI closely follows the Apple model with their concept of packing high performance into a fresh design with brand loyalists forming communities online and offline to celebrate their love of MINI.... similar to that of Apple enthusiasts. If only I could get a mac inside of a mini....
@Samantha - Lucky for you there’s the Mac Mini! HAHA… haha… ha… ok… that was lame.
i’m going to pretty much guarantee that person would instead be driving the AUDI ICAR
http://digg.com/apple/The_Audi_iCar
I feel that the Scion brand would also fit the bill (hey, standard aux inputs for Ipods!) Their cars all have a very unique design and marketing model that has set them apart from other car manufacturers in recent years. Their car prices are also a bit easier on the wallet than Audis. And being a sister company of Toyota, there is brand loyalty due to the reputation product reliability (something that VW has failed in recent years).
@Samantha
how about a Subaru w/ a mac instead?
http://gthing.net/carputer-5-final/
Hm, ok, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW were the ones that originally came to mind for me. Nice argument for the Mini. I’m not sure about the Scions Jim. Feel more like Dells to me.
Apple’s actually done some design work on cars—most notably the Jaguar XF. Check out the Gizmodo article: http://tinyurl.com/2prsxs The car hardly reflects the “theme” of Apple design, though; I think the Mini analogy is spot on.
@Peyton
To me Dell is more generic and plain, something like a Honda Accord or Buick.
I would have to say Audi. Their cars have awesome design, without over doing it (just like Apple) and super performance.
I haul my 17” MacBook Pro around in a ‘91 Jeep Wrangler with only a bikini top and big knobby tires. How’s that?
Peyton, why do you have to hate on the Scions?
I think a Mac lover drives a blue 2006 Scion xA with a sunroof.
What about a Citroen C4 Picasso. I recently got one and it’s an amazing car
Saab. Technologically ahead of its time in previous years, form follows function design, popular overseas, and making a come back in the states.
Hm, ok, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW were the ones that originally came to mind for me. Nice argument for the Mini. I’m not sure about the Scions Jim. Feel more like Dells to me.
This question keeps up coming up, and the answer remains Volkswagen. Good on you, Peyton, for the Golf! Mine’s a 2004 Jetta Diesel and I’ll part with it when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. Note that, since Audi and VW are owned by the same company and every Audi model (except the TT) maps to every VW (Jetta : A4, Passat: A6, Phaeton: A8, etc.), Audi is also an acceptable response.
I was driving the other day with my MBP on the seat and, while listening to Radiohead, thought “My, aren’t I the hipster cliché?”
Subaru. Definitely Subaru. No group of car enthusiasts are more zealous than Subaru drivers. The parallels to the “cult of Mac” are almost creepy.
Mac + Alfa Romeo is a great blend
I can’t beleive nobody mentioned the Smart car!!
Well, in the USA it’s not common, but here in Europe it’s great!
I own a silver Smart ForTwo Cabrio, with an apple sticker on the back! It’s a breeze to drive, park, and enjoy! ;)
Cheers from Lisbon, Portugal!
I would say it’s the MAC-cedes Benz.. hahahahah.. yep, cornyyy. LOL.
@Michelle - LOL! A W E S O M E. Corny, but so great.
I would say an Audi A4 because it’s a simple and good looking design.
I still like Dell…
I’ve got an BMW CSi 3.0
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E9
:-D
I would go for the Audi. They have sleek design, and are kind of like the underdog, similar to Apple.
I think BMW is more DELL kind of car. VW Beetle is more Macish.
The Mac go well with an Audi, especially the new Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept. The smooth designs from Apple and the Audi blend well together.
I think, I will go with Audi and BMW, both should go well with Mac, they both are having great, smooth and innovative designs and both are unique and stylish in its own kind. What say?
i say both! i have been a computer and car enthusiast since then.
I would have to say a Mercedes Smart Car !
wish there was a car that kewl, in my price range
I would have to say a green beetle would be more macish. I guess the design of BMW might be considered macish but the raw power and handeling that a BMW puts out is nothing compared to a mac.
Nope im sorry you are all wrong! thinking too small -why you ask? Depends what ya using...MAC Pro = bugatti veyron...now we gettin somewhere…
Next entry: Tips For Coding HTML Email
Previous entry: Styling the Button Element in IE
Recent Comments
Hi Doug!
I just want to print this article :) But the print version is yet to be fully polished. I hope you guys spend sometime :) Viget inspire is a really nice resource for me....
- Lance on 'What To Expect When You're Expecting CSS/HTML Handoff'.
- Erik Wallace on 'What To Expect When You're Expecting CSS/HTML Handoff'.
- Jonathan on 'Switching Mindsets: From WordPress to ExpressionEngine'.
Subscribe to Comments RSS