THERE is concern in the Volehill that Microsoft's netbook partners are increasingly thinking of replacing its Windows with other brands of software. The Wall Street Journal has reported how HP and other PC OEMs are currently exploring their options for Android-based netbooks. The Vole has been the software king of the netbooks with Windows XP, but more of its partners are thinking of defecting to Android or Linux in the hope of driving the cost down. Microsoft has been countering that Windows 7 will be the operating system of choice for netbooks, once it ships. Analysts claim that Microsoft will lose some market share to Android and Linux on netbooks but it will not be knocked out. Most consumers, and even geeky consumers, prefer an OS that they're used to, such as Windows. Windows 98 would do it. http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/644/1051644/microsoft-losing-control-netbooks Code (markup):
It's nothing new, netbooks are low on resources and require a basic OS, which Windows isn't. There are different versions of Linux which are not only free, hence reducing cost, but also relatively basic thus saving resources.
Surely people will still want Windows if that's what they're used to, or that's what they have on their 'main' machine? S
Possibly. But you only need to look at the success of the iPhone (how many of those people were OS X users?) to see that people can very quickly adapt to new ways of thinking
Browsers, and all online applications, all look the same no matter what OS you use. You don't need Word, you can use Google Docs. Netbooks are for the 'net where Microsoft is unnecessary. The only OS one uses on the 'net is Google.
It has been proven that netbooks without Window's are returned 60% more then netbooks with Window's. Those who read Engadget, CNET and Gizmodo can back me up on this. Although companies want to change, people don't. Window's is here to stay for a little while longer whether you like it or not.
Oh my "poor" Microsoft ^____^ That's all only gossips. Those companies would replace Windows with what? Linux? Sorry but 99% of computer users isn't interested in Linux or FreeBSD - even Apple is partial competition for fans only.
While Microsoft's sales are decreasing, and they've stated this whole year will be down, Apple has had record sales. 50% of all college students now use a Mac.
I am not using any Microsoft product. There is no need for it. If you get use to Linux, I think working with Linux is a lot faster/safer than Windows. After all, all the softwares I am using on Linux are free. They are Fast & Free! Secure! Reliable! Most important is NO virus. But If you are game lover, you should stick to Windows. Many Windows games can be played in Linux, but it's a pain in the ass! Lucky me, I don't play games!
In my eyes, as soon as netbooks appeared... simple for everyday computer tasks, and people used them with linux due to cost, it killed a lot of windows... it was cheaper, and did exactly what the basic everyday user wants... but i'm kind of glad, cos if the OS war heats up, we'll be getting better deals and better features
Sorry but it refer to USA only - Mac isn't such popular in Europe. Here no more as 5% using Macs (in my country it's just 3,5%) - also not everyone with Mac using Mac OS, almost 30% of Mac users using Windows and 5% Linux (I'm still talking 'bout EU). I love Mac computers by their pretty designs but that's all. For me (and biggest part of ppls) the most important are high quality components. 3x cheaper as the cheapest Mac's price you can have 2x better and faster components in your pc + you can modernize it as often as you like/need. I guess more ppls could be interested in Mac if Apple would decrease their price because actually you can have the same components in your PC by 4x cheaper price... I was using Linux in work by few years and I can say it's enough if someone need it just to read e-mails, surf the web or play music/video but that's all. Software at Linux is mostly poor quality one and it won't change as long as Linux will be developed by small groups of lovers and will be non commercial. Anyway that's true it's secure, that's why it's great for servers. Some time ago in my country they stopped to sell notebooks with Windows and replaced it with Linux. At that time sales got down so low that they had to back fast to old system with Windows installed.
Absolutely false! The numbers I quoted are from their financial reports for overall sales and not any region. Read Microsofts own news release in January. Irrelevent. Why on earth would anyone buy a Mac, erase OSX, and install Windows? That makes no logical sense at all. You obviously are a novice since your first thought is looks over functionality. Yes, you are a novice. Your statement is false. Also, you are easily fooled by price while ignoring functionality. You ignore reliability and the fact that much software you need to buy for Windows is included for free in Macs. You also ignore the fact that Apple guarantees functionality of its software and hardware. Microsoft only sells you the OS, leaving you hanging on any hardware and software you buy. You are paying for reliability, guarantees that the hardware works in the system and you don't have to go hunting for drivers. Windows does not provide that. Have you ever heard of Google? Or Yahoo? Or the internet? Have you ever watched anything on television or at the movies? It all runs on *nix. Have you ever heard of IBM? Or Google? Or Yahoo? Or MIT? Those are three of the "small groups" that regularly contribute to Linux. Are you aware that, outside the desktop, Windows is a minor player, little used and considered? Yes, because Linux is free and Windows costs. Plus you constantly need to spend money on new hardware to keep up with Windows bloat. For example, I don't have any boxes less than 5 years old, my oldest is 10, yet I do all my work with FreeBSD and Linux. Only one box has 1Gb of memory while the others have 512Mb and less. You ignore the fact that Germany and France have converted tens of thousands of systems to Linux due to compatibility and cost savings. Also, in Washington, DC last year, they switched hundreds of systems over to Linux for the same reasons. You are pulling your data out of thin air with no facts to back it and a total lack of knowledge of how the world works outside what Microsoft tells you to think.
