5 ms·
This is very significant because it has signaled a shift from a time where Operating Systems was once a major revenue stream. Very interested to see if Microso
by smaili 13y ago
This is very significant because it has signaled a shift from a time where Operating Systems was once a major revenue stream.
Very interested to see if Microsoft will follow suit.
- kvb 13y agoWas OS revenue ever a big source of income for Apple?
- uptown 13y ago"Very interested to see if Microsoft will follow suit." And what? Make it up in volume? Unless Microsoft's Surface sales take-off, they can't afford to give Windows away for free apart from what are essentially service-packs like the 8.1 update they just released.
- scarmig 13y agoI thought Office, Exchange, etc. products actually formed the bulk of their revenue.
- uptown 13y agoWindows is still a major component of their revenue: http://www.tannerhelland.com/4273/microsoft-money-updated-2012/ http://www.tannerhelland.com/4273/microsoft-money-updated-20...
- vdaniuk 13y agoMake it up in Windows Store sales commissions? However, you are right, Windows is a cash cow that generates immense revenue to Microsoft.
- corresation 13y agoAnd what? Make it up in volume? Just chiming in conversationally (not refuting anything), but Windows original ascension was entirely based on piracy -- Microsoft did nothing to stop home users from thieving Windows as it lubricated its use for business (and business could much more easily be convinced to spend, if not at the outset, once the infrastructure was in place and they suddenly worried about a disgruntled employee turn them in). And of course, Microsoft knows (and controls) the ecosystem more than anyone. Microsoft should be able to monetize users beyond just the operating system, but they are proving totally incompetent at doing that with home users.
- alexeisadeski3 13y agoMS could make upgrades free whilst still charging OEMs and home builders.
- TillE 13y agoI expect they could offer free upgrades for the consumer edition of the OS without any significant hit. The bulk of their revenues are surely from OEMs and businesses, not home users buying a boxed copy.
- jameshart 13y agoMicrosoft has a history of giving away free updates to the operating system when you buy their hardware: I never had to pay for any OS updates on my Xbox 360.