The first thing you need to know with going into an Apple Store is not to buy apples. It is to buy Apple (A.K.A Mac) products. You are not going in there to find a Windows PC or just any other PC, mp3 players, phones etc. You are going in there to look for Apple products that was all started by Steve Jobs. The apple stores had well over one hundred million people that visited the stores with over $4 billion in revenue last year.(approximately) I am pretty sure that most of the computer places I visited recently wasn’t anywhere near these numbers.
If you are going in there for a computer, you should know that Apple (Mac) is different than Windows. I would say also that the software is totally different but that seems to be less and less as time goes by. I mean it is obvious that Microsoft Office is not going to run on a Mac as of yet but most software that I get as long as it is not Microsoft has Mac or Windows on the box. Yes, there are some (which may look like a lot) that are Windows based or Mac base but it is slowly interchanging. Even with that said, you can find almost the same software for Mac and Windows. For example, I have iTunes and an apple player on my Windows PC. I know family that have an iPod but don’t have a Mac computer who have no problem uploading songs.
When you go into the store know about what you are getting but if you have an idea but not sure exactly, don’t feel inadequate. The personnel in these stores are very knowledgeable and helpful. For example a lot of people were complaining about the iPhone because they only use ATT but I remember buying a strictly Cingular product with many others and not too many people complained. The reason I say this is because ATT bought out Cingular so they do have a wide wireless base for their iPhone. So don’t fall for the hype. Let the personnel of the Apple store help in anyway they can.
Basically you have to remember that the Apple store sells mainly proprietary stuff. Like iPods, you have to use iTunes (MP4), Mac computers uses Mac software, their phones are limited to certain services. Is this all bad? I don’t think so. If you drive Chevy, most of the time Ford parts won’t work with it. So if you are interested in Apple (Mac) products or even if you are not, go into their Apple store and check it out.