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Apple's 'Retail 2.0' overhaul launches first in Australia - Page 2

post #41 of 159
5/22/11 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctor David View Post

The photos at macstories show the ipads mounted on top of a thick wedge of lucite. No plexiglass at all. Very awesome.

looks like it's mount at the top but within the lucite. My questions are how thick can it be an still react naturally for the user? Since these are always plugged in could they boot the power to the touch panel to make it more sensitive under the lucite? (I don't expect to get answers to these questions.)


Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse View Post

The second picture (quoted above) is also Steve Jobs, I believe.

I think you're right.
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post #42 of 159
5/22/11 at 7:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post

My thoughts on this are that is is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it could reduces the need for as many staff. Next, everyone will be trying out an iPad even if shopping for a MacBook Pro or an iPod Nano and lastly maybe Apple are demonstrating yet another use of an iPad.

It also lets them change prices instantly (should that never ever arise) because those little cardboard price things next to the products are now (presumably) gone.
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post #43 of 159
5/22/11 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by elroth View Post

Nice glossy screens on those iPads - I assume they'll let you move them around so you can read them.

They are set at an angle. Also people have these things called "necks" that allow the visual apparatus to be oriented at various angles in order to defeat glare.
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post #44 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total. No breaks, no OT, no raises, no healthcare/benes...

In a way, it's sad... But that's progress!

...you damn well better believe that there's an app for that!

Yeah in 2020 it will be the iPad Slave Uprising...! Scifi was wrong about Androids doing all the work.
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post #45 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post

P.S. Sorry off topic mods ... but I have to share ... I am typing this on my MacBook Pro i7 which is on my lap ... it isn't cooking my legs! In fact it is cool the read out is only 35*C! I installed smcFanControl (Google it) and simply set minimum fan speed to 5000 on both fans and have had a lovely cool MBP ever since. I swear my battery life has increased not decreased! I know I could wear the fans out sooner but I manually switch it off a lot which is very simple to do.

For a few years now I've run smcfancontrol at about 3000rpm on the single-fan MacBook/Pros I've owned. The reduced heat which also benefits the components is well worth the increased use of the fan. I haven't encountered any fan failures in several years, just other things like HDD, logic board, SuperDrive, trackpad... My latest Mac, a 13" 2010 MacBook Pro is virtually silent most of the time and I run smcfancontrol at about 2800rpm (max is 6200rpm). Impressive machine so far, cooler and faster and less noisy than the MacBook Alu and non-unbody MacBooks before that. Still gets hot of course if you're doing something intense and what not but you could set the fans to 5000rpm rather than let the laptop decide.

Here's a hint: Cant get the exact RPM you want when using the slider? Edit the smcfancontrol plist file... For the obsessive.
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post #46 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ascii View Post

It also lets them change prices instantly (should that never ever arise) because those little cardboard price things next to the products are now (presumably) gone.

Exactly. The entire backend is presumably a special web site where changes are easily made to anything. The entire set up should be made available to other stores. Apple could be even running dentists patient systems soon (my gold standard for breaking PC domination )
Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
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Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
Long on AAPL so biased. Strong advocate for separation of technology and politics on AI.
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post #47 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nvidia2008 View Post

For a few years now I've run smcfancontrol at about 3000rpm on the single-fan MacBook/Pros I've owned. The reduced heat which also benefits the components is well worth the increased use of the fan. I haven't encountered any fan failures in several years, just other things like HDD, logic board, SuperDrive, trackpad... My latest Mac, a 13" 2010 MacBook Pro is virtually silent most of the time and I run smcfancontrol at about 2800rpm (max is 6200rpm). Impressive machine so far, cooler and faster and less noisy than the MacBook Alu and non-unbody MacBooks before that. Still gets hot of course if you're doing something intense and what not but you could set the fans to 5000rpm rather than let the laptop decide.

