Exactly correct. Case in point: Windows RT didn't "fail." It was Microsoft's test plan to see if "Windows as a Service" and "Windows Applications as a Service" would actually work.
It did. While Windows RT "failed" Windows as a Service is really where Microsoft has wanted to go all along. Office365, Azure, DevOps in the Cloud and more are all "Services" that Microsoft offers that are subscription based. It is no secret to those of us who are briefed on Microsoft's technology roadmap several times a year that "Windows as a Service" is coming. It's already being offered in the form of Windows Desktop "In the Cloud" via VDI that only work with other Microsoft based services, at least for now. It will be expanded to include third-party "as a Service" offerings soon.
Microsoft is also getting hardware manufacturers to lock down their hardware so that "legacy" Intel CPU's and mobo's won't work or install Windows 7 or 8 either.
In short, Microsoft is adopting Apple's PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE model with OS and Hardware. Running to Apple won't "fix" anything, other than cause one to spend more $$$ to run an Intel based system that is locked to only run an Apple OS and use Apple components that all cost a premium compared to their Intel/Windows based counterparts.
Don't like what Microsoft is doing? Don't run to Apple, move to Linux. That truly is the ONLY option at this point.
#20 usconservative: "Windows as a Service is really where Microsoft has wanted to go all along. Office365, Azure, DevOps in the Cloud and more are all "Services" that Microsoft offers that are subscription based"
Great analysis. The point to which Microsoft is totally blind is that pursuing this policy will only drive sensible people to Chromebook or the Google cloud. Microsoft's plan hurts their partners (both hardware and software) because maybe 3/4 of all computer users can get by on Chromebook/Google cloud (or Linux) at zero cost. Why bother with Microsoft services when Google services are available to anyone, with any operating system that has net access.
Your other good point is that Linux is the only other alternative. I've used Linux for years and it does more than I could ever imagine doing on Windows and far easier, and far cheaper. The realistic alternatives to Windows and/or Microsoft "services" are (in no particular order):
Thanks for posting all the good WAS (Windows as a service) info.
Linux is on my research list.