Windows 10 Could Bolster 600 Million PC Upgrades
Dell President Renee James says Windows 10's impact on the struggling PC market will be huge, with the release of Microsoft's next operating system (OS) leading to an estimated 600 million PC upgrades.
James, who recently spoke at the Credit Suisse Technology Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, says there are hundreds of millions of PCs out there that are four years old or older. James says that many of the owners of these aging PCs have been putting off an upgrade because they simply weren't wowed by Microsoft's last operating system, Windows 8.
Microsoft Being "Extraordinarily Responsive to Consumers"
Dell's President says many consumers will be impressed with Microsoft's effort to accommodate for the mistakes made last time around. "They're being extraordinarily responsive to customers," James said. (Source: pcworld.com)
He also says many consumers will be anxious to take advantage of emerging PC technologies, such as touchscreens and hybrid PC-tablet devices, which didn't exist several years ago. "When we see a healthy macroeconomic environment and an aging installed base we expect a new [OS] deployment," James said. "The [PCs] are fantastic and at new price points. That's kind of a perfect storm, combined with a new OS, and the OS usually pushes the upgrade cycle."
James isn't alone in expressing hope for Microsoft's next OS. John Groden, an executive at hardware maker Hewlett-Packard, says his company is "genuinely excited about it."
New, Returning Features Garner Interest in Windows 10
Windows 10 is still in its development stages but there are several early features that help explain everyone's excitement for its release. For one, it brings back the Start button abandoned in Windows 8. Second, it's designed to let users run the same applications on mobile and desktop devices. Third, Microsoft is planning to let users upgrade directly from Windows 7.
Still, industry expert Jay Chou, a research analyst at market intelligence firm IDC, says it's unlikely Windows 10 will have the same impact that Windows 7 did back in 2009. For one, Chou says that Windows 8 is less reviled than Windows Vista, which received scathing reviews from critics and consumers alike when it launched in 2007.
Second, Chou says the technology landscape has changed a great deal in recent years: "Vista did not have to compete with smartphones and tablets." (Source: pcworld.com)
Windows 10 Release Date: Sometime in 2015
Looking towards Windows 10's 2015 launch, Chou says we can expect to see home users jump on the bandwagon first, with businesses -- as usual -- waiting for Microsoft to work out the kinks. Some analysts have predicted a Spring release of Windows 10, while other suggest it could be as late as Fall of 2015.
We should know more about Windows 10 in early 2015, with Microsoft expected to reveal details about the OS' features at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. (Source: techtimes.com)
What's Your Opinion?
Are you as excited as Renee James about the release of Windows 10? Or do you think Dell's President is simply trying to create excitement among consumers? Do you believe criticisms of Windows 8 have been justified or overblown? Do you plan to buy a new PC when Windows 10 is released (including hybrids or tablet), or will you stick with your current hardware?
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Comments
High hopes
The best news is that an upgrade is possible directly from Windows 7. I tried the preview of Windows 10 and liked it. I am looking forward to the final release.
Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1 with modifications.
I purchased a new computer with Windows 8. I hated it and was faced with the question of whether to take it back and buy an Apple or go back to windows 7. What I did do was install Stardock Start 8 and ModernMix for about $8 and I now have a system that is usable and still has the few good parts of Windows 8.
My question is, will Windows 10 be better than the above modified 8.1? or will it be another system like Windows Vista (TRASH) that had to be upgraded to windows 7 at full users cost.
XP was good, Vista was garbage, 7 was good, 8 was garbage, 8.1 + modifications was fair so is it now time for windows 10 to be good or garbage. Each time this alternating good/garbage operating systems occur, users are lost to Apple, Ubuntu ect. and the windows faithful have to pay out for the next good system at their own cost. Microsoft does not offer a discount to replace a garbage system. Most other companies that treat their customers like that would go broke.
We really cannot rely on the IT media to inform us as they said Vista was good before it was introduced. Also I am sure some of these reviewers are in Microsoft's pocket.
