What. The. ****.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Now I don't know the whole history behind grocery stores, but I do know that there was a time where you had to go to X store to get your bread, Y store for your meats and so on. Then came along a grocery store that you could buy everything you needed at. I'm sure that the first grocery store was "so far away from the normal [...] store model".

I'm not a "fanboy" of either MS or Apple. I own a iphone because I feel they are the best phone out there that suites my needs. I own a laptop PC because I feel that it is the best out there that suites my needs. I own a Xbox360 because I feel it is the best console gaming system out there.
Only buying products from one brand and not the competition when they make a superior product is the stupidest thing ever (unless you happen to work for the company, or have some kind of stake in the company).

Oh this isn't a fanboy thing. Like I said, I was actually looking forward to the whole Microsoft Store thing. I think competition is a good thing. Personally, while I would be embarrassed to work at an Apple store... I would be at least 3.14x as embarrassed to work in one of these Microsoft stores.

I guess it's just a bit of a let down. Here they are, about to release Windows 7 (which is the first product since 95 that they can actually feel proud about), and they go and make a mockery out of themselves with these carbon-copied retail stores. They had a chance to do something exciting and to really show people that they're on-board with what consumers want from them. They finally have the OS for it, but then they throw it all out the window by taking the easy way and ripping off Apple again.

Obviously, I'm not expecting the entire planet to collapse inside a gigantic hole in the very fabric of the space/time continuum... but come on. I know I'm not the only person (Apple or MS user) who is rolling their eyes at these stores.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Top 10 ways The Microsoft Store will differ from Apple's:

1) Instead of Apple's sheer walls of glass, Microsoft's stores will have brushed steel walls dotted with holes -- reminiscent of Windows security.

2) The store will have six different entrances: Starter, Basic, Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. While all six doors will lead into the same store, the Ultimate door requires a fee of $100 for no apparent reason.

3) Instead of a "Genius Bar" (as Apple provides) Microsoft will offer an Excuse Bar. It will be staffed by Microsofties trained in the art of evading questions, directing you to complicated and obscure fixes, and explaining it's a problem with the hardware -- not a software bug.

4) The Windows Genuine Advantage team will run storefront security, assuming everybody is a thief until they can prove otherwise.

5) Store hours are undetermined. At any given time the store mysteriously shuts down instantaneously for no apparent reason. (No word yet on what happens to customers inside).

6) Stores will be named Microsoft Live Retail Store with PC Services for Digital Lifestyle Enthusiasts.

7) Fashioned after Microsoft's User Account Control (UAC) in Vista, sales personnel will ask you whether you're positive you want to purchase something at least twice.

8) Xbox 360 section of the store will be organized in a ring -- which will inexplicably go red occasionally.

9) DreamWorks will design a scary in-store theme park ride called "blue screen of death."

10) Store emergency exits will be unlocked at all times so people can get in anytime they want even if the front doors are locked.

This rules btw. I'm sure there's an Apple equivalent out there somewhere, but this one is all kinds of awesome.

[HotHotHeat]

Sorry guys forgot to post the link and now I can't find it. It was from PC world though.

[HotHotHeat]

Three new Mac ads, the last one is particularly hilarious.

PC: Alright - Cut the feed, we're going to commercial
Mac: Uh, PC, we are a commercial.
PC: Alright, then lets go to another commercial.


I love the flamewar.

http://www.9to5mac.com/apple-get-a-mac-windows-7

[Burninator]

I don't really see how this is different than any other business copying an idea from another business that works. I think a grocery store is a good example because they have changed too. Grocery stores didn't have use to have Starbucks, a place that makes fresh sandwiches, a sushi bar and other stuff like that. But now lots of different grocery stores have them. Is it is as drastic as an Apple store? No, but the the copying is still happening. If someone plunked me down in a Linens and Things, Home Outfitters or a Bed Bath & Beyond I could not tell the difference. Those stores are exactly the same. I'm sure one of them came up with that look (I don't know which) and the others copied.

