Apple Store

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Ugh. Windows 8 has convinced me to switch to Mac for my next computer. Badly designed, unreliable OS.

Yup - I have that on my PC too and it's been a major annoyance. The OS itself may never crash (which isn't the case in my experience) but it would certainly throw up nagging issues often enough that you'd wish it does, permanently.

AoD

 

[NorthYorkEd]

I think a lot of Mac users are people who moved from Windows 95/98/2000 or perhaps XP to Macs and don't realize how stable Windows has been for the last 10 years

I've been using PCs since the early 90's and have bloodied my hands with each version of Windows since 3.1. I used to build, repair, and tinker with my computers, and for the most part enjoyed it. But I'm sick of Microsoft. They never innovate, only imitate, and half-assedly at that. The Microsoft Store is just the latest example of them coming to the party late and copying what has already been done.

I've had it with support forums that never help, never take accountability, and are filled with "by-the-numbers" techtards who just blast scattershot at a problem. I've had it with updates that break things that were working, and with useless "help", such as when the system asks if Microsoft can search for a solution to the problem. Surprise! Nothing found. And "you can continue working while updates are installed" is the biggest load of horseshit since Ford denied smoking crack.

I know that Apple is over-priced for what you get. But my wife has a Macbook Pro and I've been very impressed. When I look under my desk at the hulking case and powerbars and all the other wires and crap, I just want to simplify. Maybe it's time.

 

[PinkLucy]

Just do it

I've converted a number of PC users over the years. They generally had a bit of a struggle getting used to the Mac way of doing things, but once they got through that initial learning curve, they were converts and have never looked back. My 80-year old FIL just made the transition after we gave him a Mac Air for his birthday. He went in kicking and screaming, but the other day told me he wished we had made him do it sooner. My biggest victory came last week when a die-hard anti-Apple friend sent me an email with the "Sent from my iPhone" signature on it.

 

[acornman]

My ladyfriend has been using Macbooks for years, and more recently a Macbook Air, and has had her share of hardware issues that resulted in trips to the Apple store, waiting for repairs etc. I recently convinced her to buy a Surface Pro 3 and I doubt she is going back to Apple again because it is so much more versatile than a Macbook Air. I'm thinking of picking one up of my own around xmas.

They never innovate, only imitate, and half-assedly at that. The Microsoft Store is just the latest example of them coming to the party late and copying what has already been done.

Yes because Apple invented retail stores.

 

[chriskayTO]

Can we please not derail this thread with a Mac vs. PC debate? There are literally hundreds of other forums where this could go.

 

[Johnny Au]

Ugh. Windows 8 has convinced me to switch to Mac for my next computer. Badly designed, unreliable OS.

Me too. The poor design of the Metro interface in Windows 8 is the primary reason why I switched to Mac.

I much prefer the staff at the Apple Store as well. So many people in the Greater Toronto Area converted to Mac that Genius Bar appointments for Macs are very much booked out fully.

It is hard to believe that before Windows 8 came out, I was completely anti-Apple. Now, I am the complete opposite.

 

[MetroMan]

I got a reply from Tim Cook (or his office) simply saying "Sit tight."

Jeez Tim, my ass is hurting from sitting tight for too long. Let's see what happens as 1 Bloor E, Ryerson Student Learning Centre and Union Station move towards completion.

 

[interchange42]

Apple has certainly been bitten by how tight the downtown prime retail market has been; there have been few places it could have opened shops in suitable locations over the last few years in Toronto's core. So of course I have been predicting a Union Station store and 1 Bloor East, (but I wonder if the old University Theatre site might not be equally as good/prestigious now that Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma are moving). We should know by mid-next year about Union Station or the University Theatre, or 2016 for the 1 Bloor location.

They should be looking for more suburban GTA locations and other Ontario cities as well.

Besides Union Station and Bloor Street, I'd add Yonge-Eglinton Centre, Scarborough Town Centre, the Oshawa Centre, Vaughan Mills, Bramalea City Centre, Limeridge Mall, the Pen Centre, and somewhere in Barrie for a start. Depending on how the crowding issues improve at Downtown stores, I'd book a spot at The Well too.

42

 

[Benito]

I'm biased since I live at Yonge and Bloor, but I really want one at 1 Bloor East or the Pottery Barn Williams Sonoma location.

 

[interchange42]

Either one of those would be a good spot for their Canadian flagship location, and not just because you're in the neighbourhood, Benito! Too bad there's no spot at Union quite as grand as where the Apple Store is at Grand Central Terminal in New York, but here's hoping that Union is done handsomely and reflects the majesty of the great hall as much as possible, and offers some prime retail locations in the mall.

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[spider]

What is a "Genius Bar"?

 

[MetroMan]

What is a "Genius Bar"?

The original Apple Store had a concept where you'd go up to a bar like setting to ask any questions from an Apple specialist, somebody with a lot of knowledge on Apple products — a "Genius". The Apple Store layout has since changed and Geniuses are roaming around and meet you at one of the tables in the store to address your concerns.

 

[Johnny Au]

It would be interesting if downtown Toronto gets an Apple Store or two next year.

Remember that if Apple adds one store downtown, even a flagship one, it would do very little to alleviate crowding, especially given that there would be many more people, who would otherwise not bother to go, flocking to the new or existing Apple Stores. This is why at least two is needed to make a noticeable difference.

Having more Apple Stores can help reduce unemployment and make the surrounding area more valuable to other retailers as well.

 

[Benito]

Johnny, you're right. Even adding a bigger flagship store downtown probably won't be enough. There are so many new condos now being built downtown that by the time a new store opens, there will be so many more customers that they will still need another new store. Hopefully Apple HQ is aware of our need here. Someone needs to contact Angela Ahrendts and ask here to work on two new downtown stores for us.

 

[MetroMan]

I guess we can rule out the Student Learning Centre. From the Ryerson: Student Learning Centre thread:

That's not an Apple Store. Ryerson President Sheldon Levy hinted at negotiations with Apple early on in the project so if Apple were considering moving in here, they would have already been building their design, not modifying a generic retail storefront which this clearly is.