In “Counselor”, the Mac versus PC ad that debuted in October 2006, Mac and PC sit side by side in front of the same stark white background as always, only now, they’re facing just slightly off to the left toward a female counselor. The script begins with both characters rattling off their identities (“I’m a Mac” “…and I’m a PC”) in a forlorn, almost off-handed manner, with PC adding, “and I feel inadequate.” With the screen cutting to a close-up, the two characters look downright limp and apathetic – and neither can seem to look at one another.

PC continues on with his phobias and qualms, a pitiful looking Mac beside him. “PCs get viruses. We can’t do as much out of the box.”

At that, Mac attempts to interject, “PC, I don’t know why you’re so hard on yourself.”

The counselor’s response is to encourage Mac to say something positive about PC. PC looks suspiciously into the camera as Mac perks up and looks over at him.

“Ok, easy. PC, you are a wizard with numbers and you dress like a gentleman.”

PC, surprised and heartened, looks over at Mac and is simultaneously encouraged by the counselor to reciprocate with his own positive feelings about his pal Mac. “Well, Mac…” he says, “I guess you are a little better at creative stuff.” PC seems to be paining to say this and can’t contain his frustration, so he finishes with, “…even though it’s completely juvenile and a waste of time,” and he looks away from Mac, squirming in his chair as though to get away.

Mac is taken aback by this swipe at his character and looks to the counselor, who concludes, “Maybe you two should come in twice a week.”