New
#1
1. What if a PC breaks or just is old?
2. What if someone wants a new PC??
3. A new OS doesn't mean that the demand for new PC's will disappear...
Just a few quick thoughts/questions..
Thanks for the information/link Wynona
Sorry, PC vendors: The free Windows 10 upgrade means users won't be buying new PCs
Mark Hachman | @markhachman Senior Editor, PCWorld
- May 28, 2015 3:39 PM
Microsoft’s decision to offer free upgrades to Windows 10 was terrific news—for users, but not the PC industry.
IDC said Thursday that it expects PC sales to decline further in 2015, by 6.2 percent, versus an actual drop of 2.2 percent in 2014. In part, that’s because the analyst firm doesn’t see a need for users to invest in new PCs to run Windows 10. “[C]hanges like the free upgrade option for consumers and platform integration aren’t expected to drive a surge in new PC shipments,” IDC wrote.
Unfortunately, the only segment that will move quickly on Windows 10 is the segment that won't pay for it, IDC noted. "The consumer transition to Windows 10 should happen quickly, but the free upgrade reduces the need for a new PC." Instead, the firm predicted consumers will buy more mobile devices: "Many consumers will continue to prioritize spending on phones, tablets, and wearable devices like the Apple Watch during the holiday season.”
Not even the business sector is expected to jolt the PC market to life with Windows 10. "The commercial segment is expected to evaluate the OS before deploying it and most new commercial PCs will be replacement systems," the firm said.
In all, IDC said that it expects 289 million PCs will be sold this year, made up of 167.2 million notebooks and 121.8 million desktops. The future's slightly brighter: IDC predicts that 294.1 million PCs will be sold in 2019. That represents a mere 0.4-percent compound annual growth rate—but at least it’s growth.
Sorry, PC vendors: The free Windows 10 upgrade means users won't be buying new PCs | PCWorld
1. What if a PC breaks or just is old?
2. What if someone wants a new PC??
3. A new OS doesn't mean that the demand for new PC's will disappear...
Just a few quick thoughts/questions..
Thanks for the information/link Wynona
If there weren't free upgrades, then many people wouldn't buy a Windows 8.1 PC now, knowing 10 was just around the corner. I'm not sure MS could win either way on this one.
1. I think that will come within the "supported life of the device".
2. OEMs aren't going out of business. There are still the Windows Vista and XP users.
3. No, but with all the "old" PCs getting a free "face lift" fewer people will want/need to buy a new PC.
For instance, the kid is going off to college but has a perfectly good Windows 8.1 laptop. Instead of buying him/her a new one, parents'll just get the free upgrade to Windows 10 and consider themselves lucky.
Windows 7 has rapidly been headed toward being the next Windows XP. There are reasons people have held onto Windows 7; not all of which are "because I like it". Some of the reasons are cost. Although their computers are a mixture of older and newer technology, they'll jump onto the upgrade bandwagon.
Windows 8 PCs are comparatively new, so it's natural that an upgrade to Windows 10 will be grabbed with gusto! After all, this will be the most cost effective upgrade in history. :)
And then there are those running Vista or XP; even they will probably get a very attractive upgrade package, so . . .
Normally, when a new OS comes out, people will buy a new computer with it installed because they don't want to mess with upgrading; however, since the upgrade to Windows 10 will be free (and most already know how to use Windows Update), they'll upgrade rather than buy a new computer.
Of course, not all of those upgrading would have bought a new computer anyway; it's cheaper to upgrade even if you have to pay for the OS.
There will be a dent in PC sales during the first year Windows 10 is out, but things will level out again.
I agree with most of your post.. but Vista/Xp PC's might not have the hardware capability to support Win10.. some will of course. And I think that there will be people who will buy a new PC over upgrading to Win10.. the group I'm referring to are less tech knowledgeable and just will not want to mess around with the process..
Oh, I don't doubt that, Jeff. There will always be new PC sales. Ya missed the ones that have to have the latest and greatest in technology. Those are the ones with a Band, Tablets, Laptops, Desktops, SmartPhones, etc.
Mainly I was pointing out the ones who will upgrade rather than buy a new computer. And, no matter how you look at it, that many people upgrading to Windows 10 is bound to put a dent in new PC sales.
In the end, I must say that it's about time that we consumers get a break! :)