Throwing money at the problem isn't going to fix it. An Apple employee is promoting the best. An Apple employee as an MS Employee is fighting the best.
This isn't a new tactic. They've been doing the same thing with software companies for years now. They pay the company to NOT produce a Linux, Solaris, OS/2, and Macintosh version of the app. The software companies are persuaded that even if they did MS's kickback would offer more to the bottom line than the release would. It's mostly in Business systems that I'm aware of this but with Xbox and MS Windows as a gaming platform I wouldn't put it past them to offer a small guaranteed amount in return for a no-release on a specific platform.
Apple's retail stores tend to be fairly stressful, boiler room types of environments. What once started as a nice, relatively calm places populated by people who actually knew something about the product are now constantly mobbed by throngs of idiot teenagers whose only relation to the Apple brand is their iPod and/or iPhone, and oh -- "hey, how convenient, that there's these computers in the store so I can shit away half my day on Facebook while waiting 3.5 hours for my name to come up at the Genius Bar to fix a stupid problem I could've figured out at homeif I knew how to use Google, and which I probably wouldn't have had if I used my iPod/iPhone with a Mac instead of my stupid Windows box!"
(Kinda like how AI forums has changed over the last couple of years, but that's a discussion for another day . . . )
My point is that the store managers probably are worn to the bone by now, and what little brand loyalty they had to begin with (and I don't think many of them do -- for most of them, it's just a job, and they don't have loyalty that goes back to Apple's "dark days" in the mid-'90s, not by a LONG shot) is GONE. Especially in this economy, "double your salary" is very compelling.
It's not just M$ that's aware of this. Trust me, certain independent Apple resellers, who run stores that are profitable (maybe not rape-the-earth profitable, like Apple Retail, but profitable nonetheless) are all too aware of this, too. This is why they're getting applications from people who used to work at Apple's own stores, even at lower rates of pay. In fact, I'd venture to guess that until Microsoft Retail came along, independent Apple resellers were poaching a few Apple Store employees, too. Only difference is that those employees came willingly, not as a result of having dollars waved in front of their faces.
Not that I know firsthand or anything.
Spoken like one who has felt the fire and ran out of the kitchen! I'd do it too! But think about it, would the MS Store be any better? Instead of pierced faces in need of showers (and believe me some of you do stink-axe doesn't help the situation) ranting at you in slang your gonna have old blue hairs asking you simple things over and over again. Pissed off people with virus's and no boot situations. I think the lesser of the two is Apple again here.
I'd pay money to see the picture of "Boss" bringing in his entire network'd system one at a time for Free repair. You don't think it's gonna happen? It's amazing what the word FREE will do to some people who are desperate and out of options.
I believe that MS's approach has several benefits to MS. 2 which stand out for me are:
a) they get someone with inside knowledge of how their competition is run, etc.
b) they get to take talent away from Apple..and, like some corporate chains are known to do (whole foods, borders), they can just fire them after say..6 months once they've learned (ie: sucked the knowledge from the manager) all they need to know to get the processes in their own stores streamlined.
I think B is most likely. I don't see how anyone could believe an MS store is going to magically make enough cash to warrant doubling what is probably an industry standard salary.
Let's be real. Microsoft is not going under within our lifetime and given MS history they will keep pumping money into this until they success. Maybe MS will not be making millions from their retail stores but I don't think that's the point. I wouldn't be surprised if Dell, HP, and other PC manufacturers are aiding MS with their retail plans.
However you look at it, it will be a win for those who leave from Apple to the largest software developer in history, which is a fact whether we like MS or not.
