38 comments

When I was in high school (1995-2000), we used Mac Classics as door stops. Unfortunately, it didn’t help the “rich school” image.

IX, on February 11th, 2008 at 2:25 am

I wouldn’t use my SE/30 as a doorstop either (a fishtank, on the other hand…), but it’s a great intro to what looks like a great store. Do they have their own version of geniuses?

iDave, on February 11th, 2008 at 3:42 am

[...] Fuente | CultOfMac.com [...]

Aspirando a un MacBook.es » MacSuper Store, el detalle Maquero, on February 11th, 2008 at 8:10 am

Yeah…
I feel a bit uneasy seeing those SEs being used as doorstops. The first computer I ever used was my dad’s SE back in ‘87 so it kinda holds a special place in my heart. Seeing it being used in such a way just feels… wrong.
-.-

Church of Apple, on February 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am

I don’t share your take on the store.
I feel much more at home at a real Apple Store.
This one somehow seems unpolished.

-MaTT

Matt Locke, on February 11th, 2008 at 8:34 am

I bought my first Mac (12″ Powerbook) in this store and have been back since. I agree it is a great store.

Too bad Apple screwed them by opening an Apple Store in downtown San Luis Obispo. That has got to hurt business and is no way to reward a store for supporting Apple over the years.

Homer Simpson, on February 11th, 2008 at 8:35 am

SmallDog in Burlington, VT is an amazing independent Apple retailer.

I’ve bought two macs from them since switching to Mac this past summer and will be getting more.

usrbingeek, on February 11th, 2008 at 9:04 am

That is just so cool. There was a chain of Mac stores in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley that just got beaten down by Apple. Nice to know that a few remain.

And it is nice to see something that isn’t cookie cutter. All the Apple stores are exactly the same, right down to the window display. How terribly corporate.

Laura Rinaldi, on February 11th, 2008 at 10:54 am

Don’t think of them as doorstops… Think of them as geezer greeters. You know, like at WalMart. They’re supposed to make you feel at home and welcome, even if they are a bit past their prime.

Ras, on February 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am

My heart skipped a nostalgic beat at the doorstops, too, but I suspect they’re not using working compact Macs for the job.

I absolutely *love* the fact that there aren’t any iPods in the main store.

Great find!

GGeek, on February 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of visiting this store on a regular basis and another amazing unmentioned facet of the Mac Superstore is the management, awesome and accessible people. Also, the customer service is exceptionally engaging and helpful as those assisting you are truly Mac and Mac user enthusiasts.

Ben, on February 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

I just bought a new iMac at MacSuperstore, 2.8 duo, extra RAM installed, Adobe CS3 Premium and other software. For the first time their computer prices beat what I found online, including my MUG.

Austin from MacSuperstore called a week later and asked if everything is working well. For the most part it has been smooth, though the rest of my office network is still using non-Intel Macs or PCs with CS2.

The only hitch is a known problem with the Mighty Mouse, which has occasional seizures and won’t track properly or at all. I wanted wireless and had to go with a white set instead of the standard brushed aluminum (add $50). Sometimes but not usually it works to touch the metal foot of the iMac. I think MacSuperstore would replace it if I call them back soon.

MacSuperstore has really stepped up the service level since the Apple store opened in our town about a year ago. They were always good, but now they’re better than ever. I’m happy to see Shane hanging in there, even with Apple’s bold, cold decision to move in on one of their best resellers.

terre, on February 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

I just bought a new iMac at MacSuperstore, 2.8 duo, extra RAM installed, Adobe CS3 Premium and other software. For the first time their computer prices beat what I found online, including my MUG.

Austin from MacSuperstore called a week later and asked if everything is working well. For the most part it has been smooth, though the rest of my office network is still using non-Intel Macs or PCs with CS2.

The only hitch is a known problem with the Mighty Mouse, which has occasional seizures and won’t track properly or at all. I wanted wireless and had to go with a white set instead of the standard brushed aluminum (add $50). Sometimes but not usually it works to touch the metal foot of the iMac. MacSuperstore would replace it if I asked.

MacSuperstore has really stepped up the service level since the Apple store opened in our town about a year ago. They were always good, but now they’re better than ever. I’m happy to see Shane hanging in there, even with Apple’s bold, cold decision to move in on one of their best resellers.

terre, on February 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

[...] • Stealing Thunder – The Mac Superstore in San Luis Obispo, California uses Mac Plus and SE/30s as doorstops. [Cult of Mac] [...]

QeeToo » Blog Archive » Blowing Out the Dust: Morning Edition, on February 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

di-no computers in pasadena is way better.

jordan, on February 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I live in ND, bring me an Apple store to visit every day, or better yet, to work at.

Shawn K, on February 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

This store is the place where I bought my one and only Mac, though Im not a mac fan the store was very nice and staff was great, we have a new offical Mac store here in San Luis now too, it sucks, emanates the stuck up glow that I expect from a normal mac store, Im glad that the MacSuperStore is still around proving you dont have to have a stick up your ass to own a mac.

Puck, on February 11th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

[...] Cult of Mac  fresqui |  menéame | permalink | trackback url Si te ha [...]

Un Mac Plus como sujeta puertas : planetamac, on February 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

*yawn*

When exactly did Cult of Mac become a spam blog? It would be one thing to say “my powerbook died and the staff at *STORE NAME* were fantastic!”, but really this post reads like a brochure or a page from their website.

