Apple’s New Ad: “Mac Don’t Panic” – A Clever Nod to Windows 11 BSOD and Promoting macOS as the Superior Choice

Apple Takes Aim at Windows 11 in New Ad Campaign

While instances of the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in Windows 11 are relatively rare, Apple has seized the opportunity to showcase its competing OS through a humorous lens. In a recent advertisement titled “The Underdogs: BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), ” Apple playfully critiques Windows 11 users in a workplace setting, highlighting macOS with the tagline, “Macs don’t panic.”

This ad is more than just a brief commercial; it spans a full 9 minutes and centers around a small startup attending a trade show named Container Con. The narrative follows this startup, which exclusively uses Macs, as they attempt to impress a potential buyer, Trev Smith, with their environmentally friendly product – two million eco-friendly bags.

Watch the ad here

The Antics Unfold

Throughout the advertisement, viewers catch subtle nods to Apple products, such as an Apple Watch ringtone and the use of the “Find My” feature to locate a lost iPhone. However, as the film progresses, it shifts into more of an “anti-PC” campaign.

Chaos ensues at the trade show when participants begin to panic as PCs crash, succumbing to the dreaded blue screen error. This visual metaphor cleverly alludes to the “CrowdStrike outage” in 2024, which saw thousands of PCs fail, impacting countless users, including those at an airport.

With escalating tension, the ad emphasizes the humorous notion that “the world went blue” as Windows 11 systems crashed left and right. However, one booth, featuring macOS systems, remains operational amidst the turmoil.

Highlighting macOS Security Features

In the midst of this chaos, a character reaches out to a security expert, who begins to tout macOS as the superior choice over Windows 11. One of the key points mentioned is that macOS employs Apple’s Endpoint Security API, preventing apps from gaining kernel-level access.

“The endpoint security API handles kernel-level functionality by default and does not grant kernel-level access, ” the advertisement claims, arguing that the underlying architecture of macOS protects vital areas from unwanted modifications by malware—implying that these were the reasons behind the failures experienced by Windows machines.

Apple wittily asserts, “Huh? – It’s a PC problem. Your Macs are secure, ” emphasizing their narrative on security superiority in a light-hearted fashion.

Setting the Record Straight: Windows Security Improvements

Let’s take a moment to address Apple’s assertions. Windows, though not as tightly controlled as macOS or iOS, offers significant customization and flexibility. This openness allows for a larger degree of third-party software integration, which carries both benefits and potential downsides.

When the BSOD incidents transpired in 2024, many would argue that the chaos could have been mitigated had Windows not permitted such extensive kernel access for third-party applications.

Advancements in Windows Security Architecture

Looking ahead, Microsoft has committed to enhancing security measures concerning kernel access for antivirus solutions. In June 2025, the company announced its initiative to transition antivirus software out of the Windows kernel, encouraging developers to use a new API known as the “Windows Endpoint Security Platform” instead.

This strategic move aims to bolster system reliability and ensure smoother recoveries during unexpected issues, which could significantly minimize the potential for crashes due to third-party vulnerabilities.

Introducing Quick Machine Recovery

In addition to these security advancements, Microsoft has unveiled a feature called Quick Machine Recovery, designed to help users recover from BSOD incidents swiftly and effectively.

Quick machine recovery in Recovery settings

Your Preference: Mac or Windows?

Ultimately, choice comes down to individual use cases and needs. Personally, I utilize a Windows PC for personal tasks, office work, and gaming, alongside a Linux machine for server management and scripting. While macOS doesn’t align with my requirements, I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Have you considered making the switch from Windows to Mac? Share your perspective in the comments below!

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