Microsoft Windows 7 support and sales cutoff dates

[whs]

Well, they even mucked it up for tablets.

One of the functions I like to use on my Nexus 7 is navigation. But with the Windows 8.1 tablets that is a no-go. MS changed the program interface to the GPS/GNSS sensors so that the (few) Windows navigation programs don't work any more.

Dell did not even bother any more to put a sensor on their new Venue 8 Pro. I RMAd the one I had ordered when found out the facts.

 

[Golden]

Jimbo, what was your point? That cars are cheaper than trains?

 

[jimbo45]

Jimbo, what was your point? That cars are cheaper than trains?

Hi there

The point was that you could ALWAYS stick with old technology if you want to -- the quote was saying that you can still use HORSES for travel - but most people would certainly prefer to use Cars, trains or even a Bus. The price wasn't actually the point at issue here --in any case the old PC with Windows 3.1 on it was in relative terms HUGELY more expensive than even a top level laptop today.

The economy (certainly where I am) is showing good signs of revival so it's not only lack of funds that are stopping people buy Laptops and it's not Windows either --in any case you can always install Linux / W7 or whatever on your laptop if you so want.

It's just that the PC currently doesn't fit into a lot of peoples plans any more - also anybody who bought a PC even 4 years ago will still have a reasonable machine and doesn't really need to buy a new one just yet.

The PC market will recover slightly but it will never again reach the heights of a few years ago when it was the ONLY suitable device for performing a lot of tasks that can easily be done today on other hardware.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[TanyaC]

The sole reason I stopped purchasing PC components and building PCs, or even buying PCs is the significant rise in hardware costs.

In Australia in the last 12 months memory prices have risen by as much as 40%. Typical component price rises are around 20% - 25%.

Some are blaming the devaluation of the AUD against the USD as the reason, though this seems like smoke and mirrors to me. It may have contributed, but it not by a long shot the sole cause.

For companies to whine about declining PC sales, who then raise prices by such staggering amounts, it's no wonder sales are declining and it serves them right, though the end users are the ones who lose in the long run.

At the risk of inciting a riot - For most mobile computing is a nice to have "gimmicky" way of doing basic tasks. Real productivity comes from less portable devices. I dont use cloud computing, Facebook, or any social networking. I don't play games designed for 2 year old's, and as such don;t have any need whatsoever for portable computing.

Microsoft's Bricks operating system (8.0/8.1) only exacerbates the problem.

I stopped upgrading and buying PCs and PC hardware because of the dramatic price rises.

I started moving all PCs and those of people who seek my assistance to Linux because of Microsoft Bricks 8.x.

The two together, at least here is Australia, seem to be what is killing the PC market, along with the rampant brainwashed consumerism of our societies declining intelligence and dependence on toys.

</end rant>

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The sole reason I stopped purchasing PC components and building PCs, or even buying PCs is the significant rise in hardware costs.

In Australia in the last 12 months memory prices have risen by as much as 40%. Typical component price rises are around 20% - 25%.

Some are blaming the devaluation of the AUD against the USD as the reason, though this seems like smoke and mirrors to me...

'Tis. The USA has had the same price increases. I'm so glad I bought my RAM when I did. The biggest reason I won't be building anything for some time, however, is I now have a PC that works just fine. I might make additions (primarily, more storage and a TV tuner or two), but, other than that, I'm done for a while.

 

[Diosoth]

I don't care if they cut it off. So long as I need to keep an old OS on hand to play certain older games, I will. I'll buy W8 or whatever succeeds it if and when I'm to the point I need it to run current things, but not until then and I'll still keep an old PC on hand to play the games that the new Windows doesn't support.

 

[Indianatone]

Yeah Tanya, 16GB of DDR3 1600 memory costs 25 to 30 % more than 32Gb of the same thing six months ago. It is frightening the price of 8Gb is crazy. The price of 32Gb is $350 as much as a complete barebones basic system (minus ram) from AMD or even Intel. I suspect it has to do with the memory factory being destroyed in the Japan earthquake.

 

[spyderbite]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer. I get that a handful of people have very minimalist needs from their computers. But a new computer is 1/100th the price of a new computer 15 or 20 years ago.

Upgrading to Pro or Ultimate I can understand for various scenarios. But a PC that was preinstalled with XP or even Vista? Doesn't seem like a wise investment. If all one is looking for are new features; they are likely to enjoy them more than resent them on new hardware.

 

[alphanumeric]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

 

[whs]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

I am afraid a lot of people won't be buying any newer versions of Windows any more. MS really has to get their act together before that happens.

 

[alphanumeric]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

I am afraid a lot of people won't be buying any newer versions of Windows any more. MS really has to get their act together before that happens.

Like I said "if that's what you want".

 

[Indianatone]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

Waiting on a pile of parts to arrive. Checked on them, the case will be here today, the rest of the parts has been changed to Tuesday even though they arrived in Indianapolis IN. at 5PM last "prevening". So much for 3 day shipping UPS.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I can't believe people still buy a copy Windows rather than just getting a new computer.

A lot of enthusiasts like me build their own desktop PC's. I also upgrade it over time, hardware and software. I will likely never ever buy a prebuilt desktop PC.

Not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a new PC every time Microsoft releases a new OS. If you already own a high end PC it makes more sense to just buy the newer version of Windows if that's what you want.

I am afraid a lot of people won't be buying any newer versions of Windows any more. MS really has to get their act together before that happens.

 

[alphanumeric]

I was just recently thinking of starting a new desktop build but bought some Saitek Pro Flight Gear instead. I don't have the budget for both so I'm putting off the new build for now. Looks like I'm one of the few who actually like 8.1. I didn't like the early builds and actually wasn't that fussy for running 8.0 on my desktop PC's. Now that Metro plays nice with my multi monitors in the 8.1 update, I'm not minding it at all. I do see and understand why some don't like it though. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[whs]

8.1 is an improvement. But I still have trouble finding some things - e.g. Resource Monitor. I copied the shortcut from my Windows 7 system - that worked.

 

[alphanumeric]

8.1 is an improvement. But I still have trouble finding some things - e.g. Resource Monitor. I copied the shortcut from my Windows 7 system - that worked.

Wow, they really buried that one away. I had to hunt around in Computer Management > Performance > Monitoring tools > Performance Monitor to find the link to launch it. Searching the start menu got me no where. There is more work to be done that's for sure.

 

[z3r010]

I just typed res into my start8 start/search box and it came straight up

 

[whs]

8.1 is an improvement. But I still have trouble finding some things - e.g. Resource Monitor. I copied the shortcut from my Windows 7 system - that worked.

Wow, they really buried that one away. I had to hunt around in Computer Management > Performance > Monitoring tools > Performance Monitor to find the link to launch it. Searching the start menu got me no where. There is more work to be done that's for sure.

I have the advantage that I run 8.1 in a virtual partition from an external USB3 attached SSD. So I can always peek into Windows 7 and find the path to things. Works most times.

But the poor fellows who have only 8.1 on their system are out for a few egg hunts.

 

[matts6887]

It just seems so odd that since it seems like windows 7 was practically just released like a few years ago you would think they would want to keep windows 7 around for a longer period of time as far as making $ etc goes and supporting it goes; but I can somewhat understand where microsoft is coming from i suppose as it is about keeping up with ever fast changing world of technology etc. As far as killing off the pc market goes; i doubt it will kill off the pc market entirely though as there will always be solely windows only people like myself so i guess we will have to see where this heads; as I think only time will tell.