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#21
No, I think MS is making the right choice making Windows 10 free. It's not like Windows is they're only way of income.
And they do have to compete with Linux and Mac, which is free... with the purchase of a $3,000 computer.
I also wish articles would quit assuming people are going to upgrade to windows 10 because it is free. There is more to consider then it being free.
This was an interesting comment of one of the readers.
I Live in Chile and own a small IT consulting firm. All our laptops run under Ubuntu latest version. We do not install it at all, we just order Dell Ubuntu laptops from the PC Shop close to us. They carry at elast 6/7 different Dell/Ubuntu models to choose from and you pay around $80 less than exactly the same Dell laptop running Windows.
Cost of supporting our IT infrastructure is extremely low and our consultants do not have to worry about viruses, fragmentation or other MS goodies. Data is backed up in Dropbox and in their gmail accounts so replacing a laptop is fast too.
We are happy to be MS free.
@whs
If that other article (no link) is correct. I think windows 7 & 8.1 will get windows 10 with 5 years of extended support for free, after 5 year who knows. I am also not buying a new desktop/laptop that bricks or doesn't work after 10 year supported period. 5 year mainstream and 5 years extended support. I would buy a Ubuntu directly from dell if they had some models, provided I could afford it.
I would buy a cheap Ubuntu laptop too - and put Mint on it, LOL
But as long as I can buy Windows 8.1 laptops for $99, that will not happen.
Hi there
Any subscription based OS'es I'd use alternatives wherever possible -- for example even XP will run indefinitely on a VM - if it does what I need then I'd just run the appropriate NON subscription Windows OS on a VM.
I actually LIKE Office preview 2016 but if it were to "Morph" into Office 365 and become subscription I'd find the last Windows OS that Office 2010 will still work on and run that as a VM indefinitely. VMware workstation / Player and VBOX run on LINUX and can run the SAME VM that your Windows Host can run too and of course Linux is FREE open source and ceretainly non subscription based.
Corporates who pay for service / maintenance contracts is something else --I'm discussing HOME users here.
Photoshop I have the last non subscription based one CS6 and I'm also looking at KINGSOFT OFFICE as an alternate perhaps to Ms Office in the future if I need an alternate.
You can't compare an OS or Software with subscription services like NETFLIX or SKY SPORTS - these are purely consumption based services - like utilities. However with an OS you are using it for CREATING content or services for others (your workplace for example) to consume.
@groze - agree just because it's free doesn't always mean it's worth having -- although W10 seems passable so far. Remember "There's no such thing as a Free Lunch". !!!
Cheers
jimbo
I also worry about public libraries want to use windows 10, they may switch to apple. Reason, they couldn't afford a subscription model even for just for the staff. The library get its fund from local taxes or donated money. No one want taxes to go up. This one library that about 40 minutes away runs completely on donation and membership fee, no taxes are used.
The isp won't like subscription based operating systems if it causes loss of customers.
Only time I would consider subscription, is the computer is actually leased to me, they would be responsible for upgrades, repair and replacement of the device. The cost would have to be reasonable, so I could still afford internet service
Last edited by groze; 26 Mar 2015 at 12:05.