Windows 8 sales are still bad

[nsane.forums]

Not a day goes by without a story or fleeting comment on Windows 8's negative sales. Now the New York Times has added "shaky" and "tepid" to the list, but is the overall picture that disappointing?

Call Windows 8 what you like, many people have. But one word always seems to come up tops when describing the sales of Microsoft's latest desktop OS; disappointing.

Now, the New York Times has taken another step to fuel the fire of negativity, adding “shaky” and “tepid” to the list. And it's not just the NYT that is saying times are tough for Windows 8. Emmanuel Fromont, President of Acer America has said:

It's a slow start, there's no question.

Fromont was joined by Asus CFO David Chang, saying:

Demand for Windows 8 is not that good right now.

We recently reported that Microsoft is aware of sales being less than stellar, but Microsoft being who they are refused to comment on speculation. And that's all it is right now, speculation. While the 40 million license sold headline will be quoted until the next quarterly figures are released, Microsoft is sitting on top of that locked chest, with the actual numbers in it, until they feel it's right to say exactly how many copies of the OS they've shifted.

NPD, who provide market research for anything from toys to shoes, has had their say on Windows 8. NPD analyst Stephen Baker said:

I think everybody would have hoped for a better start.

Slow isn't bad though. There are two reasons why Windows 8 might not be selling well:

1. PC sales are on the decline, with tablet sales on the increase
2. Windows 8 is a very new experience from a user interface perspective

Well it's not Microsoft's fault all the consumer wanted, when they walked into the store, was a tablet. Nor should they be expected to convince a consumer to purchase a (likely) more expensive device just because of the OS it runs. If it were $25, yeah sure, but $125 or more? Not likely. Yes, the Surface exists, but being the newest tablet to market, coupled with poor distribution, sales aren't as high as they could be. PC sales have been on the decline, even since the Windows 7 days, and we all know how well it was received. Was this Microsoft's doing back then too?

The UI is a solid reason people might be put off. They might not like what they see, and the Modern UI Start Screen might be too much of a move away from their existing Windows experience.

But is it right to brand Windows 8 a success or failure? How about a third option, where Microsoft learn from their mistakes - a-la ME and Vista - and release a more refined and proper hybrid OS capable of being run on any type of PC, laptop or tablet. Could this be Microsoft's endgame. Windows 8 could be the learning curve that Vista was to 7 and ME was to XP.

But when all is said and done, Windows 8 is not even two calendar months old yet, therefore it's too early to say things aren't looking good for Microsoft and the OS.

View: Original Article

[calguyhunk]

So ... Anything new? :P

[Marik]

So ... Anything new? :P

nope, just the same old sh!t

the microf4gs are crying like little girls cause their windosu ain't sellin' :tehe:

[ROMANTICGUY50]

I willl stay with windows 7 sorry Bill

[Bizarre™]

@Marik:

WinDOS :tehe:

[calguyhunk]

I willl stay with windows 7 sorry Bill

I think Bill himself is staying with Win7 LOL! :lol:

[dcs18]

There are two reasons why Windows 8 might not be selling well:

• PC sales are on the decline, with tablet sales on the increase
• Windows 8 is a very new experience from a user interface perspective

Bingo!!!

The original Author seems to have nailed it (to some extent) - there are other reasons, too (listing out just a few, below):-

• Microsoft screwed up bigtime trying to publish a suite consisting of both TouchScreen and DeskTop instead of releasing 2 distinctly different flavors.
• Windows 8 looks hideous - Users who are particular about aesthetics (like me) get put off. Metro is as adorable as the cotton in my navel. Absence of Aero is unbelievable.
• The present offering does not come well-configured out-of-the-box. No software comes optimized - Windows 8, though is more retarded, than every other at factory default settings
• Most Users do not possess the proficiency to configure-cum-skin it to the lip-smacking benchmarks that Windows 7 has already set, more than quarter of a decade ago.
• Such Users who are proficienct might likely not have the time and/or care not a wee bit for intricacies like finetuning
• The masses by human tendency, do not desire to adapt to or cannot adopt change - (they'd rather shoot cum with XP)
• Last - but not the least reason (IMO) for a decline in sales is the :pirate:
• There are many more reasons, too. 8)

[edwardecl]

I think the main reason is it sucks compared to the other offerings...

If you want a tablet or a phone there is Android or iOS which is built for touch interfaces and nothing else and is more refined... if you want a desktop or laptop then there is Windows 7 or OSX depending on what you want from it, if you want a server then there is Linux (various flavours) as efficiency is the main factor here.

I think Microsoft have learned nothing from keeping on reusing their Zune interface, maybe it's different, but different is not equal to better. It seems every device that has rehashed this interface has failed, maybe it's coincidence... or poor design choice.

[LeeSmithG]

Windows 8 is the new Vista and the new Millennium.

I say this as it seems another rush job.

They should have given you the option, like in other windows version, you know when you can switch to classic windows etc.

So Microsoft should release a fix for us to choose between touch or start menu (classic windows).

I suppose it's time to wait for windows 9 now.

I enjoy 7 professional, however, I would also like the new features and security new operating systems bring.

[Knightmare]

So ... Anything new? :P

nope, just the same old sh!t

the microf4gs are crying like little girls cause their windosu ain't sellin' :tehe:

Probably because it's a horrible product, but that's just MO.

[L0rdX3ntris]

I am currently living in Qatar, but Laptops and PCs with Windows 8 are less, seems like OEMs aren't giving the necessary push.

[JP@VZG]

[dcs18]

I am currently living in Qatar, but Laptops and PCs with Windows 8 are less, seems like OEMs aren't giving the necessary push.

One of my Customers bought a laptop, yesterday - he was complaining that he found it extremely difficult to buy a new one without Windows 8.

Microsoft has started dildoing Windows 7 Users - have fun, those living in Developed Nations might know what I'm talking about. The writing is on the wall - this time around it's not ink that's being used and the color is red. :naughty:

ps:-

For those who might not have noticed - the new applications that are being deployed via Windows Updates are using the Modern UI. :frusty:

On my Windows 7, the new updated version of the Control Panel >>> Mouse GUI is now irreversible Metro. :angry:

[Marik]

On my Windows 7, the new updated version of the Control Panel >>> Mouse GUI is now irreversible Metro. :angry:

so they're really shoving the damn thing down our throats weather we like it or not

[dcs18]

On my Windows 7, the new updated version of the Control Panel >>> Mouse GUI is now irreversible Metro. :angry:

so they're really shoving the damn thing down our throats weather we like it or not

Yep, as much as I prefer Windows 8, I hate that one should be forced to use something what Microsoft opines is good. :thumbsdown:

[Ganxxta]

Lol I just tried that, google really shows that^^

[Ganxxta]

On my Windows 7, the new updated version of the Control Panel >>> Mouse GUI is now irreversible Metro. :angry:

Do you remember what the "update" was called?

Can't remember something like that in Windows Updates recently...

Anyway... FU MS

[dcs18]

On my Windows 7, the new updated version of the Control Panel >>> Mouse GUI is now irreversible Metro. :angry:

Do you remember what the "update" was called?

Can't remember something like that in Windows Updates recently...

Try the following one:-