Mini Apple Stores?

[windowsblowsass]

stores on campus

after hearing a few say they should have stores on their campus an idea struck why not have mini stores on or near major college campuses in the us? only one flaw college kids are broke and apple computers arent exactly cheap

 

[windowsblowsass]

I was in the KoP store and was told they only do edu discounts on HARDWARE....not software...I was in buying iLife and didn't want to wait on mail order, so I just bought it outright...but I was specifically told that edu discount is only valid on hardware.

hmm inever elised there were many other users from pa on here

 

[windowsblowsass]

I was in the KoP store and was told they only do edu discounts on HARDWARE....not software...I was in buying iLife and didn't want to wait on mail order, so I just bought it outright...but I was specifically told that edu discount is only valid on hardware.

hmm i never relised there were many other users from pa on here

 

[stealthboy]

Beehive rules

Don't go bustin' on the BeeHive. Where else can you go to watch a Faster Pussycat Kill Kill and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls double feature, drink good coffee on a sofa and eat popcorn out of a Wooden bowl?

As an alumnus of CMU, I for one cannot imagine a college experience without the Beehive and the "O". Put an Apple store right there inbetween the two and you have the trifecta. It would probably fit better up Fifth in Shadyside, though (more upscale shops).

 

[MacMoot2]

Gateway - No way

State College, Pa would be a good spot for a ministore. I know a great location. There was a Gateway Country that just went out. That would be sweet.[/QUOTE]

If the location was good enough for Gateway, imho it's not good enough for Apple. (Unless there are lots of cows grazing around.)https://forums.macrumors.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=731304#

 

[kingtj]

Not real thrilled about mini stores, myself.

I mean, more of an Apple presence is a good thing - but mini-stores? I'm not even sure I'd call their regular retail store in the mall here in St. Louis, Missouri much more than a "mini store"! I think some of you folks in major cities that have a "mega Apple store" don't realize how limited some of Apple's other stores really are.

IMHO, one of Apple's problems has been the perception that they don't really have much to offer in the way of software and accessories. (Most people think "What can one of those places really show me? They make this big aluminum G5 thing, those lampshade looking iMacs, and a few different laptop products. Other than that, umm... they have a few programs like Keynote and Appleworks, and that rather expensive firewire camera of theirs... What else is there??")

What I think needs to be done is to make more of an effort to fill up their stores, chock-full of all the 3rd. party goodies. Carry everything companies like MacMice offer. Sell those customized computer desks made just for Macs. Carry a full line of rack mount and wall mount hardware. Stock all of the AGP and PCI video cards that newer Macs can use. Carry a couple SCSI cards. Heck, even carry a line of hardware and software just for folks trying to upgrade the "unsupported" PowerMacs to run OS X!

 

[AngryLawnGnome]

I'm lucky enough to have a big one in my home town (Burlingame, CA). Although I'm ashamed to say I've made only one visit and only for a few minutes.

 

[rdowns]

I mean, more of an Apple presence is a good thing - but mini-stores? I'm not even sure I'd call their regular retail store in the mall here in St. Louis, Missouri much more than a "mini store"! I think some of you folks in major cities that have a "mega Apple store" don't realize how limited some of Apple's other stores really are.

IMHO, one of Apple's problems has been the perception that they don't really have much to offer in the way of software and accessories. (Most people think "What can one of those places really show me? They make this big aluminum G5 thing, those lampshade looking iMacs, and a few different laptop products. Other than that, umm... they have a few programs like Keynote and Appleworks, and that rather expensive firewire camera of theirs... What else is there??")

What I think needs to be done is to make more of an effort to fill up their stores, chock-full of all the 3rd. party goodies. Carry everything companies like MacMice offer. Sell those customized computer desks made just for Macs. Carry a full line of rack mount and wall mount hardware. Stock all of the AGP and PCI video cards that newer Macs can use. Carry a couple SCSI cards. Heck, even carry a line of hardware and software just for folks trying to upgrade the "unsupported" PowerMacs to run OS X!

The Apple stores on Long Island (NY) are pretty small and have an anemic stock of other products to buy. You'd be lucky to find more than 6 iPod accessories or more than a dozen software titles. There is a CompUSA across the street from the Roosevelt Field store and even their mini store within the store blows Apple away with a prety nice selection of accessories, third party products and softweare. At least I get into the city often enough and can go to the Soho flagship store.

I thought Apple stores existed to sell Macs. How does having next to no software and accessories help sell Macs? Seems to play into the public myth that no software exists for the Mac.

That being said, more locations where people can see, touch and play with Macs is good. Lack of distribution is one of their achilles heels.