Apple
First off I would like to say that this whole argument is completely biased because of the fact that I am an Apple advocate. The fact that I go to a school that is entirely Apple distinguished probably plays a role is my mindset to why I am such a big Apple fan. At both of the big branded stores I simply asked for them to explain which computer they would recommend and if I could check one of them out. Being a big Apple fan I found that it was much easier to carry a conversation because I was so much more familiar with the product rather than the Microsoft product. The conversations basically just touched base on what each of the products have to offer and how they stick out in that certain field. I found that Apple really expresses their unique style to their product. Apple loves to show just how unique their computers are and how nice they look. Whereas Microsoft focused more along the lines of their new program Windows 10 because of its new content. They feel that they have the upper edge on Apple's El Capitan program.
I found that when I walked into the store Apple immediately had one of their employees approaching me asking if I needed service. To which I then proceeded to explain how I was searching for a computer and was looking for the perfect fit. As all employees at every single company in the world of retail are trained to do they instantly took me to the most expensive computer there was. It was the Macbook Pro which was definitely on the higher end of the computers that they sell. The Apple employee threw everything he had at me on the Mac Pro desperately trying to convince me to want the computer. I decided to throw him a curveball and really test his customer service skills. I said I was more interested in the Macbook Air, which was on the cheaper end of the computers they sold. Even after all of the explaining he had just done about the Pro, he very nicely gave me the Mac Air pitch. I felt that at any point of the conversation I could have asked any question and the employee would have had an in depth answer for me. Along with knowing each product inside out he was also very strong on trying to close the deal with me. I found this rather annoying but either way he was simply just trying to do his job. When I told him I had to think about the purchase he was very professional and understanding but also added in some perks if I were to buy the product right at that moment. He offered me an extended warranty and also twenty percent off any case that I wanted that. The employee compares the product to "other products" and that "no other brand does this". No brands were mentioned but I think it was very implied that Microsoft was one of them that he was comparing is Apple product to. Overall, I thought that the Apple employee was very approachable and does his job well.
Microsoft
Going into Microsoft was a totally different experience. Microsoft was much more laid back and I had to approach an employee in order to get service, unlike the automatic service at Apple. I did notice though that once I approached an employee and got their attention that I immediately got service whereas sometimes at Apple the wait line to get help would be almost an hour long! Like I did at Apple I asked to check out some computers. I got introduced surprisingly to the Surface Pro computer instead of the Surface Pro4 first. This was a differently style of service and I really felt like Microsoft adapted to me as a customer. I felt like Microsoft realized that I could be a younger kid and looking for something rather basic which is why they took me to the more basic/cheaper computer first instead of the top of the line. I liked this philosophy of customer service and basing your service based on reading the customer. The employee then broke down the basics to the computer to me just like Apple did. I found Microsoft trying to explain the content of their computer to me rather than trying to sell the style/idea. I think that from a style standpoint Microsoft knows that they can't compete with Apple which is why they have to be on top of their game when explaining their program and why it is better than Apples. The Microsoft employee I thought was on the same customer service level as Apple and used persuasive language to try and get me to purchase the product. Overall, I think that customer service is a mix of 1. knowing your product and it's strengths. Exploiting those strengths to customers is what is a major key in selling a product. 2. Is reading the situation based on the customer. Asking questions and getting a feel for what the customer wants coming into the store is a great skill to have when working at one of these two major brand stores.