Largest DEVELOPER? No. They steal, beg, borrow and BUY most of what they have. All, ALL, of their Business apps (taling 100k+ systems) wer BOUGHT not made. They were doing well on their own. Great Plains, Solomon (who they sold BACK to the original owner for 1/3), Navision, etc... They BOUGHT them. They make more on that side of the software biz than windows... But it's Windows (who they stole going back to 1979 from Seattle Computer Company for $50k and a job) that people know and see everywhere. Office was stolen and bought. GUI Was Xerox who sold rights to Apple, WHICH was stolen by MS in 1983 while WORKING FOR APPLE. Sorry, not at you... Just erks me when people (especially tech school zombies talk about MS this way when they don't even know enough to msconfig their way out of a virus infection) talk about Microsoft in a way that makes them sound like they CONTRIBUTED ANYTHING to the computer industry or it's development. Woz started it all. And he wasn't working for Apple at the time it was HP.
Developer? Nope.
As to Too Big to Fail just throw money at it. The last year should have taught you one lesson, that if it costs more to save than to toss... Your gonna toss it anyways. Keep spending to cover up and you'll have nothing left to use.
Just imagine you were offered DOUBLE your salary to work somewhere else...wouldn't you do it?
"Somewhere else"? No, I wouldn't. You see, you and I could probably earn 4 times the salary we make now, simply by moving to Iraq and working in the field of "security." But are you going to do that? No. (If you were willing, you would be there right now.)
What you MEANT to ask was, "Wouldn't you change jobs if you could double your salary, without hazarding your health, working at similar workplace with a similar position on a similar set of products and services?" The answer to that question will be "yes" by people short-term thinkers who are willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder and "no" to those whose convictions are stronger than the almighty greenback.
Chances are MS cannot afford to pay outrageous salaries in the long term. MS is doing this now to lure people from Apple stores. But if it's stores are not successful, they of course won't cut those large salaries. Oh no. They will just close the stores and put and end to those jobs. Apple should therefore create a hiring policy that says, "if you quit Apple to work for MS, don't expect to get hired back when times get tough at Redmond."
How Innovative & creative for Microsoft to, once again, steal APPLE ideas, copy them, and are now so desperate, to steal employees away. Sure, you can buy anybody for money, but sell your soul in the process. This is further proof of how debased Microsoft is, lacking in character, & ruthless. Some would say, "business is business." I say, "bad business has to resort to bad business." If Microsoft had its act even a little bit together, they could perhaps do the opposite, absolutely not hire anyone who has worked for Apple or owns Apple products. If 'business is business' is the rule of the land, the I hope a good 1/3 of the employees that go to work for Microsoft stores are actually Apple spies who report back everything to Apple. It would be interesting to see the faces of those who take the higher money to see how convincing they are, telling young/old & vulnerable Microsoft customers that they are indeed purchasing a superior product (Windows) & 'we'll see you real soon' (when you have to bring it back with viruses).
I read all the comments and I agree with people saying that MS business plan will probably fail, since MS are doing it for all the wrong reasons and to me, it looks like an emotional decision by Ballmar because MS is not seem as cool as Apple or MS is wanting to drive Apple under.
What I can not understand is holier than thou approach to people taking double pay. Yes I agree you have to understand the environment, you are walking into, but that being said calling someone idiot for such appealing offer, is just native or your so in love with Apple, you are drinking too much of their Kool aid.
People should look after NUMBER ONE and ensure that their have a enjoyable working environment and get paid a decent wage for their efforts. You can be loyal to your company, but do not get emotional attached, since NO ONE IS INDEFENSIBLE and you can be replaced.
Addition the above comments about bad business for poaching people..LMAO..this happens EVERY DAY in cooperate world at all levels, so MS poaching Apple employees is nothing new. Everyone including are beloved Apple poach, so lets not get on crusader about MS, when we know Apple do the same business practices.
The number of comments, I have seen by people are blinded by their love for Apple and not rational in nature and more emotional, since people dare leave Apple to go to MS.
I love Apple and probably will not buy another product, unless it was far superior in nature, but I am not blinded by emotional attachment and too much drinking the HOLY Apple Kool aid.
I say good luck to employees that are going to MS retail store(s).
