With many businesses, this sort of thing is done all of the time. And depending on the following for each business, it really has very little effect on the involved enterprises. But I must be totally honest here: The idea of opening up a Microsoft retail outlet NEXT TO an Apple Store seems to border on the insane.

Yes, I get where Microsoft is going with this. It is hopeful that it can drive Apple back down as much as possible, perhaps preventing other PC users from switching over to OS X. A fine idea, but I doubt that a retail outlet is going to change much to be totally honest.

Most people either have a compelling reason to switch or they don’t, based on what I have seen. Not stating this as an absolute, mind you, just something I have noticed. At the end of the day, most people just want a computer to accomplish stuff with the least amount of hassles possible. For some folks, this means going Apple. For others, sticking with Windows and loading up on anti-virus software, anti-malware, etc.

One thing I think all sides will agree on is the humor to be had watching employees from each store fighting the urge to visit the competition to see what the “other guy” has going on that day. Are sales down? Is there some cool new promo designed to destroy the other store’s reputation? Yes, I believe hilarity will ensue.

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