Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 have been released for a while now, but I finally got around to purchasing a retail version so I can use them at home (in addition to my MSDN/volume license versions at work). The packaging looks very sleek and “mac-like”. Nevermind that trying to stack them results in a big pile of plastic boxes. It’s trendy and shiny and cool. Nevermind that trying to open the package results in the use of a screwdriver, hammer and a few “choice” words. It’s a complete redesign foreshadowing “the great experience that awaits you once you open it”. Nevermind that it took me and 3 intelligent co-workers at least 2-5 minutes each to figure it out. (To our credit, and Microsoft’s debit, it was exacerbated due to additional stickers holding it shut.) It’s the wave of the future! Nevermind that mom and dad and grandma and grandpa will never get it open, ever.

Other people have noticed this also, and responded by posting “how-to” explanations. There’s even one on YouTube. I’ve been using Vista and Office 2007 for a while now, and I can attest that the experience with opening the packaging is worse than the experience with the OS, but c’mon–sometimes packaging innovation is more harmful than helpful. If your package prevents people from getting at your product, you’ve got a serious problem. I may not be a typical user, but when I open software, the packaging gets chucked and the media gets put into a 150 CD holder.

If you need “how-to” instructions just to open the box, you’ve lost the game already. I just got a MacBook Pro (and iPod and Printer–hooray for student discounts!) yesterday, and couldn’t be more impressed with the difference in packaging between Microsoft’s products and Apple’s. This classic video says it all. Apple rules the packaging space.