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I find that the argument embedded in that question isn't very insightful. The developments of personal computing since subscription applications became prevale
by unicornporn 5y ago
I find that the argument embedded in that question isn't very insightful.
The developments of personal computing since subscription applications became prevalent and app stores were integrated into operating systems has made things quite different from the era that preceded this one.
Apple used to sell OS upgrades. Today you can basically run Windows 10 for free. The revenue streams are different these days and they have plenty of incentives to turn your OS into a mall.
- criddell 5y agoWindows has essentially always been free. There have been something like two billion PCs sold running Windows. The number of people who purchased a non-OEM copy is relatively small.
- treesknees 5y agoBut I believe upgrades have always been an extra purchase until Windows 8? Nowadays it's free OS, free upgrades to get you in the door and buy their services (M365 for Microsoft, iCloud/apps for Apple.)
- smileybarry 5y agoUntil Windows 10 IIRC, Windows 8 was also a paid upgrade. Windows 8.1 acted like a service pack so it wasn't until 10 that upgrades became free, in a way. (Unless you're an enterprise customer, in which case 10 wasn't free either)
- Kye 5y agoI know at least Windows ME and Windows 98 SE came in boxes.
- tonoto 5y agoFree as in price? The price tag to customers didn't exactly mention the Windows fee, but the very few vendors that sold PC's without Windows pre-installed had a lower price on those options. Luckily many vendors seem to have concluded that Windows is not a sales argument anymore. Free as in freedom? MS has tried to block out Linux from beeing installed through various chips and methods.