And where is windows CE in all of this? Netbooks need a small, lightweight, fast OS. Isn't that what CE was supposed to be? /*tom*/
It will be fascinating to see what happens after android develops some more. When the masses realise its built by google I think a lot of people will take it up. With regard to the mac use in Europe I would say in Oxford at least its much higher than 5%, probably closer to 30-40%. I however mainly use fedora core and vista. I only use vista for a few applications. Nowdays people dont really need windows...most the computer games are on consoles designed for games. Best, J
I know sales from my region, I'm co-owner of Apple Premium Reseller. 1 from 4/5 people buying Mac together with Windows. They buying Mac because they like design (but they are stuck with Windows as the only system they know and are able to use) or they use 2 systems simultaneously (for ex. Win for software which isn't available at Mac or for games). PS. if Apple wanted to make Macs more popular they should better promote their new Mac OS but NO, they rather to promote their iPhones. You exaggerate with functionality. Of course Mac comes with most of necessary software (at least you buing iWork on your own) and I don't deny it's a great software. You can't have such perfect co-working of software at PC - that's definitely a big advantage of Mac. However most of regular computer users need their hardaware to simple works which can be done with no problem at Windows or even Linux (both with free or very cheap soft). As for the price Mac OS itself cost the same as Windows (not counting Windows OEM which is half price cheaper). It measns that regular users can have cheaper hardware and software for their needs. One more thing about Mac OS is that in some countries this os doesn't have local language till 10.5 version what surely frightened away many users to try Mac. Guarantees for how long? 1 year guaranty it's just FUNNY. You have to pay extra for 3 years guarantee. When you buying PC you got as standard 3 years guarantee at PCB, CPU, HDD and 1/2/5/lifelong guarantee for the rest + often 1 year extra guarantee from shop. When anything will screw you just exchange this one ellement and it working, in Mac you have to left whole in official service. Anyway you can rebuild hardware and software for your needs and with Macs you have your hands tied. BTW if Macs are soooo reliable why they become overheated? Hounting for drivers? Most of drivers is already in Windows, the rest is automatically downloaded from network or you have them at CD with hardaware/can find at producer site. It doesn't change the fact that Linux/Unix users are still the smallest part (we don't count here amount of servers drived by those systems). Contribution of IBM or Yahoo doesn't change much for regular users. Also using of Linux isn't as free as you stated. Regular users need system which can be easy managed by them - easy installation of software etc. At Linux they doesn't have this basic feature, they have to play with packages and even console. Plus to not hunt for packages and all that stuff in network they have to pay by box version of Linux with packages included, and what they sold them is often out of date.
It doesn't matter what you do locally at your individual store or region. It doesn't change the numbers for total sales worldwide which is what the point is. When you buy a Mac, you are positive all the hardware and software works together. Does Microsoft guarantee that? No. Does anyone with any Linux distro guarantee that? No. Again, it's far more than you get from Microsoft which is nothing at all. Not from Dell you don't. And by "shop", if you mean the corner PC store, what if they go out of business? Most hardware you buy, if you build your own PC, doesn't carry any such 3 year warranty. But it is you that has to troubleshoot it. You have to Google around and go to forums and figure it all out yourself. And if you exchange that part for another (assuming you could) what if you are wrong? I don't know that they do. Why do Dell and Sony laptop batteries catch fire? Just last night, my wife's HP scanner wouldn't work. She has never used the scanner though she's owned it for two years (it's also a printer). I tried to reinstall the drivers but it hung. Why? Uninstall/reinstall/restart/Google/etc. After a couple hours, after midnight, turns out HP installation software has trouble with Windows. I had to go through a multi-step process of turning off services in Windows, reinstalling, then turning everything back on manually. Many people have done this now and in the past. Plug in a device, upgrade a driver, nothing works/system crashes. We aren't talking quantity on the desktop. You said Unix had poor quality software and was only used by small groups. You can't eliminate the whole computing market except the desktop. If so, then can I eliminate the desktop market? In that case, I can truthfully say Microsoft doesn't matter. Microsoft is irrelevent and almost non-existent. I can say Microsoft has the worst software of all and its contributions are nil. You've never used Ubuntu. Fearing the command line is senseless. You can do far, far more from there than any GUI. And anytime one needs to access the command line, you usually get a list of instructions of what to type. Far more information than you would get from Microsoft. But don't tell me you've never had to access the command line with Windows. Absolutely false. Packages are free and easier to find than with Windows. You open the software manager and there it has all the software by category and its searchable. Installation is one or two clicks of the mouse. Try and do that with Windows.