Yes, thanks for the tip (before we get banned for off topic) I backed off to 3000 now. I am lucky my fans are super quiet ...or I'm maybe going deaf
Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
Long on AAPL so biased. Strong advocate for separation of technology and politics on AI.
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Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
Long on AAPL so biased. Strong advocate for separation of technology and politics on AI.
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post #48 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

looks like it's mount at the top but within the lucite. My questions are how thick can it be an still react naturally for the user? Since these are always plugged in could they boot the power to the touch panel to make it more sensitive under the lucite? (I don't expect to get answers to these questions.)



I think you're right.

I also notice the charging cable on the ipads isn't plugged in where it usually is under the home button.
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post #49 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonton View Post

And Blue Dalmatian! Where's the Flower Power?

Forget black!... forget white!... I want my next iPad to be Flower Power!!
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We know where you are. We know where youve been. We can more or less know what youre thinking about. - Eric Schmidt
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post #50 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by island hermit View Post

Forget black!... forget white!... I want my next iPad to be Flower Power!!

For those print guys working at 5600 °K they will have to have a neutral gray version
Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
Long on AAPL so biased. Strong advocate for separation of technology and politics on AI.
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Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
Long on AAPL so biased. Strong advocate for separation of technology and politics on AI.
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post #51 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scaramanga89 View Post

What a total fucking non-event.

I've been saying it, a product launch, let alone something like iCloud, is quite unlikely for celebrating retail. However, where was the celebration? Now that's a let down.
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post #52 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctor David View Post

Ah yes indeed. I must have confused polycarbonate with plexiglas. Thanks for the correction.

No problem, David. And I agree with you it does look awesome.
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post #53 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctor David View Post

I also notice the charging cable on the ipads isn't plugged in where it usually is under the home button.

It's mentioned in the article. Apple hax.
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post #54 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

looks like it's mount at the top but within the lucite. My questions are how thick can it be an still react naturally for the user? Since these are always plugged in could they boot the power to the touch panel to make it more sensitive under the lucite? (I don't expect to get answers to these questions.)

It doesn't look to me that the plexiglass/lucite is covering the iPad, it's simply inset into it. I don't think the screen would be able to work properly at all with even a thin sheet of it over it.
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post #55 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total. No breaks, no OT, no raises, no healthcare/benes...

In a way, it's sad... But that's progress!

...you damn well better believe that there's an app for that!

Honestly, I think it will be heart-crushing for any disgruntled Apple employees. Personally, what looks like an iPad for each laptop displayed seems excessive.

End of the day, be thankful and blessed that you never have to work in big chain retail.
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post #56 of 159
5/22/11 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post

...... I can see them being used everywhere from museums and exhibitions....

I have seen them used in a museum. I think it was The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County or Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles.
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post #57 of 159
5/22/11 at 9:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nvidia2008 View Post

I've been saying it, a product launch, let alone something like iCloud, is quite unlikely for celebrating retail. However, where was the celebration? Now that's a let down.

What better way to celebrate in retail than continue to sell products customers want at prices they can't afford.

They should have had a one-day fire sale though. $1,000 off everything currently in the retail store with anything under $1,000 selling for $1 and only one item per customer. How much could they possibly lose? They only have 300 stores in the world. If they had 1000 items per store and they lost $1000 on each item (which they wouldn't), that's a $300m loss in the absolute worst case. Compared to $6b profit last quarter.

Or, better yet, instead of rewarding the penny pinchers who would just sell it on eBay, maybe track down people who have spent tens of thousands on Apple products over the years and send a gift like a MBA or an iPad even.
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post #58 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlituna View Post

Not that expensive. The cost to apple is only like $100 per unit.

iSuppli says #326.60

http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/Pages/iPad-2-Carries-Bill-of-Materials-of-$326-60-IHS-iSuppli-Teardown-Analysis-Shows.aspx
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post #59 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nvidia2008 View Post

It's mentioned in the article. Apple hax.

