Friday, October 26, 2012

Microsoft pop-up store open at SouthPark


People were waiting in line for a new electronic gadget at SouthPark mall Friday, but they weren't at the Apple store: They were at Microsoft's new pop-up store, waiting to buy the new Surface tablet.

The open kiosk, which could be a prelude to a permanent store in the area, is one of 34 temporary Microsoft stores the computer giant opened Friday for the holidays. The point of the stores is to get new products in customers' hands and generate buzz about them.

Friday, that buzz was about the Surface tablet. In between the Abercrombie & Fitch and Bath & Body Works stores, customers lined up to play with and purchase the Surface, which starts at $499, or $599 for one with the flip-cover keyboard.

The Surface, for now, is only available online and at the Microsoft stores.

Microsoft also released Windows 8 on Friday, and workers were showing customers how to use the new products.


"We want them to come so they can learn whole Windows 8 product," said store manager Maryam Alhammami. "Customer service is the whole thing."

Microsoft will use the temporary store as a launching pad for hot items this holiday season. The company is also planning release events for Halo 4 and the Windows 8 phone, both of which could be big holiday sellers.

Here's a good article in the Wall Street Journal about people lining up for Microsoft products. An excerpt, and some nostalgia Microsoft is doubtless trying to recreate: "In 1995, when PCs were the center of the action in technology, customers lined street corners in major cities around the world hoping to get their hands on Windows 95, one of the first big overhauls of the software that runs on most PCs."


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure it wasnt a big line because the surface tablet is overpriced and Windows 8 is just a joke for a OS.

David said...

I just read this article on my Surface now. It's a nice little machine, very smooth. Can't wait to take it on the road when I travel!

Anonymous said...

I've sworn off anything Windows... so best of luck to them.

Anonymous said...

Well, if you dislike it that much, turn on your pop-up blocker. (Sorry, couldn't help it. Reflex, you know.)

Anonymous said...

Anonymous - did you post That rant using your iPhone? Douche.

Anonymous said...

It figures the first post would be from an obvious Apple Fanboy

Anonymous said...

Awe, look at that sad little store:(

Anonymous said...

It's actually what I am replacing my IPad with... It has everything an IPad offers plus I can work from home with it. It's not just a toy. Don't get me wrong, the IPad is fun but the W8 tablet is a better piece of hardware, just as fun, easier to use and I can run grownup apps :)

Anonymous said...

Does the Surface come with Virus protection? You always have to consider that with Windows products.

Unknown said...

You can't run "grownup apps" on the current Surface available now as it runs Windows RT.

Although the people at this "store" which is really just a kiosk, don't know the difference between RT and 8. It's really kind of funny.

Anonymous said...

Good luck finding many apps. lol

Anonymous said...

Although I'm a heavy user of several Apple products (MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone, iMac, Mac Mini) I'm quite impressed with the Surface tablet. It's a pleasant surprise.

Anonymous said...

I got one yesterday. Great device. It's more than an IPAD. Microsoft nailed this !!

Unknown said...

If you are looking for some good electronics you should look here.bell - south park centre