4 ms·

I used to work the PC dept at BestBuy in Highschool and I never noticed that the apple store goes out of it's way to make sure you can play with and try the com

I used to work the PC dept at BestBuy in Highschool and I never noticed that the apple store goes out of it's way to make sure you can play with and try the computers but the windows machines are never (almost) in a situation you can play with. Why is that? My guess would be that it's related to the bloatware on the PC. There is probably some agreements where they agree to have their logo and application name displayed in store on the slideshow. Or something else? Different marketing strategy by MS? Can MS really think the slideshow of bloatware logo and specifications are going to help sell?

dangrossman 14y ago
Microsoft just provides operating system keys and logo stickers to OEMs. They have little to no control over how computers are sold, marketed, or presented in stores. Those demo apps and preinstalled software come from the manufacturer.
- tseabrooks 14y ago
  Of course, I forgot that somehow, I've been living in Apple world too long. In that case though, doesn't the same still apply to the other OEMs who seem to want their products presented this way?
  - cube13 14y ago
    If they're all running an unlocked Windows shell, there's really nothing that differentiates them from the rest of the pack. The first thing anyone looks at on a laptop(unless it's closed) is the screen. And often, there is little to no branding on the keyboard and screen. So when you have a row of Asus, Acer, Compaq and HP ultrabooks/laptops sitting in a row, each OEM needs to find a way to differentiate themselves from the rest. Apple can present the unlocked shell because nobody else sells OSX devices.
    - toyg 14y ago
      Wouldn't that just need a branded wallpaper? They preload so much junk anyway, one extra image won't make any difference...
      - Someone 14y ago
        Wallpaper, screen saver, and home page, I would think. If you want to go over the top, name the account and the hard disk, too. Finally, if you have style, create your own set of system sounds.
  - lmm 14y ago
    If you go to the manufacturer's own stores (e.g. sony or samsung), their presentation is quite similar to Apple's.
    - tseabrooks 14y ago
      I'm going to make a point of trying to search out some of these other manufacturers stores. I've never seen any in the flesh in the cities I've lived in (Midwest, Midsouth). I think there might be a Sony store somewhere nearby. Thanks for the reminder of these other stores.
    - dsirijus 14y ago
      Yes, I've had wonderful experience with Samsung store, they've even let me go 'backstage'.
gamble 14y ago
The answer is, in part, that Best Buy and other retail stores are addicted to kickbacks from manufacturers. If a product in a retail store is anywhere other than sitting on an obscure shelf, it's because the manufacturer paid the store for more prominent placement. Special displays like the Apple mini-stores and iPhone kiosks in Best Buys only exist because Apple kicks back a lot of money to buy them. Retailers can't experiment with better displays without undermining a lucrative profit center. Apple can structure its stores the way it does because they only exist to sell their own goods.
- tseabrooks 14y ago
  Do you know that apple kicks back? I'd think that apples own retail presence would give them the ability to say, "You sell our products this way on this table or you don't get to sell our products". Apple's strong retail presence has to give them more negotiating power than most other CE companies.
  - MBCook 14y ago
    There are still plenty of places in the US without an Apple store, but there are Best Buys everywhere. Even if Apple didn't sell laptops, you know they would want their own little corner for the iPad. The last time I was in my local BB, the Apple section looked like a little Apple store (as always). The other tablets were lined up shoulder to shoulder and locked into plastic cases bolted to the shelves. Some were setup so you could actually pick them up. Quite a few were dead (probably uncharged). Other than a basic grouping by screen size, it was a "Here's a bunch of tablets, good luck" situation. It's no surprise they don't sell too well. I'd imagine BB loves the Apple stores. It gives them something that no one else has... a little Apple store. Even if they have to kowtow to all of Apple's demands, it must be a good deal. When an Apple laptop sells (lets say at an average of $1200), how much do you think Best Buy gets of that? $50? $100? When a $400 or $800 PC laptop sells, how much do you think Best Buy gets? $15? $25? Even if BB gets the same percentage for all laptops, or even a lower percentage for Apple... I'm guessing the higher average sales prices makes up for it. Apple's margins are famous, and if I was Best Buy I'd want in any way I could. It's actually a pretty good deal for Apple too. Some beautiful Apple computers, fun to play with, and well setup. Just 10 feet away there is a sea of identical PCs, often with cheap plastic and poor screens. There are some good ones in there (and maybe promoted on isle caps), but still.

