Microsoft opens PC lounge in Saks Fifth Avenue for holiday season

We all know Microsoft's feeling pretty smug -- and with good reason -- about Windows 7 right now. In an effort to drum up yet more hype for its latest OS, and perhaps to try and gauge customer interest in an East coast Store, Microsoft has decided to open up a cozy "PC lounge" inside Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship New York store -- you know, the one that actually is on Fifth Avenue. As part of the agreement, Windows 7 will be used to drive Saks' window displays, and opportunities will be provided for customers to interact with the new software throughout the building. The lounge itself will be populated by Windows 7 laptops and Microsoft experts, who'll probably answer your questions in the sort of overly peppy, commercial way that makes us wonder why anyone goes to offline shops in the first place.

[artshark Posted Nov 25th 2009 8:48AM]

what? women know nothing of computers!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2009 3:09PM]

ctrl+alt+delete

[bob e Posted Nov 25th 2009 8:55AM]

Smart move Microsoft, smart move.

[Khris Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:21AM]

@(Unverified) Especially the Twitter display where people are sending "Get A Mac" messages to. EPIC FAIL MICROSOFT!!

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:24AM]

@(Unverified)
Khris, thank you.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 8:59AM]

What's funny is I actually work there and half the employees has iPhones.. Microsoft is fishing for customers, they get a big FAIL!

[Rem DX Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:08AM]

@The Indusrty Standard
What's funny is how much of a moron you just came off ass.
Iphone has a mobile OS. Windows 7 is primarily a PC operating system that also happens to work on Macs. They're not even comparable.
So, how did they fail here?

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:15AM]

@(Unverified)
I guess you missed the class where they gave out common sense. Ever heard of the halo effect?

[Delta Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:19AM]

Hey "The Indusrty Standard" was "Paul A. Chapel" already taken when you went to sign up for a name?

[axemachine Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:19AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

You can use iTunes/iPhone on Windows too right? So no missed opportunity there.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:23AM]

@axemachine
So putting a makeshift shop on the 9th floor in a 10 floor store where the employee cafeteria is and just a few blocks away from a $350 million world famous store because you don't have one is good business?

[michaelwub Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:27AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

Haha, imagine that! A company fishing for customers? What an insult.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:35AM]

@michaelwub
http://www.wmexperts.com/shareholders-ask-ceo-steve-ballmer-why-cant-you-be-more-apple

You're welcome. Facts not opinions.

[MFfan310 Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:47AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

What will be left after the first week? I have visions of these lappies without their screens, motherboard, hard drive, keyboard, battery, etc., within two weeks... soon, I wonder what people will think when people will see when they see bare HP Pavilion, Dell XPS, and Sony VAIO chassis sitting on small tables in front of a Windows 7 display. The former Duncan Hines Brand Manager (a.k.a. Steve Ballmer) won't be proud, but at least he won't mess up those laptops with his cheeseburger... because there's no components!

And I happen to like Saks for their fragrance selection (albeit in the Indianapolis store)...

[michaelwub Posted Nov 25th 2009 10:06AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

Thanks, but what does that have to do with anything? Apple is now selling iPhones in Tesco's. Isn't this "fishing for customers". Shouldn't that also get a big fail?

[michaelwub Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:02AM]

Actually looks pretty swanky. Good job!

[CapnHowdy Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:03AM]

Hah.. hahaha. hahahahahahahahhahaha

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:05AM]

You know, you guys are so smug.

If this was Apple, you'd be falling all overyouselves in this article.

Grow up, Apple isn't your God.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:06AM]

@Delmont

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aK4TfewPa37M

You're Welcome.

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:08AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

OK, and you're point is? An article from August of people standing in line to buy an iPhone.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:11AM]

@Delmont
I guess reading isn't fundamental. Microsoft wouldn't need a presence inside Saks if THEY HAD A STORE THAT GROSSED $350 MILLION A YEAR. One of a number in the city I might add.

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:13AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

I still don't understand your point in all this, other than to get into some pissing contest of you thinking you need to defend all things Apple.

Again, get a life.

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:16AM]

@Delmont
Wow.. ignorance is bliss!

[The Indusrty Standard Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:18AM]

@Delmont
http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-stores-defy-recession-grow-sales-2009-8

Maybe this is easier to comprehend.

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:18AM]

@The Indusrty Standard

OK, I'm done here. You need help. You feel you need to defend all things Apple. How you believe this article hurts Apple is beyond me. Cause hey we all know Apple really cares about it's customers. Hey, how goes that DOA iMac.

Bye

[Khris Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:24AM]

@Delmont Oh Delmont. Your ignorance knows now limits does it? If you're too stupid to understand the point people are trying to make to you, don't embarrass yourself further by providing more fodder for target practice.

[Poop Chef Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:13AM]

@Khris, The Industry Standard

You are the same user with an alternate username to back up your inane fights. I know this because you both have no logic.

