In what has truly signaled that Windows Vista has turned into 2008 speak for Windows ME, Microsoft has (mistakenly) leaked that they have a goal to ship their new OS Windows 7 by mid-2009. Word has that Microsoft plans to have Windows 7 pre-installed on most machines for the 2009 holiday season. So come this time next year, you could have your hands on the new Windows OS.
Not so sure that this is a good thing, but perhaps abandoning Vista’s negative stigma (deserved or not) might be the way to go for Microsoft.
[Crunchgear]
3 comments:
Obviously, being a part of this tech-blog; I'm always excited to get my hand on new tech.
Personally though I see Windows 7 as a thinly veiled attempt to:
1. Help their PR; face it Vista has a stigma for most.
2. Make up financial losses from people who refused to migrate from XP.
Even with my tech enthusiasm; purchasing a new premium OS every three years is a bit steep. I know that the timeline between XP and Vista was longer than usual; but I just find it a bad proposition to move to this pricing model for several versions. I realize no-one puts a gun to my head and says; shell out hundreds of bucks for Ultimate; but the average user finds this exorbanent, and I can see their point.
Going back to the DOS days, every couple years, folks would have to pay around $100 to move forward with their OS. That to me would be far more palatable to the average consumer.
I also realize that most folks get their new OS when they buy new computers; but to have a multi-tiered OS is something I feel could be broken down.
So many people bought computers with the basic Vista only to find many applications wouldn't work. They'd have to shell out for Vista Premium or Ultimate. That's just a crappy way to make money; even more so when folks are going to only get two service packs (SP2 isn't even going to add features; it's just an update roll-up.)
In my mind, Microsoft could build goodwill by eliminating Vista SP2 and offering Windows 7 at a major discount (no more than $150) with a unified set of features.
If some tech is over and above a reasonable profit model; then they should bundle the superfluous features such as Media Center in a $50 Plus! type package.
In my mind; that's a fair solution for this current economy.
The average consumer would accept this, and it would go far in repairing the PR for Microsoft.
Fred, you are right about one thing, this is a way to erase the supposed problems with Vista with the public.
Let's talk about a couple of the things that you have stated. "Even with my tech enthusiasm; purchasing a new premium OS every three years is a bit steep." Did you realize that OS X (released in 2001) is on 10.5, that's 6 releases that they have paid from $100 to $129 on. So the price of Vista was not outrageous. At least you don't have to pay for each Service Pack they have out.
Next, "So many people bought computers with the basic Vista only to find many applications wouldn't work." This is another falsehood. There is not software that does not work with different versions. There are programs added in (built in scanning/faxing, CD/DVD burning and others) that are in some versions and not others. The idea was that some people want to upgrade their OS and not have the built in programs. I do believe that they have been hit with lawsuits about their including software by competitors. So this time they made it so you didn't have to pay for features that you weren't going to use. But that makes it a buggy OS. ;)
Now most likely, they are going to no matter what offer Windows 7 as an upgrade and as they usually do, you can upgrade from the previous couple of OSes.
And BTW, if they put WIndows Media Center in a Plus! package, people will hit the freakin roof. Every time that they have made a Plus! package, comsumers accuse them of being greedy for not including it. And they definitely still have to release SP2 or everyone will say they are being greedy and not "fixing" Vista and charging for an upgrade. Hmmmm...sounds like a fruit company I know. :P
I most certainly see your points.
I just know how non enthusiasts feel.
I guess the bottom line is that you can't please everyone. (especially regarding bundles vs a plus product)
I just happen to know a lot of artists/musicians who had functionality with whatever version of XP; but when they bought a new computer, the tools they used wouldn't work without Home Premium or Ultimate.
When those folks had to upgrade to Premium or Ultimate; they felt like Microsoft was being greedy and basically felt exactly the way you described about having to purchase Plus.
I guess because I'm a bit poor (economically at the moment) for the first time since college (a long long time ago - I'm too old for a ruined economy - LOL) and many others are in my shoes; I would really just like Microsoft to take that into account with Windows 7; not only for those reasons, but also for the ill will they earned with Vista.
Post a Comment