It's just a job--if you're offered a lot more money, then unless you really like your Apple job (which is separate from liking Apple products) I say take it
There's always the risk of it being a shorter-term opportunity than you hoped, of course.
short term isnt a problem for anyone with "Apple store manager" on their resume with a reason for leaving of "Microsoft offerd me a retardedly high salary for a store I knew from the outset would fail, but I jumped for the money." They will have no trouble landing other high end retail management gigs.
If thing don't work out as MS, "gee, um, will you take me back???"
Why would they? It wouldn't look good on you resume "oh I left for more money ............" and jumpin around never looks good. But I can't imagine the scorn from Apple fanbots once they found out. Seriously apple should counteroffer these guys if they're serious.
"Somewhere else"? No, I wouldn't. You see, you and I could probably earn 4 times the salary we make now, simply by moving to Iraq and working in the field of "security." But are you going to do that? No. (If you were willing, you would be there right now.)
What you MEANT to ask was, "Wouldn't you change jobs if you could double your salary, without hazarding your health, working at similar workplace with a similar position on a similar set of products and services?" The answer to that question will be "yes" by people short-term thinkers who are willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder and "no" to those whose convictions are stronger than the almighty greenback.
Chances are MS cannot afford to pay outrageous salaries in the long term. MS is doing this now to lure people from Apple stores. But if it's stores are not successful, they of course won't cut those large salaries. Oh no. They will just close the stores and put and end to those jobs. Apple should therefore create a hiring policy that says, "if you quit Apple to work for MS, don't expect to get hired back when times get tough at Redmond."
one of the funniest ive ever've read here. Great with my Sunday morning coffee.
My guess is that MS is prepared to lose money on these things (AKA seemingly everything they do outside of the Windows/Office duopoly).
They're not looking to move product, they're looking to build mindshare for whatever version of the "Windows experience" they're currently touting.
They can see that Apple is having a lot of success with "ecosystems" and "synergies" across multiple hardware platforms and al kinds of software; they figure you can more or less do the same thing with Windows but maybe people aren't quite getting that.
So I would expect to see a heavy emphasis on PC/Xbox/Media Center/Zune integration (insofar as that exists).
However, we should never forget that Microsoft is the company that produced this.
I don't care what anyone says, a company that is capable of making that, and thinking that it's a marketing tool, is in danger of trying to sell things in their stores by affixing a dead cat to each item. It really sort of deifies imagination, the terribleness.
So while they may be able to make their best effort to simply clone Apple's stores, there is something deeply clueless and stupid in MS's DNA, or at least in the Windows division.
I expect the stores to devolve into a grotesque mashup of an Apple Store, a Hot Topic, and a tupperware party.
Parts of your post are pretty funny
I think as soon as a company tries to be everything to everybody they become really lousy at everything. That's what worries me sometimes about Apple. People say they should get into enterprise computing. I'm not so sure. Microsoft just wants it all. They should stay with the business niche and Apple should stay with the creatives and the young consumers.
The mind share thing is pretty accurate. Microsoft just wants to appear cool like Apple. The stores are not really about selling anything but merely an attempt to stop losing the younger generation who hang out at the mall.
When people compare Mac percentages to PC they don't often present it in the context of demographics. Mac is really a lot higher than you might think at college which is a really important factor that Microsoft can't ignore.
I think as soon as a company tries to be everything to everybody they become really lousy at everything. That's what worries me sometimes about Apple. People say they should get into enterprise computing. I'm not so sure. Microsoft just wants it all. They should stay with the business niche and Apple should stay with the creatives and the young consumers.
The mind share thing is pretty accurate. Microsoft just wants to appear cool like Apple. The stores are not really about selling anything but merely an attempt to stop losing the younger generation who hang out at the mall.
When people compare Mac percentages to PC they don't often present it in the context of demographics. Mac is really a lot higher than you might think at college which is a really important factor that Microsoft can't ignore.
To be honest, MS shouldn't even be in the consumer tech biz to begin with. There are any number of others that could probably do it better than MS and do justice to consumers' heightened expectations in terms of a safe, productive and easy experience.
