Windows 8 Pro price slashed..........

The Windows 8 Pro upgrade price has inexplicably been slashed on Microsoft's online store.

Source -

Windows 8 Pro price slashed to £45 | News | PC Pro

 

[BillWindows]

How do any of us know what's in store for Windows Blue, we're all sitting around complaining and whining about an OS that cost $39, about the price of a lousy meal in Australia, or a 20k ride on a train or a few schooners of beer.

Can't people just accept what we have at the moment, quite a few naysayers are starting to get to grips with Windows 8. If Windows Blue turns out to be a disaster as well for you, then you can all go out and burn your Bras and buy a $3000 MacBook Pro to sit on here and complain.

 

[Ray8]

I think someone's having a:

 

[Wenda]

Here is something for people that complain about not being able to resize Metro Apps, now there's nothing left to complain about let's all have a party.

Windows utility maker Stardock has released an amazing application that lets you run Windows 8 “Metro” apps in a window alongside traditional Windows applications. It’s not free, but if you use Windows 8 on a desktop PC as I do, this might be the best $5 you ever spend..

How does this sit with you Ray, does this make the IMP better.

That could be worth a serious looking-at for some of us.

Thanks, Bill...

Wenda.

 

[norepli]

Opportunity? If you are one of the few who actually wants one - then it must be galling you can't use it. Not clear to me why it won't work on your machine - you didn't specify.

Hello SIW,

Wow! Apparently, you have to choose your words wisely or run the risk of getting bashed in this thread. So, let me change the word "Opportunity" to "Unfortunately" and now I guess I'll hear from the other side. BTW, I'm not "galled" at all; however, I am a bit surprised that YOU read so much into my post... quite an analysis on your part. And finally, I live in the US, and as far as I know, I cannot use a windows 8 version that was purchased with "quid!"

 

[jimbo45]

How do any of us know what's in store for Windows Blue, we're all sitting around complaining and whining about an OS that cost $39, about the price of a lousy meal in Australia, or a 20k ride on a train or a few schooners of beer.

Can't people just accept what we have at the moment, quite a few naysayers are starting to get to grips with Windows 8. If Windows Blue turns out to be a disaster as well for you, then you can all go out and burn your Bras and buy a $3000 MacBook Pro to sit on here and complain.

Hi there.
why are people always so pessimistic. Let's wait and see. It might turn out to be OK -- after all I can't think of any company that DELIBERATELY wants to go bust.

Actually your train prices seem fine in $ AU.

I had to travel for business from Manchester(UK) to London recently -- around 640 KM return --- Business / First class on Virgin Trains cost me an absolutely Wallet Busting 441 GBP !!!! -- Lucky the business was paying -- For that price I could get nearly Three return flights from Amsterdam to Iceland, one flight from Manchester / London to LA or or even with a bit of searching one flight to 'OZ.

I'm going to see if I can send the ticket to "The Guiness Book of Records" as the world most expensive railway ticket (based on cost per km).

Screenshot enc -- Virgin trains UK price !!!!!

(You can get much cheaper if you book in advance -- rarely possible in a lot of business instances -- the difference here also between going "Cattle class" which on that route is always GROSSLY OVERCROWDED where you'd have to stand all the way on that 7.00 AM service and ist class where you get a seat and can do some work before arriving at the meeting is worth the business paying the extra. -- However if say 5 or 6 of us were going HIRING A PLANE !!! would actually be cheaper !!).


Cheers
jimbo

 

[BillWindows]

How do any of us know what's in store for Windows Blue, we're all sitting around complaining and whining about an OS that cost $39, about the price of a lousy meal in Australia, or a 20k ride on a train or a few schooners of beer.

Can't people just accept what we have at the moment, quite a few naysayers are starting to get to grips with Windows 8. If Windows Blue turns out to be a disaster as well for you, then you can all go out and burn your Bras and buy a $3000 MacBook Pro to sit on here and complain.

Hi there.
why are people always so pessimistic. Let's wait and see. It might turn out to be OK -- after all I can't think of any company that DELIBERATELY wants to go bust.

