"Microsoft Corp will open stores close to those of Apple Inc this fall, according to its chief operating officer, as it looks to win back the initiative in the battle for Main Street PC and gadget buyers."

Oh Boy...! Looks like someone is going on the offensive!
MS even hired a WalMart store guy to run the operation!

What are they going to sell? Last time I looked Microsoft did not sell computers. Are they going to sell Zunes, Xboxes and mice?

I thought the "Just Tape" store concept was a joke on SNL. It's not supposed to be real.

Right

Vinyl tile floors unimpressive iron shelves and those cheap wired caged "discount" bins to place all those boxes of Win 7 in and blue light specials for the xBox

You really mean BSOD specials don't ya ??!!

I like one guys comments on what the heck they'll sell. . .


10 versions of Windows 7 !!

I guess they'll sell Zunes, and lots of software. . . maybe a Zune phone is coming....

I really think they'll fail like the Gateway Stores did- remember those ?!!

Thing is those wishing software will go on line and get it dirt cheap...
Oh I can see a line stretching for miles to the Dumbazz . er . Answer(Guru) Bar, but that won't bring them any income...

Why would you want to go to an MS Store and pay full price for Windows when the internet vendors give better deals... if MS beats them, then they'll go under or dry up ... no win for MS. Might help their stock for the short term.

I wonder if MS is making a deal with any hardware companies ?? IF so, Who''ll get the nod ? Dell, HP, eMachines, Toshiba, SONY ? Wonder how those left out will feel ?? I guess they could carry a little bit of everything ! . . but still, why go there with the best deals on the Internet - unless you have a problem?

Think of all the other PC stores that have gone under besides Gateway . . CompUSA, Circuit City, . . . mom & pop outfits can beat them too !!

But hey what am I thinking ?? MS has to STEAL something from Apple routinely to keep up its reputation as a "Me too" company !!

Actually, the same can be said for Apple software and hardware, better deals can be had on the Internet as compared to the stores. What Apple offers is the hands-on experience before buying. I remember reading where the majority of sales and customers are switchers or new users. The Apple Store really doesn't offer much for the experienced user except for one to one, but again if one is experienced in an app one to one isn't needed. Also one needs to have a laptop or lug in their desktop to take a class, I didn't know that until recently.

I've had a bit of experience with their genii from taking in machines that were under warranty, I'm not always impressed. I've seen them turn their nose up for example at the lamp shade iMacs. The machine functions fine for Grandma to check email but they were rather rude to the people with older equipment. A few of my less knowledgeable customers have said something to that effect.

Obviously Apple is doing okay with the stores though, maybe because there are so many people that don't know Mac.

MS doesn't innovate as usual though, just copy cats. If they offer decent technical help it may work out.

I've offered this before, but . . .

The store has authority with some software and non Apple computer hardware, to offer price matching.

When I am in the store, I find something I want to buy and then use their Macs to find the best price deal. Have had success on two purchases.

One, an application, the other blue tooth ear phones.

Substantial savings on each to me!

Humm
Maybe depends on the size of the store ? ? So if it's the big store with a theater , thats where they would hold the classes , yes I can see you need to bring your own .

The store here has no theater so the one on one is held on the sales floor using a Mac thats on display right in front of everyone , can be a bit distracting .

Have you checked the age of their employees? The lamp shade was before their time.

NOW that's funny !!

avoid those $10,000 muffins though !!