It’s a Giveaway | Microsoft Store Review + $100 Gift Card Giveaway

microsoft store

You know those “I’m a PC” commercials?

I always thought they were cute. And clever.

But not for me.

Meaning, I’m a Mac girl — all the way.

But then I ventured into the new Microsoft Retail Store in Overland Park — and I’ll be honest, I can see them winning me over. Especially  their new Surface tablet, but more on that below.

(By the way, I went to the store in Overland Park, KS, because that’s where I live – but there are more than 50 stores all over the United States. You can find one near you HERE).

Microsoft Retail Stores

The space itself is fantastic. It’s open, bright, friendly — a technological wonderland.

There are demo stations with the latest and greatest in Microsoft gadgetry — the Surface, desktop & laptop computers, the Xbox 360 (with a huge library of games to play) and their full line of smartphones, including the fantastic Windows phone.

Xbox Wall of games

The store is completely child-friendly; I took my boys and they spent 3o minutes playing MLB 2K13 on the biggest screens they’d ever seen. (I continue to be awed by the graphics of the XBox.)

The staff was incredibly hands-on and helpful — including teaching my nine year-old a hack he never knew for setting up his team. (Which apparently was “the coolest thing” ever for said 9 year-old.)

Classes & Camps

In the back of each store there is an open class room/ event space, where Microsoft Retail Store employees host weekly classes about everything tech under the sun. There are educational workshops, business events, developer workshops, interactive gaming sessions, and toddler tech time.  And all of them are FREE.

There are even FREE summer camps for tots and big kids. And yes, I did sign up my 9 year old for a week-long camp on programming your own video game (G-d help me!).

microsoft store class

I also learned that Microsoft Retail Stores will design & host your event – whether it’s for a homeschool group, a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troupe, a youth group, a lunch-and-learn… Whatever you can dream up, I think you’ll hear a “Yes!”

You can even host a birthday party at the Microsoft Store (and yes, that’s FREE, too).

Find out more about classes, camps & events at your local Microsoft Retail store HERE.

Support & Training

If you already own a Microsoft device, you may want to take advantage of their free one-on-one product training & support sessions.

Whether your issue is hardware or software, or you  just want to learn how to take full advantage of all the capacity your gadget comes with, they can walk you through it. Even if you didn’t buy your laptop/X-box/phone/tablet at their store — they will help you! (And yes, it’s FREE, too.)

The Surface

So of all the gadgets in the store, the one that really had me singing a new tune was the Surface. Have you seen this tablet yet? For a Mac girl, I was totally WOW’ed.

It answers all the hesitations I’ve had about getting a tablet — you see, I have feared that a tablet won’t give me enough capabilities. And that I’ll just end up using my laptop anyway, while the kids played games on the tablet (which seems like way too much money to spend on a “toy” for them.)

But the Surface Pro is essentially a tablet-sized laptop. (Or should that be a laptop-capable tablet?)

And I’m not gonna lie, the keyboard that clicks onto the Surface? So cool. (The pretty keyboard colors are nice eye candy, too.)

Surface Tablet

The apps are also amazing. No, you don’t have the whole ipad app store at your disposal (which is the only downside I see), but you get incredible things like Fresh Paint. Even my seven year-old “art project-averse” kid got into it!

As I said, I was definitely impressed. And because I think you’ll be impressed too, I am thrilled to be able to give away a $100 Microsoft Retail Store Gift Card to one lucky Kosher on a Budget reader.

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite tech gadget – Microsoft or otherwise. This comment is required to be entered to win this giveaway.

For up to four additional entries, you may do one, some, all or none of the following:

Like Kosher on a Budget on Facebook, then come back and leave a separate comment telling me that you have done so. If you already like KOAB, thank you — just leave a comment to that effect.

Subscribe to the Kosher on a Budget Newsletter for a once daily dose of the best deals, money-saving tips and more. Please leave a separate comment that you have subscribed (or were already a subscriber).

Like Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook, then leave a separate comment to let me know you have done so.

Follow Microsoft Retail on Twitter, then leave a separate comment to let me know you have done so.

