Apple opened a new retail store at Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes this weekend (that's in the UK, Buckinghamshire to be precise). As usual, we asked any TUAW operatives who may have attended to share their reports and/or pictures. So, did you go, and if you did, how was it? Let us know in the comments. Here's hoping you scored a T-shirt or even the Opening Day Contest's grand prize.If you haven't gone down to the store yet, when you do get there, show us a little love and set the in-store machines to TUAW for their Safari homepage! Apple Store employees love that.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-29-2008 @ 11:39PM
Matt said...
"set the in-store machines to TUAW for their Safari homepage! Apple Store employees love that" I have been told by an apple store employee that it doesn't make a difference because the machines reset all the settings to factory default as soon as the screensaver comes on. must be some script magic because he doesn't know how its done.
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3-01-2008 @ 12:58AM
Cycomachead said...
It's whenever they restart from what I can tell - will have to test soon.
Anyway I know that they have a few standard disk presets for certain Macs and after restarting the Mac's HD is set to the exact setup of it's specified drive. I think some of it is done through ARD.
3-01-2008 @ 1:21AM
Michael Ball said...
And if that is in fact true (which makes sense seeing as there is a screen saver warning) then it may be more effective to leave a page open - I've done that for a few sites.
3-01-2008 @ 1:03AM
Michael Rose said...
We know it's temporary. The entertainment value of having the next person come along and mistake TUAW.com for Apple.com is completely worth it.
3-01-2008 @ 2:58PM
MR said...
I work at an Apple store. It's restored to the default config on reboot. The software we use is called Deep Freeze by Faronics.
3-01-2008 @ 12:54AM
Max said...
It's great when people customise the machines to exactly how they think they should be, it's interesting and there is really very little vandalism.
Customised docks on the side of the screen, tiny icons, personal backgrounds, even gangster 13 year olds playing the only rap song in the iTunes library as loud as the terrible Bose Desktop speakers will go and looking around like they're starting a revolution.
That's all cool. We're a place of community and a focus for mac users and interested others to come and learn more and enjoy what we have to offer.
The only caveat is that if there are no machines free and a Specialist needs to demo a machine or book an appointment, you may be asked to let us use the machine for ten minutes, and we minimise your email or facebook.
I love how shocked people looked when they get asked that...
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3-01-2008 @ 2:58AM
Phil Gilder said...
The apple store hasn't opened yet, it opens at 9.30am GMT (in about 1 hr 30)
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3-01-2008 @ 3:40AM
Steven Haskayne said...
well the queue is mighty at the moment, shame I'm stuck at the back for thetime being! Security is rife and its rather chilly, tuaw boys make ueself known!!!!!
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3-01-2008 @ 5:10AM
Alex Blewitt said...
It's open! About 500 people in the queue when it opened so far (got a t-shirt) and the Apple employees jogged through the store cheering and clapping on the way. Will put photos up at alblue blogspot com shortly ...
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3-01-2008 @ 8:01AM
Alex Blewitt said...
My write-up and photos are at:
http://alblue.blogspot.com/2008/03/apple-store-mk-open_01.html
in case you couldn't find it :-)
3-01-2008 @ 5:31AM
David Cornish said...
Just got back, got a T-Shirt! Apple sure know how to open a store. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else put in so much effort.
Some photos:
http://www.ttlg.com/dave/apple_mk/
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3-01-2008 @ 5:37AM
Ben said...
Um... There appear to be no pictures on your site, dude.
3-01-2008 @ 6:09AM
Mr Lizard said...
where are the photos? it's just a page with a grey background
3-01-2008 @ 6:41AM
David Cornish said...
Internet Explorer takes a few seconds to load the photos in once the background has loaded, so it might look like it isn't working, but it does!
3-02-2008 @ 11:36AM
Stephanie said...
~grin~ Thanks for posting those, although it's really odd seeing myself in some of them!
It's really good having an Apple shop locally now, I'm thinking of dragging half my team to the iWork sessions, saves me writing a training course.
3-01-2008 @ 7:30AM
Robin m said...
Went to to the store about 10:30. There was still a small queue but moving quickly. Managed to get a t-shirt! It looks like a really nice store, there's a glass staircase that takes you up to the second floor where you'll find a (albeit not huge) genius bar. The staff were extremely helpful today, and as you can imagine - excited.
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3-01-2008 @ 10:56AM
Pete Stoneman said...
I went at about 2pm - no T-shirts left of course, and it was so busy, and I expect it always will be due to it's location and size.
Shame I no longer like Apple's product line... (waits for the flaming to begin on the +Apple blog!)
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3-01-2008 @ 11:30AM
Brian said...
One of the joys of life is that we don't all like the same things.
3-01-2008 @ 11:19AM
oliver said...
just set homepage to TUAW, second MacBook Air at front of store! ;)
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3-01-2008 @ 12:48PM
Alexis said...
I was 6th in the line, and i got there at about 8 am... I don't think i have ever seen a new shop open with so much enthusiasm!
I just hope i win that macbook! :P
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