4 ms·

I read Microsoft's original change of wording completely differently - it wasn't that they had defeated Linux, it was that Windows had already lost (largely bec

I read Microsoft's original change of wording completely differently - it wasn't that they had defeated Linux, it was that Windows had already lost (largely because their competitors changed the game.) Competitors no longer compete only with Internet Explorer, they now offer an alternative to the entire Windows OS. Linux on the desktop (GNOME/KDE) didn't win per-se, but the browser did win, and Windows isn't a necessary choice for a browser-first system.

recoiledsnake 15y ago
>it was that Windows had already lost (largely because their competitors changed the game.) Competitors no longer compete only with Internet Explorer, they now offer an alternative to the entire Windows OS. Linux on the desktop (GNOME/KDE) didn't win per-se, but the browser did win, and Windows isn't a necessary choice for a browser-first system. Is that reflected in sales figures? They do acknowledge competition from Apple(OS X and iPad) and Google(Chromebook) and OS X has been offering a very big and popular alternative to 'the entire Windows OS' since inception. How can you say Windows already lost while they are shipping on 85% of the PCs and laptops in the US and much higher worldwide?
- justinsb 15y ago
  It's reflected in (my reading of) Microsoft's statement. Sales figures are retrospective; this section of their 10-K is forward looking. Also, if you define the market to include smartphones and tablets, I'm pretty sure Microsoft doesn't have 85% market share. The open question is whether that broader definition represents the future of "the computer market" or whether it should remain a separate category. Of course, you're welcome to your own interpretation - lots of people read it very differently than I did.
  - riffraff 15y ago
    would you care to share data sources for your confidence? I am not arguing they are wrong, I am just unable to google concrete data for PC and smarthphone + tablets usage in a recent time period.
    - justinsb 15y ago
      A few sources... I wouldn't put too much faith in the details, but in terms of rough magnitude they're probably pretty accurate. Gartner says PC sales in 2011 will be <400 million. I'm pretty sure that's mostly Windows: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178381437662352.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870330090457617... iPad sales looking like 40 million (or more) for 2011: http://blogs.computerworld.com/18550/apple_2011_ipad_sales_hit_40_million http://blogs.computerworld.com/18550/apple_2011_ipad_sales_h... Smartphone sales were 100 million in Q2 alone; Windows share of that was 1.6% (!): http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219112/Gartner_Smartphones_boom_overall_mobile_sales_drop http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219112/Gartner_Smart...
- rat 15y ago
  Chromebook? hahahahaha

recoiledsnake 15y ago

>it was that Windows had already lost (largely because their competitors changed the game.) Competitors no longer compete only with Internet Explorer, they now offer an alternative to the entire Windows OS. Linux on the desktop (GNOME/KDE) didn't win per-se, but the browser did win, and Windows isn't a necessary choice for a browser-first system. Is that reflected in sales figures? They do acknowledge competition from Apple(OS X and iPad) and Google(Chromebook) and OS X has been offering a very big and popular alternative to 'the entire Windows OS' since inception. How can you say Windows already lost while they are shipping on 85% of the PCs and laptops in the US and much higher worldwide?

justinsb 15y ago
It's reflected in (my reading of) Microsoft's statement. Sales figures are retrospective; this section of their 10-K is forward looking. Also, if you define the market to include smartphones and tablets, I'm pretty sure Microsoft doesn't have 85% market share. The open question is whether that broader definition represents the future of "the computer market" or whether it should remain a separate category. Of course, you're welcome to your own interpretation - lots of people read it very differently than I did.
- riffraff 15y ago
  would you care to share data sources for your confidence? I am not arguing they are wrong, I am just unable to google concrete data for PC and smarthphone + tablets usage in a recent time period.
  - justinsb 15y ago
    A few sources... I wouldn't put too much faith in the details, but in terms of rough magnitude they're probably pretty accurate. Gartner says PC sales in 2011 will be <400 million. I'm pretty sure that's mostly Windows: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178381437662352.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870330090457617... iPad sales looking like 40 million (or more) for 2011: http://blogs.computerworld.com/18550/apple_2011_ipad_sales_hit_40_million http://blogs.computerworld.com/18550/apple_2011_ipad_sales_h... Smartphone sales were 100 million in Q2 alone; Windows share of that was 1.6% (!): http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219112/Gartner_Smartphones_boom_overall_mobile_sales_drop http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219112/Gartner_Smart...
rat 15y ago
Chromebook? hahahahaha