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.
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!).
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.)
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.
I already get your newsletter.
My favorite tech gadget is my PC laptop
I like Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook as Elena Istomina
I like you on Facebook as Elena Istomina
Newsletter subscriber
I’m not surprised that your son got into painting. Tablets are the way to go for student motivation!!
My laptop!
I like you on fb
I get the KOAB email newsletter
ipad
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!!!
I love you on FB 🙂
I get your newsletter already!
Following Microsoft Retail on twitter!
Favorite tech gadget – my Kindle.
I like you on facebook
I subscribe to your email
I like you on FB and I love my laptop.
I like my acer laptop
I Like Kosher on a Budget on Facebook(Kelly D Saver)
I Subscribe to the Kosher on a Budget Newsletter under kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I Like Microsoft Retail Stores on Facebook(Kelly D Saver)
I Follow Microsoft Retail on Twitter(Kellydsaver)
My favorite tech gadget is my iPhone!
Love my iPhone!
Get your daily digest email!
I like you on FB!
My favorite tech gadget is my android phone…can’t live without it!
I subscribe to your email list!
I am a facebook fan of KOAB!
I liked the MS Store on facebook!
Like my Android Phone
I like KOAB on FB
I subscribe to KOAB Newsletter
My pc i have sleay,s” been a windows guy!
My favorite is my iPhone. I also subscribe to your newsletter & like KOAB on Facebook.
I use a pc
I subscribe to KOAB newsletter
I subscribe to KOAB on FB
I used to love my Iphone but since it’s broken, I’m looking for a new gadget to love, preferably a tablet.
liked already!!!!
my andriod cell 🙂
i just subscribed to your newsletter.. please dont email me too many cool deals, my credit card is holding a protest right now 😉
oooh and this all started by liking you on fb… which totally rocks!!!
Thanks for the heads up!! love following you on facebook and getting these awesome updates 🙂
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!
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
love my iphone. i subscribe to your newsletter and have liked you for a long time on fb.
I love our ipad but have never been a “Mac person”
I like KOAB on fb