Microsoft moves into the shop next door…

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COMMENT: So whilst we were all busy focusing on the fight breaking out between Google and Microsoft, we forgot about the existing and ongoing battle between the Mac and the PC.

You may want to forget the low point of Mitchell and Webb’s career but don’t pretend you can’t remember the advert showing those who bought Microsoft PCs as portly, dull, radio four listening David types whilst those who choose Apple’s Macs as funky, fun, trendy Robert types.

Microsoft got their own back with its “I’m a PC” range of adverts, knocking Mac for its prices and essentially saying "look buddy, we are a massive global force. Don’t mess with us."

Now it seems it is going one step further, trying to push Apple out of its tree, by launching its own shops… next door to the Apple Stores.

Genius! What is cooler than having a massive shop on Regents Street? What is better than letting people actually come in and see your shiny products or enjoy the sensation of queuing for the latest release?

My problem is that it is not what Microsoft is about is it?

I am a PC, not a Mac fan. Always have been and always will be to the dismay of both my boyfriend, sister and the vast majority of my colleagues. But I have never for one second seen it as the cool kids' option. It works – OK, exclude Vista from this description – it does its job, is solid, safe and comfortable. Perhaps it is like David Mitchell, but guess what? I like him and Radio 4 for that matter!

Apple to me is all about the presentation. The sleek Macbook Air, the trend-setting iPod, the record breaking iPhone, that god awful clinical white colour that adorns most of its products. The shop sticks to the same style and that is why it works - it is for show.

Microsoft is about the product. The operating system, the browser and now the slightly cooler search engine. But I am not going to be queuing up around the block like people did for the iPhone when it comes to getting Windows 7.

Valiant effort Microsoft but look at the figures and remember you are still outdoing Apple in the PC bracket. Be happy with that and leave the showing off to Steve Jobs et al.

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