The idea that Microsoft would open their own retail store directly across from the Apple Store at the Mall of America says a lot; that Microsoft feels they can compete with Apple head-to-head, and more importantly that they feel they have to compete with Apple. And Microsoft feels the best way to compete with Apple is by copying them. It’s the 80s all over again. That the Microsoft Store a blatant ripoff, a copy, a funhouse mirror reflection of the Apple Store, is apparent.

Microsoft is really good at dreaming about the future; their track record on delivering it is not quite so shining. Seen ubiquitous Tablet PCs? Anybody remember SPOT? Given this track record, it is virtually not impossible to pose the question: what impact, if any, will Microsoft’s Surface have on everyday computing?