Who really keeps any computer more than 2-3yrs with the rate they advance.
Lots of us do. I still use my 1Ghz G4 iBook when I'm on the road, it's 5 years old already. All I use if for is web surfing, e-mail and porn (yes, I said it) so I don't really need a brand new C2D Macbook to replace it. When it dies, I'll look into a new one.
I think one of Microsoft's problems in competing with Apple is that one of Apple's strengths is that it has a "soup to nuts" approach to user support. For the most part, if you call Apple about a problem with your Mac, you're unlikely to get pointed to another vendor to fix the problem.
Today, if you call Dell (for example) for a software problem, they're very likely going to point you to Microsoft. And in turn, Microsoft may point you back to Dell if the problem is with a non-Microsoft product. This leaves the consumer in the lurch, not knowing who to turn to.
With an Apple Store within driving distance, you stand a fairly good chance of having your problem solved quickly and in person.
In my opinion, Microsoft is trying to fill that service gap a bit. It also gives them a stronger retail presence and in doing so, strengthens the brand. So, they'll sell PCs made by several different vendors - few people really care about the box assembler, provided that one company will actually stand behind the product. This gives Microsoft a chance to do just that, because let's face it, the vast majority of PC problems today are software related. And although it might be a malware infestation, the perception is that Windows is deficient. Real or imagined, Apple has certainly capitalized on that perception.
So although Mac zealots may decry Microsoft for mimicking Apple's retail presence, they have good reasons for doing so. And of course, if it benefits the customer and fosters competition, I'm all for it.
Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz 2GB, 1.25GHz G4 eMac
Quote:
Originally Posted by rman
Microsoft competition will not be Apple, but Best Buy and the Geek squad
Yep... and they'll goof it up there too.
Do I smell an epic phail?
...update - i did smell an epic phail. Shortly after typing that, I just fell down the stairs at my friends house. MY right shoulder was already f'd, now it's REALLY f'd.
if they were smart, they would've had this years ago.. although.. they would prolly be bankrupt cause of this ;]
The problem is opening a store just for M$ products goes against everything M$ has always preached. You can go anywhere and buy M$ products, they have others to do their bidding for them. The open market should prevail, as long as that market is controlled by M$. By stooping to Apples Model they are, in essence, admitting that they not only don't control the market as much as many believe they do but that they are scared of others out maneuvering them in their "be everywhere all the time" approach. The fact that Apple is still turning a profit while other computer companies, hardware makers mind you, are losing their shorts says a lot about Apples marketing approach. M$ will try anything to remain relevant, even if it means actually selling their own retail products themselves.
Wow. Every electronics store you go to has Windows computers. Do we really need another? Mac's are exclusive in means of speaking because they won't let other people sell their products so there is a genuine need for an Apple Store. You might as well put in another Best Buy
Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 13", 2.26 GHz, 2GB, 160GB. iPod touch 2nd gen, 8GB
Fix a problem - maybe. Just hand out maps to the nearest Apple Store! The problem with Windows for me now is it's blown its chance. I used to use Windows until about 2 months ago now when I got my first Mac. My Mac arrived about 10am - by lunch Microsoft had lost a customer for life.
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A Mac is like a piece of shiny new blutack. Very simple, has a huge range of uses and people can't help but play with it. Simple, effective and fun. A PC is like blutack with hair and dirt in it. It will do the job, but won't be nice to use, and the urge to just play with it just isn't there.
Here is my take on the whole thing. And to make it easier, I will talk about furniture. But first lets get things straight, MACs are more expensive and you can get a better spec Windows machine for the same money! Nuff said! However MACs work. Everything is made by Apple and meant to work together whereas Microsoft bits and pieces are made around the world and dont always work. Now for the furniture bit!
Years ago, my mother wanted to buy me a scandinavian solid red pine computer/tv unit. It cost €500! I said no way, I wanted this nice one I saw in a catalogue store which suited my needs and was a 3rd of the price and had lots more storage space. So my mother said fine, you buy that for yourself and she will by the other one for her, she said its better to pay more money for quality then go for the cheapest thing. Needless to say, I have been through 4 computer tables and in the last 7 years, she still has the same which I have in no doubt in my mind, will last another 20 years at least!
So point being, yes, more expensive, but you pay for quality!
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No man is an island.... except my Uncle Madagascar!
Here is my take on the whole thing. And to make it easier, I will talk about furniture. But first lets get things straight, MACs are more expensive and you can get a better spec Windows machine for the same money! Nuff said! However MACs work. Everything is made by Apple and meant to work together whereas Microsoft bits and pieces are made around the world and dont always work. Now for the furniture bit!
