Windows 8 Sales Well Below Projections, Plenty of Blame

skallal

New Member
Member
Messages
204
Location
In the OC
I saw this article over at Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows. I've been following Paul for several months now on the Windows Weekly podcast on Twit. He has been cautiously optimistic about Windows 8, but recently has taken a gloomier stance. He made no secret of his disdain for Steve Sinofsky on the podcast this week.

Here is the link: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-sales-well-below-projections-plenty-blame-go-around

Surprised no one commented on this article. I personally have had high hopes for Windows 8 and would love to think Paul's pessimism is misplaced...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio Duo 11
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    11.6" touch screen w/ digitizer & Asus 27" external monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD
    Cooling
    Internal fan
    Keyboard
    Slider keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech T650 Touchpad & Microsoft Touch Mouse
good article, most of it makes sense

I think Microsoft hyped windows 8 a little too much as being the next best thing, it really is just a tweak along the way from windows 7 to windows 9.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro ($39.99 upgrade)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel I5 3570K overclocked to 4.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V LX
    Memory
    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 610 2GB
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x0180
    Hard Drives
    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    PSU
    CoolMax 700watt
    Case
    Cosiar R400 Carbide series
    Cooling
    Cool Master H212
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    PowerUp 3 button mouse
    Internet Speed
    12mb down, 1mb up
    Other Info
    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
    Logitech T650 Touchpad for touch screen gestures
A couple lines from his article pretty much sums it up:
It’s the economy, stupid.

Microsoft launched Windows 8 at a time of great economic uncertainty and midstream in business deployment of the product’s predecessor, Windows 7. It doesn’t take a tech analyst expert to know that businesses are simply not going to deploy Windows 8 in great numbers. And while that’s obvious, it also means that only consumer acceptance of Windows 8 can possible help this release match the success of its predecessors.

Give the people what they want and Windows 8 may do okay but it will not match Windows 7 numbers. There was a pent up demand for a good OS after XP which Vista did not fulfill. There is no such demand after Windows 7, at least none that I see.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
for sure some of our " Microsoft can't do wrong" will not like this article . With all the companies trying to survive, Microsoft should have focus on something to appeal the customers instead of alienate them. Balmer should resign too, it's him who don't see it come, I barely know Sinofsky from web information, an 8 months ago I know it will finish this way with this type of guy, Where was Balmer all that time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
OK, I have to put some input onto this. Seriously right now, do people ACTUALLY expect that because a new Windows version is out, 500 million new licenses are sold and 300 million new PCs are sold within the first month? No. Do people actually expect that 50 million PCs will be running Windows 8 after a few weeks? No. Why? I believe a few factors are in play.

Firstly, the previous Windows 7 is running fine for a majority of people, so they don't have a huge desire to upgrade; along with PCs that have dual core processors and at least 4 gigs of RAM and decent graphics with ample hard drive space. Second, those people on 7 mostly likely haven't used Windows 8. I remember when 7 came out in 2009, it wasn't until about March of 2010 where personal demand for upgrading came along. It peaked about last year for me, and I've personally done a few dozen installs of 7 over vista as my main goal was to eradicate vista. Also, I've had to poke and prod some vista users into upgrading when they had me do my performance witchcraft on it. I mean, wow! It was crap! I ended up telling them that they really should upgrade to 7 because to keep the performance of vista somewhat on par with 7, it would be a weekly ordeal to get it somewhat speedy and for my sanity and theirs, it would be more worthwhile.

Thirdly, economics is at play. People are still cash strapped to go out and buy a 1,000 dollar touch PC. Why some OEMs decided to price their tablet PCs mildly high is beyond me, I call BS on their lack of economic foresight. And lastly, I somewhat back Microsoft's notion that the OEMs offerings are more meh at best. I've only seen a few real stand outs, but the rest just seems ok. It's more or less like most just took their Windows 7 laptops and ultrabooks and tweaked them for Windows 8. Some, like Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo, are actually taking advantage of touch PCs from dual touch screen to screens that flip everywhere just stand out more than an ultrabook with a touch screen. I still find that the Surface RT and Pro tablets are just the cream of the PC crop so far, with the Lenovo Yoga being second.

