I found this fascinating quote today:

An apple a day… gives the media lots to talk about.  This week both the tech news and so called “mainstream media” was all abuzz about the long rumored, finally revealed, “tablet” device from Steve Jobs and his team at Apple.  When all the dust settled, as expected, everyone’s attention turned to the “core” of the Apple iPad, and the heated comparisons and complaints began in force.  While many have compared and contrasted the iPad to the Amazon Kindle, other tablet PC’s and Netbooks, there is one comparison that I haven’t seen, and one that is most suited for Dad-O-Matic readers: The iPad vs. the iDad!dadomatic.com, The iPad vs. The iDad! – Dad-O-Matic, Jan 2010

Read on at the link above to learn about the iDad. It’s the real winner in today’s technology rush.

Received this from my Ed Lukens in response to my Micro Center review:

Todd, Micro Center would like to invite you to our Grand Opening ribbon-cutting from 9:30-10am this Thursday (11/19). Thank you for covering us in your Broad Brush blog.

Ed, glad to have covered this.  I’m looking forward to writing more about the hot new geek store in town. I really enjoyed my first visit.

I’m looking forward to making use of that free wi-fi on an upcoming visit. The variety of computer choices will make Micro Center a must visit prior to any purchases in the near future.

I’m not sure I can make the Grand Opening myself but I’d like to share it with you.

Go.Buy.WriteAboutIt.

Yours,

Todd ‘tojosan’ Jordan

Micro Center, the well known electronics and computer store, has opened a store in the St. Louis metro area. It’s Brentwood location is the 22nd store in the chain. Micro Center will be filling the role now left empty by the closing of Circuit City and CompUSA stores.

I had to check this store out as I’m a gadget and computer geek. Twitter and local papers were a buzz about it opening. Apparently it has a great reputation in other locations.

Entering the store, the rows of gear is immediately visible. Off to the right is their service center. Off to the left the check out lanes. Walking in though, you’ll notice that there is no ‘center’ aisle. There are aisles but they don’t line up center and that’s not a problem.  They do serve to divide up sections.

Computers of every make and model take up most of the right front quarter of the store.  There are laptops, desktops, netbooks, and some of those not quite one or the other sizes. Brands included Dell, HP, Acer, and believe it or not, Apple.

Interesting is the inclusion of refurbished, remanufactured, and discontinued computers.  These were also available in various types from desktop to laptop.  The prices were lower on these models, and they actually had more than one of each in stock, literally on the floor.

Wending my way past those, I was greeted by really friendly clerk. He asked if I needed help finding something or just wanted to take it all in. I laughed. There was a lot to take in. We talked about the store opening. It had only been open five days.

He told me about this being store 22, and how they were excited to be in St. Louis. Of course I mentioned CompUSA and Circuit City failures. The clerk said their management was well aware of those closings and planned to learn from the mistakes made by those companies.

Computers aren’t the only thing you’ll find along that side. Walking past them I found the camera center. Warning, it is not as large floor space wise as some stores. On the plus side, there is quite the selection of pocket size cameras. Variety again was shown by including many different models and styles, as well as refurb cameras. There were some specials running but unfortunately not anyone I could make use of that visit.

I’ll save you the suspense of me walking you through all the rest of the aisles. How about some quick notes.

• Video games section – lots of titles – retail prices – more hardware than most places
• Sound – they have a large selection of speakers, earphones, microphones and more – well worth a visit just for this
• roll your own PC – this store has it all. Cases, boards, wires, adapters. Several discounts were running in this section which covered nearly a fourth of the floor space of the store.
• accessories galore – mice from high end to $5. Keyboards the same. Cables of every type and style.
• networking – more than just a few routers. modems, routers, access points – several brands and sizes
• books – lots of variety here

All around, if you’re into electronics and miss this place, you’ve missed out.  Best Buy, in my opinion, is going to get a serious run for their money by Micro Center.

Best points:

• Easy to get to – right off Eager and 170.
• Lots of brands.
• Friendly staff.
• Mac gear.
• Latest gaming titles – including just release Dragon Age and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Discounted items and special buys
• Free wifi – yes, free wifi

Oh, it doesn’t have music. It doesn’t have DVDs or BluRay videos. There were no refrigerators, stoves, or microwaves. No carpet. No fancy displays. No wall size television.

In other words, it’s not your typical consumer electronics store as found in St. Louis. So go out, check out the new store in Brentwood. Heck, buy me a gift card while you’re there.

Cheers,

Todd