Windows 8 uncertainty blamed for decline in PC sales

or the first time in five years, PC shipments over the holiday shopping season were lower than the year before - and IDC is blaming Windows 8.

The research firm says that a hoped-for boost to sales from the new operating system failed to materialize, contributing to fourth quarter sales down by 6.4 percent, 4.5 percent in the US.

"Although the third quarter was focused on the clearing of Windows 7 inventory, preliminary research indicates the clearance did not significantly boost the uptake of Windows 8 systems in Q4," says Jay Chou, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.

Source

A Guy

 

[labeeman]

However, smart TVs, smart phones, and smart tablets, etc are the wave of the future, thus either you accept it, or get left behind.

Exactly,, and what people also fail to realize is the Win8 Pro Tablets that will let you run any desktop software. not just Apps.
The functionality of Tablets is about to change in a big way. And iPad/Android won't be able to compete in this new market once Win8 Pro Tablets are fully realized. Sorry, but they won't.

I am speaking directly of Hybrids and Transformers that can have the keyboard etc removed and used as a true tablet. Not Touch Laptops or Touch Ultrabooks.

Also concider the ability to connect them to a larger monitor with USB mouse and Keyboard combo (wireless or bluetooth) and you could have a desktop replacement with the power that is expected, (i5 Processors etc)

Which brings things back to..... "And iPad/Android won't be able to compete in this new market once Win8 Pro Tablets are fully realized. Sorry, but they won't."

A good read on the fruit company not cool any more.


Apple is done, say teens | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

 

[Ray8]

Yes, and one that you can just grab and take your entire desktop, apps, data, etc with you without hassle.

Those who fail to see the potential that is coming are the ones that are bashing Windows 8 the most.
They refuse to see it.

I haven't heard of anyone being critical of Windows 8 for what it can do, only what it doesn't do. I also haven't heard of anyone knocking what tablets in general can do, Windows 7 tablets (and small form-factor notebooks) have been around for a while and they can do all of the above.

 

[elbmek]

Once I had customised the new style start menu, and the apps page, I was running on super fuel BUT, one thing I tried and failed with and never went back is the damn apps. They refuse to load stating that a file association is required - hey? What the hell is that and why wont they load properly.

I got an email from MS offering it to me cheap as a registered user, yes, said I. ANd I got Media Centre for free, apparently now its in a list of 'once had now you pay extra' department.

 

[Ray8]

A good read on the fruit company not cool any more.

Apple is done, say teens | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

Mind you:

This will surely explain why Microsoft had large numbers of Glee-ful teens dancing away in the launch ad for the Surface.

It may not explain so well why the Surface hasn't yet sold in limitless numbers.

I think Microsoft would have done much better if they'd introduced the Surface in reverse order, Pro first, RT second.

 

[BillWindows]

Yes, and one that you can just grab and take your entire desktop, apps, data, etc with you without hassle.

Those who fail to see the potential that is coming are the ones that are bashing Windows 8 the most.
They refuse to see it.

I haven't heard of anyone being critical of Windows 8 for what it can do, only what it doesn't do. I also haven't heard of anyone knocking what tablets in general can do, Windows 7 tablets (and small form-factor notebooks) have been around for a while and they can do all of the above.

You're still struggling Ray, The King 7 is dead, Long Live the King 8.

 

[Ray8]

You're still struggling Ray, The King 7 is dead, Long Live the King 8.

What on earth are you talking about?

 

[Tepid]

What is it that Win8 Can Not do that Win7 can?

I am sorry, I haven't found a single thing that I can not do in 8 that I could do in 7. Not one single solitary thing.
All of my software and hardware work just fine, not one single issue with that.

 

[SIW2]

I don't think that tells us anything much.

It's no secret Apple have been worried about the increasing success of Android.

Lots of possible reasons for that - larger range of devices and price points, and of course - ipad has been around a while. The article is correct about the lure of new things.

The complete opposite of what many have been posting.

 

[SIW2]

Try running w 8 explorer in pe.

When you have given up -then use w7 explorer instead.

If you can get a decent w8 pe as small and efficient as an equivalent w 7 pe - then you deserve a giant bag of sweeties.

What is it that Win8 Can Not do that Win7 can?

I am sorry, I haven't found a single thing that I can not do in 8 that I could do in 7. Not one single solitary thing.
All of my software and hardware work just fine, not one single issue with that.

 

[Tepid]

Try running w 8 explorer in pe.

When you have given up -then use w7 explorer instead.

What is it that Win8 Can Not do that Win7 can?

