Posted on 06/01/2009 10:14:20 AM PDT by JoeProBono
According to NetApplications, Windows XP is still the OS of choice for users out there in ComputerLand, with some two-thirds of users still making use of the aging OS. By comparison, Vista is struggling to capture a quarter of the market share. Vista’s “WOW!” failed to capture the attention of users, as many chose to stick with their older OS.
If you are an XP user, has what you’ve seen of Windows 7 made you willing to ditch XP?
The way I see it, Microsoft needs to be putting effort into marketing Windows 7 to those currently using XP. After all, those already using Vista have shown a willingness to switch OSes already, and moving from Vista to 7 isn’t that much of a leap. It’s those entrenched XP users that present a problem for Microsoft. These people, for whatever reason, turned their backs on Vista, and it’s these people that Microsoft needs to win back.
But it’s not going to be easy.
While Microsoft tried to convince people that Vista wasn’t really as bad as they thought it was by resorting to a web ad campaign that was thinly disguised as an “experiment”, those still using XP weren’t buying it. In fact it wasn’t until Microsoft’s “Laptop Hunter” ad campaign that the Redmond giant started seeing its ad dollars really having an effect. Problem for Microsoft is that these ads spend their time selling Windows-based PCs rather than Windows itself. It seems that Microsoft knows that selling Windows is an uphill struggle.
Another problem for Microsoft is that there’s no easy upgrade path for XP users wanting to move to Windows 7. While I usually hate doing in-place upgrades on an OS (that’s where you apply the OS over the top of the existing one and keep all your old settings and programs) because it leads to more problems than it solves, I know that there are a lot of people out there who like this method because it saves them a lot of time and effort. You can’t do this going from XP to 7. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to move your stuff (data, not apps), which is probably the safest method, but it’s a multi-step hassle that many won’t bother with.
As I see it there’s another obstacle in the way of XP users adopting 7, and that is the fact that if you peel away the Windows 7 veneer, what you end up with resembles Vista. A lot. Sure, it’s Vista SP2, and not the poor quality RTM code that Microsoft shoveled into user’s faces, but it’s still Vista. There may be fewer comparability roadblocks than there was for those who tried moving from XP to Vista, but users going from XP to Windows 7 are still going to stumble across roadblocks. XP Mode will help, but ultimately it’s a kludge. A kludge that’s only available to people who buy the most expensive versions of Windows 7.
It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft tries to win over the entrenched XP user. Microsoft may decide to throw ad dollars at the problem. Alternatively, Microsoft might stick with the current “Laptop Hunter” style ads and rely on user’s PC growing obsolete over time.
That's me, right there. My XP laptop is great but a bit old. Next year maybe a new computer, a new OS. Most probably win7 but we'll see.
Or better yet, just buy a Mac...
Dial-up customers will love it. /s
Won't buy a Mac because they won't let me choose the hardware. I would certainly consider the Mac OS if they would back off on their exclusionary licensing policy.
Trouble with XP SP3 upgrade? Yes, I found out there can be, especially on HP/Compaq machines with AMD chips.
Thanks. Since I'm dealing with a Pentium D, and not an HP, that is presumably not an issue.
Do them in sequence...I have had ZERO problems with SP3 - don’t know of any...would like to hear about them though? The problems could come from some glitch in jumping over 2 to 3...And I have heard that there can be trouble with SP 3, and that I should only upgrade to SP 2. Do you have any comment?
. . . so my takeaway is that for sure I should upgrade to SP 2, and then think. What do I expose myself to, or what functionality do I lose, by stopping at SP 2?
. . . so my takeaway is that for sure I should upgrade to SP 2, and then think. What do I expose myself to, or what functionality do I lose, by stopping at SP 2?”
Perhaps. But I doubt the veracity of problems with 3, BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE...I am not touting it...
as I said: I have had ZERO problems with SP3 - don’t know of any...would like to hear about them though?
they made 3 to address issues in 2...where did you get the “3 is a problem” idea? Is it documented somewhere?
