More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[PaulGo]

Despite Windows 8.1, PC market prospects aren't pretty

Windows 8.1 may fix Microsoft's dot-zero release but it may not fix the PC market.
After Citi Research revised its PC market growth forecast down to negative 10 percent growth earlier in the month, market researcher IDC chimed in on Friday with a less-than-upbeat snapshot for May.


...Currently IDC expects total annual growth of negative 7.8 percent for 2013.



...Despite investor optimism on a resumption of year-to-year growth in the second half of 2013, "we do not expect [PC] units to grow" due to a "softening in PC end-demand" and "muted benefit from Haswell and Windows Blue [Windows 8.1]."

Despite Windows 8.1, PC market prospects aren't pretty | Business Tech - CNET News

 

[Layback Bear]

I agree with the forecast. Haswell is looking more like a toaster and well we know what Windows 8 is doing to the market.

 

[Night Hawk]

I think expectations about 8 and 8.1 will actually do more at putting a damper on the desktop market in particular since no new desktop OS has been revealed. The OEMs are stuck developing their own forms of Start menus to draw existing customers back!

Look at it this way, if someone was to introduce a totally new OS that would run both Windows and Mac programs natively with full support what would be the best time to do that? Well right now they would catch MS fumbling the ball and great opportunity to slide into the gap MS is starting to create for itself!

A brand new OS that offered just what users wanted to see would easily sweep the market fast if MS were to keep up with the abandon desktop for tablet concepts they are now working with.

 

[mjf]

A vision of the distant future:
- Holographic virtual display
- Cerebral cortex interface

and it would still be a "Desktop". If MS had a decent R&D facility they may be looking at true futuristic concepts instead of piggy backing on the innovation of others.
As far a I am aware Xerox developed the Windows OS type environment and didn't pursue it. Apple/Mac grabbed the advantage and it took off to commercial success. MS was a late follower.

 

[Stephanie]

If Windows 7 is the last Desktop OS (when support ends) I will be moving to Linux (Installed Linux to my 3rd Desktop and it looks great and easy to use)

 

[Scoop]

If Windows 7 is the last Desktop OS (when support ends) I will be moving to Linux (Installed Linux to my 3rd Desktop and it looks great and easy to use)

I might do that as well. My nephew has been running Linux on his home PC for several years. He likes it.

 

[SIW2]

The aftermath of MS 8 fantasy will be fascinating.

Everything might change for the better.

The more people migrate to other platforms - the more support/sponsoship/development those other platforms will get. They will get better and better. True free software may yet win the day.

 

[vrosa]

FirefoxOS is about to shake the mobile arena.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

The aftermath of MS 8 fantasy will be fascinating.

Yep. Whenever a monopolist does gigantic mistakes a lot of new opportunity open.
Like Intel and AMD. The latter jump-stared because of a BIG Intel mistake.

Besides, that's the only way to get rid of serious monopolies without military action.

FirefoxOS is about to shake the mobile arena.

In developing countries for sure (the entire point behind it being so lightweight). Then we will see if it sets enough wheels rolling to get a decent hold on first world as well.

 

[Night Hawk]

If Windows 7 is the last Desktop OS (when support ends) I will be moving to Linux (Installed Linux to my 3rd Desktop and it looks great and easy to use)

Well you wouldn't have to wait for software companies to follow suit if you make that choice! Some have already moved in that direction already due to how the other OS has grown in popularity over the years.

More then one company won't need any emulator like Wine it seems. Here's a fast look at what one is offering at the present. I can't show you the content but the Steam gui to get the idea.

I never used to see that until now noticing what is and what will be as far as that one company alone. Game developers are smelling what's in the wind and wanting to be ahead of things to some extent as well as simply expanding on their options. People are still going to want desktop games on whatever "desktop OS" they end up running!

 

[Stephanie]

If Windows 7 is the last Desktop OS (when support ends) I will be moving to Linux (Installed Linux to my 3rd Desktop and it looks great and easy to use)

Well you wouldn't have to wait for software companies to follow suit if you make that choice! Some have already moved in that direction already due to how the other OS has grown in popularity over the years.

More then one company won't need any emulator like Wine it seems. Here's a fast look at what one is offering at the present. I can't show you the content but the Steam gui to get the idea.

I never used to see that until now noticing what is and what will be as far as that one company alone. Game developers are smelling what's in the wind and wanting to be ahead of things to some extent as well as simply expanding on their options. People are still going to want desktop games on whatever "desktop OS" they end up running!

