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Microsoft To Open Retail Stores
chaz373 writes "CNET reports that Microsoft is going retail. In the 'Beyond Binary' blog Ina Fried reports, 'After years of brushing off the notion, Microsoft said on Thursday that it will open up its own line of retail stores. Without detailing the plans, Microsoft said it has hired David Porter, a 25-year Wal-Mart veteran, to lead the effort. Sources say that Porter's mission will be to develop the company's retail plans and that the effort is likely to start small with just a few locations.'"
This should be entertaining...
I get Mac stores since they sell their image...oh, and proprietary hardware. But a specialized Microsoft store, even though I like some of their products, doesn't make sense to me. I can pick up Microsoft software at nearly anywhere already, and some of it that I don't even want comes on my computer every time I buy a new one.
Clippy will man the Super Genius Bar. And they will have Karaoke using that new tech of theirs. Don't forget the $10,000 coffee tables.
I'm pretty skeptical myself. Why would anybody want to go into a store like that?
"Hey guys, want to head over to the mall and check out the new version of Office?"
"Awesome! Let's go!"
No. The above conversation will not happen with any great frequency because Microsoft is just not sexy, they are utilitarian and mundane.
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the war room!
To the first person who obtains, and releases into the Microsoft retail store, a dog bearing an uncanny resemblance to the horrible Windows search dog.
The article does touch on PC makers showcasing wares in the store. The idea of a MS store creates some questions in my mind.
First, what PC's will be showcased? I would think the high-end systems mentioned would be a great idea. There are plenty of mid and low end systems at current electronic retailers.
Secondly, can someone walk out with a PC? And if so, is MS going to do any service at the store? This is what the Apple store has going for it; a full service shop.
A few people have tried with only limited success (anyone remember the Gateway stores?).
I love the sound of distortion in the morning -- webcommando
Half the reason why Apple made their stores was to encourage people to test drive a Mac right there. They placed most of the stores in malls so people who had other shopping to do can just hop in and try this "Mac" thing out. On top of that, they are able to repair your computer (or at least send it out for repair) right there without giving you the trouble of shipping it yourself. The apple store is half the reason why I ended up with a Mac.
Most people are familiar with Windows so a "test drive" will not do much good. And the people who use Windows tend to be the people that end up using whatever OS is installed in their computer anyway. Microsoft is not really in the PC selling business so they can't help you with your laptop when there is a hardware problem. The only product I think the store will really push is mobile devices since they seem to think thats where a lot of money is (or at least they are scared that Linux or iPhone will grab too much of the market). They can be a "Windows Mobile Phone" store that sells phones that use WindowsCE. I can't think of anything else that would differentiate them from a "Best Buy" or "Frys".
Maybe they could sell cheap leather shoes? They could bring in Bill to do his stand-up routine.
"Hey guys, let's do an OSS protest !"
"Yeah, but where ?"
"I have an idea about it..."
The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
Summary is misleading. Microsoft has tried retail before. (before apple and dell, even.)
Microsoft and Apple have different problems.
Apple had a case that their products were not shown in stores.
The Apple Ghetto Section in COMPUSA comes to mind, In the far right corner of the store with shelving arranged differently to prevent people from wondering into the area by mistake (you wanted to go to the Apple section to get there). When talking to the sales rep they will stray you away from the Apple Product and point to you a nice shiny new Compaq with Windows and say how much better that is, and give every false rumor and misconception about the apple product as possible.
So that is the key reason for the Apple store to actually show off and highlight their product in their own store. They made an inviting environment that makes all their products look really nice, and the sales rep will talk about its strengths. (granted they will not go too far to point out any weaknesses) As well offer basic training to the people looking at the product to ease the switching anxieties.
Microsoft has a different PR problem. Their success has trivialized their products. Even their high end software which is rather nice (if you are able to look at them threw un Fanboy/Zealot eyes) has the stigma of being sub-par home software. As well associating any and all PC problems that one has with Microsoft even if it isn't their fault. Really gives them a PR problem. Now I am not sure a retail store will fix it. Showing off the software is a much more difficult problem. It takes time to determine if you want or like the software. Vs. say a Mac which just looks cool and you feel that it can do what you want it to do. Most people felt they have been burned by Microsoft far more then people who felt burned by Apple so standard marketing will make them suspicious.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Except girls will talk to you if you have a Mac. I'm sorry but it is true.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
I wish them all the success that Gateway had with their stores!
This guy's the limit!
Yeah, but do you really want to *talk* to a girl who would judge you based on your computer brand?
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
I can see it now: you walk into the store (by accident) and an assistant dressed as a paper clip appears beside you saying
"You look like you're trying to buy a PC. Shall I ..
