[bangbang]

I enjoyed the Microsoft store, as well as the sony store in LA.

Personally, I've grown bored with the apple store and don't have a reason to visit any longer (Same old inventory and experience for years). Now, the MS & Sony stores had several things that I haven't seen in retail stores before (3d binoculars, high end cameras etc..) and was very engaging. If I had a need for what they were selling (and wasn't such a amazon fanatic), I'd have no problem dropping in. I think this is a good trend.

The Mac fans are being a little too precious, IMHO.

[snogglethorpe]

Sony stores, of course, way predate Apple stores. [I first saw them in the '80s, but who knows...]

Sony's a bit lost these days (post playstation, the death of founder Akio Morita, and their move into "content"), but back in the day Sony stores were everything that Apple stores are today: Cool and laid-back, located in the most fashionable part of town, with a spare stylish vibe and spare stylish products, intended as much to set a tone as to sell stuff.

Indeed I would not be surprised if Sony stores were the original model for Apple stores.

[Teckla]

Personally, I've grown bored with the apple store and don't have a reason to visit any longer...

My family owns one Mac and two PCs. When the Mac needed some minor servicing, the value of a local Apple Store became really apparent: we called, made a same-day appointment, went in, had the Mac serviced, and left happy customers in a very short period of time.

When a PC problem occurs, I call, wait on hold, slowly convince the technical support person whose first language isn't English that it needs to be shipped back for servicing, pack it up, label is properly, drive to a FedEx or UPS shop, ... it goes on and on, and it's a real hassle. Also, very stressful: who knows if you'll ever actually see your PC again? Even if you do, who knows when it'll come back?

My PC is due for replacement. Now that I'm older and have a family and many responsibilities, I'm willing to pay a premium for fast, hassle-free, local service. I'm not yet 100% sure I'll switch to Mac, but I might... and that's in large part because there's a few local Apple Stores near by.

[bangbang]

I agree. This is a great reason to by a mac. It would be nice if the competition did this too.

I don't get why are so offended that another store is similar to one they like. It's just an electronics retailer.

[madrona]

I went to the Sony store to savor the first OLED television available for purchase. Oh man, it was sweet.