Windows 9: Much ado about little, given cloud shift

Microsoft will reportedly launch Windows 9 on September 30 and could ultimately be known as the last of the software giant's big bang operating system releases.

According to The Verge, Microsoft will feature "Threshold," or Windows 9 on Sept. 30. Mary Jo Foley reported last week that Microsoft would preview what will be Windows 9 later in September.

While the Windows 9 christening will kick off a march to a general public roll out in spring of 2015, it's worth outlining why the operating system is strategic today, but a mere transition product if you zoom out beyond two years.

The Wall Street Journal asked whether Microsoft needed all the hubbub around Windows 9. The short answer is yes — for now.

In a short-term lens, Windows 9 is critical because:

  • Microsoft needs to put the Windows 8 launch to bed to get us talking about something other than Vista analogies;
  • The software giant needs to refine Windows to be both touch and non-touch friendly;
  • Windows needs to hook into Microsoft's platform and productivity mantra;
  • And Windows needs to lay the groundwork for a faster development cadence as well as a cloud approach.

Read more at: Microsoft's Windows 9: Much ado about little, given cloud shift | ZDNet
 
Windows 9 is the bridge between Microsoft's past of big bang releases and a licensing model to one focused on the cloud


I really don't like that.

:(
 

My Computer

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Bandwidth & Hardware

How much additional Internet bandwidth will be required to support this?
The Internet is too slow currently.

Don't forget that the movie/TV sites will probably start providing so-called "4K" content to their subscribers (if they aren't already).

How much additional hardware will MS need to install to meet usage requirements?
They've had server capacity issues before.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
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    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
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    ASUS X54C
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    Intel Pentium B940 2.00GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
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    OEM - ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Model K54C (CPU 1) Version 1.0 Chipset Vendor Intel Chipset Model
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    Chrome 64bit
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    Billion 400G Wi-fi router
Windows 9 is the bridge between Microsoft's past of big bang releases and a licensing model to one focused on the cloud


I really don't like that.

:(
Windows 10 is supposed to be a cloud OS only. Signing in with Live account was optional in 8, in 9 it will be more or less optional and in 10 it will be, interesting. No wonder, 10 is supposed to be another bad Windows, so it fits. Then again a licence linked to an account sounds good, there should be no problems with an activation or support for paying customers. But I wont be able to buy a "legal" licence for 10€ anymore. :eek:
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
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    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
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    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
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    1366x768
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    WD 465GB
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    Fusion Tweaker
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    Logitech K360
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    Logitech M705
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    50/50 MBps
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    Yandex
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    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
That would be a major disaster for ms. I'll make them long for the good old days of vista and win8. Who knows, maybe a shareholder revolt is just what they need.

On the other hand, if they take nothing else from the disaster that was 8, is that they absolutely have to do a better job at gauging what their customer base wants, and not just rely on the opinions of the fanbois.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Based on Windows 8 and 8.1, I, for one, am in no hurry to be Microsoft's guinea pig again....................I'm just going to relax and watch from the sidelines.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion p6230f
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    HP AMD Phenom II X4 810
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    FOXCONN ALOE
    Memory
    8 GBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI/AMD Radeon HD 42
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    ATI/AMD SB600 - High
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    Dell SE198WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3750528AS
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
That would be a major disaster for ms. I'll make them long for the good old days of vista and win8. Who knows, maybe a shareholder revolt is just what they need.

On the other hand, if they take nothing else from the disaster that was 8, is that they absolutely have to do a better job at gauging what their customer base wants, and not just rely on the opinions of the fanbois.

Do you feel like Windows 9 is going to sell like crazy? I think too many users have shifted away from desktop computing to really cause Windows 9 to take off. I'd say adoption is going to be roughly the same as it is Windows 8.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    23" Acer x233H
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    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
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    Corsair 620HX modular
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
My guess, and it is only a guess, is that it well sell better than 8.

First, most 8ers will drop 8 and come a running. On top of that, many others who had put off upgrading because of the mess that 8 was, will also come a running.

So yes, it should do better, so long as they don't unlearn what they surely must have learned in 8's wake.
 

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  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Windows 9 is the bridge between Microsoft's past of big bang releases and a licensing model to one focused on the cloud


I really don't like that.

:(

I agree. That spells trouble. Especially for those with slow connections and worries about data safety.
 

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  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
First, most 8ers will drop 8 and come a running.
Why, most of us aren't having problems.

On top of that, many others who had put off upgrading because of the mess that 8 was, will also come a running.
I think people who have put off upgrades are doing so because they aren't sure if they need a computer anymore, or can get by just fine with their cell phone or tablet.

If it's free, it will do well. If they charge for it, I think it will be a lackluster launch.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I see no comparisons with Windows 8 and Vista. Vista had a lot of coding problems and coding bugs. Windows 8 is extremely stable and runs very well. The main issue with Windows 8 is too many people didn't like having their cheese moved and that is what it is.