This giveaway is open only to residents of the United States who are 18 or older. Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, May 22nd at 11:59 p.m. CST (I’m giving you plenty of time to enter, since Shavuot is in the middle of next week). The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email immediately. He or she will have 48 hours to respond. Good luck!

Disclosure: This post is a sponsored conversation by The Motherhood and Microsoft Retail Stores. You can find Microsoft Retail stores on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter

My glowingly positive opinions of the store and the Surface are all my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations. And also because I want you to know. For more information about sponsored content, please see my Disclosure Statement.

Comments

  1. Now I’m interested in training for my work group! Thanks!

  2. I love my android phone. haven’t tried surface yet, maybe i will soon after this review!

  3. Amanda Sakovitz says

    I like you on facebook as amanda sakovitz

  4. My favorite tech device is my Samsung Galaxy Player that my husband got for my birthday.

  5. I already liked you on facebook (so happy I did!)

  6. I already get the newsletter- and love it.

  7. Amanda Sakovitz says

    im a newsletter subscriber

  8. Larry Lennhoff says

    My favorite tech gadget is my ipod Touch. I have already liked Koab on Facebook long ago.

  9. I love my iPad (I have a stationary and invitation business and I am able to do the majority of the work on the iPad)

  10. I really like my netbook.

  11. My iPad is great, but I have a windows phone and I think it’s a great phone!

  12. I “like” KOAB on Facebook already

  13. We’re not really a tech family so I guess my favorite tech gadget is my laptop. My husband likes to refer to us as a mixed marriage; I’m a mac user, he’s a pc user 🙂

  14. And I already like your FB page 🙂

  15. Linda M says

    I like my HP Touchpad, mainly because my brother-in-law hacked it and put on an Android OS. I’ve basically retired by netbook, and only occasionally use my husband’s laptop for things that are inconvenient on the tablet, like making photo gifts.

  16. Linda M says

    I already like you on FB 🙂 Linda Rosenberg Minkow

  17. Linda M says

    I also get your newletter at a different email address, though this was the one I used for the Pesach updates. Go figure.

  18. bracha p says

    Samsung s3 phone

  19. bracha p says

    Liked on fb

  20. bracha p says

    Subscribe to ur newsletter

  21. Favorite is my iphone!

  22. I like you on Facebook

  23. loretta russel says

    I enjoy sooo many tech gadgets… from I-Pad to Microsoft products in my laptop!

  24. I subscribe to the newsletter

  25. I like your page on facebook!

  26. i like my blackberry bold with touch screen

  27. I’m a total Mac girl as well but the surface had totally peaked my interest

  28. My laptop – nothing fancy, just a plain old laptop. Mainly one day I’ll have something more exciting. $100 to Microsoft might help with that 🙂

  29. Already liked on facebook!

  30. Already like you on Facebook

  31. I like my Samson Infuse phone

  32. I already get your newsletter too

  33. i just got a lenovo ideapad. I love it!

  34. I’d be Lost without my iPhone! (Sorry, Microsoft!)

  35. I like KOAB on facebook 🙂

  36. I don’t have one yet, but I sure would love an ipad mini. Pondering getting something comparable in droid.

  37. I am already a facebook fan

  38. I am already a newsletter subscriber

  39. devorah says

    I love the I phone

  40. devorah says

    I ‘like’ KOAB on FB

  41. devorah says

    I subscribe to daily KOAB newsletter

  42. I already like koab on fb. My favorite gadget is trixie my iphone

  43. . My favorite gadget is trixie my iphone

  44. latanya says

    my iphone

  45. latanya says

    I like you on facebook

  46. Rochel S. says

    My favorite tech gadget is the iPod Touch.

  47. It’s my mac.

  48. Rochel S. says

    I like Kosher on a Budget on Facebook.