Actually your train prices seem fine in $ AU.

I had to travel for business from Manchester(UK) to London recently -- around 640 KM return --- Business / First class on Virgin Trains cost me an absolutely Wallet Busting 441 GBP !!!! -- Lucky the business was paying -- For that price I could get nearly Three return flights from Amsterdam to Iceland, one flight from Manchester / London to LA or or even with a bit of searching one flight to 'OZ.

I'm going to see if I can send the ticket to "The Guiness Book of Records" as the world most expensive railway ticket (based on cost per km).

Screenshot enc -- Virgin trains UK price !!!!!

(You can get much cheaper if you book in advance -- rarely possible in a lot of business instances -- the difference here also between going "Cattle class" which on that route is always GROSSLY OVERCROWDED where you'd have to stand all the way on that 7.00 AM service and ist class where you get a seat and can do some work before arriving at the meeting is worth the business paying the extra. -- However if say 5 or 6 of us were going HIRING A PLANE !!! would actually be cheaper !!).


Cheers
jimbo

I like England, but I don't know how the poor old Brits can afford to live there, although Norway is even worse, beautiful places to visit but I think I'll stay in Australia. One good thing about England and Europe, Ryan Air and Easy Jet a lot cheaper than trains.

 

[BillWindows]

Here is something for people that complain about not being able to resize Metro Apps, now there's nothing left to complain about let's all have a party.

Windows utility maker Stardock has released an amazing application that lets you run Windows 8 “Metro” apps in a window alongside traditional Windows applications. It’s not free, but if you use Windows 8 on a desktop PC as I do, this might be the best $5 you ever spend..

How does this sit with you Ray, does this make the IMP better.

That could be worth a serious looking-at for some of us.

Thanks, Bill...

Wenda.

You're welcome.

 

[whs]

We went from Stuttgart/Germany to Paris/France with the TGV. That is 632 KM driving distance one way. The TGV got us there in a bit over 3 hours and we paid 120 Euros round trip - for 2 people. But that was only possible because I had bought the tickets in France (we live not too far from the border). The German railroad wanted twice as much for exactly the same thing.

 

[Ray8]

... after all I can't think of any company that DELIBERATELY wants to go bust.

No they don't. but through poor decision making they do or very nearly do. Look at Nokia, Blackberry, Sony etc as recent examples of tech companies that have been leaders of their field and are now struggling. It doesn't take much to start the spiral, just put enough customers off-side and once they find an alternative, they see no reason to go back.

 

[SIW2]

They are trying to do something about the poor sales.

Not clear to me if they think massive price slashing is the whole answer - or if they are actually going to make the right changes with Blue.

It looks more likely that they will.

 

[chrisa]

... after all I can't think of any company that DELIBERATELY wants to go bust.

No they don't. but through poor decision making they do or very nearly do. Look at Nokia, Blackberry, Sony etc as recent examples of tech companies that have been leaders of their field and are now struggling. It doesn't take much to start the spiral, just put enough customers off-side and once they find an alternative, they see no reason to go back.

It all comes down to finding markets for products that you can sell.

The numbers for Surface Pro sales are likely going to stun the industry. They're currently Out Of Stock again. Why? Because it hits a new market instead of trying to make in-roads into an old one. I have yet to meet anyone irl that runs a Windows Computer(Desktop, Laptop, or otherwise), that isn't very interested in the Surface Pro(it usually comes down to timing and when they'll have the $$ to upgrade). The ability to both essentially take your PC and put it in a 2 lb Macbook Air-sized form factor, while having all the capabilities of an iPad is something people want badly, and do not currently have.

RT COULD sell if they redesigned the form factor to that of more of a mini-type device and were able to compete on price with the iPad as a result. Having it be a form factor not much smaller than the pro while not having anywhere near the capabilities was a very big misstep on Microsoft's part.

 

[SIW2]

A 10 in machine at 1.5 lbs that does what a laptop does seems like a sound idea.

