The first Microsoft retail store is open for business in Scottsdale, AZ of all places.  Reporters were quick to draw parallels between the Microsoft store and the brick and mortar Apple stores.  People actually camped outside for this?  Maybe they wanted their consoles fixed badly?

Rows of tables bearing laptops and desktop monitors feature Microsoft’s products and offer a hands-on approach and the Answer Desk, a domineering counter at the rear of the store, is clearly a carbon copy of Apple’s “Genius” program.

- Destructoid 

Most of the store was not devoted to the XBOX.  Only 15% was set aside for console gaming while the rest of the store debuted other MS products and peripherals.  Unfortunately the PC Gaming section of the store was even smaller than 15%.  PC gaming is really taking a back seat to consoles lately.  Well, that’s another article for later.  A reporter from Destructoid was very impressed with the store either way.

Microsoft’s second store in Mission Viejo, Calif. will open on Oct. 29.  Microsoft is trying to reinvent itself it seems and has lots of catching up to do with Apple stores.  I’m sure people who have problems with Windows on their PC’s or the Red Ring Death on the XBOX 360′s will appreciate having somewhere “official” to go ask question and receive repairs.