I am sorry, I haven't found a single thing that I can not do in 8 that I could do in 7. Not one single solitary thing.
All of my software and hardware work just fine, not one single issue with that.

That is irrelevant.

 

[BillWindows]

What about Bart PE, has that evolved at all.

 

[Tepid]

What about Bart PE, has that evolved at all.

Not that I aware of,, that project has ended and was for XP only.

The other project to check out is WinBuilder. I am not s huge fan of it, but could get you going.

I would recommend learning how to build a WinPE from Scratch, to understand how it is done.
I have not played with Windows Live OS's in a long time.

WinBuilder - reboot.pro

 

[Ray8]

What is it that Win8 Can Not do that Win7 can?

I am sorry, I haven't found a single thing that I can not do in 8 that I could do in 7. Not one single solitary thing.
All of my software and hardware work just fine, not one single issue with that.

I haven't heard of anyone being critical of Windows 8 for what it can do, only what it doesn't do.

Note that I did not say 'can't do', I said what it doesn't do.

First and foremost, as so many people have stated, it doesn't do desktop satisfactorily without third party intervention. An easy fix, but questionable as to why it had to be this way.

Secondly, the apps side doesn't do desktop very well. While the apps screen is fine on a phone and a tablet, on a large desktop monitor/s, it fails to impress.

Thirdly: Greater versatility with the apps (sizing and positioning) would have sent many a desktop user (and reviewer) into raptures.

Your immediate response of shoot first and don't listen to people's concerns is always going to have you frothing prematurely.

 

[SIW2]

Ray is right.

The marketing is back to front.

Everyone must know you release the flagship before the holiday buying season - not after.

I had heard reports of how little interest there was at launch events and in store in general. ( UK).

When I checked it out myself - I was surprised , interest in w8 machines in big Oxford St stores is almost non existent.

Plenty of people playing with Macbooks ( even though they were down a bit on last year ).

Hard to find a soul who is interested in even approaching the w8 stuff.

Given it is new - and the gigantic above the line spend, you would expect people to at least look.

Might be the effect of the bad reviews. They were the result of MS decision to rip code out and force start screen on desktop users. That was probably not a good idea.

Might also be they look so awful. They all have the same dull start screen showing. Perhaps if they all had the desktop showing , they might attract a peek from a few folk.

 

[Tepid]

Yes, I fully agree they really did screw the marketing on releasing WinRT first,, that really was a stupid idea.

 

[SIW2]

It might be irrelevant to you.

We all use our machines and o/s in different ways for different things.

It is again the result of MS eviscerating the thing to force that start screen.

Try running w 8 explorer in pe.

When you have given up -then use w7 explorer instead.

What is it that Win8 Can Not do that Win7 can?

I am sorry, I haven't found a single thing that I can not do in 8 that I could do in 7. Not one single solitary thing.
All of my software and hardware work just fine, not one single issue with that.

That is irrelevant.

 

[BillWindows]

Ray is right.

The marketing is back to front.

Everyone must know you release the flagship before the holiday buying season - not after.

I had heard reports of how little interest there was at launch events and in store in general. ( UK).

When I checked it out myself - I was surprised , interest in w8 machines in big Oxford St stores is almost non existent.

Plenty of people playing with Macbooks ( even though they were down a bit on last year ).

Hard to find a soul who is interested in even approaching the w8 stuff.

Given it is new - and the gigantic above the line spend, you would expect people to at least look.

Might be the effect of the bad reviews. They were the result of MS decision to rip code out and force start screen on desktop users. That was probably not a good idea.

Might also be they look so awful. They all have the same dull start screen showing. Perhaps if they all had the desktop showing , they might attract a peek from a few folk.

Funny, I was in a store a couple of days ago and people were stomping over each other to buy Windows 8 Notebooks.

 

[BillWindows]

Yes, I fully agree they really did screw the marketing on releasing WinRT first,, that really was a stupid idea.

Or it could be just as stupid as taking the Start Menu out of Windows 8.

 

[Tepid]

Yes, I fully agree they really did screw the marketing on releasing WinRT first,, that really was a stupid idea.

Or it could be just as stupid as taking the Start Menu out of Windows 8.

Nah, that's just a knee jerk reactionary defense mechanism to change.

 

[BillWindows]

Yes, I fully agree they really did screw the marketing on releasing WinRT first,, that really was a stupid idea.

Or it could be just as stupid as taking the Start Menu out of Windows 8.

Nah, that's just a knee jerk reactionary defense mechanism to change.

Lets put it this way, if MS put the Start Menu back in, who would have gone to metro.

Or if they'd bought Surface Pro out first who'd go back to a cut down version.