Yep Steam on Linux

 

[Night Hawk]

Well look at it this way. There's been discussions now for several years actually about Windows programs eventually seeing a Linux version with exceptionally only a few actually producing the Linux version of something. Adobe being one with Shock Player and a few things there.

At the time when 7 was in beta all attentions were focused on what 7 would turn out ro be and later prove to be without any further thought. Now along comes Win(mis)hap 8 and the long discussed with nothing too much ever done seeing a sudden turn around when MS goes off on some mobile compete scheme and fumbles the ball as far as the usual mainstream desktop customer base and these companies suddenly have to take a serious look.

One look at 8 and these companies automatically know that if MS continues in that direction people will be looking for some other OS(s) to run! While some will simply grin and bear whatever gets tossed their way many have plainly stated that direction wouldn't be one they would want to follow blindly and look for other options!

And for a company like Steam they are saying to themselves: "What is MS thinking? Here's our chance to get in ahead of the others are far as pc gaming on the other OS!" "We can now bring to the Linux table what others only dream about!" And of course the dissatisfied MS former user is now saying: "MS you can keep tablet. I can now Steam on.... !!"

 

[PaulGo]

Microsoft ties Bing Ads into Windows 8.1 Smart Search

One of the highlights of Windows 8.1 is the new “smart search” feature, which pulls together results from Bing’s search engine, Wikipedia, documents on your desktop and from apps that allow Windows 8.1 to index content inside of them. Today, Microsoft announced that it will monetize this feature through Bing Ads for web-based search results. With this, advertisers will be able to set up a single campaign that reaches users on Bing, Yahoo and Windows Search.

Microsoft Brings Its Bing Ads To Windows 8.1 Smart Search | TechCrunch

 

[Night Hawk]

I'm sure that's just what everyone wanted to hear! daaaa... The new supposed Start button is nothing more then another Apps scroll downwards buttons for programs compared to the scroll to the right screen after screen seen in 8. They are still lingering to tablet orientation.

 

[PaulGo]

Windows 8.1 review - Still stupendously stupid

...Anyhow, to sum it up, this beta version of Windows 8.1 will please those who like Windows 8, it will do nothing of that sort for those disappointed. There's nothing grand about the new system other than small fixes and polishes. A service pack by all means, still plagued by fundamental idiocracy. Good luck with that. Classic Shell, and it gets bearable, but why bother.

Windows 8.1 review - Still stupendously stupid

 

[bobafetthotmail]

He goes a bit heavy on some stuff, but the point remains.

I still think that it is finally the time for Linux to take over.

 

[whs]

Loads more? I'll bet the average user out there just can't wait to start memorizing "loads more" secret steps to make 8.1 work almost as good as Windows 7.

:roflmao:

 

[mjf]

I totally agree with the positive comments re Windows 7 and maybe even a polished "standard" linux supported by software developers. I wonder though if a Lego user interface is the way new users will eventually go. The first Window style OS I remember was on the little Mac and I thought what a joke at the time except the joke was on me. The really "serious" computer users used Unix command line or maybe some propriety DEC PDP OS.

 

[NoN]

Readed the PC computer news yesterday, and one online store officially announced some of their new line-ups will be shipped with Windows 7 as some customers asked them to do. They will even do that with the new platforms z87/h87 and the Intel Haswell chip.

Well looks not all are ready to step forward Windows 8 an 8.1 as me that have surely go to buy new gears for.

 

[Night Hawk]

8, 8.1 a step forward?? Give me a break! It's not any step forward for the desktop platform in any shape or form. A step up for tablet maybe but stepping out of bounds for the rest of us!

Linux take over? Many may simply opt for the 2020 flavors when that time arrives if MS has lost it all together by then unless someone else introduces a totally new OS that runs MS and even Mac-itis apps as a go between to grab up what MS lost! The name "Windows" itself implies an OS that utilizes windowed modes without the need for 3rd party intervention such as ModernMix introduced for 8.

I will say the W8 Surface looks far better then starting at Android or IPxx whatever and won't cost but 1/3 of what any IPxxx 5 or 6 will be asking let alone 4 still being out there! Yet the Fruit company has been bolstering growth over the last few years while other companies have felt the recent recession. Go figure they charge 4-5 times more and are doing better?!

Someone at MS needs to come up with a brainstorm not brain death concept to get Windows 9 or what next back ontrack! If MS wonders too far astray they could see a great deal of their non commercial and even a good deal of the commercial interests start looking at alternatives which again leaves a door wide open for someone with a new OS to fill the void left behind.