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Waiting For Windows 10

Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:39 am
by moongirl
"Because of all that, I’ll continue to recommend Windows 7 until Windows 10 arrives"
In September, Microsoft announced Windows 10 (there will be no Windows 9) will allow consumers to choose either the familiar interface of Windows 7 or the Windows 8 design (see tinyurl.com/m796ay3). I think most PC users will choose the Windows 7 interface, and that the Windows 8 design will be used mostly on touch-screen tablet computers and smartphones.

Why did Microsoft insist Windows 8 was the wave of the future when many customers objected? Many observers believe it was part of a Microsoft strategy to boost slow-selling Windows smartphones. The idea: if consumers became familiar with Windows 8 on PCs, they’d be more likely to buy Windows phones.

But that didn’t happen. Windows 8 and 8.1 PC sales lagged. Today there are three times as many Windows 7 PCs in use as Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs combined, according to Net Applications, a data analysis firm. Meanwhile, Microsoft lost market share in smartphones. In the third quarter of this year, Windows phones made up 3.3 percent of worldwide unit sales, down from 4.1 percent a year ago, said research firm Strategy Analytics.

Because of all that, I’ll continue to recommend Windows 7 until Windows 10 arrives.

E-mail tech questions to steve.j.alexander@gmail.com or write to Tech Q&A, 425 ­Portland Av. S., ­Minneapolis, MN 55488. Include name, city and telephone number.

http://www.startribune.com/business/282338471.html