Intel Hopes Michael Phelps Will Convince You to get a New PC

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 13 Oct 2016

While the global PC market continues its downward spiral, registering its eighth consecutive quarter of declining shipments, Intel readied a couple of commercials that encourage you to get a new, lightning fast PC. The ads star World Champion Michael Phelps and actor Jim Parsons, who is best for playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

"I’m excited to work with Intel as I can relate to Intel’s continuous improvement on speed, power, efficiency and amazing performance, which is similar to my own athletic journey," said Michael Phelps.

Both ads share the same theme. Michael Phelps uses an old, slow computer that doesn’t work very well. Parsons shows up and, with his uniquely annoying charm, tells him to upgrade to a new PC powered by Intel.

In the first ad, Phelps has problems playing a video on his old, slow computer. Something that wouldn’t be a problem on a new PC that’s lightning fast and capable of playing 4K video.




In the second ad, Phelps is once again annoyed at his old and slow PC. His annoyed face is all the excuse Parsons needs to make fun of him.




There are around 400 million people who have a 5-year-old computer. It is Intel’s aim to reach them via these ads, which will being airing on October 17, and via the accompanying social and online assets featuring Phelps.

"Intel’s brand promise is to make amazing experiences possible," said Steve Fund, Intel’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "These new ads featuring Michael Phelps [and Jim Parsons] draw a parallel between the newest lightning-fast Intel-powered PCs and one of the world’s fastest swimmers."


Worldwide PC shipments are in decline

Unfortunately for Intel, the PC isn’t doing very well. It’s doing quite badly actually. According to IDC, PC shipments declined by 3.9% in Q3 2016. And according to Gartner, PC shipments declined 5.7% in the third quarter of 2016.

Gartner pointed out that Q3 2016 is the eighth consecutive quarter when PC shipments have declined, making this the longest slump in the history of the PC industry.

"The majority of consumers own, and use, at least three different types of devices in mature markets," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. Among these devices, the PC is not a high priority device for the majority of consumers, so they do not feel the need to upgrade their PCs as often as they used to. Some may never decide to upgrade to a PC again.”

"In emerging markets, PC penetration is low, but consumers are not keen to own PCs. Consumers in emerging markets primarily use smartphones or phablets for their computing needs, and they don't find the need to use a PC as much as consumers in mature markets."



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