  49. Rochel S. says

    I Subscribe to the Kosher on a Budget Newsletter

  50. I love my Kindle!

  51. I already get your newsletter.

  52. My favorite tech gadget is my PC laptop

  53. I like Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook as Elena Istomina

  54. I like you on Facebook as Elena Istomina

  55. Newsletter subscriber

  56. I’m not surprised that your son got into painting. Tablets are the way to go for student motivation!!

  57. My laptop!

  58. I like you on fb

  59. I get the KOAB email newsletter

  60. ipad

  61. Ok too hard to narrow down to one but if I had to, it would be my Kindle. It goes everywhere with me. If I find myself parked in front of my son’s school a few minutes too early for pickup I just read a bit 🙂

    My tablet and iPhone both come in close behind though!!!

  62. I love you on FB 🙂

  63. I get your newsletter already!

  64. Following Microsoft Retail on twitter!

  65. Rivka H. says

    Favorite tech gadget – my Kindle.

  66. Rivka H. says

    I like you on facebook

  67. Rivka H. says

    I subscribe to your email

  68. I like you on FB and I love my laptop.

  69. I like my acer laptop

  70. I Like Kosher on a Budget on Facebook(Kelly D Saver)

  71. I Subscribe to the Kosher on a Budget Newsletter under kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  72. I Like Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook(Kelly D Saver)

  73. I Follow Microsoft Retail on Twitter(Kellydsaver)

  74. My favorite tech gadget is my iPhone!

  75. Love my iPhone!

  76. Get your daily digest email!

  77. I like you on FB!

  78. My favorite tech gadget is my android phone…can’t live without it!

  79. I subscribe to your email list!

  80. I am a facebook fan of KOAB!

  81. I liked the MS Store on facebook!

  82. Stuart Stein says

    Like my Android Phone

  83. Stuart Stein says

    I like KOAB on FB

  84. Stuart Stein says

    I subscribe to KOAB Newsletter

  85. My pc i have sleay,s” been a windows guy!

  86. My favorite is my iPhone. I also subscribe to your newsletter & like KOAB on Facebook.

  87. I use a pc

  88. I subscribe to KOAB newsletter

  89. I subscribe to KOAB on FB

  90. Avigayil Bendkowski says

    I used to love my Iphone but since it’s broken, I’m looking for a new gadget to love, preferably a tablet.

  91. Avigayil Bendkowski says

    liked already!!!!

  92. shulamis says

    my andriod cell 🙂

  93. shulamis says

    i just subscribed to your newsletter.. please dont email me too many cool deals, my credit card is holding a protest right now 😉

  94. shulamis says

    oooh and this all started by liking you on fb… which totally rocks!!!

  95. Thanks for the heads up!! love following you on facebook and getting these awesome updates 🙂

  96. At the pediatric ER at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, the waiting room is equipped with a bunch of big Surface stations, loaded up with games for kids to play while waiting to be admitted. My husband and I actually had a hard time trying to unlock the screensaver, but it was super cool and great idea!

  97. They all look good in the beginning, but as they get older they start gathering errors to the point of needing to buy a new one of whatever it is. Having said that, laptop or desktop remain my favories

  98. yael zar says

    love my iphone. i subscribe to your newsletter and have liked you for a long time on fb.

  99. I love our ipad but have never been a “Mac person”

  100. I like KOAB on fb

  101. I subscribe to KOAB enewsletter

  102. I follow Microsoft retail on Twitter

  103. My favorite gadget is my Ipad, have to admit it!!

  104. Mom in NJ says

    Don’t have a favorite gadget – I never use any ;).

  105. Mom in NJ says

    Already subscribe

  106. for sure my laptop

  107. I love my ipad!

  108. I already subscribe to the kosher on a budget newsletter

  109. I already like kosher on a budget on facebook

  110. I love my laptop it’s heavy and not convenient. Undecided to either get and iPad orsurface but now I’m leaning twds the surface.

  111. I love my iPad but the most useful product is Microsoft office and I love the touch pad kids gaming table at their Seattle store.

  112. I liked kosher on a budget

  113. I subscribe!

  114. i love my iphone, even though its only a 3

  115. Done done done and done – I want a surface!

  116. My favorite tech gadget is my tablet. I have a Nexus but would love the new Surface.

  117. I really like Kosher on a Budget. (and want a Surface)

  118. I subscribe already (and want a gift card)

  119. Katie Contests says

    My favorite tech gadget is my Xbox!

