Microsoft Stores Coming to a Town Near You

Microsoft recently accounced that they would be following in Apple's footsteps and opening their own version of a retail store "close to existing Apple stores".  This seems to be an interesting concept and with the success of Apple stores, seems viable.  Microsoft even hired many of Apple's employees to ensure the success of their stores.

The first two will be opening this fall to coincide with the launch of Windows 7.  One will be opening in Scottsdale, AZ and the other will be opening in Mission Viejo, CA, both Apple-heavy cities (one within a mall also home to an Apple store).  No one has confirmed what Microsoft will officially be doing, however many have speculated (with some confirmation) that a "guru" or "answer" bar will be featured (similar to a "genius" bar in the Apple stores) and that they will carry computers from different manufacturers, software, Zune, XBox, Microsoft Surface, and other features of the Microsoft nameplate.

The only difference and hardship here is that Microsoft does not manufacture any hardware, where Apple does.  The only question for Microsoft is how will they service such hardware, and in a timely manner?