I'm so observant
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post #60 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total. No breaks, no OT, no raises, no healthcare/benes...!

Yep. And now every customer that uses one those germ transfer stations can delight in knowing any bug that the person that used it before them had is now living on their fingers. Progress indeed.

-kpluck
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post #61 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post

My thoughts on this are that is is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it could reduces the need for as many staff. Next, everyone will be trying out an iPad even if shopping for a MacBook Pro or an iPod Nano and lastly maybe Apple are demonstrating yet another use of an iPad. Perhaps other companies will invest in the custom versions of point of sale iPads. I can see them being used everywhere from museums and exhibitions to POS for just about any item sales staff have problems explaining (Best Buy anyone?).

I guarantee we will see RIM's tablet and Google's Android tablets suddenly appearing doing the exact same thing as those companies 'suddenly' have the exact same idea. I bet Microsoft are up early this morning planning their design for one too.

P.S. Sorry off topic mods ... but I have to share ... I am typing this on my MacBook Pro i7 which is on my lap ... it isn't cooking my legs! In fact it is cool the read out is only 35*C! I installed smcFanControl (Google it) and simply set minimum fan speed to 5000 on both fans and have had a lovely cool MBP ever since. I swear my battery life has increased not decreased! I know I could wear the fans out sooner but I manually switch it off a lot which is very simple to do.

nice post !!


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post #62 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scaramanga89 View Post

What a total fucking non-event.

Yep. This huge circle jerk of iFans over this nothing announcement.

Do they have a iPad next to a Shuffle? Did they run out of space now? I mean, Shuffle with iPad, Nano with iPad, Classic with iPad, Touch with iPad, Apple TV with iPad, iPad with iPad.....and on. Lots of space to take up.

Is this a green thing? You save paper but how much coal is being burned through out the world to power all of those iPads at all of the stores?

I hope the adjusted the lights above so the glare is not.....glaring
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post #63 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post

My thoughts on this are that is is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it could reduces the need for as many staff. Next, everyone will be trying out an iPad even if shopping for a MacBook Pro or an iPod Nano and lastly maybe Apple are demonstrating yet another use of an iPad. Perhaps other companies will invest in the custom versions of point of sale iPads. I can see them being used everywhere from museums and exhibitions to POS for just about any item sales staff have problems explaining (Best Buy anyone?).

I guarantee we will see RIM's tablet and Google's Android tablets suddenly appearing doing the exact same thing as those companies 'suddenly' have the exact same idea. I bet Microsoft are up early this morning planning their design for one too.

P.S. Sorry off topic mods ... but I have to share ... I am typing this on my MacBook Pro i7 which is on my lap ... it isn't cooking my legs! In fact it is cool the read out is only 35*C! I installed smcFanControl (Google it) and simply set minimum fan speed to 5000 on both fans and have had a lovely cool MBP ever since. I swear my battery life has increased not decreased! I know I could wear the fans out sooner but I manually switch it off a lot which is very simple to do.

Yeah RIM and Google will follow Apple's lead.......because touch screen displays in retail have never been around.
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post #64 of 159
5/22/11 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kpluck View Post

Yep. And now every customer that uses one those germ transfer stations can delight in knowing any bug that the person that used it before them had is now living on their fingers. Progress indeed.

-kpluck

Are you really that phobic about germs on a glass display? Note that all their other devices are glass covered and touchable, too. Note that in Western culture is customary to shake hands. Also note that not being exposed to germs will prevent you from building up natural immunities.


Here is a fun video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEDLAgu0yl8
Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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post #65 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scaramanga89 View Post

I'm not upset, it's just staggering that this is even getting coverage. It's not exactly a huge celebration for the average punter is it?

They might have had some sort of promo or an anniversary edition of something, but I guess that wouldn't rake in the profits.....