It is so simple for Windows 8 users to get around the Metro screen. On my desktop PC I rarely have to wrangle the start/metro screen and all I had to do were some very simple add on changes that even my mom could figure out how to do.

And on a tablet, Windows 8.1 is spot on.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Nokia Lumia 2520
    CPU
    Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800
    Memory
    2GB
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    10.1"
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    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB SSD
    Case
    Asus Case
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wedge Keyboard
    Mouse
    Bornd Bluetooth Mouse
    Browser
    IE 11
The main issue with Windows 8 is too many people didn't like having their cheese moved and that is what it is.

:roflmao:

It is so simple for Windows 8 users to get around the Metro screen. On my desktop PC I rarely have to wrangle the start/metro screen and all I had to do were some very simple add on changes that even my mom could figure out how to do.

And on a tablet, Windows 8.1 is spot on.

:ditto:

Windows OS will remain native, although they may also introduce a 365. They may also introduce Windows 9 just like native Office. One can purchase a license outright or purchase a subscription.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
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    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
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    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
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    Acer AL1917W A LCD
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    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
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    Standard 250 watt
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    Dual case fans + CPU fan
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    Acer Windows PS/2
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    Wireless Microsoft Arc
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    54mbp/s
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    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
A locally installed program doesn't fit my definition of the "Cloud".

I see no comparisons with Windows 8 and Vista. Vista had a lot of coding problems and coding bugs. Windows 8 is extremely stable and runs very well. The main issue with Windows 8 is too many people didn't like having their cheese moved and that is what it is.
In some ways that is worse than broken drivers.
If your machine can't print, then you don't try to print with it.

If it does print, but you can't find the option (or the controls are stupidly laid out or weirdly labelled) that is far more annoying.
 

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  • OS
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    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
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    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
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    ATI Radeon HD6450
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    Realtek?
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    Samsung S23B350
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    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Wow. Charms > Devices > Print is annoying?

WinKey/P is annoying?

File tab > Print is annoying?

Hmmm.....
 

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System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
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    Acer AL1917W A LCD
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    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
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    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
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    Dual case fans + CPU fan
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    Acer Windows PS/2
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    54mbp/s
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    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I think they should keep Windows 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Let people have it for free, and let those who wish, subscribe to updates and upgrades if they wish. That keeps everyone happy and up to date. Microsoft would more than benefit from a subscription model designed in that manner.
 

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System One

  • OS
    windows 7 & 8
That would be a major disaster for ms. I'll make them long for the good old days of vista and win8. Who knows, maybe a shareholder revolt is just what they need.

On the other hand, if they take nothing else from the disaster that was 8, is that they absolutely have to do a better job at gauging what their customer base wants, and not just rely on the opinions of the fanbois.

Do you feel like Windows 9 is going to sell like crazy? I think too many users have shifted away from desktop computing to really cause Windows 9 to take off. I'd say adoption is going to be roughly the same as it is Windows 8.

Hi there

It will probably appeal to users still on Win 7 -- a lot of businesses still are on Win 7 and show no signs of adopting Win 8 yet.
A lot of home users who didn't like Windows 8 have probably already fixed most of their gripes by upgrading / updating to Win 8.1 (which is what windows 8 should essentially have been).

The whole Metro idea needs a radical re-work which is where I'm looking for improvements in Win 9 -- otherwise depending on price tag I might not bother with it -- My TechNet sub will have expired by the time it comes out so no more Test "Freebies" !!!!!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
In some ways that is worse than broken drivers.
If your machine can't print, then you don't try to print with it.

If it does print, but you can't find the option (or the controls are stupidly laid out or weirdly labelled) that is far more annoying.

I guess I don't follow. In any Windows application, it's typically File>Print. Or it has other ways to print.

I have yet to read a case where a Windows 7 driver did not work under Windows 8. And Windows 8 may have it's own updated driver for your printer unless it's a super old printer (like the HP 1000).

Why are you having issues?
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Nokia Lumia 2520
    CPU
    Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800
    Memory
    2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    10.1"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB SSD
    Case
    Asus Case
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wedge Keyboard
    Mouse
    Bornd Bluetooth Mouse
    Browser
    IE 11
Wow. Charms > Devices > Print is annoying?

WinKey/P is annoying?

File tab > Print is annoying?
That was just a random program/function example.

How about (in W8.0):
  • Two separate "Control Panels"?
  • The "font size" adjustment being in a different place to the other customisations?
  • The "Charms" bar covering the window "Close" button?
  • Not being able to activate the "Preview" and "Details" panes simultaneously in File Explorer?
  • The things in the various missing features lists (e.g. List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)?

I have yet to read a case where a Windows 7 driver did not work under Windows 8. And Windows 8 may have it's own updated driver for your printer unless it's a super old printer (like the HP 1000).

Why are you having issues?
The only printing issues I'm having are actual printer problems (hardware not software). :D
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
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