Windows 8.1 overtakes Mac OS X 10.9 among desktop OS users

C/NET ^ | 12/02/2013 | by Lance Whitney

[SeekAndFind]

Windows 8.1 is now the fifth most popular desktop OS, at least as recorded by Web tracker Net Applications.

For November, Microsoft's latest version of Windows snagged 2.64 percent of all desktop OS traffic recorded by Net Applications. That number was a healthy gain from the 1.72 percent seen in October and the 0.87 percent in September.

The rise also pushed Windows 8.1 just ahead of Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks with a 2.42 percent share and just behind Windows Vista with a 3.57 percent share.

Windows 8.1 popped up in June as a preview edition before officially launching in October. The upgrade is free to Windows 8 users and offers several improvements over its predecessor.

Windows 8 continued to shed its share of traffic in November as more users upgraded to its successor. But combined, Windows 8 and 8.1 took home a 9.3 percent share, easily outscoring Vista but still playing a distant third to Windows 7 with 46.6 percent and Windows XP with 31.2 percent.

XP has gradually lost ground since giving up its dominance to Windows 7 in August 2012. But the 12-year-old XP continues to hang on among users and businesses. Time is running out, though. Microsoft is set to cut off support for XP in early April.

[EagleUSA]

If these numbers are true, it is only because Win 8.1 is being forced upon users via new computer purchases — computers already loaded with 8.1 and set up for UEFI boot.

If users had a choice, the majority would choose Win 7. Win 8.1 is not well liked by the majority. And MS knows it.

[Nifster]

That’s because Apple users are all using their iPad or their iPad Air and don’t use a desk top computer anymore….how last century

[Paladin2]

Yet XP continues to Rock On.

[MarineBrat]

Windows 8.x is the suckiest OS going. It’s like having to use a telephone OS on a desktop computer. Until they bring back the start button (the real one) I will recommend Windows 7 or Windows 8 with the free Classic Shell add-on.

[Dead Corpse]

Most Apple users are reduced to checking email and playing Candy Crush.

Everything actually useful is done on almost anything else.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

For all OSX fans, 10.9 dual screen still works like an afterthought.

Windows is far far ahead.

[plain talk]

“That’s because Apple users are all using their iPad or their iPad Air and don’t use a desk top computer anymore….how last century”

I doubt it. Real keyboards are still generally being used for any work requiring a lot of typing. Of course Windows Surface offers that on their tablet.

[mmichaels1970]

Until they bring back the start button (the real one) I will recommend Windows 7

Isn't that one of the things the .1 revision did?

[NewHampshireDuo]

Most of my PCs were purchased as refurbs, loaded with XP Pro. We have 3 Windows 7 machines. I also have a couple of really old laptops with Win95 and 98 for some really old software and stuff that only runs on DOS. The balance are XP.

I presume that dropping support for XP simply means that updates and the like will no longer be offered. So be it. I have a number of apps that won’t run on 7, not to mention 8.

My general strategy is to not purchase any more proprietary software including operating systems. Most of everything I need is available as open source software and will run on Linux. Most of the balance will run on Linux under Wine. I think that there’s only one program that I use regularly that absolutely requires XP or 7 and fortunately that software only has to run on the newest PC with 7 Pro.

Bottom line, I don’t ever intend to purchase another MS product.

[Nifster]

both the iPad and the air have real key boards you can use.

This story is straight out about DESK TOPS… and by the by the Mac book pro is used by lots of folks.

Microsoft is still looking for a way to make windows palatable

[WVKayaker]

Most Apple users are reduced to checking email and playing Candy Crush.

Everything actually useful is done on almost anything else.

Hahahahahaaa! I guess it's good to be so ignorant. Of course, it's really just envy!

Bought my first Macintosh in 1984. Used it to design houses, which I built and kept track of all the details, with a free Apple-provided spreadsheet.

Used MacWrite (also FREE) to write the contracts, prepare advertising, and write anything I wanted. My three year old daughter learned how to use the computer and learned alphabet, numbers, and typing skills.

The was no Word. Wordperfect was a third party for the DOS crowd. I never had to learn C> codes, as I used a mouse and easy-to-learn keyboard shortcuts.

Have owned Mac Computers ever since. They work.

I do play games on my Mac, but the number one most-used Windoze program is Solitaire! I now use my MacBook Pro, my iPad, and my iPhone for business and pleasure. I am now retired, but am President of a Private Foundation (NGO) operating in the Philippines with various projects, also set up a Pizza business for something to keep me and my fiance' busy making money. The various softwares are mostly Apple products which work. They just work!

[Billthedrill]

Got a new lappy with Win8 preloaded. OMG. What were they thinking? Did the 8.1 upgrade just as fast as I could jack in, and it's much, much better. I still would have to have my Win7 work machine pried from my cold, dead fingers.

It's all about the UI. On the upside, having active areas and (heaven help us) the "Charms Bar" invisible in order to economize on screen real estate is fine if you know where they are, but you forfeit the ability to look at the screen and see something that looks like it might do what you want. If you're running multiple 27-inch monitors at full rez, you can afford the pixels, believe me. Not so much with tablets and cell phones.

But guess what? Just because all the marketeers are squealing that tablets and cell phones are the new computing paradigm doesn't make it so. In fact, the market, especially the business and professional market, is rather conservative when it comes to user interfaces. Training time and learning curves cost money and productivity. They also really tick people off when they're mandated by Momma Micro$oft (or Auntie Apple or anyone else, for that matter) who knows what's best for you, you technology illiterate.

8.1's OK, but just that. Linux on the same machine screams. And you get to choose your own UI. Micro$oft isn't going to keep me.

[VanDeKoik]

“If these numbers are true, it is only because Win 8.1 is being forced upon users via new computer purchases — computers already loaded with 8.1 and set up for UEFI boot.

If users had a choice, the majority would choose Win 7. Win 8.1 is not well liked by the majority. And MS knows it.”

*****

Yeah, that’s what it is.

Everyone is a retard, and are being forced. Just like they were forced to use windows 7 when it came out.

Oh why wont these people do what I say!!!!!??????!!!! I dont want the to use Windows 8!!!!! Whaaaaaaaa!!!!

Microsoft is the only thing to make conservative parrot the mindless logic we typically see from the left.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Reduced to? WTF are you on? You are an old sycophant hack to say such stupid remarks about an operating system. That is sooooo 1988 of you.

[erod]

Most Apple users are reduced to checking email and playing Candy Crush.
Everything actually useful is done on almost anything else

I respectfully disagree, I use Macs in my profession because it works best for Adobe, doesn't get viruses, has a great OS and has never needed any major repairs. It's apples vs oranges imo, but I love my Mac because it helps me be productive.

[Red in Blue PA]

I just got a new desktop and a new laptop, both with 8.1.

[HamiltonJay]

Agreed, had planned to upgrade my PC until I found I couldn’t get a Win 7... so now I’ll just save up my money and go with a macbook pro.... rather have linux on my desktop anyway.

[Red in Blue PA]

Forgot to add, there will be a lot of people upgrading to 8.1 as support for XP ends in 4/2014.

[VanDeKoik]

"Reduced to? WTF are you on? You are an old sycophant hack to say such stupid remarks about an operating system. That is sooooo 1988 of you."

You mean like the constant bashing of Windows by Linux and Apple users?