Just to clarify something. I do believe that Windows works well on the desktop. Windows is for novices and those who do not want to mess with the computer at all. For them, Windows is perfect. However, professional programmers and users will always gravitate toward *nix. It is far more functional, has far more tools and is far more interoperable and flexible than Windows ever will be. This flexibility is what scares amateur users. The restrictive nature of Windows is perfect for them because it limits what they can do.
It's not some individual store but official salon chain, we have to know the market and I guess we know more what's inside as someone who taking his knowledge from media, because we are Apple itself. If you are connected to Apple I would be glad to exchange with you any notices. More than 80% of those "sales from global reports" is made in North America, not in EU. Big companies always exaggerate their counts when it comes to say it public. They don't guarantee because they sell only os, you have to "fit" software to your hardware or inversely. Anyway ppls love idea to choose and change everything, that's why folding computers won with ready-made computers (it was so close to Apple go bankrupt). I don't know where you live that your hardware doesn't carry guarantee. It's doesn't matter where you buy as long as you buy it with original guarantee (not some refurbished or etc.). Even if shop, online store or any other place where you bought it go broke you don't loose guarantee. Actually there's a standard that you send broken equipment to main service via courier and in 14 days got back new equipment directly to your home or office (company pay by shipping in both sides). If you are amateur and have no idea about computer anatomy you just go to the nearest PC shop and they'll check all for free. The problem can be very small and they may fix it for you in couple of minutes/hours or if anything will be corrupted than you'll send it on your own or this shop will do this for you. What you can do with Mac if you can't touch it inside to don't lose guarantee? You have to go with it to the nearest authorized service but if it's not in your city you have to send it and wait when they'll fix your whole computer. NOTE: As a curiosity, many companies doesn't make a big problem if you bought your hardware in other country as you want to claim it, for ex. they accept US guarantee in EU - Apple is not one of those company. A lot of Europeans buying their Macs in US because of cheaper price and better characteristics but they have many problems when anything will corrupt because local services doesn't accept any other guarantee as their own. I know very well what I can do with command line - I'm programmer and I'm working with Linux-based systems everyday. All the time I have in mind regular users, amateurs - ppls who need use computers intuitive without necessarity to learn them. Windows users doesn't have to access command line from system to make it work. I don't deny they are free strew in network but I was speaking about box versions. Mouse click installation it's quite new feature and it doesn't apply to all. Even if Red Hat packages and install of binary files started to be used in many Linux distributions, it doesn't change the fact that there's still installation by compilation. Few years ago I adviced some friend (regular user, amateur) to try Mandriva (it was close after Mandrake and Connectiva united). At that time it was imo the most user frienedly distribution which could introduce into Linux world. He bought official distribution and than was 1st disappointment - distributor completly screwed up release of that version. It was necessary make changes in core + find and fix corrupted packages before was possible to install the system (of course he wasn't able to make it). Anyway he was later very satisfied from Linux and since that time he used Mandriva, Debian and Ubuntu - but he back to Windows last year. On the question "why?" I got simple answer: "I would use it if there would be more and better graphic software". That's the point.
You are still missing the point. I'm talking about public and government reported earnings reports for Microsoft and Apple. Not some store, or chain of stores, anywhere in the world. That's my point. You complain of Apple's higher prices but you forgive Microsoft for not providing the same service. I didn't say that. You said computers and parts carry a 3-year warranty. Most computers only carry a 1-year guarantee and individual components are frequently less than that. You can get a 3-year guarantee if you pay more. I just bought a new Dell notebook. It came with a 1-year warranty. This is true of all computer companies. Yes, you can install new components, but if you try to fix anything, your warranty is void. Neither do Linux/Ubuntu users. I don't recall having to use the command line to install Ubuntu and I can't think of any reason an average user would access it either once it's running. Absolutely false! Mouse click installation is not new, been available for years, and is the default on Ubuntu. I have never had to compile any programs on Linux ever! That's the point? What "better graphic software"? What application? I used to work in the film industry and we used Unix exclusively. Most animation software on Windows came from Unix. Can I say not to use Windows because there is better animation software on Unix? Is he a graphics professional that requires the capabilities of Photoshop? Or is he someone that feels he needs Photoshop because everyone tells him he needs it but, in reality, The Gimp does everything he needs? The problem with your friend, and many others, is they try and make Macs and Linux act like Windows. But that's like trying to make Windows act like Macs and Linux*. Like I said, average users should stick with Windows and Macs because it's a hand-holding system. Windows restricts everything the most but you can still shoot yourself in the foot but Macs are far, far more safe to run and have better software and hardware. *Brian Kernighan said, recently, that, when he must work on a Windows computer, he immediately installs cygwin so he can get work done. He finds Windows too limiting.