  120. Katie Contests says

    I like KoaB on FB: Katie Contests

  121. Katie Contests says

    I like Microsoft on FB: Katie Contests

  122. Katie Contests says

    I follow Microsoft on twitter: @katiecontestsii

  123. I am in love with my smartphone. Although my GPS is a close second.

  124. I love my iphone and ds’s ipad mini.

  125. I already like you on Facebook.

  126. Eliana G says

    i love my iphone 🙂

  127. Eliana G says

    and i like your page on facebook!

  128. Favorite gadget? virtual laser keyboard (Google it. It’s awesome, if impractical.)

  129. I now like you on Facebook.

  130. I already subscribe to your newsletter under a different address ([email protected])

  131. I like the MS store on facebook

  132. and follow them on Twitter

  133. Pesach Sorscher says

    I like the microsoft tablets!!!

  134. June Lisle says

    my favorite high tec device is probably the xbox 360 or a desktop.

  135. June Lisle says

    I Like Kosher on a Budget as June Lisle on Facebook.

  136. June Lisle says

    I am a confirmed email subscriber 🙂

  137. June Lisle says

    I Like the Microsoft Store on Facebook as June Lisle.

  138. June Lisle says

    I follow @MicrosoftStore on Twitter as @Battle_Cry87.

  139. Sheina Myer-Smith says

    My favorite gadget is my phone!

  140. Sheina Myer-Smith says

    I already like you on FB.

  141. Sheina Myer-Smith says

    I already subscribe.

  142. Sheina Myer-Smith says

    I like Microsoft on FB.

  143. Ayelet May says

    My iphone 4s even though I don’t have phone service on it so essentially it’s an ipod touch.

  144. Ayelet May says

    FB liker

  145. Ayelet May says

    newsletter subscriber

  146. Ayelet May says

    liked them on FB

  147. Ayelet May says

    following on twitter

  148. Jeff Green says

    My favorie tech gadget is my iPad, but I would love to try out the Microsoft Surface.

  149. Gabriella Freedman says

    Love my windows phone

  150. C R Williams says

    Love my ipad mini

  151. I like smartphones. Wish I had one!!

  152. D SCHMIDT says

    My favorite tech gadget is my HP Pavillion Notebook

  153. D SCHMIDT says

    I like Microsoft Stores on facebook

  154. Tabathia B says

    my kindle fire

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  155. Tabathia B says

    email subscriber

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  156. Tabathia B says

    like microsoft on facebook: michelle b

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  157. Tabathia B says

    like on facebook: michelle b

  158. love my iphone, but I have windows 8 on my computer!

  159. favorite tech gadget(s): samsung galaxy 3 phone and Kindle Fire HD….cant wait to try the surface!

  160. My favorite gadget is my iPad. It is very handy to use when I am on the road.

  161. I like Microsoft Store on Facebook as Nancy Hall

  162. I am following Microsoft Store on Twitter as njhhb.

  163. Thomas Murphy says

    I like my Dell computer

  164. Thomas Murphy says

    I like you on FB as Thomas Murphy

  165. Thomas Murphy says

    im a newsletter subscriber

  166. Thomas Murphy says

    I like microsoft on FB as Thomas Murphy

  167. Thomas Murphy says

    i follow microsoft on twitter @thomasmurphy40

  168. I love (and Liked) KOAB on FB

  169. I get KOAB newsletters

  170. I liked the Microsoft FB page

  171. My labtop!

  172. *Laptop – sorry for the typo 🙂

  173. I already like Kosher On A Budget on facebook

  174. I follow Microsoft on twitter

  175. Like Microsoft on Facebook

  176. I like both my iPad and iPhone!

  177. Tziporah M. says

    I guess my fav gadget is my kindle fire. I think it is my only gadget. 😉

  178. Tziporah M. says

    Already subscribe to newletter

  179. Already like KOAB!

  180. Already liked KOAB!

  181. Tziporah M. says

    I like kosher on a budget

  182. Already subscribe to KOAB

  183. MJ Kanner says

    I love your blog. Open minded re Microsoft. Thank you.