I'm personally going to keep a Windows 8 To Go drive done with .vhd booting on my personal at all times. It seems like some if not all will need ACTUAL interaction with Windows 8 on their PC to make the decision to upgrade. As I see it, unless if you're a tech nerd or in the market for a new PC, you're most likely not going to best buy or elsewhere to try out a new Windows 8 PC, let alone the actual OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
7 is the new XP. Most casual users don't like upgrading and use what they have until their comps decide to crap out. 7 is safe, everyone recommends it. It's highly stable and can work well with older hardware (obviously less than a gig of ram isn't advisable). The move to 8 is not going to escalate that fast. Obviously when all new comps have 8, the numbers of users will rise, but it's not going to be a blow out any time soon. On top of that, 8 has a higher learning curve. The keyboard shortcuts are great but Joe Casual isn't going to know about them all right away. I do think many will welcome the apps when they get used to them, but right now, it's change and many simply don't like it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7 920 2.66GHz (OC to 3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro x58
    Memory
    6GB OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    Two GTX 460s in SLI
    Sound Card
    Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    PSU
    Corsair 750tx
    Case
    Xclio Windtunnel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
I agree, 7 is the new xp. I bet Windows 9 will have more movement to it as it gives the metro UI some justification as being "tested" and ready. Also, it'll be like in 2014 when this happens, which is also when xp is set to FINALLY die and it will be five years after Windows 7; closer to the ideal range of an upgrade cycle for the enterprise and more so less for consumers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Of course nobody thinks that - pointless comment. Ballmer mentioned aiming at 500 million in the first 12 months.

They must have projections - the launch and pre Xmas sales should have made Nov\Dec busier than many other times of the year. According to Thurrot , they are well short of their projections.

Seriously right now, do people ACTUALLY expect that because a new Windows version is out, 500 million new licenses are sold and 300 million new PCs are sold within the first month?

The economy is not encouraging - and people largely have something that works fine. They don't need to go buy a win8 tablet.

It shouldn't be about catering to a need that doesn't exist. It should be about creating a want.

Apple stuff seems to sell in large numbers - the economy isn't any better for them - and the buyers don't need the new ithing.

Difference is - the buyers want the new ithing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
And me I want a real desktop OS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Of course nobody thinks that - pointless comment. Ballmer mentioned aiming at 500 million in the first 12 months.

They must have projections - the launch and pre Xmas sales should have made Nov\Dec busier than many other times of the year. According to Thurrot , they are well short of their projections.

Seriously right now, do people ACTUALLY expect that because a new Windows version is out, 500 million new licenses are sold and 300 million new PCs are sold within the first month?

The economy is not encouraging - and people largely have something that works fine. They don't need to go buy a win8 tablet.

It shouldn't be about catering to a need that doesn't exist. It should be about creating a want.

Apple stuff seems to sell in large numbers - the economy isn't any better for them - and the buyers don't need the new ithing.

Difference is - the buyers want the new ithing.

The need for tablets is already in existence, just look at ipad sales and accessory sales to make it like a laptop PC. It IS catering to need and catering to a want.

Actually it's funny you mention apple, as their stock price is in the low 500s from their all time peak of 700. There is speculation that was once just a few murmurs that apple is losing their innovative edge. Some speculation into why apple shares have gone down is actually due in part, that people are getting apple fatigue in buying a new idevice just because it's a new idevice with at a steep price tag. Yeah, people are still going to apple, for the time being. Until the realization sets in that what Windows tablet PCs offer for a more worthwhile price, practicality ALWAYS wins in the end of the day.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
You must have deliberately misunderstood.

The reason win8 is not doing well - is because people do not want it.

Period.

It is possible to sell products that there is no actual need for - even in tough times - Apple sold a lot of the last thing they released. That is because they something people want.

Stock prices are nothing to do with it. They are based on investors perceptions of the future.

