My trip to PC World last week to pick up my new MacBook Pro was quite a surprise when I saw that they had a large section of their shop converted to a mini-Apple store.
They had the full range of Macs and iPods out on demo that are fully internet connected, albeit on a slow connection.
To the side, they had some accessories, software and books for sale. Quite an impressive setup I think and great for those who like me, don’t live nearby to an Apple Store.
This particular store only had one staff member working here and she was an employee of Apple rather than PC World and therefore wasn’t allowed to actually complete any transactions.
I half-expected that they wouldn’t stock the Dual-Link DVI cable that I needed as well, but luckily they had just got them in so I was able to leave the store with everything I needed that day.
geoff
I to have seen the Mac display in PC World looks great trouble is every time i have been into the Lakeside Essex store it is ( 9 times out of ten)
never manned.
Just for the record I converted to Mac’s when the first MacMini came out with an Apple 20 inch display, and I have since added a white Macbook an I-Phone and a 20 inch I-Mac desktop. I would never go back to a PC with Windows.
I would be happy to hear from any Mac fans who live near Hornchurch, and it would be nice to have a Mac club for this area.
Geoff. netlink@mac.com
Feb 17, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
techcastoni
@geoff: That’s a shame, because the experience I had was drastically different. My experience mid-week was really good. But this store within a store concept does seem a bit half-hearted with only one employee running it, for what I can only assume five days a week.
Feb 17, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Stephen
Yep I have seen one also. unfortunately the in-house employees are clueless and are keen to point you at some high-end ASUS PC (must be the margin). Yes also Apple employee there which on one hand was nice but as they just stock the hardware and very little else, there is not alot to discuss unless you are getting new kit.
Feb 17, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
Stephen
Think the demos could be alot better. While its better than seeing someone who has created hundred of blank folders, dire Photobooth photos and dragged the hard drive to the waste basket, they could do alot more to attract the punter over. Best to have the Apple employee there doing demos on Thurs eve and Sat/Sun otherwise its presenting to nobody. Still its great to see as the usual lies that the shop employees showed you when you mentioned apple in the past.
Feb 17, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
techcastoni
@Stephen: I have to admit that the experience is far from what you expect to get in a fully fledged Apple Store, but it is a move in the right direction. I remember a time when PC World didn’t really want to sell Apple computer products at all, and if they did, they didn’t have a clue about them.
Feb 17, 2009 @ 8:42 pm