Last month Microsoft unveiled their new Surface Tablet, which has garnered quite a bit of positive hype following CEO Steve Ballmer’s formal announcement. Since then, several sources including the Toronto Star have reported that Microsoft will also be opening their first retail location in Canada at Toronto’s immensely popular Yorkdale Shopping Centre. This mall currently houses an Apple Store, the benchmark store model that Microsoft and Samsung have used for their brick and mortar locations.
Although Microsoft seems to be setting up shop in Apple’s yard, the mall’s current size plus a planned 145,000 square foot addition that will create space for 40 new stores. Yorkdale seems to have ample size and traffic for both retailers to co-exist.
The Microsoft Surface features 10.6 inches of display, a magnesium casing with a Pro version that will house a powerful Intel i5 processor along with the highly anticipated Windows 8 Pro operating system. The device has an interesting offering as a product thanks to several features including a USB port, micro-SD slot as well as the standard front and rear-facing camera. However the most distinguishing feature the device possesses is a dual purpose magnetic cover that features a full keyboard and track pad. The rear facing camera is also capable of acting as a stand for the device, earing the surface the title of a tablet PC.
Although Microsoft’s retail locations can be considered as late arrivers when compared to Apple’s 22 Canadian locations (along with another launching in London, Ontario), it is definitely a case of better late than never. Microsoft currently has 25 retail outlets in the U.S. with six of them located in Apple’s hometown state of California. The locations feature a similar layout and design of Apple’s stores along with comfortable lounge chairs. The idea as Apple has proven is to create products that people want to use and then let them experience them in an appealing location. Thus far the company has done a good job of not having their stores seem like an Apple relative.
Considering the fact that tablet sales are expected to reach 106.1 million units in 2012, having another strong product to compete with Android and the pack leading iPads will only equal more quality products and competitive innovation for consumers and tech lovers. There are no currently available launch dates for the Surface or the Yorkdale store as yet.
Check out Microsoft’s official Surface promo clip below.
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