Wow! Contacting the retail store managers? Quite an interesting tactic.
I'm actually really curious to see when Microsoft brings a retail store to my area (central NJ), and how it will fare.
well one has to wonder if they might really come out with that new tablet and not oem it to hp, Dell, and so on. I always wondered why they never made a computer that they would have control over.
With regard to trying to get employees, this happens all the time in any field. I'm just wondering how much better they will pay. A while back, Apple folk in retail made good money but now that so many want to work there, they pay the specialist like 10.50 to 11 an hour. Back in the day, the geniuses used to make $30 an hour, now it's down to$17 plus they do this whole grow your own program where a genius who used to be specialist, still gets paid his specialist pay grade. One friend of mine, is doing that and has been for almost a year. IMHO, this is just apples way to save more money. Plus at one store I know in Pasadena, store #34, they have very few full time and 4-5 times more part time, thus excluding them from health benefits. Hmmm.
So, am curiuos to see if Microsoft pays more and again, I think if they come out with that computer on their own, that could be a game changer as Apple reduced it's prices due to all the Microsoft commercials.
Very interesting times and hopefully, the consumer wins both on the mac and pc side as I could see some mac users getting that Microsoft device.
You all need to grow up and realize two things: First, MS is not going up against Apple (Apple's not even in their league, see point two). They are simply following in Apple's footsteps. They saw a better way to sell their stuff and so have capitalized on it. Second, all those of you screaming fail, its time for you to realize Windows sells how many times more of its products than do Macs? Yeah time to remember your place in the market share. I love Apple and would not buy a Microsoft product, but you all need to remember your place in the big scheme. You are the minority.
Yeah...remember your "place"....get to the back of the bus!
Comments
You really have issues with MSFT that you need help with. I feel sorry for you. They really annoy you , it's so sad.
Wow! What great insight .... thanks for that oh so valuable contribution. Not!
This isn't a new tactic. They've been doing the same thing with software companies for years now. They pay the company to NOT produce a Linux, Solaris, OS/2, and Macintosh version of the app. The software companies are persuaded that even if they did MS's kickback would offer more to the bottom line than the release would. It's mostly in Business systems that I'm aware of this but with Xbox and MS Windows as a gaming platform I wouldn't put it past them to offer a small guaranteed amount in return for a no-release on a specific platform.
Apple's retail stores tend to be fairly stressful, boiler room types of environments. What once started as a nice, relatively calm places populated by people who actually knew something about the product are now constantly mobbed by throngs of idiot teenagers whose only relation to the Apple brand is their iPod and/or iPhone, and oh -- "hey, how convenient, that there's these computers in the store so I can shit away half my day on Facebook while waiting 3.5 hours for my name to come up at the Genius Bar to fix a stupid problem I could've figured out at homeif I knew how to use Google, and which I probably wouldn't have had if I used my iPod/iPhone with a Mac instead of my stupid Windows box!"
(Kinda like how AI forums has changed over the last couple of years, but that's a discussion for another day . . . )
My point is that the store managers probably are worn to the bone by now, and what little brand loyalty they had to begin with (and I don't think many of them do -- for most of them, it's just a job, and they don't have loyalty that goes back to Apple's "dark days" in the mid-'90s, not by a LONG shot) is GONE. Especially in this economy, "double your salary" is very compelling.
It's not just M$ that's aware of this. Trust me, certain independent Apple resellers, who run stores that are profitable (maybe not rape-the-earth profitable, like Apple Retail, but profitable nonetheless) are all too aware of this, too. This is why they're getting applications from people who used to work at Apple's own stores, even at lower rates of pay. In fact, I'd venture to guess that until Microsoft Retail came along, independent Apple resellers were poaching a few Apple Store employees, too. Only difference is that those employees came willingly, not as a result of having dollars waved in front of their faces.
Not that I know firsthand or anything.
