C Scott Brown / Android Authority
When talking about the latest and largest smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs and more, Americans have very limited options for purchase in a physical retail store. In the last 15 years, the number of specially concentrated stores on electronics has decreased. Even Best Bye, which is America’s largest physical electronics retailer, is struggling.
A retailer, though, is pushing this trend forward by not only living, but also promoting. It is a retailer micro center, a small company that meets harsh tech gecks rather than a normal tech user.
When I lived in New Haven, Connecticut (where I had spent most of my life), my nearest micro center was in Brooklyn, New York, which was significantly increased. However, it was always a valuable journey, for reasons I would explain in a while. When I went to the North Bay area of ​​California in 2022, however, I was afraid to find only one micro center in the entire state: Teston’s location, more than eight hours away.
Thankfully, the ninth micro center is just opened in Santa Clara, CA, which is a 90 -minute more reasonable drive than my home. On an invitation by the company, I attended the opening of the store’s initial access – and it was amazing.
What is the micro center?
C Scott Brown / Android Authority
If you are a very old American, like me, you will probably remember to visit Radio Shake. In its last day, it was one of these few places to get all kinds of electronics and tech accessories, including extraordinary batteries, unique editors, and even soldering equipment. You probably remember that, though, the radio shake stores were staffed by tight, organized and unmarried workers. Radio Shake went bankrupt in 2015.
Decading the radio shake decades, some boys who worked for the company looked at their worries quickly and they knew they could fix them. He left his radio shake jobs and launched the micro center, which directly pledged to make a welcome place to Tech boyfriend users directly. Today, in 2025, the micro center is one of the most respected and admirable retailers in the United States.
The micro center was launched by former radio -shake employees who were committed to the tech nerve -building and the tech nerves.
The secret sauce for the micro center contains two pillars. The first and most essential, knowing staff. If you are a periodic reader of sites Android Authority And you have ever visited any excellent purchase, you have probably experienced the company’s biggest problem, namely more about you, customers, employees more about tech. This is unlikely to happen in the micro center. Just like you and me, staff know their luggage in all its stores. If you have never experienced it, I assure you that asking a tech question during shopping is quite sensation and there is someone who really knows what they are talking about.
The second pillar of the micro center’s success is that it understands and respects its customers. Instead of trying to appeal directly from the normal tech user, the micro center prefers to be extremely nervous. Yes, ordinary tech users – people who do not take and take tech but still need to buy phone, laptops, TVs, etc. – Micro center stores are welcome. But those who are excited about tech are the ones who are focused on the micro center, and everything – store layouts, product categories, service offerings, etc. – always keeps this user’s category in mind.
In other words, this is a store developed by the tech nerve for the tech nerve.
It’s like a store like made for me specifically
C Scott Brown / Android Authority
Since I work Android Authority. However, I am in tech things that we rarely talk about. I made my gaming PC, for example (4090 gangs, representation). I also have a plax server, which is very smart home tech, and double in the flying drone. I am also a material creator, so I have a growing combination of tools for it, which includes cameras, lights, microphones and more.
The micro center takes products related to all these categories – and much more. I have already mentioned, in addition, the micro center also contains TV, computer monitors, laptops, 3D printers (and filament for these printers), repair tools, board games, mechanical keyboards. This is a paradise for everyone enthusiastic about tech -related hobbies.
Regarding the ordinary tech category, the micro center has a separate advantage that it usually has a wider choice than other stores. Just look at the laptop section of the Santa Clara Store. This is more choice than you will see in any excellent purchase, Costco, target, etc.
For less common categories, the micro center is one of the few physical retail stores to take them. For example, in the United States, it is not easy to buy raspberry pie without doing so online. However, with the micro center, with them, to use tin ads, kits, and stem -related tools as well. Yes. Similarly, if your laptop battery dies and you need alternatives immediately, you will probably need to order online and wait for it to be sent. In the micro center, though, there is a whole wall of batteries in which you can run and catch and run back up and walk without any time. Need proper tools for this repair? They also have in the micro center. Don’t want to repair itself? Service Center is the first thing you see when you go to the store, and it has an open air design, so you can see the technicians doing your job.
It all makes the micro center easier, but what makes it a really pleasant experience is the physicality of all of it.
I like to be able to touch the tech before buying it
C Scott Brown / Android Authority
When I was doing my recent gaming PC, I knew I wanted a new case. I have a limited space in my small house, though, it needs to be fit in the same dimension. Of course, I also wanted to look cool and provide the necessary features. During this process, I did all this research – and last purchase – online, and the first time I really saw the matter personally when it arrived at my house. It works, but is definitely far from the ideal.
At the micro center, though, I could see and touch this case before buying it. In addition, I could compare this case with my current so that the size could be seen while it could be compared to other brands. Given that very few physical retailers sell PC cases, the micro center is only one of the places where I could experience it.
The micro center knows the value of being able to see and touch something before buying it.
This is just an example, but there are dozens and dozens. Where can you go to the clock on a dozen different keyboards of multiple manufacturers to find out which one feels better and looks excellent? Where can you choose from more than a thousand flammable colors to get the exact shape for your next 3D printing project? Where can you compare 50 laptops with each other, touch the base desk microphone, hold dozens of Android phones, and even sit in the racing SIM vein to see how it feels? You can do it all more at the micro center.
Finally, with the micro center I just have the real problem, it’s not everywhere. The company has opened three stores in the past year, which is high, but it seems that a small part of Americans is one in a two -hour drive. However, the company has been running for about 50 years, and it’s just its twentieth store!
I can only hope that Santa Clara’s new location reinforces the company’s success, and it continues to spread to more areas. However, for myself, I am already dreaming about my next tech purchase when I talk to a fellow Tech Gack about it. I missed these days.