Tech | February 12, 2009 | 35 comments

Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple

source: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE51B7K620090213

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Microsoft Corp announced plans Thursday to open its own chain of branded stores as it looks to catch up with rival Apple Inc's successful move into retailing.

The long-rumored move to open stores comes as consumer spending is under severe pressure due to the recession, which has already pushed electronics chain Circuit City into bankruptcy. A similar attempt by computer maker Gateway to open its own stores some years ago was not successful.

Microsoft, bruised by the poor reception of its latest Vista operating system, is facing increased competition from Apple, which is eating into the personal computer market and dominates the personal digital music player market with its iPod line.

Apple's stylish stores, now numbering more than 200 worldwide, have been crucial in attracting customers in recent years.
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35 comments // Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple

  • Lazybones
  • OnlyGhosts
    • 0
      OnlyGhosts  

    • Okay,

      First of all yes, a microsoft store is a terrible idea. You can get Microsoft products anywhere. But what is wrong with that. Im sorry I don't need to drive 20 miles to get software, games etc. Secondly yeah Apple has an Ipod

      Microsoft = Xbox360. Trumps an Mp3 player.

      Yuppie sanctuary is the perfect tag for an apple
      store. They make computers for kids who nothing and have way too much money.

      $1200 for a mac book pro.

      You can almost get an Alienware for that price.

      Macbook pro has what like 2 gig ram as opposed to Alienwares's 8. Yeah its ergonamic and idiot friendly totally worth the extra $450.

      Its not that were jealous its just you can get a better computer cheaper read the labels instead of just looking at the pretty pictures on the box.

    • 2 years ago
  • Varex_Sythe
    • 0
      Varex_Sythe  
    • OnlyGhosts:

      Ok, first off, you are incorrect, Macbook Pro does not cost $1200, the regular Macbook does. The Pro starts off at about $2000.

      Second, how does an Xbox 360 trump an Mp3 player? One is a console game system, and the other is a portable storage device that plays music. That's kinda like comparing the function of a car to the function of a tooth brush, they don't really compare to one another.

      Third, yes, the base model Macbook Pro only comes with 2 gigs of RAM, and with so few system resources used by the Leopard OS, you don't really need a lot of RAM for your programs because your OS doesn't eat up all of your system resources.

      Fourth, Apple actually puts innovative and useful designs into their computers, especially their laptops. Tell me, if that was an Alienware laptop and you tripped over the power cord, what are the odds that your laptop could end up flying through the air and hitting the ground hard? If your Alienware laptop is dropped while it's on, does it have a gyrosensor that detects the sudden movement and prepares the hard drive for impact, thus saving your data?

      Oh, last, the cheapest Alienware laptop new will cost $1450 to meet all of the lowest Macbook Pro hardware specifications that it can. The 256MB video card is a previous generation of Nvidia on the Alienware, and all of the RAM on the alienware maxes out at 667mhz, otherwise known as DD2. Macbook RAM is DD3, running at 1066Mhz.

      Hmmm... maybe Apple users are paying extra for quality. Oh wait, there is no maybe, they are paying extra for quality. That's why I constantly hear people complaining about their Microsoft machines yet very rarely ever hear Mac owners complain about theirs. They just seem to work and work very well.

    • 2 years ago
  • crob80227
    • 0
      crob80227  

    • Before you can enter the store...you must fill out about 5 pages of personal information (don't try to click through. These are required fields!)

      Then you'll have to sit through 10 commercials for 3rd party apps that you have no interest in. CD's of these programs will be super glued to your clothing. You can try to get them off, but it's a slow process.

      Once you get into the store feel free to look around. If you want to buy something....oops...turns out that shortcut has been corrupted. Should I delete shortcut or try to locate?

      Yeah, this store is going to be great idea!

    • 2 years ago
  • Varex_Sythe
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • barkway
    • 0
      barkway  

    • Aren't they a little late with this idea given Apple's consumer market share?

      And why would they do this at the height of one of the worst economies in decades?

    • 2 years ago
  • maisry
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • maisry
    • 0
      maisry  

    • The competition isn't going to be Apple stores - it'll be places like Fry's Electronics and online vendors. That's where the good prices are. Name-brand stores don't sell at a discount, in my experience.

    • 2 years ago
  • earrachanam
    • 0
      earrachanam  

    • I'm just wondering what they would sell in there. It doesn't seem like they have a big enough product line. All I can think of are Xbox, Windows, and Zune. And all of those are already sold in so many different stores. Just doesn't seem like there is a need for the stores.

    • 2 years ago
  • hoboninja54
    • 0
      hoboninja54  

    • This is pointless. The stores are not going to attract anyone but Microsoft worshipers, since you can get the products anywhere. I'm just waiting for the open and the entire stores embarrassment when the screens all go blue.

      For all you mac-haters out there. Shut yo mouf. Mac is stylish, simplistic, and functional. Windows stole most of their ideas from mac. It's overpriced because it is works, and it's beautiful. You don't like mac because you can't afford it. So shut yo shit.

    • 2 years ago
  • oracleruby
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
  • Skyebeka
    • 0
      Skyebeka  

    • All of these Mac haters defending Microsoft is funny. Microsoft is the leader, but yet whenever they do something new, it's clearly in response to a move already made by Apple. Apple makes cool commercials, Microsoft makes loooong commercials. Apple makes an mp3 player, Microsoft makes an mp3 player. Apple opens stores, Microsoft plans to opens stores. They're not acting like a leader. Give us an operating system that isn't bulky and doesn't get viruses. Oh, but Apple is already doing that too.

    • 2 years ago
  • mik661
    • 0
      mik661  

    • Apple had some great products but if this year is any measure, and if Jobs health continues to decline, they have peaked.

    • 2 years ago
  • msmith7894
    • 0
      msmith7894  

    • Just think about it ..... who the hell would get exvcited about going to a Microsoft Store and buy .... what?? Stupid idea. No matter how it tries or copies Apple, Microsoft will never "get it".

    • 2 years ago
  • Jryoho
    • 0
      Jryoho  

    • Hahaha! I can't wait to make fun of the poor layout and reprehensible design. This is going to be even worse than when Microsoft decided to try and buy Yahoo! (AOL/Time Warner anyone?)

    • 2 years ago
  • Hiway
    • 0
      Hiway  

    • Perhaps they should have opened service stations instead of retail stores...

      With microslut certified techs....

    • 2 years ago
  • Jryoho
  • sraevoz
    • 0
      sraevoz  

    • Maybe they should focus on making products worthy of selling before they build a place to sell them. Swing and a miss Bill.

    • 2 years ago
  • Pookie_Savant
  • Sexirobot
    • 0
      Sexirobot  

    • Wow, all the mac whores are really losing it. well let me assure all you out there its not going to change anything. Microsoft is only doing this for publicity not for a Redmond plot to take down apple's yuppie sanctuaries. All they want are long lines in front of their shops waiting for new windows inspired regurgitations.
      Microsoft is still going to own over 80% of the OS market while Apple is still going to sell overpriced, over artsy mediocre software.

    • 2 years ago
  • Pattyhax
  • PoisonTheMonkey
  • Eat_Disco
  • ColossalView
  • mqz4
  • vnprado
  • MildGhost
  • rajunk007
  • diode
    • 0
      diode  

    • both companies are terrible and put out crap. the only reason they are both in business is because people don't know better and don't want to.

    • 2 years ago
  • mindcontrol
  • lordsbassman
  • FallenMorgan
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