Sure, but you're a bitter asshole that who literally never posted a single thing that wasn't belittling Apple, Apple's customers or this site, so why should we expect you to think anything else?
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post #66 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bettieblue View Post

Yep. This huge circle jerk of iFans over this nothing announcement.

Do they have a iPad next to a Shuffle? Did they run out of space now? I mean, Shuffle with iPad, Nano with iPad, Classic with iPad, Touch with iPad, Apple TV with iPad, iPad with iPad.....and on. Lots of space to take up.

Is this a green thing? You save paper but how much coal is being burned through out the world to power all of those iPads at all of the stores?

I hope the adjusted the lights above so the glare is not.....glaring

It actually looks best with iPods and iPhones, IMO, as they're cleverly docked right into the iPad's glass fixture.

http://www.macstories.net/news/apple...re/#more-23142
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post #67 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PXT View Post

Well there's the funny thing. I wonder if they ever thought of having the computer itself tell you about itself.

I was wondering the same thing, so I came to the closest Apple Store to look (Baybrook Mall, Webster--Houston, TX).

1. I think the little iPads are a GREAT replacement for the paper displays. I thought I would be a little off put by having to work to find the price and other information (although sparse) on the paper displays). Not so--the iPad's are doing a great job of being interactive and showing intuitive and easily navigable information.

2. The buttons are disabled. Not only that, but peering through the transparent enclosure, the iPads do not have the normal metal backs. No ports, button, sliders, controls, no holes of any kind are visible on the sides of the unit. I didn't pick one up to look at the bottom.

3. Too many wires? Only one small white wire goes to the clear display stand. I didn't look to see where it connects.

4. Mounting flush in the table: I disagree with that idea. I believe too many display unfriendly things would be set on top of the iPad. this way, the potential for setting things on the iPad is greatly reduced. Also, if it was flush in the table, things would be set on it obscuring the display itself and making it much less usable.

I'm impressed.

I'm writing this on a display MacBook Pro 15".
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post #68 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jm6032 View Post

I was wondering the same thing, so I came to the closest Apple Store to look.

1. I think the little iPads are a GREAT replacement for the paper displays. I thought I would be a little off put by having to work to find the price and other information (although sparse) on the paper displays). Not so--the iPad's are doing a great job of being interactive and showing intuitive and easily navigable information.

2. The buttons are disabled. Not only that, but peering through the transparent enclosure, the iPads do not have the normal metal backs. No ports, button, sliders, controls, no holes of any kind are visible on the sides of the unit. I didn't pick one up to look at the bottom.

3. Too many wires? Only one small white wire goes to the clear display stand. I didn't look to see where it connects.

4. Mounting flush in the table: I disagree with that idea. I believe too many display unfriendly things would be set on top of the iPad. this way, the potential for setting on the iPad is greatly reduced. Also, if it was flush in the table, things would be set on it obscuring the display itself and making it much less usable.

I'm impressed.

Its seems like a well executed idea. And to do it for all Apple Stores on the same day right after the 10 year anniversary is a small but nice touch.

I do wonder how these iPads were refurbs and how the OS was altered. It could simply be a standard app that is set to auto-launch on restart (and auto-luanch on crash) with all power saving options disabled. I also wonder if they are connected by the wire or wirelessly to a local or remote server so that each iPad Station can be remotely updated with new info as needed without being removed from their stand.
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post #69 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse View Post

The computer can't tell you about itself while you're using it without interfering with its use.

Sure it can. It's all in the windows and if-then-else, etc - "we have the technology".

And it's a worthwhile exercise anyway because computers should be better at teaching users how they work while being used after purchase.

I do think the iPad idea is cool, but it also makes me think that something is missing from OSX when you need another computer to explain it.

Many of the most important software concepts were invented in the 70s and forgotten in the 80s.

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Many of the most important software concepts were invented in the 70s and forgotten in the 80s.

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post #70 of 159
5/22/11 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bettieblue View Post

Yep. This huge circle jerk of iFans over this nothing announcement.

