This is a fairly new Apple Store, opening in the Arndale’s new extension during 2007. The design and layout of the store is pretty similar to their other retail outlets: very bright and modern, with lots of items on display. Towards the front of the store you will find iPods and iPhones, all hooked up with headphones for playing with. Down either side of the store are the computers on display: iMacs, Mac Pros, Apple TVs, Mac Minis, MacBooks and MacBook Pros. Customers are able to play with these too; helpfully all the computers are hooked up to the store’s wi-fi connection allowing free internet browsing. Just check over your shoulder every now and again to make sure there’s no-one hovering too close over your shoulder looking at what you’re doing!

At the back of the store are displays of printers and other peripherals, as well as a selection of popular Mac software. Right at the back you’ll find the Genius Bar (where you can take an unhappy Mac or iPod you may have for a bit of TLC), other Mac experts and the tills. Staff also have handheld point-of-sale systems - so if you’re paying by card you can avoid the queues by scouting out one of these guys.

I have always found the service at the Apple Store to be quick, friendly and efficient. I have heard very good things about the Mac Geniuses, but luckily have never had cause to lug my iMac all the way into town for help. If I do need to, I’m sure they’ll be able to help!

cool store!

I haven’t managed to come across many Apple stores but I always have a quick browse in the ones I do come across. This shop is quite small but you’ll find all the latest Macs, Macbooks, ipods, other hand held gadgets and gizmos, speakers, headphones and accessories to suit you apple needs. There are friendly staff who will recommend you products on request. Prices are as high as the quality being sold. Everything looks so slim, chic and it has the whole tyrendy vibe. Technophobes keep out If you’re one of those grandads who thinks computers ruin your brain then go home and watch t.v.

The Apple store provides other retailers with a much needed lesson in how to sell technology. You won’t find pushy salespeople here trying to make you buy something you don’t want - instead the staff are friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.

The shop is well designed with a good space devoted to showcasing the latest technology, as well as having an area for the ‘Genius Bar’ - which is essentially group of highly trained staff that will help you learn more about any Apple product, or troubleshoot problems if you have any difficulties.

It’s a very ‘hands on’ experience, with customers encouraged to touch and play with the products on display.

Prices are very resonable considering the build quality of what’s on offer. As with all Apple products, if you’re buying new the price is pretty consistent across all online/offline retailers, so you don’t need to worry about not getting the best deal in store.

Overall a very pleasant shopping experience that other shops could learn a thing or two from.

The second Apple store in Manchester (the other at the Trafford Centre) and very welcome it is too. You’re hard pressed to get a good deal on macs with only one or two affiliated franchises saving you a small bob or two.
As you would expect from Apple the design of the store is superb. It completely blows the PC/electrical store competition out of the water - no insistence on taking out useless insurance here - with a sleek and pleasant, and admittedly hypnotic soft sell. You’ll want to own most of the items in this store - the current British Apple product designer (Jonathan Ives) is nigh on a genius in his approach to creating gorgeous, and practical items. The iMacs have always caught the eye but of course now iPods rule the MP3 world with others struggling to get a grip. All these fancy products are aligned perfectly with your commercial weak spot a mere cm or two behind your eye sacks. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, although the ‘Genius Bar’ is a little ***...saying that, I succumbed to macs a couple of years back and they are indeed fantastic machines - and the said bar was really helpful in fixing the only problem I ever had with the machine (and it was the mouse at fault).
They are pricey but pound for pound (and in my opinion) are a superior product. Perhaps a waste of money if you only intend to browse and play games but if you need it for certain types of work they’ll hardly ever let you down.
I popped in this store recently to take a look at the new airbook…and once again apple have created a marvelous looking piece of kit.
I’d only hope for apple to build a stand alone store rather than slotted into shopping centres - the stores in New York and Tokyo are stunning.

FAB SHOP, GENIUS BAR AND TRAINING ALL IN HOUSE, LOTS OF PRODUCTS TO DEMO AND VERY HELPFL STAFF.

Whether or not it is down to the almost non-stop product placement on television shows and movies, or the technical working of the machines themselves – I know that I want an Apple Mac. They are far more expensive than regular PCs, but they look much better and allegedly are less prone to breaking. Actually, I’m not that bothered about getting one, I just think I am. There, that settles it – it was the product placement wot did it, honest. It’s a pretty interesting store to have a look round, plus the staff are very friendly – you can tell that Apple is cool because even the geeks who work there have tattoos and have piercings. PC World it ain’t.