Microsoft’s forthcoming Scottsdale, Arizona retail store’s “spacious floor plan will showcase everything from laptops running Windows 7 to mobile phones running Microsoft software to Xbox 360 game consoles, which customers will be able to play on a 94-inch screen in the store,” Nick Wingfield reports for The Wall Street Journal, citing “a person familiar with the matter.”
“Microsoft also expects to open a second store in a mall in Mission Viejo, Calif., in the next few weeks, with plans to slowly roll out more if the first ones are successful,” Wingfield reports.
“The stores are a clear nod to Apple Inc.’s success in retail. They also underscore the lengths to which Microsoft is willing to go to connect with consumers after stumbling in recent years with products such as Windows Vista, an operating system plagued by early technical problems that helped Apple gain ground with the Macintosh,” Wingfield reports.
“Entering the retail business is riskier for Microsoft than it was for Apple. While Apple had fewer potential business conflicts because it had such weak support from retailers when it opened its first store in 2001, Microsoft depends on existing partners in the retail business that could be threatened by the company’s expansion into their turf,” Wingfield reports. “Microsoft’s hardware partners could also be angered by its decisions about which devices to stock and which to exclude from its store shelves.”
Wingfield reports, “The most eye-catching element of Microsoft’s store designs is likely to be the wall-sized high-definition screens, according to someone who has seen them. Laptops, mobile phones, Zunes and other devices will be arranged on spacious tables inside the stores.”
MacDailyNews Take: So, portable PCs with an inferior OS (hopefully with industrial-strength antivirus and malware prevention software, not that it’ll work), WinMo 6.5 mobile phones that nobody wants, Zunes that nobody wants, and Xboxes red-ringing themselves to death. Enticing.
Wingfield continues, “The store will also have a counter, akin to the Genius Bars in Apple stores, where people will be able to bring products powered by Microsoft software for technical help, said a person familiar with the matter.”
MacDailyNews Take: That’ll be one busy Genius Bar, er… whatever they’re going to call it. “Dweeb Counter?”
Wingfield continues, “Microsoft has recruited a handful of employees from rival Apple stores. A former Apple executive, George Blankenship, who helped Apple launch its stores has also consulted with Microsoft on its retail plans, according to people familiar with the matter.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Unsurprisingly, Microsoft doesn’t get it. They really seem to believe that people actually want to use their Windows and Office products, but most just feel forced to use them or actually are forced to use them. Then they have the Zune failure, the Xbox which is a horribly-built perpetual money loser, and WinMo the laughingstock – which is what the company has been for years now under Ballmer the Clown. These stores are a joke, too.
I’ve been a Mac user since 1985. What peeves me are folks like you who give the sane and intelligent Mac users a bad name. You fanbois’ perpetual whining are like that mangy mutt that chases its tail and howls every time it craps in the yard. Complaining about MS may bring some sick ideological closure to your pathetic existence, but the mature population finds your elitist attitude and constant criticisms nothing more than an intolerable nuisance. Occasionally, I find a thoughtful comment here at MDN. Too often I find the like of you. If you don’t care for my opinion, I couldn’t care less.
How about stick a flash drive loaded with viruses into a free USB port and…. the Wow Starts Now!
While I totally agree with the article and have no use for Microsoft or its stores, calling everything a “joke” is not exactly biting journalism. We have the facts on our side, no need to get emotional- MDN usually does better.
Having built a lucrative career around using a Macintosh I rue the day that I would be forced to use a winpc. I would rather shovel shite on a pig farm actually.
Despite the pevious post calling us “fanbois” it is true that those that use wimpc’s really do not have a need to create anything of beauty.
Imagine if you will, being an excel weilding drone or a PowerPoint flipping nobody just scratchimg around in their poopy enclosures. If you had traded your soul to work like that, you would angrily defend it too.
Not all of us have the gift of artistic talent, and probably shouldn’t bother to enlighten our lives with a better experience. Let them revel in their own ignorance – teabagers and all!
*people flock to microsoft store with various problems*
*ms store* “sorry we don’t support that, please contact the vendor”
*apple genius across store sends email*
*windows store goes down in bluescreens as a windows “nerd” opens the email containing a virus*
*people see that “vista blues” isn’t an expression*
*people flock to apple store*
{see the mac ad for vista blues
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> it’s my
favorite one}
“MacDailyNews Take: Unsurprisingly, Microsoft doesn’t get it. They really seem to believe that people actually want to use their Windows and Office products, but most just feel forced to use them or actually are forced to use them..”