---

It's more of a conversation. There's no jerking involved.

Many of the most important software concepts were invented in the 70s and forgotten in the 80s.

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Many of the most important software concepts were invented in the 70s and forgotten in the 80s.

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post #71 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bettieblue View Post

Yeah RIM and Google will follow Apple's lead.......because touch screen displays in retail have never been around.

I am assuming sarcasm here, if not I apologize and disregard my post. Many successes of Apple have 'been around'. Look at smart phones, tablet computers and MP3 players. Apple just have a way of doing things right and then everyone else catches on. Meanwhile I would like some info on the success stories you have showing touch displays being used in retail like this so as to compare.
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Been using Apples since 1978 and Macs since 1984
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post #72 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PXT View Post

I do think the iPad idea is cool, but it also makes me think that something is missing from OSX when you need another computer to explain it.

You think the price of their products should be on the product displays themselves?

I don’t think that’s a good use of the product. I like that they are mostly standard builds with access to the internet and/or filled with media allowing users to full engage with the device.

I also like that they have a call button to get assistance with a built in queue. They could have done this with their Macs, but then customers might hog that Mac waiting for the Apple employee to assist them. This also gets harder for customers to use and understand as you get to the 3.5” products and impossible with their other iPods. It’s simply smarter to use the same product and setup for all stations.

PS: They have(had) some icons in the center console that have changed over the years. At one time you would sign in for your appointment from any Mac but now I think you do that from an employee. I also seem to remember that the app would use the cube effect to flip the screen around. It looked cool but it seemed very off.
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post #73 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PXT View Post

Sure it can. It's all in the windows and if-then-else, etc - "we have the technology".

And it's a worthwhile exercise anyway because computers should be better at teaching users how they work while being used after purchase.

I do think the iPad idea is cool, but it also makes me think that something is missing from OSX when you need another computer to explain it.

What if they had a little paper clip character pop up with useful information now and then, that wouldn't get in the way too much... oh, wait...
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post #74 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse View Post

The computer can't tell you about itself while you're using it without interfering with its use.

Precisely.

People have had this idea of "the computer telling the customer about itself" since the very dawn of computers. I remember seeing it being tried on a DOS computer in Radio Shack years and years ago. It just doesn't work that well.

The trouble is if the computer is playing some multimedia blah-de-blah about itself, the user can't check out the computer at all. Since people don't generally sit there and read/watch it all it's not very effective as a teaching tool either. One of the great "innovations" of the Apple store is that you can actually play around with the products in the store. Some other stores also do this now but ten years ago when Apple did it, it was "revolutionary."

It turns out to be far more valuable for the users to be able to actually test out the computers, than it is for the computers to be playing some lame multi-media presentation over and over again. Which makes sense if you think about it.
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post #75 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I had never heard of McLean, Virginia. Looking it up on Wikipedia only shows a population just under 40k for th 2000 census. So why was this city chosen as the inaugural Apple Store?

Per Wikipedia, "McLean is home to many diplomats, members of Congress and high-ranking federal government officials, entrepreneurs and service businesses partially attributable to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the Central Intelligence Agency.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLean,_Virginia
Here are some screenshoots from the original opening 10 years ago this week.


The first picture appears to be a rather plump Steve Jobs than weve come to know in recent years.

Except for the excessive space occupied by boxes for the CD-ROM-based applications the store still looks fairly modern and certainly more classy than other electronic stores.


edit: I had forgotten theyd had some video center in the back of the store and a checkout desk at the front. I much prefer the Genius Bar being along the back instead of along the side at the back and not having the register tablet at the front. I wonder when they changed that? Its surely been years now.