Is it lame that Microsoft copied? Sure. Could they have come up with something different? Of course. But this copying happens all the time. This is no different.

[kermitology]

Who really cares? The Apple store is ######ed. Why do you have to go in there to make an appointment at the genius bar? Why can't you make said appointment over the phone or online?

I have no issues with Mac's but mine has a tendency to make me want to throw it across the room when it starts going so slow that I can't do anything..

People who indulge in brand loyalty are silly.

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Why do you have to go in there to make an appointment at the genius bar? Why can't you make said appointment over the phone or online?

I made an appointment online when my macbook pro screen died...

edit here it is: http://www.apple.com/ca/retail/geniusbar/

[You Need a Thneed]

Microsoft is so used to copying Apple's ideas by now, that it likely wasn't possible to do something different.

Apple will, in a month or two, rework all it's apple stores to again be far ahead of these Microsoft stores - the retail world will match the computing world.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Who really cares? The Apple store is ######ed. Why do you have to go in there to make an appointment at the genius bar? Why can't you make said appointment over the phone or online?

You can. Just call the Market Mall location and make the appointment. You can do it online as well. You have to make an appointment at the dealership to get your car fixed (if you have a new car). It's the same thing. You can get your Mac's fixed at other stores if your outside of you're warranty.

I don't really see what the big deal is. I'm an Apple fanboy but I don't hate PCs. I realize that there is a market for something like a Microsoft store. I don't really see what they could have done to differentiate themselves from the Apple store.

[silentsim]

you can make genius bar appointments online lol, the people on the phone even encourage you to do so

[Russic]

I don't really care about the store, but it just comes off as very lame. Why not take this as an opportunity to do something unique and deliver a new experience? The store looks enough like an apple store that I actually thought the video was microsoft people taking over an apple store to celebrate Windows 7.

Again, it doesn't bug me that they have done this at all ... it's more of a facepalm kind of moment. Apple uses the ideas of others all the time, but the difference in my eyes is that they use the idea and expand upon it or add their own spin to it.

As for the joke made about hating to be the guy who mans the answer bar, it's funny but also a pretty good point. This was discussed on the Macbreak Weekly podcast a couple weeks back when this topic was brought up. Apple is more of a dictator when it comes to how their operating system is managed. While this is understandably annoying on many levels, it does allow for easier troubleshooting when something borks the system.

[alltherage]

Mac people are so ridiculous. Why are you so focused on hating Microsoft? I don't go around getting all pissy about ipods and white computers, and I have only ever owned PCs.

I guess it's kind of like when I was young and all the kids wanted tamagotchis, and your social status depended on it. Except now you are grown men.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Mac people are so ridiculous. Why are you so focused on hating Microsoft? I don't go around getting all pissy about ipods and white computers, and I have only ever owned PCs.

I guess it's kind of like when I was young and all the kids wanted tamagotchis, and your social status depended on it. Except now you are grown men.

Says the guy on the internet forum dedicated to a hockey team.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Russic

I don't really care about the store, but it just comes off as very lame. Why not take this as an opportunity to do something unique and deliver a new experience? The store looks enough like an apple store that I actually thought the video was microsoft people taking over an apple store to celebrate Windows 7.

Again, it doesn't bug me that they have done this at all ... it's more of a facepalm kind of moment. Apple uses the ideas of others all the time, but the difference in my eyes is that they use the idea and expand upon it or add their own spin to it.

As for the joke made about hating to be the guy who mans the answer bar, it's funny but also a pretty good point. This was discussed on the Macbreak Weekly podcast a couple weeks back when this topic was brought up. Apple is more of a dictator when it comes to how their operating system is managed. While this is understandably annoying on many levels, it does allow for easier troubleshooting when something borks the system.

Thank you, this is all I was trying to say.