* ignore all your needs and suggest one now
* spew FUD about anything not owned by Microsoft
* help myself to your wallet now
* do a weird little spin and bugger off!"
What MS could offer is:
1) A place to buy PCs as electronics retailers are closing (No Comp USA, No Circuit City), they don't want the only retail option to be Apple Store.
2) Guided test drive, let people use Vista, but be shown a few things. Let the first experience with virtual bouncer be an explanation from someone about how it protects them, let them know it shouldn't happen when they aren't installing new software, and shortly after they get their new computer they won't be seeing it at all.
3) They can run it at a loss, and treat the guiding as a PR expense.
4) Unlike other retailers they can make money on computers, since like Apple they own the OS.
I think it is an intriguing idea for them, and if done right could help them a lot. I think the Mojave thing showed that people can like Vista when shown what new tools it has for them, but when just having it dumped upon they hated it. If they had 8 or 9 computers hi-lighting the different things you can do, people would be much warmer to it I think.
For example, there were tons of complaints about XP vs 2000, and even 98, but I liked XP. They ability to print a bunch of photos out strait from explorer was worth the extra shard of RAM on a new computer. There were a few other things that were nice, but that was the big one.
In Vista, I like the new start button (search by typing), the new explorer, and the new filtering. It feels like Gnome, plus KDE start button. These are things people could be shown and like (looking for a file in a big folder, type ANY part of it's name, I think I did this, if I am wrong correct me). I HATE the default theme though, and generally use the classic look.
Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
Anything that drains more money from Microsoft is a good thing. Microsoft is their own worst enemy (wow, my sig applies today).
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
Umm... Anyone can recognize an apple computer, it really isn't terribly hard, so no, it's not a metric of intelligence.
Just shallowness
Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Yeah, but do you really want to *talk* to a girl who would judge you based on your computer brand?
Just curious, why is that worse than a girl talking to you because she thinks you are cute? You can't spot a personality from across a room, so you have to use some other criteria.
I, personally, appreciate women who have a Dell but then put a little Apple sticker over the Dell sign. Low maintenance. You can keep a woman like that happy with knockoff Coach purses bought in Chinatown and lots of cubic zirconium... :)
W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
When Apple went into retail, they got a guy from the nice Gap stores to set it up. When Microsoft does the same thing, they get a guy from WalMart. That pretty much sums up the difference between Apple and Microsoft.
Yeah, but do you really want to *talk* to a girl who would judge you based on your computer brand?
Yes!
A million times yes!
In a way yes - women are after richer men, so given that Apples cost twice as much as the equivalent Windows branded PC there could be a subconcious motivating factor.
Dictated to Jeeves who is typing this into my MacBook Air for me. After this he will get me another vodka martini. No I won't.
Professor Karmadillo Songs of Science
"Microsoft has a different PR problem. Their success has trivialized their products. Even their high end software which is rather nice..."
I'd say Microsoft's problem is first, that they can't design or maintain a robust, secure, desktop operating system; and second, that they continually ignore customer desires for a stable OS environment in favor of a business plan that forces upgrades.
Which high end software are you speaking of? Word? Excel? Project? Word's user interface changes every time they do a new version. A tool shouldn't change unless it helps you do your job better. Project is insanely overpriced. It's good software, but not great. MS should concentrate on making it "great" and "affordable". Because they are no longer the only game in town (thanks to OpenOffice.org), and people don't like not having a choice.
Several of my friends, faced with defunct laptops and the option of "Vista or nothing" on a new purchase, opted to jump to Apple instead of staying with Microsoft. This is not just one, but several of my friends and acquaintances. I think Microsoft may be in bigger trouble than they realize...
It'll be a great place to hand out OpenOffice CD's on a Sunday afternoon. I love living in Seattle.
Is there anything better than clicking through Microsoft ads on Slashdot?
Well shit, does this mean that I will need to pay state sales tax when I purchase Microsoft products online?
Keep the faith kid. From what I can tell. Mojave was someone who knew what they were doing walking through all of the things that Vista can do. That is different than end users doing it themselves. Trust me on this one. I have users on my network that need help every three moths to burn files onto a CD in Xp.
I could have a presenter show them how easy it is. They would tell you how cool and easy XP is....Then three months later still call the help desk and ask how to burn a CD.
Three is a difference between a rigged demo and Joe Sixpack using Vista. It took Joe Sixpack 5 years to learn where everything is at in XP. Even if it is easier in Vista, it is harder, because it is not where Joe expects it to be. It is also not called what he expects it to be called.
vi +