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News from the Mac world
When Goliath apes David
10:42AM Monday November 2, 2009
I find it amusing, disturbing and ironic that Microsoft is opening stores. Not only did Microsoft never have stores before, now it's opening them close to Apple stores.
The second one just opened its doors (in Mission Viejo, California).
Apple is different to most computer companies in that it makes attractive computers - oops, sorry, I mean in that Apple makes computers along with the software that runs 'em.
Often seen as an impediment to growth by those who value the facility to price-compare the hardware then install one of the many, many flavours of Windows on it (or Unix or whatever), this platform cohesion of Apple's may have stopped it becoming as massive as Microsoft, sure.
But this unity has allowed Apple to create devices that continue the Apple zeitgeist into the pockets - and hearts and minds - of both Apple and non-Apple fans, insidiously spreading the message of Apple's chic hardware and software unity, power and ease of use. And it has also led to the rise of the Apple Stores, which have been compelling in spreading Apple's presence around the world, not to mention lucrative.
With Apple Stores, consumers were getting shopping experiences they couldn't get anywhere else.
Apple sells all its hardware and software in its shops, along with carefully selected third-party hardware and software. I've haven't seen Microsoft hardware in an Apple Store, but you can certainly buy Microsoft Office, just as you can from Apple online.
If Microsoft was to make stores with just Microsoft products, they would be small shops. There would just be some Windows packs, Office and lots of keyboards and mice, so I imagine, like the Apple Stores, Microsoft stocks other items too - probably netbooks, laptops and desktops from (hopefully) favoured brands with Windows already installed, for example. (Has a reader been into one yet?)
I wonder if there's a Mac section in a Microsoft Store for Office:Mac and Mac compatible Microsoft hardware?
Anyway, what I find amusing - OK, that word should be ‘embarrassing' - is that despite Apple supposedly being a bit-player compared to Microsoft, the Seattle company has seen fit to virtually copy Apple stores. I haven't visited a new Microsoft store (the two existing examples so far are in the US), but Business Insider (hardly a Mac fan site) says "Like its sibling in Scottsdale, Arizona, it looks a lot like Apple's retail stores - big, clean tables with computers set out for people to use, with lots of uncluttered floor space for people to walk around". Many other people have said the same thing around the 'net.
OK, it's good the new stores are attractive and well laid out, but I cringe at what may be occurring inside Microsoft. Management seems really out of step with the rest of the giant company. There are those within Microsoft making good software, is good) and great hardware, whereas above them management has made some terribly embarrassing decisions. Dare I say the Seinfeld ad? Yikes, that was utterly cringeworthy.
Microsoft apparently paid the comedian US$10 million then thought better of the bizarre and mixed messages and pulled the ads after a few days. We've always known Seinfeld is a Mac user anyway, but I guess $10 million is compelling.
Then there were those absolutely risible ‘house party' ads. What were they thinking?
I find it ironic because the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, keeps blowing off ill advisedly at every public opportunity about Apple - how it's not a threat, or it won't succeed and the rest. I bet there are lots of grumbles about all of this malarkey behind the scenes at Microsoft. I sure would be grumbling.
I think Microsoft should be standing on its own feet, not copying Apple. It shouldn't need to. It should be able to get the best advice and make great ad campaigns and sells its products on their strengths and make stores that don't look like someone else's, don't you think?
And for the record, little David didn't bring down the ‘nine foot tall' Philistine by a trial of strength, exactly. He brought the massive warrior down with a very well-aimed and powerful shot from a distance with a slingshot (Bible, 1 Samuel 17:1-58). There was nothing fair about it, just as there would have been nothing fair about an actual sword fight, wrestling match or whatever.
All in all, with Windows 7 reportedly being ‘almost as good as' OS X, Microsoft users can finally get a taste of the kind of computing lifestyle they have been missing out on for so long. Thanks to Apple, and Microsoft's careful emulation.
- Mark Webster mac.nz
Comments
@Mark Yes I know the population of Auckland, I was born there and lived there for 27 years before moving to Brisbane where I have been living for the last 12 years.
NZ may never get an Apple store, well not anytime soon.
The reason Apple is building Apple stores in Australia is after the global economic downturn, Australia is still a rich country thanks to the Minerals, Uranium, Mining and Mr Rudd Making sure Australia remained strong. People still have money to spend in Australia and Apple have noticed this. (I read this in an Article) NZ on the other hand doesn't have much to export and is not rich in Minerals and mining. Which is why NZ didn't do so well after the global economic downturn. Apple sees NZ at the moment as not a good place to build a store, as the people of NZ don't have the money to spend.
@ DR - Apple has $34 billion cash and short term securities in the bank and NO debt.
@ Butters - Since when has Microsoft sold computers? Last time I checked they were a software marketing company that started getting into gaming consoles and portable music players after they saw other companies having success in those areas.
@ Andre - never say never. NZ is roughly equivalent to one Australian state with 4 million population, and a third of those live in Auckland.
@Butters, if you can't say anything intelligent, why bother? I never said Apple invented computers or any of that stuff, as I know better. I do know exactly what Apple has added to PCs, and so would you if you took the blinkers off.
Apple users clearly do understand the Apple advantage. Meanwhile, Windows users focus on how much money they've saved to help them cope with the stress they score as a result. You're welcome to it.
@Butters. With that logic isnt it amazing at how the hardware sales have grown in spite of having windows preinstalled! But your logic about "best" is somewhat subjective. As i could say that Apple is "better" because its growth year on year over the last couple of years has totally outstripped MS. Also Apple has more cash in the bank that MS does, meaning their cash to debt gearing is quite low in comparison and thats interesting considering the economies of scale between the 2 companies. Now i could say that would make apple "the best" but once again that would be subjective.
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