I don't know why this has to turn into a fanboy thing. Forget that it's Microsoft copying Apple... it could be Ford putting out a new car called the Contender that looks exactly like the Challenger, and it would be equally lame.

I don't care if you use a PC or a Mac. What Microsoft did, my fine feathered friends, is lame and even downright embarrassing... and it had to be posted.

When a company does something this ######ed, it has to be mocked.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Mac people are so ridiculous. Why are you so focused on hating Microsoft? I don't go around getting all pissy about ipods and white computers, and I have only ever owned PCs.

I guess it's kind of like when I was young and all the kids wanted tamagotchis, and your social status depended on it. Except now you are grown men.

I think you need to read this thread again.

That video deserves to be mocked. It's you guys who are making this a "Mac vs PC" thing. If you can't see how incredibly ######ed what they're doing is, then there's just no hope.

[alltherage]

Originally Posted by Russic

Says the guy on the internet forum dedicated to a hockey team.

I'm not sure if I missed something here, or if I'm still half asleep, but I didn't get this.

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I think you need to read this thread again.

That video deserves to be mocked. It's you guys who are making this a "Mac vs PC" thing. If you can't see how incredibly ######ed what they're doing is, then there's just no hope.

I think posting a video about the MS store and then mocking it and calling it a copy is the start of the Mac VS PC thing.

Anyways, my sentiment is probably a product of my one friend more so than you guys, so I shouldn't have flamed you for this thread. He's one of these guys with mac everything and just belittles people for having blackberrys and HTC Google phones instead of iphones, Dells instead of macs, etc. It's impossible to avoid the conversation around the guy.

Maybe I'm also secretly a tiny bit jealous because I'm not allowed a HW upgrade to the iphone until next Sept.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by alltherage

I'm not sure if I missed something here, or if I'm still half asleep, but I didn't get this.



I think posting a video about the MS store and then mocking it and calling it a copy is the start of the Mac VS PC thing.

Anyways, my sentiment is probably a product of my one friend more so than you guys, so I shouldn't have flamed you for this thread. He's one of these guys with mac everything and just belittles people for having blackberrys and HTC Google phones instead of iphones, Dells instead of macs, etc. It's impossible to avoid the conversation around the guy.

Maybe I'm also secretly a tiny bit jealous because I'm not allowed a HW upgrade to the iphone until next Sept.

It's all good. There's no denying I'm an Apple fanboy, and I probably should take that into account before I make these threads. This time, though, it wasn't about Mac vs PC... this one was all about PC.

(For what it's worth, and I think I've said this in other threads too, I think Windows 7 is a step in the right direction for Microsoft. I'm running it as a dual boot on my MacBook Pro. I fiddled with it a bit last night, and it's running not bad. Now I just need to wait for Apple to release better trackpad drivers... and I'm not holding my breath on that one.)

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

When a company does something this ######ed, it has to be mocked.

I am with you in saying it's lame and they could have come up with something better. But it's not ######ed. It's a retail model that works. Why is copying it ######ed? I think you might be getting carried away.

Ford came out with the Mustang that had retro styling. It was a big success for them. So other brands came out with the same thing with the Challenger, Charger and Camero. I do not see that as ######ed at all. I'm sure the Ford fanboys got their panties in a knot, but for the average consumer it meant a bigger selection of cooler stuff.

For someone like me who uses both Apple and Microsoft products (fanboy of neither) this only makes it better for me a consumer.

[Komskies]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

It's gonna be hell for whoever mans the answer bar.

Not really, how many people buy the full retail version of Windows. If you bought an HP/Gateway/Dell etc they wont help you. Also OEM or white box computers are out of luck.

When someone brings in their dell, M$ will upsell them the full retail version of windows or they wont support anything older than Vista.

This isnt going to be for people who have a 7 year old XP machine filled with viruses - M$ answer will be like anyone else, cheaper and quicker to reload rather than fix.