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mags631

Guest
Mar 6, 2007
622
0
Why yes I do. My family got our first computer from a Gateway Country store. The layout and design was very similar to Apple Stores, and this was back in the 90s, long before the first Apple Store opened. I guess Apple copied off of Gateway ;)

The one in Austin was nothing like any Apple store I've ever been too. I guess they were similar in that they sold electronics and Gateway tried to impress potential customers with displays (e.g, a plasma TV being driven by their media center box -- which I bought and then hated...).

I don't think Apple has copied anything off of Gateway, nor should they and nor should any other company.
 

KeriJane

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2009
578
1
ЧИКАГО!
November 4 will be here soon!

MS has updated their stores website:

http://store.microsoft.com/Locations

Wow! SIX Microsoft Stores!
Across FIFTY States? :confused:

Oakbrook is on my way home from work.

Maybe I'll stop in and buy a .....
a.....
ummm...

Aw, gee, I don't want an XBOX...

I've got keyboards and mice...

Oh! I know! I JUST GOTTA get a Zune! :p

Have Fun,
Keri.

PS. Or maybe not.
Besides, they'd probably kick me out for having an iPad in my purse. Or for getting the silly giggles at their products.
 

Apple OC

macrumors 68040
Oct 14, 2010
3,667
4,328
Hogtown
sorry if I am so ill informed about Microsoft ...

Why do they need a store to sell Windows?

Do they now make other stuff?
 

*LTD*

macrumors G4
Feb 5, 2009
10,703
1
Canada
sorry if I am so ill informed about Microsoft ...

Why do they need a store to sell Windows?

Do they now make other stuff?

It was all an attempt to follow Apple and cash in on their success. Except that Apple actually has great gear to sell that people want.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
sorry if I am so ill informed about Microsoft ...

Why do they need a store to sell Windows?

Do they now make other stuff?

It was all an attempt to follow Apple and cash in on their success. Except that Apple actually has great gear to sell that people want.

And there's nothing wrong with that. While I too see little reason for MS to have a store, clearly they're looking to expand and compete against apple.

I think it will be a great place for selling win7 phones and given the general positive reception of win7 phones, it may be a popular place.
 

jamied95

macrumors 6502
Sep 14, 2009
449
0
"Good artists copy, great artists steal" - Steve Jobs

Lets face facts: Microsoft is not perfect. Apple is not perfect. Don't bash Microsoft because a lot of their products are awesome. Likewise with Apple.

It's quite boring reading over and over again that Microsoft is crap and Apple is perfect, open your mind people.
 

Bernard SG

macrumors 65816
Jul 3, 2010
1,354
7
It's quite boring reading over and over again that Microsoft is crap and Apple is perfect, open your mind people.

Apple is far from perfect but Microsoft is definitely 80% crap these days. Which doesn't mean they won't bounce back, of course.
 

KeriJane

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2009
578
1
ЧИКАГО!
It was all an attempt to follow Apple and cash in on their success. Except that Apple actually has great gear to sell that people want.


Now that's a surprise! ;)

Microsoft copying something Apple did? :eek:

Say it isn't so, King William!
Oh, sorry. Is it "Count Ballmer" nowdays?

Have Fun,
Keri



Microsoft (noun) - The worlds largest but out-of-focus copying machine.

Microsoft (verb) - Theft, Fraud, Coercion, Extortion, Assault. ex. "To Microsoft someone" or "Help! I Was Microsofted!"

Microsoft can also be used to describe something as in: "It's all Microsofted up" (MSBAR, like FUBAR). or "Wow! this computer is running Microsoftully slow (or badly)"
 

gkarris

macrumors G3
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
Wow! SIX Microsoft Stores!
Across FIFTY States? :confused:

Oakbrook is on my way home from work.

Maybe I'll stop in and buy a .....
a.....
ummm...

Aw, gee, I don't want an XBOX...

I've got keyboards and mice...

Oh! I know! I JUST GOTTA get a Zune! :p

Have Fun,
Keri.

PS. Or maybe not.
Besides, they'd probably kick me out for having an iPad in my purse. Or for getting the silly giggles at their products.

Now that's a surprise! ;)

Microsoft copying something Apple did? :eek:

Say it isn't so, King William!
Oh, sorry. Is it "Count Ballmer" nowdays?

Have Fun,
Keri



Microsoft (noun) - The worlds largest but out-of-focus copying machine.

Microsoft (verb) - Theft, Fraud, Coercion, Extortion, Assault. ex. "To Microsoft someone" or "Help! I Was Microsofted!"

Microsoft can also be used to describe something as in: "It's all Microsofted up" (MSBAR, like FUBAR). or "Wow! this computer is running Microsoftully slow (or badly)"

Wow - I think you need come to the realization that Apple isn't the only computer company...

