More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[lehnerus2000]

That type of attitude ...

Many years ago Henry Ford made a statement:

“People can have the Model T in any color – so long as it’s black.”
― Henry Ford

That type of business attitude worked then but will not work today. People want and demand choices.

That type of attitude caused Ford to lose its #1 position to another company (GM?).

If MS double's down with Windows Blue and give us more of the same, then Microsoft is even dumber than I thought they were.

"We're not wrong! The World is wrong!"

 

[sygnus21]

Technology moves forward...

I think some of you are being a bit over dramatic and not fully understanding advancement in technology. The point is to move the ball forward, not stay suck in the past. As I've said plenty of times, we now live in a mobile society where mobile computing is the way to go; that means being able to seamlessly sync to, and gather info from, our desktops using our mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.

This is what Microsoft is attempting to bring about with Windows 8, and I really don't expect Microsoft to drop this approach. In fact, I hope they don't.

And since Microsoft is one of the biggest players in operating systems, they would be stupid not to embrace mobile computing - that is, not create an OS that is multiplatform with the ability to seamlessly integrate with mobile devices.

The problem, the way I see it, is they simply didn't get it right this go around for desktop users. That said, don't expect them to abandon ship, in my opinion, that would be stupid; they just need to fix some things here and there. Perhaps "Blue" is the answer?

I will say the days of the dedicated "desktop OS" is over as we know it. That was yesterday, this is today.

My two cents.

 

[SIW2]

Two things MS need to address:

1. They have allegedly 1.5-2bn existing users. Those are the people who are supposed to be buying most of the 300+m new pc's over the next 12 mths.

It doesn't seem to be happening at that rate.


2. Pricing.

Mainly the 8 machines are far too expensive. People might pay a premium for Apple - we now have a good indication they will not pay a premium for 8 stuff.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I think some of you are being a bit over dramatic and not fully understanding advancement in technology. The point is to move the ball forward, not stay suck in the past. As I've said plenty of times, we now live in a mobile society where mobile computing is the way to go; that means being able to seamlessly sync to, and gather info from, our desktops using our mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.

This is what Microsoft is attempting to bring about with Windows 8, and I really don't expect Microsoft to drop this approach. In fact, I hope they don't.

And since Microsoft is one of the biggest players in operating systems, they would be stupid not to embrace mobile computing - that is, not create an OS that is multiplatform with the ability to seamlessly integrate with mobile devices.

The problem, the way I see it, is they simply didn't get it right this go around for desktop users. That said, don't expect them to abandon ship, in my opinion, that would be stupid; they just need to fix some things here and there. Perhaps "Blue" is the answer?

I will say the days of the dedicated "desktop OS" is over as we know it. That was yesterday, this is today.

My two cents.

I have no problem with moving forward as long as I don't have to take several steps back for each one forward. Reduced functionality is not a step forward. Neither is change for change's sake (i.e. change that brings no actual improvement, something M$ has been guilty of for some time).

 

[PaulGo]

Samsung exec: Surface isn't selling; Windows 8 no improvement



The president of Samsung's memory-chip division describes Windows 8 as "no better than Vista." Oh, and demand for Surface is "lackluster" as well, he says.

Samsung exec: Surface isn't selling; Windows 8 no improvement | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

 

[whs]

Comparing Windows 8 to Vista is not a good comparison. Vista was a fine system that was made for the PC - not a teenie playmobile station.

 

[SIW2]

I think he meant the comparison in the sense it is not popular.

The journalist is funny. He tries to turn evrything around - amusing - I expect he does that with all his posts. I might have a look at some of his other blogs if I get the time.

It is not looking good. Acer, Fujitsu, and now Samsung have all said 8 itself is a problem.

We knew that before it was released - and so did the oem's I am pretty sure. MS didn't seem to get it.

 

[SIW2]

Not clear what is going on with Surface Pro. 8 adorers are convinced it selling like hot cakes and soon the whole world will see the light.

MS are drip releasing it - so we don't know what the sales are.

It is possible Surface Pro may do quite well.

There are very particular reasons for that which do not apply to the rest of the market.

 

[King Arthur]

I will say the days of the dedicated "desktop OS" is over as we know it. That was yesterday, this is today.

For consumption, perhaps; but for production (which fuels the consumption that smartphones/tablets excel at) and "specialized" consumption such as heavy-duty gaming, desktops (and laptops to a smaller extent) can do things that would be unreasonably difficult, if not outright impossible, to do on smartphones and tablets.

 

[marsmimar]

I think the bottom line here is simple: as of 2013 and probably for the next couple of years, there are two distinct markets; the traditional desktop market and the portable device market. Windows 8 should have been developed with two separate user interfaces - one or each market. Microsoft failed to do that and traditional desktop users are being forced to use third party apps and/or considerable tweaking to make Windows 8 more desktop friendly.