Years ago, my mother wanted to buy me a scandinavian solid red pine computer/tv unit. It cost €500! I said no way, I wanted this nice one I saw in a catalogue store which suited my needs and was a 3rd of the price and had lots more storage space. So my mother said fine, you buy that for yourself and she will by the other one for her, she said its better to pay more money for quality then go for the cheapest thing. Needless to say, I have been through 4 computer tables and in the last 7 years, she still has the same which I have in no doubt in my mind, will last another 20 years at least!
So point being, yes, more expensive, but you pay for quality!
I like your analogy the only flaw with it is that your mac will be outdated in 2-3 years so even if it is working perfectly you will want another. It really comes down to do you want to work on a higher quality machine for those few year or are you comfortable using something cheaper built.
To go with your analogy (in approximation) I view a mac vs. say dell similar to cars. You can buy a mercedes or a honda. Both will get you to from point A to point B reliably and safely for say 100,000. They serve a similar purpose but deliver it in a different package.
ComicStx - Apple is not only in apple stores, they are sold in Best Buy and Fry's. So you can't really say that apple needs stores because only they sell their products as a justification for their existence. Using your same logic you may as well put in another best buy then where an apple store is needed.
I like your analogy the only flaw with it is that your mac will be outdated in 2-3 years so even if it is working perfectly you will want another.
See, I just don't get this. Why will it be "outdated"? Why will I "want another"? If it still runs programs I want, if I can still upgrade the OS and it still works, why do I need to run out and buy another computer? If you're really into gaming, I can see having to upgrade to take advantage of new tech, but there's lag there as well; for example very few games are taking full advantage of the 64 even now. I've got one computer running 98SE, one desktop and one laptop running XP, one running Suse 9.3 (which is in serious need of updating), two old TI 99/4As and now a MBP. The TIs are certainly outdated, but, if you want a game of "Hunt the Wumpus", well, where else are you going to get one??!? The 98 is running a bagpipe music writing program and playing a few older games, the XP desktop is playing some newer games and the Linux box is (well, was) my all-around, workhorse, programming, Internet computer and shares photography/astronomy duty with the XP laptop. The MBP has taken over my 'net needs and will be my go-to for photography and astronomy.
I love new toys as much as the next guy (Oh, look! Shiny!!!), but, unless it breaks, I don't replace computers every 3-4 years. Operating systems, yes. Boxes, not so much.
Oh god, we've started with the car analogies now....
The computer isn't outdated until YOU decide it is. This is a particular habit that most Windows users seem to have brought with them and was fomented with Intel's rapid chip/speed updates in the 90s, everyone always had to have the fastest NOW. My iBook G4 is 5 years old, but for what I do with it, it's just fine.
As for Macs being sold in Best Buy and Fry's, keep in mind that those retail chains started selling Macs AFTER the Apple Stores were already open and Macs became more popular. At one point Apple pulled pretty much all retail sales and went on-line.
For those who just don't know any better, its "Mac", NOT "MAC"...
Oh god, we've started with the car analogies now....
The computer isn't outdated until YOU decide it is. This is a particular habit that most Windows users seem to have brought with them and was fomented with Intel's rapid chip/speed updates in the 90s, everyone always had to have the fastest NOW. My iBook G4 is 5 years old, but for what I do with it, it's just fine.
As for Macs being sold in Best Buy and Fry's, keep in mind that those retail chains started selling Macs AFTER the Apple Stores were already open and Macs became more popular. At one point Apple pulled pretty much all retail sales and went on-line.
For those who just don't know any better, its "Mac", NOT "MAC"...
Before or after makes no difference when best buy started selling them if one refers to exclusivity. Apple is not some exclusive only found in one store. So then to take this to a logical conclusion Apple should not open any new stores since they now are in BB and Fry's.
And thats great for you if you can keep your computer for 5 years nothing against it. But I for one would rather get a new machine not because its shiny but because my time is more valuable to me than cost of a new machine. A G4 machine for what i do would be useless. I play games at times, use fusion for work, and dabble in PS so the faster the machine the faster I can waste time how I choose.
This is one of those futile threads so I think I am done.
The 98 is running a bagpipe music writing program and playing a few older games, the XP desktop is playing some newer games and the Linux box is (well, was) my all-around, workhorse, programming, Internet computer and shares photography/astronomy duty with the XP laptop. The MBP has taken over my 'net needs and will be my go-to for photography and astronomy. 