Wow. Thanks for finding those pics.
I think OS X 10.0 had just shipped that year, and the older inventory of iMacs and iBooks were still preloaded with Mac OS 9. And are those Palm or Handspring PDAs on display in the first pic? The retail biz was a big gamble for Apple, for I recall that they wanted to control the shopping experience and the message, rather than leave it in the hands of anti-Apple kids working at, say, CompUSA.
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post #76 of 159
5/22/11 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prof. Peabody View Post

Precisely.

People have had this idea of "the computer telling the customer about itself" since the very dawn of computers. I remember seeing it being tried on a DOS computer in Radio Shack years and years ago. It just doesn't work that well.

The trouble is if the computer is playing some multimedia blah-de-blah about itself, the user can't check out the computer at all. Since people don't generally sit there and read/watch it all it's not very effective as a teaching tool either. One of the great "innovations" of the Apple store is that you can actually play around with the products in the store. Some other stores also do this now but ten years ago when Apple did it, it was "revolutionary."

It turns out to be far more valuable for the users to be able to actually test out the computers, than it is for the computers to be playing some lame multi-media presentation over and over again. Which makes sense if you think about it.

And if the computer sold itself to the customer, it would take all of the commission for the sale

But seriously, letting people play with the computers rather than lock it down with some kind of demo video (as some retailers like to do) is very important to buying decisions, which is why Apple's retail demo machines are preloaded with a lot of software and even same files so you can, say, play around with Aperture or iMovie or Garageband. It reminds me of the "Test Drive a Mac" program from 84, although all you could do with it back then was MacWrite and MacPaint.
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post #77 of 159
5/22/11 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by akf2000 View Post

Seems like overkill but of course Apple don't have to pay retail for their iPads!

There is a such thing as opportunity cost.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kpluck View Post

Yep. And now every customer that uses one those germ transfer stations can delight in knowing any bug that the person that used it before them had is now living on their fingers. Progress indeed.

Sucks for people that don't have immune systems, but even those people can wipe it with disinfectant and they're good.
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post #78 of 159
5/22/11 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post

Wow. Thanks for finding those pics.
I think OS X 10.0 had just shipped that year, and the older inventory of iMacs and iBooks were still preloaded with Mac OS 9. And are those Palm or Handspring PDAs on display in the first pic? The retail biz was a big gamble for Apple, for I recall that they wanted to control the shopping experience and the message, rather than leave it in the hands of anti-Apple kids working at, say, CompUSA.

Im hoping Dilger will have some nice multi-page article for us detailing the history of the Apple Stores and how theyve changed over the past decade. If anyone can pull off a detailed historical piece about Apples retail stores its him.


Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post

Sucks for people that don't have immune systems, but even those people can wipe it with disinfectant and they're good.

An compared to previous CE with a lot of little crevices in buttons for germs to hide. Or how about talking face to face with some stranger exchanging germs.

Maybe we should all just buy online. Oh wait, didnt Bird Flu originate in China where their products are made?
Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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post #79 of 159
5/22/11 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by malax View Post

The capital region is known for it's very high rate of college graduates (and advanced degree holders) and income levels. So forget "McLean" and think Northern Virginia or US Capital Region.

More than that, Northern Virginia has a high concentration of technology companies - it's been called Silicon Valley East. At one time when driving down the Dulles Toll road (out to the airport) the signs in the buildings read like a tech who's who. It's subsided a little, but there is still a large concentration of companies here. And like silicon valley/San Fran has a major Internet node, MAE-East is here too.
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post #80 of 159
5/22/11 at 1:36pm
Quote:
edit: I had forgotten theyd had some video center in the back of the store and a checkout desk at the front. I much prefer the Genius Bar being along the back instead of along the side at the back and not having the register tablet at the front. I wonder when they changed that? Its surely been years now.

They changed it about a year ago. I rather liked the theater setup in the back- they regularly gave classes back there that were pretty good.

Since the remodel, the amount of retail space is smaller and they don't seem to have as mush stuff. It used to be one of the offer and more unique Applw stores, now it's just like the rest of them
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