There is a huge difference between want and need.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It IS catering to need and catering to a want.

In that case - why isn't it selling?

More and more of what you post makes less and less sense.

If people did want it - they would be buying it and MS would be happy.

Assuming Thurrott is right - that is clearly not the case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
There is a huge difference between want and need.

Yes but Microsoft want we need it..... don't forget Microsoft can't do wrong
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
You must have deliberately misunderstood.

The reason win8 is not doing well - is because people do not want it.

Period.

It is possible to sell products that there is no actual need for - even in tough times - Apple sold a lot of the last thing they released. That is because they something people want.

Stock prices are nothing to do with it. They are based on investors perceptions of the future.

There is a huge difference between want and need.

You're deliberately misunderstanding.

Says who? Is there an actual analysis that comes to the conclusion that that NO ONE wants it? As far as I can tell, there isn't and won't be for a while. And even still, comparing apple products to Windows is literally comparing a dog to a wireless adapter. Come on right now.

And that's the WHOLE point I raised the apple stock, THEY ARE INVESTOR'S PERCEPTIONS OF THE FUTURE. A company that is being thought now to have lost their innovative streak and seems to be delivering more on volume than anything, with three ipad releases with not having legitimate features to justify upgrading or buying, an iphone release that isn't anything great amongst its competitors, and other missteps (such as not taking the ipod nano into a smartwatch phase but reverting the design to a previous generation to milk three more drops from that cow) are making investors second guess apple. Heck, even Steve Wozniak is concerned that Microsoft is looking more innovative than the company he co-founded! Seeing what apple is doing is enough to scare off investors, when investors are scared off, hype starts to diminish, and it's downhill from there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
It IS catering to need and catering to a want.

In that case - why isn't it selling?

More and more of what you post makes less and less sense.

If people did want it - they would be buying it and MS would be happy.

Assuming Thurrott is right - that is clearly not the case.

Uuummmmm, from how I understand the PC market, sales don't pick up until the holidays and well after the release. Do you not remember 2009? Did Microsoft sell over half a billion licenses of Windows 7 in three weeks? It took almost three years for that to happen.

Honestly, I'm going to be quite blunt here, I'm not interesting in discussing this as this like talking to a brick wall that uses Windows 7 and YET, is still on a forum for Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
It hasn't even been a full month since release. People are always slow to upgrade to a new OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7 920 2.66GHz (OC to 3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro x58
    Memory
    6GB OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    Two GTX 460s in SLI
    Sound Card
    Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    PSU
    Corsair 750tx
    Case
    Xclio Windtunnel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
everyday I spend hours in a electronic store's computer repair shop ,wish I had a dollar for every time the tech or myself asked customer [with a broken computer ]what OS winxp /vista or win7 is on the computer they didn't know for sure ,would just say one of those ,I'm not sure !!for the average user ,the OS on there computer is there because it was there when they bought the computer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
everyday I spend hours in a electronic store's computer repair shop ,wish I had a dollar for every time the tech or myself asked customer [with a broken computer ]what OS winxp /vista or win7 is on the computer they didn't know for sure ,would just say one of those ,I'm not sure !!for the average user ,the OS on there computer is there because it was there when they bought the computer


this is so true for me too.

If I can remove the hot corner on Windows 8 , my business customers will not even notice it's Windows 8, as they just use the few shortcut on the task bar and they never open the start menu. The hot corner is my main problem facing my business customers, anyway their Boss make me block about everything else than their accounting software and office in their employee PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
It hasn't even been a full month since release. People are always slow to upgrade to a new OS.

I didn't upgrade to 7 until 4 months after the release.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio Duo 11
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    11.6" touch screen w/ digitizer & Asus 27" external monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD
    Cooling
    Internal fan
    Keyboard
    Slider keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech T650 Touchpad & Microsoft Touch Mouse
I didn't upgrade to 7 until 4 months after the release.
When W7 came out I was able to pre-order a retail copy of Home Premium at a very reasonable price. Much better deal than the OEM version of Vista that I was using at the time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Back
Top