You do realize, however, that Apple is the only approved computer and tablet hardware vendor for running OSX or iOS, right? I “could” actually install OSX on a PC, but it is against Apple’s EULA.
Also, please note that except for the Microsoft Surface, Microsoft does not make hardware at all, rather hardware vendors like Dell, HP, Asus, Lenovo, etc. make the hardware.
If Microsoft made their software for free, they’d be out of business. They are capitalists, after all, and expect to have cash flowing in to make payroll, pay bills and return a profit to investors. The comparison of “free” Apple OS’s (when you HAVE to buy THEIR hardware to use that OS) to Microsoft’s paid for OS is like comparing Apples to oranges—at least partly literally!
I completely understand capitalism and how technology companies work.
Yes, MS is not a hardware company (xbox and surface not withstanding), but guess what, the end consumer doesn’t give a rats hairy butt.. that’s the facts.
The reality is, mature software, other than incredible niche software, is by and large a $0 game, that’s its value... don’t believe me, go look at the app store, nearly ALL of it is free now, very very few have an up front price of even a $1, other than some incredible niche products, because, folks just won’t pay for it, so the model changes and you make it up in other ways, advertising, buy ups, subscription costs, etc, but the actual software itself is free.
The OS is a free product for the consumer, if MS wants to keep playing in the space, they are going to have to accept it, pure and simple.. People are not going to pay Microsoft $100 or $200 for an OS upgrade, its not going to happen.. businesses may, and manufacturers may pay them, but the general typical user is not going to pay MS to upgrade anymore... its just a matter of time until MS realizes this, if they haven’t already.
MS cannot change the marketplace, no matter what they may want to do for their bottom line. Do you think MS wanted to have its OFFICE on Android and IOS? Let alone have to give it away for FREE?? Hell no, and they tried for years not to, but guess what, reality is, that’s where consumers are...
Capitalism is a two way street, a company may not like having to give something away, but if that’s where the consumers are on something, that’s what they have to do and figure out a way to make profits in another way.
The funny thing about capitalism is, the consumer doesn’t care about your profits, they only care what you are willing to provide for them at a price they are willing to pay, and for the end general purchaser, the effective price of an OS is ZERO. MS will continue to get money from OEM’s they really don’t have a choice, as the consumer market isn’t going to buy UNIX PC’s that offer free OS’s, and while Chrome is nice, its not really going to take over either... And MS will probably still be able to get licensing fees out of corporations for upgrades, but the typical individual, just isn’t going to pay them.. the market has move,d and MS has to figure out a way to make that work for them.