7 ms·

I fully defend Microsoft's right to do this (whether they actually will do it is as yet unknown), but it in no way benefits users. There is competition in the O

I fully defend Microsoft's right to do this (whether they actually will do it is as yet unknown), but it in no way benefits users. There is competition in the OS area, and a few people will gravitate to Linux; more might go to ChromeOS or MacOS. The subscription rate will have to be set so that it's not more expensive over say 3 years to buy a PC with Windows than it is to buy a comparable Mac (if they don't do that, they will be handing Apple a massive tool to increase sales). I think Chromebooks might do well in that environment, especially for naïve users (though they have their uses even for advanced users; I like my Chromebooks and their Linux VMs). You buy the machine, plug it in, and it fires up almost immediately; and your machine has software support now for 10 years at no cost (if you trust Google to deliver on that). I suspect that many canny purchasers will compare Microsoft's subscription cost to Google's ($0), and decide accordingly. My guess (and my track record is clear, in 1976 I predicted that Apple would be bankrupt within a year) is that Microsoft will offer a combined Windows/Office365 subscription, and a barebones “free” Windows that nags the user to “upgrade”.

toofy 3y ago
> The subscription rate will have to be set so that it’s not more expensive over say 3 years to buy a PC with Windows and than it is to buy a comparable Mac… i agree with your overall point. tho for me, i suspect the price would need to be significantly less than than that (PC price included.) my main driver is linux, but im on windows for probably 40% of work stuff. however, i have incredible subscription fatigue. its to the point now that i forego products regularly if i cant just buy it outright. i’ll happily even pay more than i would over time just to 1) not have to manage and deal with the constant little pin pricks of soooo many subscriptions, and 2) to feel like i own the thing. if windows goes subscription, i will almost certainly just move to mac for the things i cant do with linux and if my read of others is correct, i suspect many many others would do the same.
xg15 3y ago
I think the strongest competition is actually other Windows versions: People are usually fine with the Windows version they know and use - Microsoft already had to drag it's users kicking and screaming to update from XP to 7, then later from 8 to 10. I feel they'd have to up that kind of pressure by a lot to get people to switch not just to a new version, but now even one that requires a subscription. So if this ever becomes reality, I expect a massive campaign of FUD, dark patterns and deliberate incompatibility to get people to leave the old versions.

toofy 3y ago

> The subscription rate will have to be set so that it’s not more expensive over say 3 years to buy a PC with Windows and than it is to buy a comparable Mac… i agree with your overall point. tho for me, i suspect the price would need to be significantly less than than that (PC price included.) my main driver is linux, but im on windows for probably 40% of work stuff. however, i have incredible subscription fatigue. its to the point now that i forego products regularly if i cant just buy it outright. i’ll happily even pay more than i would over time just to 1) not have to manage and deal with the constant little pin pricks of soooo many subscriptions, and 2) to feel like i own the thing. if windows goes subscription, i will almost certainly just move to mac for the things i cant do with linux and if my read of others is correct, i suspect many many others would do the same.

xg15 3y ago

I think the strongest competition is actually other Windows versions: People are usually fine with the Windows version they know and use - Microsoft already had to drag it's users kicking and screaming to update from XP to 7, then later from 8 to 10. I feel they'd have to up that kind of pressure by a lot to get people to switch not just to a new version, but now even one that requires a subscription. So if this ever becomes reality, I expect a massive campaign of FUD, dark patterns and deliberate incompatibility to get people to leave the old versions.