Microsoft Targeting Apple Stores With New Retail Store Concept

[jzuena]

Really? How did you get access to Vista Beta testing. Specifically.

Although the Vista beta wasn't as big as the 7 beta is, it was still pretty big. My company had multiple revisions of Vista at least a year (probably closer to 18 months) before it came out. All of the billing consultants were encouraged to try it out.

 

[AidenShaw]

stop spreading lies

...or the cheaper / hamstrung version that will only run 3 apps.

That's crap, stop spreading lies.

Microsoft kills Windows 7 Starter's 3-app limit

Drops the restriction to dodge 'crippleware' label for SKU targeting netbooks

Gregg Keizer 01 June, 2009 08:16

Microsoft today dropped a limitation from Windows 7 Starter, the edition expected to ship on most netbooks, that would have blocked users from running more than three applications at the same time.

http://www.computerworld.com.au/art...ls_windows_7_starter_3-app_limit?fp=16&fpid=1

 

[Electrolytic]

I think its a good idea if they do it right... They should setup a modern room with Windows pc's, xbox 360, media center pc, high end gaming pc and advantages of having all of them linked together... Being able to DVR with your media center & playback to a media extender like the xbox or HP's media center... Also in some ways they should Apple store...

 

[satcomer]

You want to bet that IF they really open stores the first customer will come in and demand to know why the brand of PC he/she wants is not there.

Like the Microsoft Ads the stores will be HP only! Also 90% of the software on the racks will be GAMES! The only other software sold (beside Windows 7 flavors) will be Microsoft Office software. Lastly there will be HP printers sold in the rear of the store and the latest bubblegum music blaring over the stereo speakers.

 

[NT1440]

That's crap, stop spreading lies.

Starter edition is still only allowed on pathetic hardware.

I REALLY don't get why people still put up with MS's multiflavor crap.

 

[AidenShaw]

Starter edition is still only allowed on pathetic hardware.

I REALLY don't get why people still put up with MS's multiflavor crap.

...because we believe in choice?

...because we believe that not everyone needs every option under the sun, and should have the choice not to pay for all of them?

 

[Peace]

...because we believe in choice?

...because we believe that not everyone needs every option under the sun, and should have the choice not to pay for all of them?

Redmond sells kool-aid too huh ?

 

[NT1440]

...because we believe that not everyone needs every option under the sun, and should have the choice not to pay for all of them?

LOL you think poor little MS can't afford to include all their features in one OS??

I've seen you guys bitch and moan about Apple forcing people to pay more for hardware, but when MS does it with the thing you use most, the OS itself, suddenly their doing you a favor?

 

[AidenShaw]

Redmond sells kool-aid too huh ?

I've seen you guys bitch and moan about Apple forcing people to pay more for hardware, but when MS does it with the thing you use most, the OS itself, suddenly their doing you a favor?

But isn't this about Microsoft giving you the option to pay less?

Why is OSX server $499 when OSX is 99% the same software for $129?
(answer: because Apple charges a lot more for the 1% difference, and people who need the 1% are OK with that)

Why is OSX server unlimited $999 for exactly the same bits as the $499 version?
(answer: because some people need the added value of additional clients, and are OK with paying for them)

Photoshop Elements is more than most people need, and is priced far lower than CS.

Most software houses adopt tiered pricing - more money gets more features. In fact, it's really common to have a two-tiered model - the entry level is free, and the "pro" version is $50 to $100.

Take off your tin foil hats - Redmond is not the bogeyman!

 

[Pika]

Okay, so, Microsoft is going to be opening stores. But which computer brand will they chose to display? Will they give their customers support with various machines? Microsoft is just an operating system, not a computer brand, so I don't see how they can compare to Apple AT ALL.

 

[BongoBanger]

Starter edition is still only allowed on pathetic hardware.

I REALLY don't get why people still put up with MS's multiflavor crap.

We don't. Every reasonable consumer PC will run W7 HP and every reasonable enterprise PC will run Professional.

 

[kate-willbury]

...because we believe in choice?

...because we believe that not everyone needs every option under the sun, and should have the choice not to pay for all of them?

seriously. how are people here NOT understanding this basic concept??? are mac fanatics really so caught up in the mac world that they think more choice is a bad thing??? honestly, sometimes owning a macbook embarasses the hell out of me considering who my apparent peers are.

 

[EarthDawn]

They need to spend there money on there OS and get there act together.

Ive got 2 desktops and a laptop collecting dust after they died .... ill never go back to a windows machine till they get themselves together !

 

[Mal]

But isn't this about Microsoft giving you the option to pay less?

Why is OSX server $499 when OSX is 99% the same software for $129?
(answer: because Apple charges a lot more for the 1% difference, and people who need the 1% are OK with that)

Why is OSX server unlimited $999 for exactly the same bits as the $499 version?
(answer: because some people need the added value of additional clients, and are OK with paying for them)

Wait, you're using OS X Server licensing as an example of Microsoft giving you the option of paying less? Have you seen Windows Server licensing? (There's a bit more than a 1% difference, btw, having set up servers myself.)

And what version of Windows do you get for $129 or less? Everything I've seen places the most reasonable version for around $149 (at least that works with any normal computer). Why would Apple need to have tiered versions when they can just offer the full thing for less than Microsoft charges for the stripped down versions?

Take off your tin foil hats - Redmond is not the bogeyman!

Neither is Apple, but that hasn't stopped you, has it?

jW

 

[alexacker]

A MS Store looks about as exciting a destination as going to Staples to purchase inkjet printer ink. Going to an Apple Store means my daughter can have fun and play games while I leisurely peruse. When she's happy, I'm happy.

