I think there is a HUGE amount of bias going on about the quality of these ads based solely on the knowledge (actually, assumption) that Steve wasn't involved in them. It kind of reminds me of the enormous negativity surrounding the leaked iPhone 4--folks saying it was not Apple like, ugly, etc. [1]
The fact of the matter is that none of the "Apple-esque" Mac ads of the Jobs era were that effectual, and by effectual I mean resulted in moving the Mac market share significantly. I would argue that they did serve to give existing Mac users a sense of cool, and it is existing Mac users who are bellyaching about these ads the most. Hate to break it to you, but the ads aren't for us.
The fact of the matter is that none of the "Apple-esque" Mac ads of the Jobs era were that effectual, and by effectual I mean resulted in moving the Mac market share significantly. I would argue that they did serve to give existing Mac users a sense of cool, and it is existing Mac users who are bellyaching about these ads the most. Hate to break it to you, but the ads aren't for us.
[1] http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=899393