The reason PC makers aren't shifting units is because of their mediocre hardware. There's little reason for people to buy new machines with what they've been serving up, as I highlighted back in May in another post (Post 12 at below link).

The free Windows 10 upgrade means users won't be buying New PCs

Although, it's not all bad news for PC makers with high Windows 8 inventory levels. Since that post when I said that I was probably going to buy a new computer 6-12 months after Windows 10 is released, I'm in the position now where I don't want to be stuck with Windows 10 and am therefore going to buy a new PC sooner than planned, whilst I can still readily get Windows 8.1 Pro. Windows 8.1 still has mainstream support until January 2018 and extended support until January 2023, which will give me more time to assess just what direction Microsoft is going in, because although Windows 10 seems to be well received by some, so far the direction they're going in is not for me.

So, HP can't move their inventory of Win8 machines -- and they basically shift the responsibility of doing that to another company?

When auto dealers want to move out the remainder of last year's models, what do they do? Do they "kill off" last year's models? NO They give heavy discounts on last year's models in order to make them more attractive in the market place.

I'm sure that if HP heavily discounted their Win8 machines, and threw in free technical support to upgrade them to Win10 -- they would be astounded at how fast those machines would move.

Wow -- yet another CEO who just doesn't "get it"!

ARC1020 said:

The reason PC makers aren't shifting units is because of their mediocre hardware. There's little reason for people to buy new machines with what they've been serving up, as I highlighted back in May in another post (Post 12 at below link).

The free Windows 10 upgrade means users won't be buying New PCs

Although, it's not all bad news for PC makers with high Windows 8 inventory levels. Since that post when I said that I was probably going to buy a new computer 6-12 months after Windows 10 is released, I'm in the position now where I don't want to be stuck with Windows 10 and am therefore going to buy a new PC sooner than planned, whilst I can still readily get Windows 8.1 Pro. Windows 8.1 still has mainstream support until January 2018 and extended support until January 2023, which will give me more time to assess just what direction Microsoft is going in, because although Windows 10 seems to be well received by some, so far the direction they're going in is not for me.

So what direction would you like them to go in. I've upgraded 4 computers and a phone to Windows 10, all as different as can be, no problems whatsoever.
I don't know what I'm talking about, but if it was me I'd wait for the machine with the hardware built for Windows 10, but that's just me.

With 10 pushing the cloud and the automatic updates I may switch to Linux if 8.1 is killed early. With capped satellite internet I need to be able to control my updates and I just generally hate the cloud. Yea, I'm old. :)

And no, I'm not going to keep turning metered connection on and off, give me a break!

Antilope said:

If HP quit making computers, not many would miss it. It's a shell of its once famous self. I respect Microsoft and its decisions.

I have to agree, HP actually pushed me to finally choose another laptop brand and go into custom build desktops with their shoddy machines. It's their drama if they can't get rid of Windows 8.1/8 and Windows Ten exclusively won't make people go out and buy new HP machines, fresh off the production line.

ARC1020 said:

Windows 8.1 still has mainstream support until January 2018 and extended support until January 2023,

This is a good point - Microsoft are hardly likely to withdraw support early on Windows 8.1. Some corporates with Windows 8.1 already rolled out across their organisation may well want to stay there, so would take a very dim view if Microsoft cut short the support timescales.