Since when do "keyboard and mice" play videogames on their own?
 

KeriJane

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2009
578
1
ЧИКАГО!
Wow - I think you need come to the realization that Apple isn't the only computer company...

Since when do "keyboard and mice" play videogames on their own?

Actually, Apple is the only "real" computer company out there for us consumers.

By "real" I mean a company that makes the WHOLE computer, being responsible for producing the hardware, OS and even some of the software and accessories.

Dell, HP, etc... are merely Hardware Vendors. They subcontract the all-important Operating System to a shabby 3rd-party vendor, usually Microsoft.
Also, do they make ANY Software other than the occasional Utility program?

(added) IBM was once a computer company that made whole systems ... then they made the fatal mistake of sub-contracting their OS2/Warp Operating System to Evil Bill (MS).... Oops! can you say "Sabotage"?

So until I see DellOS, DellLife, DellWork, maybe DellTunes and DellInternetBrowser (or HPOS, IBMOS, etc...) available to the average consumer..... Apple is the only "real" computer company!
Not that IBM, Dell or HP make defective Hardware. A lot of their Hardware is fine. But that's all they make. Take away the Curse Of Microsoft and you don't even get a Command Prompt. A BIOS screen is not a working Computer.

Since when do "keyboards and mice" play video games on their own?

What do standalone video games have to do with MS or Apple?
Yes, they rely upon a dedicated OS, but so what?

Go Team Apple!
Have Fun,
Keri

PS.

Why aren't there any Microsoft-branded computers at the Microsoft Store? Or Tablets?
MS should be able to come up with something, shouldn't they?
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Apple is far from perfect but Microsoft is definitely 80% crap these days.
Please quantify the 80% of crap statement.
Windows 7, a huge hit
Windows 2008 server editions very popular and very stable
Microsoft office, being clamored for and highly regarded
Xbox, extremely popular
Win7 phones, highly regarded, reviewed and only time will tell if it will be popular with the consumer.

So please, tell me, where is this 80% of MS products being crap.
 

rdowns

macrumors Penryn
Jul 11, 2003
27,397
12,521
Actually, Apple is the only "real" computer company out there for us consumers.

By "real" I mean a company that makes the WHOLE computer, being responsible for producing the hardware, OS and even some of the software and accessories.

Dell, HP, etc... are merely Hardware Vendors. They subcontract the all-important Operating System to a shabby 3rd-party vendor, usually Microsoft.
Also, do they make ANY Software other than the occasional Utility program?

(added) IBM was once a computer company that made whole systems ... then they made the fatal mistake of sub-contracting their OS2/Warp Operating System to Evil Bill (MS).... Oops! can you say "Sabotage"?

So until I see DellOS, DellLife, DellWork, maybe DellTunes and DellInternetBrowser (or HPOS, IBMOS, etc...) available to the average consumer..... Apple is the only "real" computer company!
Not that IBM, Dell or HP make defective Hardware. A lot of their Hardware is fine. But that's all they make. Take away the Curse Of Microsoft and you don't even get a Command Prompt. A BIOS screen is not a working Computer.

Since when do "keyboards and mice" play video games on their own?

What do standalone video games have to do with MS or Apple?
Yes, they rely upon a dedicated OS, but so what?

Go Team Apple!
Have Fun,
Keri


Forgive me for being so bold, but you should definitely hook up with MR member *LTD*. Many a match has been made on MR. :D
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Actually, Apple is the only "real" computer company out there for us consumers.

By "real" I mean a company that makes the WHOLE computer, being responsible for producing the hardware, OS and even some of the software and accessories.
Oh please, keep drinking that kool aid.

Yes, apple's advantage (and at times disadvantage) has been that it controls the hardware and software. It produces a highly integrated tighly built computer system.

That's not to say that other manufacturers are not real computer companies. and what the heck are you talking about when you state:
Take away the Curse Of Microsoft

That makes no sense at all.
 

*LTD*

macrumors G4
Feb 5, 2009
10,703
1
Canada
Please quantify the 80% of crap statement.
Windows 7, a huge hit
Windows 2008 server editions very popular and very stable
Microsoft office, being clamored for and highly regarded
Xbox, extremely popular
Win7 phones, highly regarded, reviewed and only time will tell if it will be popular with the consumer.

So please, tell me, where is this 80% of MS products being crap.

MS has lost its edge, hasn't been much of a threat to anyone for years now.

Windows 7 is good. For a PC operating system done by MS, that is. Consumers with $$ buy Macs. Apple owns the premium end, MS having been relegated to bargain-bin status. Also-rans attempt to be more "Apple-like" as the saying goes. Not more 'Windows-like" or "Microsoft-like." LOL I've never hard anyone use those last two phrases. Apple is selling more Macs than ever, in the presence of lower-cost Windows-based options. Something just doesn't seem right about that, especially when Windows 7 was supposed to claw back the Premium end from Apple. Instead, Apple's expanded it with record Mac sales. Again.

