Microsoft Talk

New site gives customers a single online destination to shop for and compare products across entire Microsoft lineup.

Microsoft Store offers Microsoft’s entire consumer catalog, including desktop software, the Xbox console and its related game titles, the Microsoft Zune, and all of the company’s hardware, including mice, keyboards, web cameras, and joysticks. Along with a fast, secure buying experience, customers will enjoy an easy-to-use interface and useful product comparisons.

“Microsoft Store gives customers a trusted environment to discover, learn, try, download and buy from the largest selection of Microsoft software, devices and hardware,” says Larry Engel, general manager, Microsoft Store & Marketplaces. “For the first time, customers will have one place to find and purchase everything from Microsoft, rather than seeing just a list of products.”

According to Engel, one of the most compelling features of the new store is that it will offer many products, including Windows and Office, as a digital download. “We think customers will enjoy the immediate satisfaction of purchasing, downloading and installing these products within minutes,” he says.

Although the Microsoft Store will price all its products at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), customers still see benefits, says Engel.

“Microsoft Store is really about making that direct connection with the customers, and then making it a great experience from start to finish,” he says. “The entire focus of our design is to make it easy for customers to navigate and find the products they want, and understand which products will work best for them.”

Customers will find tabs to broad product categories, and simple links for version comparisons, pricing and ordering. Straightforward “connect the dots” diagrams allow for fast and clear comparisons between software versions, so customers can get the right package for the features they need.

The Microsoft Store has simple product comparison charts which help customers quickly review product versions and features.
Click for larger image.

In addition to downloads, Microsoft Store will also offer full packaged product. In general, PC software will be available either as packaged product or for immediate download, while games and of course hardware will be shipped.