Spoken like one who has felt the fire and ran out of the kitchen! I'd do it too! But think about it, would the MS Store be any better? Instead of pierced faces in need of showers (and believe me some of you do stink-axe doesn't help the situation) ranting at you in slang your gonna have old blue hairs asking you simple things over and over again. Pissed off people with virus's and no boot situations. I think the lesser of the two is Apple again here.
I'd pay money to see the picture of "Boss" bringing in his entire network'd system one at a time for Free repair. You don't think it's gonna happen? It's amazing what the word FREE will do to some people who are desperate and out of options.
a) they get someone with inside knowledge of how their competition is run, etc.
b) they get to take talent away from Apple..and, like some corporate chains are known to do (whole foods, borders), they can just fire them after say..6 months once they've learned (ie: sucked the knowledge from the manager) all they need to know to get the processes in their own stores streamlined.
I think B is most likely. I don't see how anyone could believe an MS store is going to magically make enough cash to warrant doubling what is probably an industry standard salary.
Let's be real. Microsoft is not going under within our lifetime and given MS history they will keep pumping money into this until they success. Maybe MS will not be making millions from their retail stores but I don't think that's the point. I wouldn't be surprised if Dell, HP, and other PC manufacturers are aiding MS with their retail plans.
However you look at it, it will be a win for those who leave from Apple to the largest software developer in history, which is a fact whether we like MS or not.
Largest DEVELOPER? No. They steal, beg, borrow and BUY most of what they have. All, ALL, of their Business apps (taling 100k+ systems) wer BOUGHT not made. They were doing well on their own. Great Plains, Solomon (who they sold BACK to the original owner for 1/3), Navision, etc... They BOUGHT them. They make more on that side of the software biz than windows... But it's Windows (who they stole going back to 1979 from Seattle Computer Company for $50k and a job) that people know and see everywhere. Office was stolen and bought. GUI Was Xerox who sold rights to Apple, WHICH was stolen by MS in 1983 while WORKING FOR APPLE. Sorry, not at you... Just erks me when people (especially tech school zombies talk about MS this way when they don't even know enough to msconfig their way out of a virus infection) talk about Microsoft in a way that makes them sound like they CONTRIBUTED ANYTHING to the computer industry or it's development. Woz started it all. And he wasn't working for Apple at the time it was HP.
Developer? Nope.
As to Too Big to Fail just throw money at it. The last year should have taught you one lesson, that if it costs more to save than to toss... Your gonna toss it anyways. Keep spending to cover up and you'll have nothing left to use.
Just imagine you were offered DOUBLE your salary to work somewhere else...wouldn't you do it?
"Somewhere else"? No, I wouldn't. You see, you and I could probably earn 4 times the salary we make now, simply by moving to Iraq and working in the field of "security." But are you going to do that? No. (If you were willing, you would be there right now.)
What you MEANT to ask was, "Wouldn't you change jobs if you could double your salary, without hazarding your health, working at similar workplace with a similar position on a similar set of products and services?" The answer to that question will be "yes" by people short-term thinkers who are willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder and "no" to those whose convictions are stronger than the almighty greenback.
Chances are MS cannot afford to pay outrageous salaries in the long term. MS is doing this now to lure people from Apple stores. But if it's stores are not successful, they of course won't cut those large salaries. Oh no. They will just close the stores and put and end to those jobs. Apple should therefore create a hiring policy that says, "if you quit Apple to work for MS, don't expect to get hired back when times get tough at Redmond."
deleted
deleted
How Innovative & creative for Microsoft to, once again, steal APPLE ideas, copy them, and are now so desperate, to steal employees away. Sure, you can buy anybody for money, but sell your soul in the process. This is further proof of how debased Microsoft is, lacking in character, & ruthless. Some would say, "business is business." I say, "bad business has to resort to bad business." If Microsoft had its act even a little bit together, they could perhaps do the opposite, absolutely not hire anyone who has worked for Apple or owns Apple products. If 'business is business' is the rule of the land, the I hope a good 1/3 of the employees that go to work for Microsoft stores are actually Apple spies who report back everything to Apple. It would be interesting to see the faces of those who take the higher money to see how convincing they are, telling young/old & vulnerable Microsoft customers that they are indeed purchasing a superior product (Windows) & 'we'll see you real soon' (when you have to bring it back with viruses).
