Windows Threshold Event: 6 Things To Expect - InformationWeek

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Comments
Windows Threshold Event: 6 Things To Expect
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PaulS681
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PaulS681,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/27/2014 | 3:47:51 PM
windows
Windows 8 was and continues to be a bust. The fact that there are so many that are unwilling to update says alot.

I am surprised at the number of users still on XP. I believe 7 is a better OS and it's supported.

Hopefully MS gets this next release right but how many times are they going to stumble ? If the continue it will catch up to them. Other OS's are gaining ground. More so than when they introduced Vista.
Technocrati
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Technocrati,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/28/2014 | 2:10:42 AM
Re: windows

It really will be interesting to see what MS release on Tues.   I am like most people who prefer Windows 7  and had Windows 8 forced on me when I bought some new hardware.   I don't like Windows 8, I tolerate it - it does seem to have some "Vista-ness" to it.   

And in the meantime, vendors are advertising - get your Windows 7 hardware now before they are gone.  Depressing.

Michael Endler
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Michael Endler,
 User Rank: Author
9/30/2014 | 10:26:31 PM
Re: windows
@Technocrati,


Indeed! But after Halloween, OEMs won't be able to buy new Win 7 licenses from Microsoft anymore. I'm sure many of the manufacturers have amassed a supply-- but who knows how long it lasts.
WaqasAltaf
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WaqasAltaf,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/28/2014 | 5:24:52 AM
Re: windows
PaulS

"Other OS's are gaining ground."

To be honest, I don't see much movement in the OS market for laptops / desktops. Mac is there for a specific brand-concious or art-lovers segment but is not a general hit.
charlesdjones1
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charlesdjones1,
 User Rank: Apprentice
9/28/2014 | 9:31:18 AM
Re: windows
There isn't much movement in regards to Chrome or Macs for sure. Windows still shipping hundreds of millions of PCs since Windows 8 released 2 years ago. I've been using it since Developer Preview came out and haven't had any issues. I very rarely ever see the Start Screen, if ever, maybe twice a year but keep my start button setup to show only Apps which I have always liked even over the Windows 7 start button. I believe TH will fix a lot of users concerns but just as with XP you will still have the Windows 7 loyalist saying 7 is so much better, but for me I like new and don't mind "learning curves", that's the case with any mobile or pc OS, it takes time.
Michael Endler
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Michael Endler,
 User Rank: Author
9/28/2014 | 5:43:35 PM
Re: windows
Waqas,

It depends how you define "gaining ground." Apple and Windows OEMs aren't always going after the same goals.

In a sense, its true that Windows hasn't really lost ground, per se, in the PC market; its market share before Windows 8 was about the same as it is today-- around 90%.

That said, the PC market is huge, and recent trends can't immediately topple long-term ones. Over the long-term, Windows built up such a commanding lead, over so many generations of machines, that it would take Apple decades (and a major change in strategy) to compete for overall share. But Apple doesn't care about overall share, and recent trends are a bit different than long-term market statistics might imply. 

One recent survey found almost 27% of consumers bought an Apple computer during the recent back-to-school period, for example. The survey found that compared to the last few years, Macs were more popular and Windows machines were less popular.

Given that most Apple computers cost more than $1000, it follows from the survey that Macs simply dominate the high-end PC market. The survey also suggests a user base that far exceeds "specific brand-conscious" consumers and "art lovers."

High-end Windows 2-in-1s, on the other hands, accounted for less than 15% of Windows consumer devices from the same period-- meaning that MacBooks and iMacs outsold 2-in-1s like the Surface Pro by at least 3 to 1.

Moreover, despite Microsoft's recent efforts to increase the number of low-cost Windows options, the survey found Chromebooks accounted for 1 out of 5 sub-$300 notebook sales. 