I have a 64 bit AMD dual core, and I bought this machine with Vista, for gaming. Other stuff too, but it had to be game-able. It runs great, does everything I ask of it, including Microsoft Flight Simulator X at high settings, with smooth operation. Vista doesn't suck when you have enough hardware to run it.
I've since installed Windows 7 64bit and it's been stable, fun and fine. I laughed when I tested a dual LCD setup. I plugged in the second screen and rebooted. I went into the kitchen to reboot my coffee cup and when I returned, the monitors were completely self-set up, correctly, and quick, with NO input from me.
I put the 32 bit version of W7 on my Dell laptop, and as soon as I plugged in the LAN cable, it went online to get the drivers for my wireless card. I'd plugged it in to go online to get, yep, drivers for my wireless card.
It's easy to drag things onto the taskbar for 'quickstart' function, the file system in the start button is quite handy. I'm loving it. But the question, will I buy it when the demos run out next year? I dunno. I can always reinstall my factory Vista image for free and still have a windows gaming machine. Linux is free too. I'll have to see when the time comes.
Except that Microsoft version handles the compatibility issues, has far fewer conflicts, and does the setup with just what you want and need, without extraneous components. This does take advantage of a lot of what Linux does well, but mostly by eliminating software overhead, streamlining.
And as part of the maintenance program, new software is integrated in as needed. Plus, an individual has a downloadable/installable system backup, which separates their operational software from their data.
Microsoft, in effect, has a mirror of your setup for everything but data, which it can reinstall for your computer, a group of computers, or all the computers of a business. To a great extent this would strongly reduce many corporations IT departments to intranet support.
It’s a great idea up front, but support and consumer confusion and perception would be a nightmare on the back. People were freaking out when Microsoft castrated XP to make XP Home. They’d hear some tip and find out it didn’t work on their machines. They didn’t like that. Support has to ask you which version you’re running, and most people don’t even know that. It’s just what came with their computer.
Disk space is cheap and it doesn’t cost them a penny more to manufacture Ultimate vs. Home Basic. Just ship the whole thing like Apple does. This splitting up is for company profit, not for customer satisfaction.
Thanks. What about the major ANTISPYWARE ETC. like
WEBROOT;
SYSTEM MECH;
ETC?
Thanks for the link.
Interesting.
If you hear any more, please let me know.
In a word, NO!
Not unless they have ditched the DRM software and hardware overhead BS. I want the benefit of hardware I pay for, not to have it hijacked by the operating system.
I also don't need permission to upgrade legal hardware and software as I see fit.
If I can be convinced that these are no longer problems, I might want to try it.
BS.
No, incredibly crude BS!
The hardware overhead to constantly check on DRM violations has been well documented.
As has been the stupid permissions from Microshaft necessary to upgrade hardware.
Nice try though.
When I ditch XP I’m ditching Microsoft at the same time .
How bad is the learning curve ? I use a computer mostly for internet ; email ; burning CDs ; watching videos ...basic stuff .
haha, are you serious...system mech? web root? I dont think system mech does anything its for clueless users...webroot is alright but windows defender usta be Giant spyware its a very good product.I use free avg for antivirus, I havent tried my corp Symantec on it yet.
Win7 IS Vista SP3, period. It's trimmed down a little and runs a little better. I like it better than I liked Vista (not saying much). Runs applications good.
But if you like mucking around in the system as I do, XP is still the way to go, if you do Windows at all, that is.
I'll end up using Win7 eventually, of course...
I haven’t reinstalled SYS MECH on my new computer though I still have a current subscription. I needed it on my old machine which was built to my specs in Taipei. Wheee.
Anyway—I think I only use SPYSWEEPER and Windows Live One Care currently. Probably inadequate . . . sigh.
AVG used to give my old system fits but I forget why, if I ever knew.
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