Just my opinion.
Windows Update issues with Windows 8
Based on my experience there seems to be a LOT of people having Windows Updates broken on Windows 8. I have had many users tell me that they can't download updates, or have a slew of failed updates. I've been able to fix it using the remote desktop, but fixing it is a pain and resolving it never seems to be the same each time. Hopefully the experience with Windows Updates on Windows 10 will be better.
Windows Update issues with Windows 8
Dennis, If you are referring to the Updates from Microsoft for Windows 8, I have only heard of one update that had problems and Microsoft admitted to it almost immediately. It had introduced a security problem and Microsoft advised removing it until they fixed the problem. Unfortunately, that few days of delay caused some heartaches for many. I have never experienced any other problems with updates to the OS. If users would set the downloads to be automatic, there would be fewer download issues. I do not expect Windows 10 updates to be any less reliable. However, you cannot discount inexperienced users from messing up any OS. It's like any product, you only read about problems, seldom about how well it works.
Windows systems have had a learning curve.
I have been involved with the technical previews since Windows 7 and have found that there was a learning curve involved on each operating system. I was surprised with the Windows 10 preview I only had one driver to update after I installed the system. The software for my AMD video card, keyboard and mouse was installed during the installation process. I did have to transfer the app data from my windows 8 system for the HTC Home program to work correctly
My main complaint about 8 was the windows apps would open in full screen, with a trio-screen setup it was a matter of choosing the screen to open the app on. 10 have improved that with making them sizable after they open. The new start menu is impressive with the live tiles on the right side and all installed app's on the left. The charms bar seems to have been eliminated from the desktop version anyways, I have not installed it on a tablet or laptop.
I am sure there will be something for someone to complain about, for what I am finding with Windows 10 is a very much improved system from the days of Vista. W8 was a experiment with changing technology. I have found with each new windows systems individual tweaks are made for each user's needs. Some of which I found from this publication. I disagree with the feeling that Window systems have been garbage, they have brought changes to the way a operating system should behave.
Just a short comment on the accusation of paid reviews. I believe they are unfounded and baseless, and I state right now I have not been paid for the above comments. I hope someone finds this posting useful and informative.
Don't see the up side yet...
I believe they are pushing forward too fast with the new OS. After the updates to windows 8, people got back most of the functions they complained they lost.
I was a late adopter as well, but broke down and bought Win8 just before the 8.1 update. This gave me a chance to see what I was missing between the two. And to be honest, it really was not a big deal.
The main consideration was the Start button for everyone. They (customers) totally missed the point of the main start up screen BEING the START MENU! For an OS that is supposed to work on multiple platforms, this makes complete sense, and it does that well.
So, after a little tweaking, replacement of the Start button, and some added navigation fixes, I really enjoy using Windows 8.1, and hardly miss Windows 7. It is especially useful for entertainment systems, where you are not close to the screen. Using apps like Netflix and HuluPlus is phenomenal, and the picture clarity is amazing (of course the hardware has a lot to do with that as well...) I now have no need for Cable any longer, and use only High Speed FIOS connectivity to the Internet for all the entertainment I could consume.
And, for the most part, Windows 8.1 is rock solid. I have heard others who may have had issues with stability, but I am betting that has more to do with the quality of the hardware than the OS. I have two different entertainment PCs, one built from old Gaming Rig parts, the others were for a value HTPC. I have had no issues with the Gaming Rig HTPC, as the components were all high end and well broken in. The value rig with questionable hardware for untested brands and a refurbished SSD has had some issues. But I am almost convinced that the problem lies with the refurb, not the OS.
Our laptops have had absolutely no issues, being Alienware laptops, and we have a Window 8 Tablet, Asus with Tegra 2 (I think) processor. None of this hardware, being fairly new and high end, has had an issue with Windows 8.
So, after rambling on, my point is I see no point to an upgrade to Windows 10 next year, when there will be only minor changes to the OS, and risk that their will be stability issues from yet another rushed OS.