I read all the comments and I agree with people saying that MS business plan will probably fail, since MS are doing it for all the wrong reasons and to me, it looks like an emotional decision by Ballmar because MS is not seem as cool as Apple or MS is wanting to drive Apple under.
What I can not understand is holier than thou approach to people taking double pay. Yes I agree you have to understand the environment, you are walking into, but that being said calling someone idiot for such appealing offer, is just native or your so in love with Apple, you are drinking too much of their Kool aid.
People should look after NUMBER ONE and ensure that their have a enjoyable working environment and get paid a decent wage for their efforts. You can be loyal to your company, but do not get emotional attached, since NO ONE IS INDEFENSIBLE and you can be replaced.
Addition the above comments about bad business for poaching people..LMAO..this happens EVERY DAY in cooperate world at all levels, so MS poaching Apple employees is nothing new. Everyone including are beloved Apple poach, so lets not get on crusader about MS, when we know Apple do the same business practices.
The number of comments, I have seen by people are blinded by their love for Apple and not rational in nature and more emotional, since people dare leave Apple to go to MS.
I love Apple and probably will not buy another product, unless it was far superior in nature, but I am not blinded by emotional attachment and too much drinking the HOLY Apple Kool aid.
I say good luck to employees that are going to MS retail store(s).
It's just a job--if you're offered a lot more money, then unless you really like your Apple job (which is separate from liking Apple products) I say take it
There's always the risk of it being a shorter-term opportunity than you hoped, of course.
short term isnt a problem for anyone with "Apple store manager" on their resume with a reason for leaving of "Microsoft offerd me a retardedly high salary for a store I knew from the outset would fail, but I jumped for the money." They will have no trouble landing other high end retail management gigs.
If thing don't work out as MS, "gee, um, will you take me back???"
Why would they? It wouldn't look good on you resume "oh I left for more money ............" and jumpin around never looks good. But I can't imagine the scorn from Apple fanbots once they found out. Seriously apple should counteroffer these guys if they're serious.
"Somewhere else"? No, I wouldn't. You see, you and I could probably earn 4 times the salary we make now, simply by moving to Iraq and working in the field of "security." But are you going to do that? No. (If you were willing, you would be there right now.)
What you MEANT to ask was, "Wouldn't you change jobs if you could double your salary, without hazarding your health, working at similar workplace with a similar position on a similar set of products and services?" The answer to that question will be "yes" by people short-term thinkers who are willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder and "no" to those whose convictions are stronger than the almighty greenback.
Chances are MS cannot afford to pay outrageous salaries in the long term. MS is doing this now to lure people from Apple stores. But if it's stores are not successful, they of course won't cut those large salaries. Oh no. They will just close the stores and put and end to those jobs. Apple should therefore create a hiring policy that says, "if you quit Apple to work for MS, don't expect to get hired back when times get tough at Redmond."
Just how did your comment contribute to this discussion? Maybe he was trying to get people to read each sentence in full! You're being pompous.
My guess is that MS is prepared to lose money on these things (AKA seemingly everything they do outside of the Windows/Office duopoly).
They're not looking to move product, they're looking to build mindshare for whatever version of the "Windows experience" they're currently touting.
They can see that Apple is having a lot of success with "ecosystems" and "synergies" across multiple hardware platforms and al kinds of software; they figure you can more or less do the same thing with Windows but maybe people aren't quite getting that.
So I would expect to see a heavy emphasis on PC/Xbox/Media Center/Zune integration (insofar as that exists).
However, we should never forget that Microsoft is the company that produced this.