dangrossman 14y ago

Microsoft just provides operating system keys and logo stickers to OEMs. They have little to no control over how computers are sold, marketed, or presented in stores. Those demo apps and preinstalled software come from the manufacturer.

tseabrooks 14y ago
Of course, I forgot that somehow, I've been living in Apple world too long. In that case though, doesn't the same still apply to the other OEMs who seem to want their products presented this way?
- cube13 14y ago
  If they're all running an unlocked Windows shell, there's really nothing that differentiates them from the rest of the pack. The first thing anyone looks at on a laptop(unless it's closed) is the screen. And often, there is little to no branding on the keyboard and screen. So when you have a row of Asus, Acer, Compaq and HP ultrabooks/laptops sitting in a row, each OEM needs to find a way to differentiate themselves from the rest. Apple can present the unlocked shell because nobody else sells OSX devices.
  - toyg 14y ago
    Wouldn't that just need a branded wallpaper? They preload so much junk anyway, one extra image won't make any difference...
    - Someone 14y ago
      Wallpaper, screen saver, and home page, I would think. If you want to go over the top, name the account and the hard disk, too. Finally, if you have style, create your own set of system sounds.
- lmm 14y ago
  If you go to the manufacturer's own stores (e.g. sony or samsung), their presentation is quite similar to Apple's.
  - tseabrooks 14y ago
    I'm going to make a point of trying to search out some of these other manufacturers stores. I've never seen any in the flesh in the cities I've lived in (Midwest, Midsouth). I think there might be a Sony store somewhere nearby. Thanks for the reminder of these other stores.
  - dsirijus 14y ago
    Yes, I've had wonderful experience with Samsung store, they've even let me go 'backstage'.

gamble 14y ago

The answer is, in part, that Best Buy and other retail stores are addicted to kickbacks from manufacturers. If a product in a retail store is anywhere other than sitting on an obscure shelf, it's because the manufacturer paid the store for more prominent placement. Special displays like the Apple mini-stores and iPhone kiosks in Best Buys only exist because Apple kicks back a lot of money to buy them. Retailers can't experiment with better displays without undermining a lucrative profit center. Apple can structure its stores the way it does because they only exist to sell their own goods.

tseabrooks 14y ago
Do you know that apple kicks back? I'd think that apples own retail presence would give them the ability to say, "You sell our products this way on this table or you don't get to sell our products". Apple's strong retail presence has to give them more negotiating power than most other CE companies.
- MBCook 14y ago
  There are still plenty of places in the US without an Apple store, but there are Best Buys everywhere. Even if Apple didn't sell laptops, you know they would want their own little corner for the iPad. The last time I was in my local BB, the Apple section looked like a little Apple store (as always). The other tablets were lined up shoulder to shoulder and locked into plastic cases bolted to the shelves. Some were setup so you could actually pick them up. Quite a few were dead (probably uncharged). Other than a basic grouping by screen size, it was a "Here's a bunch of tablets, good luck" situation. It's no surprise they don't sell too well. I'd imagine BB loves the Apple stores. It gives them something that no one else has... a little Apple store. Even if they have to kowtow to all of Apple's demands, it must be a good deal. When an Apple laptop sells (lets say at an average of $1200), how much do you think Best Buy gets of that? $50? $100? When a $400 or $800 PC laptop sells, how much do you think Best Buy gets? $15? $25? Even if BB gets the same percentage for all laptops, or even a lower percentage for Apple... I'm guessing the higher average sales prices makes up for it. Apple's margins are famous, and if I was Best Buy I'd want in any way I could. It's actually a pretty good deal for Apple too. Some beautiful Apple computers, fun to play with, and well setup. Just 10 feet away there is a sea of identical PCs, often with cheap plastic and poor screens. There are some good ones in there (and maybe promoted on isle caps), but still.