Will Oremus, writing for Slate, points out the huge (read that in sarcastic tone, with air quotes) differences between the design of Microsoft’s new Manhattan flagship store and the Apple Store:

In an Apple Store, you’ll find rows of tables stocked with MacbBooks, iPads, iPhones, and related accessories. In contrast, the Microsoft Store features rows of tables stocked with Surface Books, Surface tablets, Lumia phones, and related accessories.

And:

Apple Stores are famously minimal in their interior design, with blond wood display tables set against a silver and white background. The new Microsoft Store, on the other hand, has somewhat darker wood tables, and the walls feature a lot of blue, and a few other primary colors, in addition to white. Imagine a Uniqlo, but for computers. And whereas Apple Stores often feature all-glass facades, the Microsoft Store’s facade is only mostly glass.

Somewhat darker wood tables! It’s only mostly glass! And don’t get me started on the “Answer Bar”.

[H/T the minimaluminiumalistically absurd not Jony Ive]