For years, Apple has earned most of the PC industry's profits despite its "lesser" market share. If the recent survey is representative of larger trends, I expect Apple will continue to reign supreme in this important metric. Broadly speaking, Windows OEMs sell a ton of cheap PCs to businesses and professionals, whereas Apple sells a lot of Macs to students, consumers and some professionals who have the money to be discerning. Chromebooks sell to budget-conscious people who want a simple machine. I expect Windows will continue to be the OS with the most PC market share, even if Windows 9/Threshold is only okay-- but Microsoft is certainly feeling pressure from Apple at the top and Google at the bottom.
mejiac
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mejiac,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/29/2014 | 1:02:37 PM
Re: windows
@Michael,

Excellent summary of the current state of OS use.

One comment is that one of Windows biggest cash cows is MS Office, which is fair to state that is the defacto office suite of preference by almost all users.

Yes, both Google and Apple have very good competiting products, but the overall widespread use and acceptances of office has made it to be more easilly adopted by most enterprises and personal use.

Now...that doesn't mean that they the competition won't stay put, reason why microsoft needs to be keep innovating and keep things fresh

 

And the fact that both Apple and Google offer cloud based versions of there office products free doesn't help microsoft
WaqasAltaf
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WaqasAltaf,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/30/2014 | 5:54:20 AM
Re: windows
Michael

Fair enough. If Apple wants to continue targetting a specific segment and it is happy doing that then there is no point of criticizing Apple. And yes, it isn't an excuse by Apple for having lower market share; they mean it when they say they have a specific target market. Now from the shareholders' perspective, return on investment is all that counts.
WilliamH263
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WilliamH263,
 User Rank: Apprentice
9/28/2014 | 12:50:40 AM
Windows 8.1
Well if Microsoft continuse to push it's cloud I for one am leaving for Linix! If I wanted my files out there in cloud never never land I could put them there on my own. IT's NOT SAFE and IT'S NOT SECURE! I do not need Microsoft to do it for me. And if I wanted a Microsoft account and password I would have them. Being forced to have them just to access my computer does not sit well with me. I consider it an invasion of my pravacy! As soon as the warranty on my new system runs out HELLO LINIX!
midmachine
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midmachine,
 User Rank: Strategist
9/29/2014 | 8:25:49 AM
Re: Windows 8.1
Having an MS account is not force upon you. You can set up your Win 8 machine without one and never have an MS account. Either you disn't read the screens during set up or you are repeating some ill-informed individual who spread that rumor. Good luck trying the same thing on an Apple device, however.
mak63
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mak63,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/29/2014 | 1:17:18 PM
Re: Windows 8.1
@WilliamH263

It's called Linux, not  Linix.

"IT's NOT SAFE and IT'S NOT SECURE!"

No computer sitting at home, in a company or in the cloud is never totally secure.

And as someone mentioned it below, you don't need a Microsoft account to set up a Win 8 machine.
Technocrati
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Technocrati,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/28/2014 | 2:16:02 AM
Cloud Baked OS

CEO Satya Nadella won't be present Tuesday because he'll be travelling in Asia, but his "cloud first, mobile first" philosophy is likely to set the tone.

 

I really don't like having Cloud Services baked into the OS.   But when  has MS  ever  cared about what their users want ? 

WaqasAltaf
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WaqasAltaf,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/28/2014 | 5:17:23 AM
Re: Cloud Baked OS
Technocrati

"But when has MS ever cared about what their users want ? "

That's a serious but in my opinion correct allegation. MS has usually been non-interactive with users and one reason for that may be complacency. This feeling of complacency is although not warranted but it makes some sense because during the many Highs and lows of hardware manufacturers, smartphone manufacturers and smartphone/tablet OS developers, one thing has remained constant and that is Microsoft's dominance in the laptop/desktop market.
WaqasAltaf
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WaqasAltaf,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/28/2014 | 5:04:27 AM
Nothing new for the satisfied user
Michael, we also need to appreciate that a user feels the need to shift to some other version if he is unsatisfied with the current one. In case of Windows 7, users were satisfied which is one reason why 8 didn't got much response. However, if you say 8 wasn't tempting enough, yes that was the case, I agree.
Michael Endler
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Michael Endler,
 User Rank: Author
9/28/2014 | 5:48:02 PM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
Waqas,

Yes, I think that's fair-- to say Win 8 wasn't "tempting" enough, and that a lot of people using Windows 7 are so satisfied that they don't see a reason to upgrade.