Chris a
I have yet to meet anyone irl that runs a Windows Computer(Desktop, Laptop, or otherwise), that isn't very interested in the Surface Pro

I have yet to meet anyone who is in the slightest bit interested.

I don't know anyone irl who is an IT pro - or who is regular on computer forums.

Perhaps we move in different circles.

 

[Ray8]

I think someone convinced the Microsoft board to ignore the desktop user, they have no where to go anyway, and simply go mobile with everything. To that end, forget the desktop and spending any more money/effort in maintaining it, and eventually get rid of it in in favour of an app representation of all current Microsoft programs. Industry will naturally have to follow, as Windows is the dominant OS in the world.

 

[Ray8]

I haven't met anyone who is even remotely interested in Windows 8, let alone the Surface Pro. But then again, I don't hang around with IT and related people.

 

[tonymarcus]

A 10 in machine at 1.5 lbs that does what a laptop does seems like a sound idea.

Chris a
I have yet to meet anyone irl that runs a Windows Computer(Desktop, Laptop, or otherwise), that isn't very interested in the Surface Pro

I have yet to meet anyone who is in the slightest bit interested.

I don't know anyone irl who is an IT pro - or who is regular on computer forums.

Perhaps we move in different circles.

I personally think that price and choice of apps is a major factor. If I could get all my iPad apps on a Surface Pro and it was £100 cheaper than an iPad then when my iPad is up for replacement I would seriously consider getting one.

 

[SIW2]

Maybe Ray.

I would have to speculate it was Stevie S who insisted on this implemetation. Perhaps at first it seemed to be going ok - they shifted a decent number of licenses - many still haven't been sold on - even now.

They have had a bit of success with Surface Pro - but that is likely to be a niche. Nokia have manged to sell some lumias - but it is Nokia's offering doing that - and the numbers are relatively modest. They can't rely on Nokia doing it all for them.

Overall it is not going well.

The price slashing is an attempt to do something about it.

 

[SIW2]

Hiya Tony,

Tony
I personally think that price and choice of apps is a major factor.

I think you will find price is a factor in most purchasing decisions, is it not?

Do you think people who are not going within 10ft of win 8 know what the app situation is?

 

[chrisa]

A 10 in machine at 1.5 lbs that does what a laptop does seems like a sound idea.

Chris a
I have yet to meet anyone irl that runs a Windows Computer(Desktop, Laptop, or otherwise), that isn't very interested in the Surface Pro

I have yet to meet anyone who is in the slightest bit interested.

I don't know anyone irl who is an IT pro - or who is regular on computer forums.

Perhaps we move in different circles.

I personally think that price and choice of apps is a major factor. If I could get all my iPad apps on a Surface Pro and it was £100 cheaper than an iPad then when my iPad is up for replacement I would seriously consider getting one.

You have two types of people. Those who need a laptop, for which apps and the ability to become a tablet is a nice addition. The second are those who want to use apps and a tablet, for which a laptop is a nice addition.

I fall in the first type, as do most Surface Pro buyers. Anybody focused on any type of app store was never really going to buy a Surface Pro to begin with. The only thing that justifies that type of price is if its primarily to be used as a laptop with the ability to go tablet with apps being a secondary consideration. Or, who cares about the size of the app store when you have years, if not decades, of full-blown applications you can run?

And make no mistake, there are a lot of people for whom taking basically a computer and an ipad and merging it into one 3 pound device.. it can't come fast enough.

Lets put it this way, if Apple had done what Microsoft did and merged the full-blown ipad with a macbook air with a detachable keyboard(which honestly, will probably happen eventually), Apple fanbois would be genuflecting at the temple of Jobs and proclaiming the genius of Apple at coming up with the next great device.

 

[SIW2]

Lets put it this way, if Apple had done what Microsoft did and merged the full-blown ipad with a macbook air(which honestly, will probably happen eventually), Apple fanbois would be genuflecting at the temple of Jobs.

Apple would have done it in a way the customers like.

 

[BillWindows]

What's a tablet, I don't know but I'm due for mine. Young people and their gadgets bah!