  184. I love the Kindle Fire.

  185. Liked on Facebook

  186. subscribed to newsletter

  187. we only buy microsift, so would be able to put this to great use.
    and thank you for saving me so much money following your amazing tips!

  188. Already subscribe to KOAB, and love it!

  189. Hi
    I love the KOAB emails that I receive already!

  190. I just got a Windows phone how cool!

  191. I subscribe to your newsletter, and recommend it to all family and friends.

  192. Already like KOAB in Facebook

  193. My favorite gadget right now is the iPad, I needed to get it for school and its been great!
    Im not a big fan of apple products, but the iPad works really well for school … and games!

  194. Already subscribe to daily newsletter

  195. I like the kindle fire, wish i had one!

  196. I just liked KOAB on facebook!

  197. I Liked Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook

  198. I love my iPad.

  199. I like KOAB on facebook

  200. I subscribe to KOAB by email

  201. my husband is a big apple fan…but buys other companies ie microsoft for his employer….
    this giftcard would open hiiim to check out microsoft new store!!

  202. love your blog and i dont follow much1

  203. As I am old enough to remember landline only days, I don’t know how we lived without cell phones. I really enjoy my cellphone.

  204. I liked the facebook page of microsoft.

  205. I already to subscribe to KOAB newsletter.

  206. sharon moseson says

    I already “like” (actually love…lol) your fb page and also subscribe to the newsletter. The Microsoft Store looks amazing and the tablet sounds awesome! Off to like the Microsoft STore fb page! Be back soon!

  207. I’m a total Mac girl mac book all the way …. but the surface had totally peaked my interest

  208. I am a newsletter subscriber

  209. I Like Kosher on a Budget on Faceboo

  210. sharon moseson says

    Also “liked” the Microsoft Store page on fb!

  211. sara lea says

    I really love my LG android phone. I REALLY love koab! I’m a big fan. Thanks!

  212. I Liked Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook

  213. sara lea says

    I’m a subscriber

  214. I am not a tech girly at all but my man is. I like my smart phone

  215. I really like the used IPAD a friend sold to me for 100 but I am looking to get a new phone and maybe thinking Microsoft!

  216. I subscribe to the KOAB newsletter

  217. I like KOAB on facebook already!

  218. I “LIKE” Microsoft store on Facebook too!

  219. Brooke Leiberman says

    My favorite piece of technology is my iPhone- it gives me direction like a GPS, keeps my calendar, I can read my emails, etc!

  220. Brooke Leiberman says

    I (already -yay) subscribe to kosher on a budget!!

  221. I inherited my husband’s old Kindle when he bought a new one. I love how portable it is.

  222. Im quite fond of my little droid 3, with its little slide out keyboard. Its the only thing I own from this decade!

  223. Im a happy subscriber to your newsletter!

  224. My favorite tech item is my laptop (lenovo).

  225. I already like KOAB on facebook

  226. I already get KOAB newsletters

  227. blackberry

  228. I don’t know how I survived without an iphone for so long- I use it for everything!

  229. KOB facebook fan

  230. KOAB newsletter subscriber

  231. microsoft retail twitter follower @aahaft

  232. I love my kindle.

  233. I love koab on fb.

  234. Love my kindle

  235. I’m a Microsoft junkie 🙂

  236. already get the newsletter and am always eagerly excited to get in on the latest

  237. I’m a KOAB fan on facebook; I like it; I dig it!

  238. facebook fan of Microsoft, done and done!

  239. I love my iphone but I also like Microsoft products

  240. I subscribe to your newsletters.

  241. I love my IPhone.

  242. I like my ipod, but I’m due for an upgrade! 😉

  243. I “like” KOAB on Facebook

  244. I subscribe to the KOAB newsletter

  245. I “liked” the Microsoft Retail Store on Facebook

  246. I followed the Microsoft Store on Twitter.

  247. I love my ipad

  248. I like koab on FB

  249. I subscibe to koab newsletter