This brings up one of the challenges for Windows 9/ Threshold. Windows 8 did poorly both because it presented usability challenges and because it didn't offer new, exciting features. Perhaps Threshold will resolve the usability issues, and reassure businesses that they won't have to retrain employees. But even if Threshold is usable, will it be persuasive to those who are still happy with Windows 7?
mejiac
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50%
mejiac,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/29/2014 | 12:51:36 PM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
@Michael,

First...great article, and it literrally sums up my own expectations of next windows isntallment.

To your question, will the latest windows be a good upgrade option for those on Win 7? I think it might if it provides a real value add for people to want to upgrade.

I personally didn't upgrade to windows 8 mostly because it was relient on touch (which sadly aside from the Metro UI and one or two apps, you can't really take advantage of it in a desktop environment)

Now...with Windows 9, people might not flock to upgrade, but it might bridge that gap between devices, and be more of an ecosystem between the different devices (mobile, laptop, desktop, Xbox).

 
mejiac
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50%
mejiac,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/29/2014 | 12:54:14 PM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
Another note,

Here's what competitors are able to do that I would love to do on windows.

The Chrome Cast allows to very easilly show whatever you're viewing in your web browser on the TV... that's cool.

If I was able to do that with Windows, to simply share me screen with one click, no cables, that's something to look forward to.

In fact, if Microsoft were to provide a downgraded version of the xbox one, to simply provide the streaming service of sharing your PC desktop to your TV, I think it would sell big!!!
WaqasAltaf
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50%
WaqasAltaf,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/30/2014 | 7:57:24 AM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
Michael "But even if Threshold is usable, will it be persuasive to those who are still happy with Windows 7?" That's a tricky one and it can only be answered by industry once Threshold is out in the market. I hope Microsoft realizes that and has a plan to tempt satisfied Windows 7 users.
rradina
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50%
rradina,
 User Rank: Ninja
9/30/2014 | 9:18:43 AM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
Micheal,

It did offer new and exciting features -- the whole touch side of Windows.  However, ordinary folks need apps to leverage those features.  Unfortunately, manufacturers whose products benefit from device integration are ignoring the touch-first side of Windows.  They advertise iOS and Android apps.  Once in a blue moon I see Windows Phone and to an even lesser extent, the touch side of desktop Windows.

For instance, my cable company offers an app to view most of my cable channels on Android and iOS devices.  It works great with my Android phone (but refused to run on my iPhone because it was jail broken...but that's my own choice).  However, I've been waiting for a year for it to debut on Windows.  It's still a no show.

Maybe most folks don't care if they can watch TV on their mobile device.  I think it's a great feature and I can also Miracast the stream to a SmartTV if I want a bigger picture.
Michael Endler
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Michael Endler,
 User Rank: Author
9/30/2014 | 10:30:08 PM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
"Unfortunately, manufacturers whose products benefit from device integration are ignoring the touch-first side of Windows.  They advertise iOS and Android apps.  Once in a blue moon I see Windows Phone and to an even lesser extent, the touch side of desktop Windows."

Definitely true.
PedroGonzales
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PedroGonzales,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/1/2014 | 9:42:53 AM
Re: Nothing new for the satisfied user
I think the ability to integrate with other windows devices and being able to use the previous UI as default would really drive people excited about the next windows.  Microsoft really needs to work on getting more apps to their library.  Microsoft really needs to work on their marketing if they want to catch up with android and apple in the smartphone market or may be it just too late.


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