Jay, on February 11th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

Here in San Antonio, Texas, we have a nice little independent store by the name of MacTLC. It’s not as pretty as the Apple store we have here at the big ‘up-scale’ rich people’s mall, but they will do repairs right there in the shop. No waiting for it to be shipped off to California, and they are good at it.

dorkhero, on February 11th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

Tek Serve, in the middle of Chelsea, on the isle of Manhattan is a great independent Mac store. The decor is an interesting combo of retro combined with the new. Their service is impeccable and vast and extends to many older macs as well as the new. Now that the new Apple Chelsea store has opened … the largest Apple store ever, i wonder how long Tek Serve will survive.

beeDevil, on February 11th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

What I saw of TekServe during my sporadic visits to the USA (I hate taking of my shoes to be sniffed by a dog, in case I got nitro implanted in my soles) gave me the impression that they mostly cater tp professionals & do an excellent job of it.

I kind of prefer small shops where dedicated and knowledgable people cater to my every whim — of the 25+ Macs I have purchased the last 20 years only one was bought at an Apple Store (the virtual one).

Bert Vanderveen, on February 12th, 2008 at 6:28 am

There’s an independent Mac store in Boise called MacLife — started up about four years ago or so with limited inventory. Now, it’s bustling with inventory and business. Has a darkened area for showing off Apple TV, GarageBand plus keyboards and instruments, a room for classes, and this is what I like the best — lots of third-party accessories for Macs, iPods, and iPhones. It’s a nice store, posts lots of big Apple product-related banners, etc. Boise is a very small city, so no Apple Store there yet. Last time I was in, I watched the staff sell an iMac to a PC switcher. Beautiful.

Chris Maxcer, on February 12th, 2008 at 7:22 am

“There was a chain of Mac stores in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley that just got beaten down by Apple.”

Why do they keep opening Apple stores in Cali? It seams like soon it’ll reach Starbuck’s level absurdity. Bring some more damn stores to the Midwest!

BTW, are you sure this store is better than the “WTF Mac Store”?
o_O
http://flickr.com/photos/jeffcarlson/127632129/

Church of Apple, on February 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am

I bought my powerbook at this store, it has the best customer service EVER!!!! Will never buy a mac anywhere else!!!

Connor Joyce, on February 12th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Not related to the article (which was interesting, I may stop by sometime, and does not come off as an advert.), but really, the new layout is 50/50. Cool to have photos from latest stories, a bit much and a bit too large. But with the advertisements crowded at the top, it’s just ugly. Feels very…PC’ish. (Flamesuit, on). But if this were an Apple blog, I’d expect clean lines, simplicity, not over crowded and busy. So…yeah…take the opinion of a reader and fix it so this site is good looking again.

Cheers,
Thomas

Thomas, on February 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am

I think the SE should be on a podium with the sign “The Computer that Changed it all”.

Richard Jonston, on February 14th, 2008 at 7:41 am

Though I was finally able to my sister into considering switching to a Mac, this store actually closed the deal. Really helpful employees, a great “Apple” vibe - my sister still calls it the Apple Store, even though SLO has a ‘”real” one now.

Taco Jack, on February 21st, 2008 at 5:47 pm

I’ve commented to the staff there that it should be a crappy old pc box holding the door open, and move the Mac shrine into a museum indoors.

Shane and crew are AWESOME. I’ve been to Apple corporate stores elsewhere and the service level is amazing, but at the SLO store they don’t even come close to the level of service Shane’s crew provides.

James J, on March 4th, 2008 at 7:22 am

You need to check out MacForce. One of the coolest independent Mac stores ever! With a super cool retro spacey sci-fi theme, it adds a dash of modern brushed metal to keep with the look and feel that Mac fans have come to seek out over the years. They have their own HD theater where you can attend free training seminars, user group meetings or even build your own training classes for large groups. They have cool old movies projected on the walls around you while you are shopping. The are the best I’ve ever seen! Check them out. http://www.macforce.com

PDX Mac Addict, on March 31st, 2008 at 3:13 pm

I’m glad someone else appreciates this store. As a local, it was very disturbing seeing Apple waltz into town last year and open a “super” apple store downtown. Unlike that abomination, this little shop has been there for years and deserves the local business. The people who work there aren’t stupid yuppies who make $7 an hour and can’t even find an on switch, they are truly mac lovers who are passionate about the products. They give a much more complete package and I hope everyone goes there to buy their apple products and support local business. Down with the corporate stores!

ian, on April 27th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Hey guys! This is the authentic paradise!

http://www.miMac.es
Mac free software and tutorials

miMac.es, on April 30th, 2008 at 1:16 am

This is the authentic paradise for macfansboys!

In Apple official stores games seem that no are too important, and Steve… take a note… game is a serious business and can launch mac ahead pc

http://www.miMac.es
Mac free software and tutorials

miMac.es, on April 30th, 2008 at 1:17 am

Looking forward to seeing you in Colorado Springs!!

Welcome (and hurry!).

FuzzyWells, on May 31st, 2008 at 3:03 pm

I was so smitten by this store when I visited there a couple of months ago that I made a promise to return after a study abroad venture. I got back in town a few days ago and first, I visited the Apple Store downtown, which was okay, but when I made good on my promise to return to the MacSuperstore I was once again overwhelmed with how great the staff is! Today I go back to pick up another Mac!!

stewart, on June 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 am

Yes! MacForce in Portland, OR is by far the coolest independant Mac store I’ve been to. I’ve been buying Macs there for years. They have a pretty cool rebate program for loyal customers, an insanely knowledgeable staff, some really cool events on random Saturdays, and a really cool little showcase of just about every classic Apple machine ever made. They even have a NEXT machine in there!

Charles, on June 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am

I totally like Voelker Research in Colorado Springs, an Apple Specialist. Very laid back and very knowledgeable - they’d be my vote.

James, on June 20th, 2008 at 7:36 am

Dalalala la lotsa papers are earned at this store

ryan, on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm