Why I Can’t Stand Microsoft

Steve Ballmer said, “9 out of 10 PC users are running Windows.” This may be true, but is that something to brag about when you blatantly rip off a competitor’s marketing strategy like this?

Lone, iconic logo above the door.
T-shirted staff with lanyards.
Glass windows from top to bottom.
Wide open store layout with minimal product placement.

All identical to an Apple Store. Lame.

Microsoft doesn’t necessarily have a bad product in Windows. What they have is an identity problem as a company. Maybe Steve Balmer should enlist different “developers” the next time Microsoft designs a retail store.

HT: Carlos Whitaker

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Contributor: Justin Wise

I am a religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with my wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Find more here: JustinWise.me
  • I don't understand why everyone wants to fight Apple's fights for them. If Apple believes that Microsoft is violating any of their design patents, they have corrective action they can take. If Microsoft wants to blatantly copy the competition, it is up to the market to reward or punish their behavior by their spending habits. As long as Microsoft isn't engaged in anti-competitive behavior let them do whatever they want. I think it's kind of funny to watch :)
  • Chad
    So, is Target lame for having the "same" store design/layout as Walmart, or Fareway lame for having the "same" store design/layout as Hy-Vee? I could go on for quite a while with similar "ripoffs" if I wanted to I'm sure, but the fact is that certain layouts work for certain types of stores. Apple doesn't have a patent on their store design, though it wouldn't surprise if they've tried.

    And Paul, as for the Zune and Zune Marketplace being copies of the iPod and iTunes respectively - have you ever even used either of them, or are you just saying things cuz you want to join the MS-bashing? Cuz I've used them and can tell you they're nothing like the iPod and iTunes (which, yes, I have used plenty of).
  • Chadley .... Certainly no one is charging Walmart or Fareway with "store design infringement"! However, if it was systemic, across the board, pervasive infringement might have a case.

    Look at is this way: The last two of of Microsoft's huge marketing strategies ("I'm a PC" and The Microsoft store) have been directly borrowed from their competitor. That, to me, is lazy.
  • Microsoft has been copying apple for years. They still are, and probably always will be unless they change their innovation department.
    Case in point:
    Stores (as you mentioned)
    iPod (see: Zune)
    iTunes (see: Zune Marketplace)
    GUI feel (see: Aero)
  • It is a little ridiculous how similar they made the microsoft store to the Apple store. Reminds me of the way a lot of Christians copy the rest of culture so we can have our own parallel universe.
    GodTube copied YouTube
    ChurchCruch copied TechCrunch
    Gosplr copied twitter
    Cheesy Christian T-shirt designers copy just about every corporate logo & slogan.
    The list could go on. Just like you think Microsoft is pathetic for trying to be like Apple, I think most of the world looks at the "Christian" version of their stuff and just laughs at us.

    On another note, why does Microsoft need a store?
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