Damn. I’m glad I returned my Surface Laptop and got a MacBook instead.
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Microsoft Stores Are Permanently Closing
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Wow! Out of nowhere!
It seemed like the Microsoft stores were a complete copy of the Apple stores so that didn't help either in terms of originality and public perception. A bit forced and too try hard.
I'm not surprised. Every time I walked passed one in our local shopping mall, there were more employees in there than customers.
Actually they had a stellar (and unmatched by Apple) replacement policy! They straight up gave me a brand new Dell XPS 15 because of a minor complaint about my track pad.
The staff were always helpful but the experience kinda stunk.
you don’t realize how much goes into perfecting an Apple store.....until you visit Microsoft 😀
you don’t realize how much goes into perfecting an Apple store.....until you visit Microsoft 😀
Microsoft have never a good retail experience. In the UK, outside of London they simply don't exist.
No wonder if they decide to just close all of them like this.
Xbox cafes would be a brilliant idea and would draw in crowds. Heck, just have Xbox shops they'd make a fortune.
Before anyone mocks them, MS is valued at 1.5T just behind Apple.
Under CEO, Nadella is killing it with services. Smart move.
Under CEO, Nadella is killing it with services. Smart move.
I never really thought their stores made sense. Their software is run on pretty much everything out there, the only Microsoft specific hardware is stuff like the Surface that you can find at Best Buy, and most people know how to use Windows.
Apple makes sense because you see all their products in one store, and they're not something everyone knows how to use so people come in and get help.
Apple makes sense because you see all their products in one store, and they're not something everyone knows how to use so people come in and get help.
Bummer. I always liked going into their stores and checking things out while my wife was trying on clothes. Then again, this doesn't surprise me as it seems like just about everyone who ever went in there was doing exactly the same thing as me (looking/playing with no intention of every buying).
The stores were nice but the only time the one near was crowded was during Friday nights with Fortnite tournaments
still sad to see though
still sad to see though
This is unsurprising, but my son absolutely loved the Microsoft store when he was 2-3ish...there was never anyone there and they were always happy to let him explore and play with the mice and "type" on the keyboards. Probably because it was far less crowded than the Apple store, and it had bright colors everywhere.
I think the fact that the only person I know who loved it was a toddler at the time says it all...
I think the fact that the only person I know who loved it was a toddler at the time says it all...
This is disheartening! As a fan of technology, now there’s only one place left where I can physically walk into a store and play with new tech outside of Apple.
That’s Best Buy. That’s all that is left in my area. I used to love going into Microsoft and testing out the latest and greatest. I never switched because I love MacOS so much, but my wife ended up getting a Surface Laptop 3.
Whats funny is that she chose her Surface Laptop over a Dell because “Just like Apple, if I ever have any questions or it breaks, I can walk into a Microsoft Store and get my answer or get it fixed.” Not anymore.
That’s Best Buy. That’s all that is left in my area. I used to love going into Microsoft and testing out the latest and greatest. I never switched because I love MacOS so much, but my wife ended up getting a Surface Laptop 3.
Whats funny is that she chose her Surface Laptop over a Dell because “Just like Apple, if I ever have any questions or it breaks, I can walk into a Microsoft Store and get my answer or get it fixed.” Not anymore.
Incredibly smart, especially in the US where the virus has been handled by those in charge about as terribly as you could ever handle it. One less place for people to infect one another is good.
Also lol at the crowd in the picture. It looks like the fake crowds MS uses in their Forza game.
Also lol at the crowd in the picture. It looks like the fake crowds MS uses in their Forza game.
The difference is/was that the Microsoft Stores were computer stores and the Apple Stores are phone stores.
The vast majority of the customers that you see in Apple Stores are looking at phone and most of the rest are looking at iPads. If you filter out the phone shoppers (and their families) and those looking at iPads other than the Pros the remainder is not much different that the customer level in a Microsoft Store.
The issue is Microsoft doesn't really have much reason to interact with consumers.
Their only two hardware lines are the Surface and the Xbox. Both seem primarily appeal to geeks, not really a demographic who would need much help using, fixing, or choosing it.
Their only software lines are Windows and Office. Whereas Apple has fun software that people enjoy playing with and learning to use, people have no interest in learning how to use Windows or Office. The few people who can't use Office at all can generally get the very basic help they need from coworkers or family.
Having said that, I really enjoyed my one experience at the Microsoft store. I used their VR headset for about an hour. Fun, but it's just way too expensive for something with so little quality software available (Half Life Alyx... and that's about it. And Alyx is on the short side. I'd be looking at spending about $100/hour if that ends up being the only quality VR software that materializes.)
Their only two hardware lines are the Surface and the Xbox. Both seem primarily appeal to geeks, not really a demographic who would need much help using, fixing, or choosing it.
Their only software lines are Windows and Office. Whereas Apple has fun software that people enjoy playing with and learning to use, people have no interest in learning how to use Windows or Office. The few people who can't use Office at all can generally get the very basic help they need from coworkers or family.
Having said that, I really enjoyed my one experience at the Microsoft store. I used their VR headset for about an hour. Fun, but it's just way too expensive for something with so little quality software available (Half Life Alyx... and that's about it. And Alyx is on the short side. I'd be looking at spending about $100/hour if that ends up being the only quality VR software that materializes.)
The nearest one to me was in the Uvillage, right across from the Apple Store. Was always sparse in contrast to the Apple store that was so packed, you had to be saying excuse me, excuse me just to get to the demo units. On top of that, people are buying stuff, I saw a couple the last time I was there with 2 16 inch MBPs, AirPods, iPhone 12s. Never saw that level of purchase in an MS store.
I have always thought the same - Apple & MS have stores almost next to each other in the florida Mall and each time I pass the Apple store is packed and the MS store has more employees than customers. I suppose microsoft fell behind due too poor management in the past and Apple plus others push ahead with new products etc