Windows 9 Should Be Completely Free, Analyst Believes

Windows 9 is expected to launch in April 2015, according to some people close to the matter, but aside from a few features that could be included in the operating system, no other details have been provided until now.

Pricing clearly remains one of the biggest dilemmas, not only for users, but also for the Redmond-based tech giant Microsoft, as the company needs to find the perfect mix that would lead to record sales of its operating system and skyrocketing adoption for the very first days of availability.

Just like ZDNet writes in a debate over the fair price for Windows 9, a freeware license could be the winning choice for Microsoft, especially after the disappointing performance of Windows 8.

Stifel Nicolaus analyst Brad Reback also suggested that offering Windows for free might be Microsoft’s only option to keep up with competition, including Google and Apple.

Offering Windows 9 free of charge to manufacturers would basically lead to many more devices running the platform on the market, while also cutting down their prices, and thus boost the overall adoption in both the PC and the tablet sectors.
Windows 9 Should Be Completely Free, Analyst Believes

LOL
 
:roflmao:

Jim
 

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Here is another one.

[h=1]Windows 9, price and Microsoft's Innovator's Dilemma[/h]
——The details around Windows 9---code named "Threshold"---are beginning to emerge, but the real action will go well beyond features and whether Microsoft can put Windows 8 in the rear view mirror. Microsoft's real challenge with Windows will be navigating a classic innovator's dilemma and how it can thread a needle between preserving a cash cow and ultimately give Windows away to hardware makers.



LOL
 

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"Offering Windows 9 free of charge to manufacturers would basically lead to many more devices running the platform on the market, while also cutting down their prices,"

LOL.Dream on!
 

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Free...???

They should freakin' pay us for all the aggravation 8 has caused us....
 

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"Offering Windows 9 free of charge to manufacturers would basically lead to many more devices running the platform on the market, while also cutting down their prices,"

LOL.Dream on!
. . .and hopefully you do not really believe that. . .:)
 

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I imagine lots of commentators, and in fact everyone except Microsoft (and possibly their competitors) will advocate Windows 9 being free.

This doesn't mean they're going to do it...
 

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LOL is right!

The only two platforms they should REALLY considering removing license fees from are Windows RT and Windows Phone for obvious reasons. If they free up some code and hardware restrictions on Windows RT, it could become the basic version of Windows people will use and blow up the ARM marketplace. Then they can turn around and charge a license fee for something like Windows Pro on x86 based PCs to use Win32 programs.
 

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"Offering Windows 9 free of charge to manufacturers would basically lead to many more devices running the platform on the market, while also cutting down their prices,"

LOL.Dream on!
. . .and hopefully you do not really believe that. . .:)

Not a word of it, Lee. Seen it too many times in my life. Nothing goes down in price. The computer sellers will be the only beneficiaries., - they will make a larger overall profit.
 

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I just need to to be decent, as in fit for purpose. I'm going to need a new laptop and I don't want either a touch screen or a touch-oriented OS on it, thank you very much.
 

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Windows still has a bigger problem

I am wondering if it may be to late for Microsoft...

I think Windows 8 biggest problem is still a lack of good apps and no 3G-4G networks to tie it to.

Apple, Android, and even Amazon'z Kindle tablets you can take pretty much anywhere, the cost to add them to your wireless data plans are really reasonable. Unless, they come up with free wifi everywhere, Windows tablets are simply not as portable.

I have yet to see any good business apps, banking, hail a taxi app, etc., truly useful tools, and I doubt it will change any between now and April 2015. All of our local TV stations, newspapers, and businesses always announce the latest Apple and Android apps they have, but not even a mention of Windows. I doubt even giving it away for free would make a difference in that venue.

They will have a desktop market for awhile, but, even that is beginning to be eaten away at.
 

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I doubt even giving it away for free would make a difference in that venue.

They will have a desktop market for awhile, but, even that is beginning to be eaten away at.


They are in a tricky spot.

Interesting to see what they come up with. I don't feel disposed to give free advice. We will be watching with interest.
 

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Why not a half-way house with a free upgrade for 8.x users and new licences at a reduced price?
 

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Maybe with the shakeup at MS and a new CEO coming in the near future things will change. Windows 9 will give us a measure of what the new vision of MS will be.

Jim :cool:
 

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If they build it right... they will buy it. All they need to do is ...
 

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MS=free ???

Mmmmm... of course... and I'm Santa Claus :roflmao:
 

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This is how people write these Windows articles: "I'm a car driver (2 miles to work every day), which makes me an Automotive Industry expert. I predict that BMW should give away its new 5-series away for free and they would increase market share. BMW will just live off oil changes."

What would be the point of increasing marketshare if you lose money? People are very willing to pay for a product if they like it. I beleive the Nokia Symbian OS is free, but what is its marketshare again?

"Microsoft will be forced to follow Apple and Google and give away the OS"
And don't give me that "Apple OS is free" crap. Did you ever wonder why the Apple x86 hardware cost 3-times as much as if you bought the components separately and build your own PC? Since when does Apple give away the OS? Where, please, can I download my Apple OS that I can install on my home-made PC that I chose the components for myself from Manufacturers I like?
 

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I heard something on some show that there might not even be a 8.2 now, and just go right to 9.

OK whatever, as long as a full ISO is available for direct download this time and not that crazy deal we had to go through last time from 8 to 8.1.

And yeah, MS will be fine again, as long as the GUI is selectable for NON touch desktop/Laptops Hell even a selecting of weather you want metro look, or the "old" W7 look would be fine. I have always used windows as my OS of choice.

The way I use my laptop as a desktop replacement with my 27" external monitor now, I have W8.1 "customized" to my useability with the usual suspect 3rd party stuff as it is, I see nothing metro, even removed ALL the tiles except the desktop one.
 

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