Ch-ch-ch-changes

Yesterday, the recurring virus issue overcame one of our desktop computers.  So, after much research and thought, we paid a visit to the Apple store.  And came home with something completely different.

Since it wasn't for me, I was just the chauffeur and tag-along eyes and ears.  So I was free to look around and appreciate the experience.  And, oh my, what an experience it was.  First of all, we had to drive to an up-scale mall in the city.  Made the nicest local mall seem pretty low on the market pole.

This store is the most aesthetically pleasing place I've been in - ever!  Walking through the doors, was like walking into computer heaven.  It is so light, bright and airy it is like being on a cloud.  That iCloud thingie seems completely appropriate.   The effect is achieved with light and no clutter.  Every housekeeper's dream.  The lights are so bright, I wish I had even one when I'm knitting at night. 

The store is huge.  There were at least 35 blue T-shirted angels staff busy with customers everywhere.  They were selling, explaining, training and problem-solving with mostly older customers.  The floor has several large, light wood tables - long enough to hold three computers.  There are no cables trailing - they are all in one spiral umbilical cord from floor to underneath the table top.  The computers appear to have no tethers and seem ready to float off into the air. So light and thin they are.

Look, ma!  No wires!

The walls are white.  Most of the products are brushed silver or white.  The packaging is white.  The lettering is a discreet gray and the logo just floats on its own without words.  Who needs them?   Our angel was a very nice young man who was patient and chatty and helpful.  When the deal was made, there wasn't anything as crass as a cash point - it's all done with handhelds and texting.  Lovely.  The receipt discreetly emerged from somewhere under the table.

Soon another helpful young man is patiently helping Anne set up her very own Mac.  I did a lot of browsing on the shelves during this time.  I loved some of the product names...my favorite is Bento Box.  Don't ask me what it does. I know what a bento box is but I couldn't translate that into a computer function.  Then another young man carried the purchase out to the car and the adventure was all over.  For me anyway.  Now, someone else's learning begins.  There are frequent cries of delight as some new trick is discovered.  And the occasional moan when things get a little too different.  I am not tempted - yet!