I don't care what anyone says, a company that is capable of making that, and thinking that it's a marketing tool, is in danger of trying to sell things in their stores by affixing a dead cat to each item. It really sort of deifies imagination, the terribleness.
So while they may be able to make their best effort to simply clone Apple's stores, there is something deeply clueless and stupid in MS's DNA, or at least in the Windows division.
I expect the stores to devolve into a grotesque mashup of an Apple Store, a Hot Topic, and a tupperware party.
Parts of your post are pretty funny
I think as soon as a company tries to be everything to everybody they become really lousy at everything. That's what worries me sometimes about Apple. People say they should get into enterprise computing. I'm not so sure. Microsoft just wants it all. They should stay with the business niche and Apple should stay with the creatives and the young consumers.
The mind share thing is pretty accurate. Microsoft just wants to appear cool like Apple. The stores are not really about selling anything but merely an attempt to stop losing the younger generation who hang out at the mall.
When people compare Mac percentages to PC they don't often present it in the context of demographics. Mac is really a lot higher than you might think at college which is a really important factor that Microsoft can't ignore.
Parts of your post are pretty funny
I think as soon as a company tries to be everything to everybody they become really lousy at everything. That's what worries me sometimes about Apple. People say they should get into enterprise computing. I'm not so sure. Microsoft just wants it all. They should stay with the business niche and Apple should stay with the creatives and the young consumers.
The mind share thing is pretty accurate. Microsoft just wants to appear cool like Apple. The stores are not really about selling anything but merely an attempt to stop losing the younger generation who hang out at the mall.
When people compare Mac percentages to PC they don't often present it in the context of demographics. Mac is really a lot higher than you might think at college which is a really important factor that Microsoft can't ignore.
To be honest, MS shouldn't even be in the consumer tech biz to begin with. There are any number of others that could probably do it better than MS and do justice to consumers' heightened expectations in terms of a safe, productive and easy experience.
Wow! Contacting the retail store managers? Quite an interesting tactic.
I'm actually really curious to see when Microsoft brings a retail store to my area (central NJ), and how it will fare.
well one has to wonder if they might really come out with that new tablet and not oem it to hp, Dell, and so on. I always wondered why they never made a computer that they would have control over.
With regard to trying to get employees, this happens all the time in any field. I'm just wondering how much better they will pay. A while back, Apple folk in retail made good money but now that so many want to work there, they pay the specialist like 10.50 to 11 an hour. Back in the day, the geniuses used to make $30 an hour, now it's down to$17 plus they do this whole grow your own program where a genius who used to be specialist, still gets paid his specialist pay grade. One friend of mine, is doing that and has been for almost a year. IMHO, this is just apples way to save more money. Plus at one store I know in Pasadena, store #34, they have very few full time and 4-5 times more part time, thus excluding them from health benefits. Hmmm.
So, am curiuos to see if Microsoft pays more and again, I think if they come out with that computer on their own, that could be a game changer as Apple reduced it's prices due to all the Microsoft commercials.
Very interesting times and hopefully, the consumer wins both on the mac and pc side as I could see some mac users getting that Microsoft device.
Peace fam.
... Finally stealing a successful employee from a competitor will cost that competitor quite a bit more then the 2x the employees salary.
Dave
And that, as it has always been, is Microsoft's modus operandi.
Parts of your post are pretty funny
I think as soon as a company tries to be everything to everybody they become really lousy at everything. T
It's true what they say .... If you try to stand for everything, you wind up standing for nothing.
You all need to grow up and realize two things: First, MS is not going up against Apple (Apple's not even in their league, see point two). They are simply following in Apple's footsteps. They saw a better way to sell their stuff and so have capitalized on it. Second, all those of you screaming fail, its time for you to realize Windows sells how many times more of its products than do Macs? Yeah time to remember your place in the market share. I love Apple and would not buy a Microsoft product, but you all need to remember your place in the big scheme. You are the minority.
Yeah...remember your "place"....get to the back of the bus!
/srsly?