First pic of Microsoft retail store's construction -- both Abercrombie & Fitch visibly nervous
By Laura June 
posted August 7th 2009 5:44PM
posted August 7th 2009 5:44PM
Here you have it, folks. We knew this was coming, but the first photographic evidence of a Microsoft retail store under construction has just come to us -- via the company's Twitter account -- and we have to say, it brought a few tears of joy to our eyes. The first two stores are set to be opened in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California this fall. Wonder if the inside will look anything like those plans we saw?
*sarcastic yea*...... the first one opens in Scottsdale, near where i live. i bet the store server will crash or something..... now it would be really funny if a virus took over the whole store.... XD
As a Mac user, I get the joke, but I want to say, I honestly don't think Windows machines are crashing all the time, a million times a day.I just think Windows sucks. The menus, the clunky legacy UI with shiny borders, the lack of accountability between OEMs and software makers. I wish they'd just start all over again, though I get it, they would never do that.
The truth is, Windows has always sucked, but people used to think that there was SO MUCH software on Windows, that using a Mac was the ghetto software-wise. But now, people play games on iPod, DS, PSP, Consoles, etc ... In terms of productivity, Apple not only has Office, but a beautiful iWork suite not available on Windows (in addition to dozens of free/cheap productivity apps like Lights Out, Scribbner, etc). Any segment of software that the average user wants, we have it in spades.
I mean, basically as a Mac user, I see the upside of the beautiful OS X, and now, zero downside. The price? Hardly. I'm using a Macbook I got in 2006 for 1400 dollars. That's about 500 bucks a year for a rock solid kick ass laptop. I just can't understand the logic of picking up a 400 dollar laptop. How broke are these people?
Ultimately, the problem with the Windows store is... people already have tons of places to get Windows. That's not the problem. It just sucks and its uninspired. Why would some one line up to check out this store? Microsoft makes their money of BUSINESS customers.. and sells the vast majority of its Windows licenses to OEMs.
As for the Xbox, all those other devices, there's tons of places to get those, that's not the problem. Admittedly, the Zune is nowhere to be found .. I've never seen one before, but, really, being 2 generations behind the iPod is a bigger problem than, storefronts.I mean, if it was a cool device, every electronics store in the US would have it. I don't even think MS should be in these markets anyway. Its just not their core competency. Its Apple envy (if you don't think the Xbox is MS's Macintosh, look again).
@ Mike
"but people used to think that there was SO MUCH software on Windows, that using a Mac was the ghetto software-wise. But now, people play games on iPod, DS, PSP, Consoles, etc"
You seem to have missed the Atari, NES, Sega Dreamcast Etc. As long as we've had computers we've had games consoles.
Also I'm glad your Macbook has been rock solid but mine has had two top case replacements, two battery replacements and I am now on my third magsafe so Apple hasn't beaten my five year old Acer that cost £350, it has had zero problems and been rock solid.
Glad you're Daddy buys you macbooks ;)
@ Major.
I like people like you with false claims about how you own a macbook and it is nothing but trouble. Classy. and where does it say his dad bought it. oh because it cost $1400 so that means no regular average joe could afford it. Where do you get your logic from? its called a job. i bought a macbook too, not my daddy. and ive had it for about 3 years with zero replacement anything. so yea $1400 is way worth it. ive had 2 windows running pcs since my mac. so yeah ill stick with the facts and you just keep making shit up.
good for them, i hope they hurt apple and make apple have to lower their prices and make the os x allowed on all intel architecture pcs. I also hope that a linux nut will open the Linux Store. Where users can buy custom pcs, sweet hardware and get any distro for 1 buck or two on the spot.
"i hope they hurt apple and make apple have to lower their prices and make the os x allowed on all intel architecture pcs."
Yes that sounds like a perfect plan for Microsoft make OSX compete with Windows, I think Steve Balmer would shit in his bed.
It should say "Please Wait..." instead of "Coming Soon..." :-P
"showcase store"? LOL!!!! showcase of failures? maybe. like a freak show at the circus.
Ringmaster Ballmar sez: "Ladies, and gentlemen, children of all ages...step right up...pay only $199-$319 for a lifetime of frustration and anger!"
eff you bing.
I am watching this story with both hands over my eyes, sneaking an occasional peek. This could either turn out to be the coolest store ever (with a complete eHome setup showing how f'-ing awesome Media Center is and its future integration with Zune), or it will be a laughable copycat of Apple's annoying stores. My magic 8-ball says all signs point toward the latter. (cringe)
The idea behind bring you a MS store to your neighborhood is to remind you of your job tools.
Will the store have windows in the front?
I wonder if google had to open up stores, what would it look like ?
looks gay
the fact that an office logo is there is proving MS is do it all wrong. That's like apple having a WWDC/Macworld and making a new iWork that event's premium release
You look pretty funny with your head stuffed up your own ass.
Or did I not read that sentence correctly ?
I heard employees will shut-down the stores at night by pressing a "Start" button.
It hasn't said "Start" for 8 years.
YEAH!!!! It's not much more convenient than Best Buy, but at least they're going up against the Apple Store, whose products are ALSO in Best Buy. Still, cachet, right?
One Microsoft Store near the Jersey Shore, pleazes. Our Best Buy doesn't have anything (small afterthought to a mall parking lot).
apple sucks
Does anyone remember the Microsoft store in the Sony Meteron in S.F. ? If it didn't work then why would it work now?
J C
There's a five dollar cover charge to get in the door.
Ten dollars to get out.
If they show of Media Center properly it could be a win. People are always amazed when they come over and see my Media Center in full glory. If only they could fix the extender issues.
A Media Center store with approved plugins would be nice.
a few surface stations and a natal kiosk will do the trick
The tears in my eyes are from all the LOLs.
Hey Engadget,
I live in the North Shore of Massachusetts and there are similar billboards posted up!
I already have a great job, but I would apply... Come on Bay Area, CA
I dunno... the perspective of the text and logos, at least after "Windows 7" looks wrong.
If not an outright fake, I'm pretty positive most of the other logs were transformed and photoshopped on ... a fake.