PC goes against Mac and Santa Claus in the latest Get a Mac video ad from Apple. Just watch the first video fragment embedded at the bottom of this article. You won't be sorry in the least, I promise you. And you'll actually be able to get a fresh perspective over PC vs. Mac. The bottom line is that the two characters playing PC and Mac, namely John Hodgman as PC and Justin Long as Mac, have been picked especially so that the personification of the personal computer does not do the platform any justice. Let's be fair. Hodgman and Long are meant to personify on the one hand old, boring, corporate and unimpressive machines, while on the other hand Apple is offering cool computers, trendy and fashionable.

But this stops with the cartoon. I mean just look at the two characters. PC has far more personality than Mac. PC actually gives the animation some weight, and Mac, well, Mac just ended up disproportionately skinny and looking like he's about to crumble any minute, once his frail legs give up. Santa's in the middle all right, but he's just decor. Apple could have taken this a step further, instead PC manages to grab all the focus. But overall the ad is still funny.

The second video fragment also deals with the holiday shopping frenzy for a brand new machine. And this time around the classical characters, in flesh and bone, follow in the traditional line of Get a Mac ads. And as usual, Apple is right targeting its irony at Microsoft. The Redmond company is offering the "Interactive Gift Guide: Microsoft Products Ready for the Home this Holiday" and the "Microsoft Holiday Support Center", in hopes to sway buyers towards PCs and its Windows Vista operating system.

"In time for the holidays, we invite you to open up your digital life by exploring the Windows Vista partner ecosystem. This holiday season, we're excited to bring you an array of beautiful PCs and devices designed with the Windows Vista operating system in mind. Whether you're a digital photo junkie or someone who is always staying connected to friends and family, we invite you to take a look at the Windows Vista family of products that help define your digital life", reads an official announcement from Microsoft.