Yeah, Windows 2008 Server is soooo exciting!! When I care about running a server in my house I might care about a two-year old server OS by Microsoft. Nice for the enterprise, meaningless for consumers. :rolleyes:

Microsoft Office is tolerated for the same reason Windows is. You buy Office because of interoperability with . . . other copies of Office. It isn't particularly great. And it isn't particularly great that MS is relying so heavily on the old Windows + Office paradigm. Especially when MS is becoming a dying, unexciting, unimaginative consumer brand. Time to move *away* from Windows and Office as flagship products. They're cash cows that just encourage laziness, as we're all witnessing.

Xbox. Yeah, I'll give you that. It's cool if you're into games.

Win7 phones . . . nothing special. Good chance of DOA. They might have been impressive three years ago. I'm not sure who regards them highly, LOL. In fact, most reviewers give them a barely passing grade. Yet to be seen whether consumers will even care at this point.

We're witnessing the Rise of Apple. This decade belongs to them and to players other than Microsoft. The real competition will be between Apple and someone else. This will remain truth until the current management team at MS leaves or is terminated. There needs to be a COMPLETE reorganization at MS a-la Apple upon SJ's return in 1997. It doesn't make sense for MS to be underperforming to the degree they are with a company their size and their R&D budget. Something is very, very wrong in Redmond. The real question is . . . do consumers care anymore?
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Yet, regardless of your long post there's not one word about refuting that 80% of MS products is crap.

Win7 phones . . . nothing special. Good chance of DOA. They might have been impressive three years ago. I'm not sure who regards them highly, LOL. In fact, most reviewers give them a barely passing grade. Yet to be seen whether consumers will even care at this point.
They're not going to be DOA, not from the excitement that seems to be generated by them. They have features that in part leap frog apple, there are other features that are far behind iOs, but everyone seems to agree win7 phones are a great start to Microsoft's return to the mobile sector.

We're witnessing the Rise of Apple.
Do you actually believe in what you write?
Yeah apple is on top of the mountain right now, Microsoft was, Sony was, Lotus was back in the day. You don't stay number for ever.
 

roadbloc

macrumors G3
Aug 24, 2009
8,784
215
UK
. . . do consumers care anymore?
Yes. I care. And I don't think MS has lost it's edge at all. In fact, I think it's been the best it's been since the Windows 98 days.
Let's admit it. Microsoft became sloppy, and that is what let other software companies shine above them. IE6/7/8 was ****. XP was ****. Vista was ****. Windows mobile 6.x was ****. Office 2007 was ****. This overall shitness about them was because they rested on their laurels. They had already captured many available markets and had no reason to innovate.

In this past decade, Microsoft has taken a beating because they relaxed. Other software companies took a dump on their parade before they could get out of bed and, now, it has made Microsoft work to their full potential.

The xbox 360 is an amazing games console. Windows 7 is a pretty amazing operating system and is good enough to give Apple's OS X a run for their money. Office 2010/11 is the best version of Office they have done in a while. The new MSN for Mac finally has the majority of features the Windows counterpart has. Windows mobile 7 has had some good reviews from what I've seen (although I cannot really comment as I haven't used one myself yet) and the IE9 beta is certainly an excellent step in the right direction.

Nothing is wrong at redmond, I'd say they are currently the strongest they have ever been. Is there a need for an m$ store? I'd say no, but they obviously feel otherwise. Let's just wait and see.
 

rdowns

macrumors Penryn
Jul 11, 2003
27,397
12,521
The fact that they are opening retail stores, which no one can see ever being profitable, shows you how desperate they are to get back into the consumer's mindshare.

Aside of xBox (and that's a pretty small market compared to say mp3 players or smart phones), they haven't had a hit in many years.

I'm sorry, but when I hear Microsoft, I think of idiotic IT people and policies. We've all worked there.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
The fact that they are opening retail stores, which no one can see ever being profitable, shows you how desperate they are to get back into the consumer's mindshare.
I think this exact argument was made when apple started opening stores.

One difference (there are many) between then and now, is that MS has other distribution channels, back then apple's channels were disappearing.

I do not see desperation, but rather a move to counter a competitor.

Aside of xBox (and that's a pretty small market compared to say mp3 players or smart phones), they haven't had a hit in many years.
Win7 appears to be a big hit, and the new office as mentioned appears to be a winner as well.
 

R94N

macrumors 68020
May 30, 2010
2,095
1
UK
Win7 appears to be a big hit, and the new office as mentioned appears to be a winner as well.

What version of Windows would ever not be successful? And also I can't think of any other content creation suite that's been as popular or as common as Office.
 
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