While Ryan and I were down in Long Beach competing with the Windows Project Phoenix Flugtag Team we took some time out of our week to hit the Microsoft Store in Mission Viejo, CA. The store is a pretty amazing place that’s packed with all of Microsoft’s latest technology – awesome PCs running Windows 7, tons of software, Surface tables, Xboxes hooked up to wall-size displays, and even Kinect. It’s a really cool place to get hands on with the latest Microsoft technologies, and pick up a great PC.
This was our first trip to a Microsoft Store, so we wanted to share our experience with you so you can see what the Store is all about. This is the VERY quick tour – you could spend hours in here with all of the phones, PCs, and other tech gear – but it should give you a good idea of what you can find inside. Check it out:
For reference, the PCs that we highlighted are the multi-touch HP tm2t tablet, the Dell Studio XPS 16, the Sony VAIO EB, ASUS G73 “Republic of Gamers” gaming rig, the Sony VAIO F, the Dell Adamo XPS, and the Sony VAIO X. Of course there are many, many more PCs available in a range of sizes, specs and prices to fit your lifestyle – there were just a few of the Store’s selection.
You may be asking: “Why should I buy from the Microsoft Store?” For me, the answer is two-fold. First is that every PC that comes from the Microsoft Store comes with Microsoft Signature, meaning, as Ryan said in the video, that it’s loaded with a copy of Windows 7 that’s ready to run with the software you need (Windows Live, Microsoft Security Essentials, Bing Maps 3D, Adobe Flash Player & Reader, Silverlight, Zune,) and none of the stuff you don’t (like trialware). I put Microsoft Signature on all of the PCs in my inventory – as a PC expert and a real user, I can tell you that it’s a really great way to experience Windows.
Second is Personal Training. Windows 7 is the easiest, most intuitive Windows ever…but that doesn’t mean that you’ll never have a question. Personal Training gets you one-on-one time with a Microsoft Store associate who’s a certified expert on Windows 7 and Microsoft Software. If you want coaching on how to get the most out of your PC, this is a great way to do it.
If you’re near one of our stores (Mission Viejo & San Diego, CA, Scottsdale, AZ, and Lone Tree, CO) I highly recommend you stop in and say hi.
Have a question about the U Bamboo or any other PC? Post a comment, hit me on Twitter, or Ask Ben Anything via email. Your question might appear in my monthly Ask Ben Anything Q&A column!