FUCKING.
BRILLIANT.
This will be a big hit among gamers. It WILL draw crowds, and WILL take away from Apple. Im an Apple guy thru and thru and hate M$. But dont be smug here, M$ WILL gain ground even if it is a sad ploy. Remember….90% of them are sheeple and WILL flock to what they know. My prediction: WinIdiot 7 will be HUGE. Now is the the time for Apple to step up. I sure hope they do!
I LOVE how Windows Fanboys come in with the 95 percent not realizing that 95 percent includes large corporations. I would love to see the numbers on consumer market share. I have made some trips to local colleges lately. What do I see? macs Everywhere…
I can’t help but wonder if the so-called “guru bar” is what will ultimately bankrupt the MS stores.
@ Missed the target
We aren’t obsessing at Microsoft. We are laughing at them. And at you.
@ missed the target,
Actually, it’s your daddy that missed the target – but how did your momma conceive with seeds back THERE?
@@Sixvodkas
Nice try. Sixvodkas has got it right. If there is anything sadder than a Windows troll on a Mac site, It’s a Windows troll pretending to be a Mac fan on a Mac site.
Sorry to say
im sure youre a HUGE apple fan, but those stores are not going to be a big hit for gamers, or anyone. a few people will go there in the beginning, in hopes that their pc issues will be fixed, but after several disappointments they’ll stop going as well.
You’re missing the point, MDN. The “wow” starts now! Or is it the “bow wow” starts now? I’ confused.
Play some free games on a massive screen, smirk to myself over the aggravation at the Dufus Bar, then wander over to Apple to ponder my next actual purchase
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
With all the problems running Windows, there’s going to be a really long line at the dweeb counter. And those who staff it are going to need serious therapy.
Customer, QUOTE: My computer keeps crashing and I’m wondering if I might have a virus.
This is why programmers wear tshirts that say “NO I will NOT fix your computer.”
Thane again, maybe you’ll just sit down at the counter, pick up a phone and talk to India for countless useless hours. A la Dell.
“…with plans to slowly roll out more if the first ones are successful.”
And Microsoft defines success, how?
If it’s the traditional definition, they would be wise not to roll out too many more.
Why doesn’t Michael Moore do something really important. Take his concealed camera into the M$ store and ask the clerk to turn off the virus protection software.
If an MS store opens up at my mall, I’m going to go there in the off hours one morning and shit on their doorstep.
@MDN,
“These stores are a joke, too.” Yes…. but in these hard economic times, we poor readers and Mac users need something to laugh about.
I think the stores will be very funny.
Just a thought.
en
“The most eye-catching element of Microsoft’s store designs is likely to be the wall-sized high-definition screens”
Sounds like MSFT is overcompensating à la Lord Farquaad!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”LOL” style=”border:0;” />
“with plans to slowly roll out more if the first ones are successful”
-> HAHAHAHAHA!
Best laugh of the day.
What does this remind you of?
It reminds me of the Zune roll out.
Zune has yet to be sold outside the USA.
“Microsoft has recruited a handful of employees from rival Apple stores.”
-> As one Apple store rep said to me, these are likely to be employees with whom Apple are most pleased to part. Bet: These ex-Apple reps will be beating on Apple’s door trying to return once they get a load of the support horrors at the M$ Store. Pity them. NOT.
Go to a MS store.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”cheese” style=”border:0;” />
You want your computer looked at? That will be $100 an hour.
Yes it’s infected. No we can not fix it.
We will just reformat your hard drive.
Sorry you lost all your data, this is Danger/Microsoft after all.
@Roberto…
“How about stick a flash drive loaded with viruses into a free USB port and…. the Wow Starts Now!”
I like your line of thinking. Being a Mac user where does one find one of these mythical viruses? I once saw a Mac virus back in 1991, but I think the floppy it was on is long gone.
Seriously, what a great idea!
ROFLMMFAO!
“Thane again, maybe you’ll just sit down at the counter, pick up a phone and talk to India for countless useless hours. A la Dell.”
Pure Gold