This is not to say that Windows 8 is a bad operating system. Just that Microsoft's marketing strategy is akin to flipping the finger at desktop users. IMHO.

 

[SIW2]

Just that Microsoft's marketing strategy is akin to flipping the finger at desktop users.

Curious to say the least.

They might be doing something about it with Blue.

They have a massive user base. Trick is to get them behind you. They are useful - not just for selling the new o/s or the new laptop - but also - they may then get a win tablet/phone.

The positioning is odd too.

Why they thought they could take on the ipad with the surface rt is anybody's guess. Even if the 10 in tablets were selling well in general - surface rt would have had a hard time making an impression like that.

 

[whs]

I will say the days of the dedicated "desktop OS" is over as we know it. That was yesterday, this is today.

For consumption, perhaps; but for production (which fuels the consumption that smartphones/tablets excel at) and "specialized" consumption such as heavy-duty gaming, desktops (and laptops to a smaller extent) can do things that would be unreasonably difficult, if not outright impossible, to do on smartphones and tablets.

I wrote programs for my first computer in 1958 and have dealt with computers ever since. And I think they will still be around in 2058 - and I mean computers, not playmobile toys for the kids.

 

[Layback Bear]

Like I posted in # 239.
I also wonder who did the market research. Who influenced the out come of that research.

Some how Microsoft thinks they have to throw away a billion plus loyal customers away to get into the mobile toy business.
NO NO Microsoft you can do both markets without destroying one market to joint the other market.
Two markets; two products. Simple.

That thought pattern just discombobulates my 3 working brain cells.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If M$ wants a lightweight OS that fits all, why not a modular one? Users can install only the features and UI they want and/or need. No need to strip features some users have come to depend on.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Wheels are so yesterday

I will say the days of the dedicated "desktop OS" is over as we know it. That was yesterday, this is today.

Good luck creating a complex spreadsheet or database on your mobile phone, whilst adhering to your boss' unrealistic deadlines.

I have no problem with moving forward as long as I don't have to take several steps back for each one forward. Reduced functionality is not a step forward. Neither is change for change's sake (i.e. change that brings no actual improvement, something M$ has been guilty of for some time).

Agreed.

Apart from about a half a dozen quibbles, W7 was an improvement on XP (and IMO, it was a big improvement on Vista).

We knew that before it was released - and so did the oem's I am pretty sure. MS didn't seem to get it.

I don't know why they bought all of those licences.

This is not to say that Windows 8 is a bad operating system. Just that Microsoft's marketing strategy is akin to flipping the finger at desktop users. IMHO.

"What have you 1 billion+ users done for us lately?"
(d)

 

[marsmimar]

Stardock's Start8 ($4.99) and Classic Shell have been suggested numerous times to give Windows 8 a Windows 7 look, feel, and functionality. These programs also allow the user to switch between the two user interfaces at will. The fact that these third party programs exist tells me that the Microsoft developers could have incorporated the same features into Windows 8 if they wanted to. (Unless, of course, someone would like to argue that the Microsoft developers aren't as smart as the Stardock or Classic Shell developers. )

The fact that Microsoft chose to NOT include these features speaks volumes about their current feelings towards desktop users.

 

[HammerHead]

Frustration

It must really be frustrating with MS pushing in one direction and the masses pushing in another.

 

[Layback Bear]

"What have you 1 billion+ users done for us lately?"
(d)

Well us billion + also buy those mobile toys and use them where and how they were designed.
Us billion + also by Windows Word, Office and other Windows programs to use where they were designed to be used. On a useable Desktop.
Just because one wants a useable and productive desktop or laptop doesn't mean they don't buy the mobile devices and use them as mobile devices. These are people or companies that are part of both markets. What company would stop using a desktop just to add a tablet to their inventory of equipment?
They will use both to meet the needs or desires of the company.
If Microsoft develops a mobile operating system that is not compatible to sync with Windows 7 or a usable and productive Windows 8 that is their fault not the customers fault.

 

[King Arthur]

(Unless, of course, someone would like to argue that the Microsoft developers aren't as smart as the Stardock or Classic Shell developers. )

If we're going to call anyone from MS an idiot we should be directing that to MS's management, the guys who dictate what MS's developers code up. The MS developers could possibly be the best programmers in the world, but they're only going to be able to create what their bosses want out of them.

 

[Layback Bear]

(Unless, of course, someone would like to argue that the Microsoft developers aren't as smart as the Stardock or Classic Shell developers. )

If we're going to call anyone from MS an idiot we should be directing that to MS's management, the guys who dictate what MS's developers code up. The MS developers could possibly be the best programmers in the world, but they're only going to be able to create what their bosses want out of them.

Exactly King Arthur. People sitting in the board room made the call. Their programmers and marketing people did what they were told to do.
Another one of Microsoft's take it or hit the road directed at their employees. Microsoft needs a few
IBM members in the board room. It wouldn't take long to straighten this mess out after watching customers turn their backs on Windows 8.