[N900 Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:13AM]

@Khris A point that isn't even relevant deserves no attention, even if he desperately tries to make it so. He's trying to say that Apple is recession-proof, and does the best on 5th Ave. Ok good: What's the fucking point? "Industry" (that's how you spell it, btw) claims that Windows is getting desperate here, when honestly, the only thing I gained from this article is Microsoft putting a lounge in Saks Fifth Avenue. This article has NOTHING to do with anything Industry suggests, and his points are FUD for that matter.

Futhermore, calling people stupid, embarrased, ignorant for not understanding an irrelevant point that some asshole blew out of proportion, is pretty stupider. Glass houses...

[Poop Chef Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:19AM]

@N900

Exactly.

MUST RESIST VIEW COMMENT BUTTON.

[Processing Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:23AM]

@The Indusrty Standard it's amazing how little your links and suggestions have to do with this article

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:35AM]

@Processing

Thank you.

[LexSky Posted Nov 25th 2009 4:41PM]

@The Indusrty Standard
Just because in your job its cool to own and defend all Apple doesnt mean its cool with the real nerds and real electronic geniuses here that know our tech. Windows owns you no matter how many millions the Apple store down the street from you job sells, Microsoft is still ahead by a long shot. Microsoft may not be as good with marketing as Apple is but they have made better business decisions so far.

[ipodboy61 Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:08AM]

Wow nice job Microsoft, you thought this up all by yourself. kudos to you

[F orrest Posted Nov 25th 2009 10:16AM]

@ipodboy61

I think your name gives you away a bit.

Just sayin.

[RT Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:28AM]

Open one up in Detroit, and then I will be impressed. What kind of store opens up only in the most prestigious locations around the country? How do they think that looks to the average person? At least apple throws itself into some random malls.

..lives in Atlanta
..not an Apple fan

[LAY Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:29AM]

Wow.

Microsoft does something, and Engadget shits itself in disgust.

What, didnt have an Apple tablet rumor story to splooge over this morning?

[Delmont Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:04AM]

@LAY
Exactly

[Professor Tom Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:33AM]

I wonder if the Microsoft employees are trained to spot people bringing in MacBook(Pro)(Air)s and beat the shit outta said smug resistance.

[Wesscoast Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:41AM]

@(Unverified)
So we went from having a few snobby Mac users to now the the... anti-snob snobs? Brilliant.

You're post sounds pretty intense...Do you think you might be projecting?

[Professor Tom Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:44AM]

@(Unverified) Not at all. In fact, if I lived closer, I'd take my MacBook into Micro$hit's lobby to proudly use and display.

"Fight the powers that be!"

[Johanu Posted Nov 25th 2009 10:27AM]

@(Unverified) Dude, just get a fucking live. Bringing a MBP to a Microsoft louge just shows how douchy a Apple fanboy (and I don't mean users in general) can be.

[Professor Tom Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:04AM]

@Johanu No, it just shows how committed I am to exercising my First Amendment rights--especially when it pisses of a company I don't like.

[N900 Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:18AM]

@(Unverified) Really, huh? How 'bout we go bomb an abortion clinic, killing tens of people, and then claim we did it for the greater good.........

The First Amendment isn't a right, it's a pompous tool.

[Professor Tom Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:29AM]

@N900 First and foremost, I take great affront to your calling the First Amendment "a pompous tool" and "not a right". If you truly believe this, then you need to swear off reading or watching the news, attending any kind of meeting or event, or organizing people to persuade the government to move one way or the other.

Secondly, killing someone is not an exercise of the First Amendment. It is a violation of the murdered's Fourth Amendment rights.

[Processing Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:37AM]

@N900 the first amendment is both a right and a tool. It's a right because we are allowed to have it, and everyone deserves an opinion, and it's a tool because we use this right to benefit our views and opinions. If it's not a right, then how can you defend yourself against another's opinion? say "i did it because I felt like it"? without a first amendment, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

I'm saying I disagree with you (fully at least). you just could have formed that argument a little better.

[Processing Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:39AM]

@Processing I'm 'not' saying

[N900 Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:49AM]

@(Unverified) I'm sorry if I came off as ignorant. I was projecting something I was angered at; I thought it posed relevance here. My apologies.

[HighestRanked Posted Nov 25th 2009 4:00PM]

@Johanu

"Bringing a MBP to a Microsoft louge just shows how douchy a Apple fanboy (and I don't mean users in general) can be."

Who in the wold would want to be caught using a Windows laptop in public? Any one doing that would be the true douche bag.

[Chris Murphy Posted Nov 25th 2009 9:56AM]

I don't think MS thought this completely through:
http://www.9to5mac.com/rofl_windows_v_mac_at_saks_30115?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+%289+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence%29

[daaper Posted Nov 25th 2009 11:05AM]

@Chris Murphy

Haha, this guy sums up the whole thing perfectly:

"It's funny but it also confirms in some people's minds the smug attitude of Mac users. A Mac in the 00's is like a BMW in the 1980s, a great machine tarnished by the image of the people who like them."