With the latest PC shipment data, we see a constant decline since the iPad appeared. Essentially the PC is loosing almost completely the home part of the market, and even in its old business domain, mobile tasks are moving away from it. Given that the iPad is a much better match for these tasks, the decline is not surprising. But it is interesting to see how Microsoft is accelerating the decline:
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Windows XP is still widely used. But instead of making it easy to switch to Windows 8, you need to install Vista and 7 as well to upgrade without having to reinstall your programs. Oh, and forget about moving to the 64bit version. Lots of unnecessary hassle will only keep people from upgrading.
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Windows 8 is a dog when running on high resolution displays. The future of PC computing is in the one niche tablets cannot fill: providing ample space to work with a lot of information at once. Think 36" Retina displays as the great goal. How do you intend to compete when you still ignore the future?
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Windows is priced quite high, and the individual licenses are much more expensive than what manufacturers pay. So you will be upgrading with your new computer, maybe once every 6 years now that they are fast enough. Microsoft gets maybe $72 for the license, that makes $12 per year. Compare that to Apple, which prices each update at $19, but also brings out one every year. The price is suddenly cheap enough that apps can safely demand the latest revision. Who has the happier users? And I would not be surprised if Apple actually makes more money from the OS per user than Microsoft.