Samsung Exec Blames Windows 8 for Declining PC Market
Samsung says the PC industry will be phased out with the help of disappointing Windows 8 sales.
On Friday Jun Dong-soo, president of Samsung’s memory chip division, told reporters at the COEX InterContinental Hotel in Seoul that Windows 8 has failed to bolster demand for PCs, and that the industry will likely not rebound any time soon. Even more, he said that Microsoft's new Windows overhaul is really no better than Windows Vista based on current market performance.
"The global PC industry is steadily shrinking despite the launch of Windows 8," he told reporters. "I think the Windows 8 system is no better than the previous Windows Vista platform."
He goes even further to say that there will be no expected boost to PC sales thanks to Windows 8's failure, and that the PC industry itself will gradually be phased out. Naturally, this comment stems from a company that seemingly makes the bulk of its revenue from Android-laced smartphones and tablets. Still, the comments hurt.
''Microsoft’s rollout of its Windows Surface tablet is seeing lackluster demand," he said. "Meanwhile, previous vigorous pitches by Intel and Microsoft for thinner Ultrabooks simply failed and I believe that’s mostly because of the less-competitive Windows platform."
Double ouch. He then goes on to question why the prices of conventional memory chips are rising even though the PC market itself is declining. Currently U.S.-based Micron is the #1 supplier with a 51-percent share of the global market, followed by SK Hynix (31-percent) and Samsung (15-percent). He claimed that Samsung does not manipulate the chip prices, that the current situation is "surely unhealthy."
Jun's comments arrive after the International Data Corporation (IDC) said that PC shipments in 2013 are expected to decline 1.3-percent in 2013. The forecast is based on poor holiday sales, an "underwhelming" reception to Microsoft's new Windows 8 platform, and a continuing economic "malaise" that further crimped IT budgets in the second half of 2012.
"Although the PC industry had banked on Windows 8 and a more varied and less expensive offering of ultrathin notebooks to revive demand, efforts thus far have been disappointing," the firm said.
A lack of touchscreen components has contributed to a limited supply of touch-enabled Windows 8 models which in turn has hindered sales of the touch-based platform. Those that are on the market appear relatively expensive compared to other options.
"Its not that bad."
"I can tolerate it."
"Just install Start8 and it is fine."
"I just like having the latest."
"I had to get it, that's all they offered. I don't mind it."
That is not enthusiasm, its pathetic. And yes, it really isn't bad. It is a fine OS. It just isn't exciting or innovative.
"Its not that bad."
"I can tolerate it."
"Just install Start8 and it is fine."
"I just like having the latest."
"I had to get it, that's all they offered. I don't mind it."
That is not enthusiasm, its pathetic. And yes, it really isn't bad. It is a fine OS. It just isn't exciting or innovative.
Win8 is not a bad OS, but the stakes were just raised too high by Win7.
Sorry.
Had to say it.
Outside of Windows 8 packing the single highest amount of suck since Windows ME, there are other things to take into consideration before laying all the fail on the OS.
1. Tablets and phones are sucking the desktop/ laptop market dry.
2. Driver support isn't there where Win8 performance hasn't been as good in games as Win7.
3. Win8 really is a touchscreen interface, without a touchscreen it isn't what I'd call usable because it doesn't flow as easy with a mouse and keyboard.
4. Big companies are going to hold on to Win7 and even Vista kicking and screaming before they sink a dime into training employees and IT people a radical new interface that many users find confusing.
5. Win8 maintenance is confusing unless you've been TRAINED for Win8. You can't just go to the control panel anymore, you have to know the secret of the charms bar because the control panel functionality has been nerfed down to the equivalent of right click in an empty space on the desktop.
Sure, there were GRADUAL CHANGES from one version of windows to the next, it allowed all of us to adapt to the next version with relative ease. Problem is when Linux looks more like Windows than Windows does, well, MS screwed the pooch.
** I had their small 11" laptop with an i3 CPU, first one died 3 hours after purchasing it. The replacement started melting the case around the cpu.... (this was suppose to compete against the mac book air)....
From a smartphone prospective, they suck even more, starting today, I am on my fourth replacement model of the Note.....
It's time for Samsung to shut up and start producing products that are high quality.