Watch, MS will copy Apple retail store philosophy (including kids section and no cashiers) like they copy everything else from Apple.

 

[AidenShaw]

Wait, you're using OS X Server licensing as an example of Microsoft giving you the option of paying less?

It's an example of both Apple and Microsoft creating what is fundamentally a single product, yet making price tiers by removing features from the product and selling it for less.

"Final Cut Studio" - "Final Cut Express", "Photoshop" - "Photoshop Elements", ...

 

[DMann]

Wait, you're using OS X Server licensing as an example of Microsoft giving you the option of paying less? Have you seen Windows Server licensing? (There's a bit more than a 1% difference, btw, having set up servers myself.)

And what version of Windows do you get for $129 or less? Everything I've seen places the most reasonable version for around $149 (at least that works with any normal computer). Why would Apple need to have tiered versions when they can just offer the full thing for less than Microsoft charges for the stripped down versions?



Neither is Apple, but that hasn't stopped you, has it?

jW

Not to mention that the "tiered" pricing scheme for the already overpriced crippleware W7 versions cleverly enables MS to further extort, yet again, from those customers who realize that the Home Premium and Professional versions lack the features they need or will eventually be needing:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

Upgrade pricing:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

Pay more for a stripped down version, and then upgrade, all for significantly more than the purchase price of a single version of Snow Leopard.

 

[AidenShaw]

Pay more for a stripped down version, and then upgrade, all for significantly more than the purchase price of a single version of Snow Leopard.

You forgot to add the cost of an Apple computer to the price of 10.6.

$899 - Dell Quad Core Nehalem tower + Windows 7 Ultimate

$2499 - Apple Quad Core Nehalem tower + 10.6
________________________

 

[Mal]

It's an example of both Apple and Microsoft creating what is fundamentally a single product, yet making price tiers by removing features from the product and selling it for less.

"Final Cut Studio" - "Final Cut Express", "Photoshop" - "Photoshop Elements", ...

Huh? Mac OS X Server (10-client) and Mac OS X Server (Unlimited client) are exactly the same software. It's not a stripped down version vs a full-featured one. It's a license change. Apple has far better policies in that area than Microsoft.

BTW, Final Cut Studio is Apple's product, yes, but it's hard to claim that Final Cut Studio and Final Cut Express are comparable to Windows 7 Home and Windows 7 Ultimate in terms of stripping out features and selling at different prices. The biggest problem with the comparison? No one else offers a similar product that is full featured for less than either. That's where we get the balls to say that Microsoft is shafting it's customers on the pricing for Windows 7 (and all other versions prior). If Apple can offer more, feature-wise, in one package for less than Microsoft's stripped down version, and you know Microsoft can afford to sell it for less, there's something wrong.

jW

 

[diamond.g]

Not to mention that the "tiered" pricing scheme for the already overpriced crippleware W7 versions cleverly enables MS to further extort, yet again, from those customers who realize that the Home Premium and Professional versions lack the features they need or will eventually be needing:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

Upgrade pricing:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

Pay more for a stripped down version, and then upgrade, all for significantly more than the purchase price of a single version of Snow Leopard.

Honestly comparing Microsofts pricing to Apples isn't right. Would you expect Apple to sell a single version of OS X to be installed on any computer? I would bet if Microsoft sold computers and made it so the os only runs on their hardware they would sell one version for a pretty cheap price. Apple likes to claim they are a software company, but they couldn't survive (as shown in the past) if they let their os be installed "anywhere" officially.

 

[iAlexG]

so pointless

 

[cohibadad]

Snow Leopard Server price has changed to $499 unlimited clients. Amazing deal IMO. The difference between Windows version and Mac OS X pricing is that Windows INTENTIONALLY CRIPPLES functions to induce customers to purchase upgrades. This is just in the client version, not comparing client to server. Mac OS X server is built on top of Mac OS X client. It is additional functionality not present in client, not present and crippled.

 

[AidenShaw]

Huh? Mac OS X Server (10-client) and Mac OS X Server (Unlimited client) are exactly the same software. It's not a stripped down version vs a full-featured one.

Mac OSX (client) and Mac OSX Server (10-client) and Mac OSX Server (Unlimited client) are fundamentally the same software.

Mac OSX (client) is "crippled" from the full-featured one.

It's silly to attack Windows 7 based on the business model, when Apple is doing the same thing (just fewer tiers, that's all).

Mac OSX server is built on top of Mac OSX client. It is additional functionality not present in client, not present and crippled.

Windows 7 Basic is built on top of Windows 7 Starter. It is additional functionality, not present and crippled.
Windows 7 Home Premium is built on top of Windows 7 Basic. It is additional functionality, not present and crippled.
Windows 7 Professional is built on top of Windows 7 Home Premium. It is additional functionality, not present and crippled.
Windows 7 Ultimate is built on top of Windows 7 Professional. It is additional functionality, not present and crippled.
Windows 7 Server (Win2k8R2) is built on top of Windows 7 Ultimate. It is additional functionality, not present and crippled.​

This is clearly a glass half full or half empty situation - are features added to the bottom, or subtracted from the top?

 

[John.B]

So go buy a Dell if that's what makes your life complete.

You forgot to add the cost of an Apple computer to the price of 10.6.

$899 - Dell Quad Core Nehalem tower + Windows 7 Ultimate

$2499 - Apple Quad Core Nehalem tower + 10.6
________________________

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

So go buy a Dell if that's what makes your life complete.

and then put OSX on it and smile