Windows 8 Uptake Falls Behind Windows Vista Pace
Windows 8 has fallen behind Vista in terms of usage share.
Net Applications, a web measurement company, reports that the online usage share of Windows 8 through December 22 was 1.7-percent of all Windows PCs currently on the market, a small increase in usage compared to the 1.4-percent share in November. However the numbers also reveal that Microsoft's new OS is falling behind Windows Vista which saw a 2.2-percent usage share in the same two-month period after its initial release in 2007.
According to Computerworld, Net Applications generates its numbers by recording the specific operating system and version used by the desktops and laptops of consumers who visit approximately 40,000 of its clients' web sites. There are also nine days of Windows 8 data still left in December, including Christmas, that hasn't been released by Net Applications, so the actual usage share could actually rise or fall by January 1.
As the site points out, in order to catch up to Windows Vista's 2007 two-month total, the online usage share of Windows will need to jump up to 4-percent in the last week of December to at least be on par with Vista. So far Windows 8 doesn't look to be on track, earning a 1.6-percent share in the week ending December 15, and a 1.7-percent share in the week ending December 22. The usage share is obviously gaining, but not quick enough to keep up with Vista.
But even if Windows 8 were to catch up with Vista by December 31, the report claims that the new OS will have a hard time keeping pace. By the end of Vista's third month on the market, it managed a 3.3-percent share of all Windows-based machines. In order to equal that, Windows 8 will need to double its current share by the end of January 2013.
When compared to Windows 7, the latest OS is even more sluggish. By the end of its second month, Windows 7 accounted for 6.2-percent of all Windows machines – that's nearly four times that of Windows 8 as of December 22. By the end of its third month, Windows 7 had an 8.2-percent share of all Windows machines.
The data offered by Net Applications seemingly backs up previous reports that Windows 8 isn't making the same initial impact in sales as seen with Windows XP and Windows 7. Back in late November, the NPD Group claimed that during the four weeks surrounding Windows 8's October 26 debut, 21-percent fewer PCs were sold to U.S. consumers than during the same period in 2011. Even more, sales of Windows machines from late October through the first week of December were down 13-percent compared to the same retail window last year.
Windows 8's sluggish attraction is undoubtedly related to its new Modern UI interface. Both the consumer and enterprise sectors have expressed a desire to postpone upgrading from even the older Windows XP platform, possibly believing that the new interface has completely taken over, making customers reluctant to change. On the contrary, Microsoft's Modern UI is merely an overlay that ties together the desktop, laptop, touch-focused tablets, Windows Phone 8 platform and gaming consoles. Underneath the modern exterior is mostly the same desktop consumers have grown to love over the years, hindered by the lack of a Start menu.
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To read the full report from Net Applications, head here.
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wiyosaya Windows 8's sluggish attraction is undoubtedly related to its new Modern UI interface. Both the consumer and enterprise sectors have expressed a desire to postpone upgrading from even the older Windows XP platform, possibly believing that the new interface has completely taken over, making customers reluctant to change. On the contrary, Microsoft's Modern UI is merely an overlay that ties together the desktop, laptop, touch-focused tablets, Windows Phone 8 platform and gaming consoles. Underneath the modern exterior is mostly the same desktop consumers have grown to love over the years, hindered by the lack of a Start menu.
:sarcastic:
Tech guys can love the UI all they want; however, that does not quell the main, as I see it, business aspect of yet another upgrade which is, namely, cost.
Where have you guys been? Most businesses have just upgraded to Windows 7 at considerable cost, yet somehow, 8 loving tech writers fail to realize this. Why they fail to realize this baffles me.
The business world, IMHO, is not likely to upgrade to 8 because the cost does not justify the "improvements" that have appeared in 8. IMHO, it is much more likely that the business world will wait until Windows 9 or 10 for their next upgrade, and without the business world buying in, any version of Windows will not succeed.
Sorry to say this, but the business world is not driven by the same got to have the latest greatest toy urge that 8 loving tech writers seem to be. Wake up to reality, guys. No matter how much you guys love this OS, it will not be a big hit mainly because it is too costly for the business world to upgrade after just having upgraded to 7. -
CrArC I called it at the very beginning: businesses would run from Windows 8 as the cost of retraining is far, far too high. Consumer uptake is not exactly surprising either but I have a feeling that also has quite a bit to do with the general home computer market, which is sluggish anyway.Reply
My personal experience of Win 8 so far is that it's quite irritating on a laptop. I'd describe it as a claustrophobic sensation of being strangled or restrained by the new interface and the way it interacts with the traditional desktop environment. It almost feels as if I have to make excessive use of the mousepad as well, which of course isn't brilliant as mousepads are crappy human interface devices.
What surprises me most is of how little use the new interface seems to be. It doesn't appear to... well, to 'do' anything. I can't configure my entire system through it (try changing the mouse acceleration/scroll speed via Metro... go on). I can't explore files and folders through it - at least, I've not seen a file browser in there so far. I have to search for things if it isn't clear they are immediately navigable (at least search works well). It seems it's only useful as a pretty window from which to launch the occasional app.
Bizarre. It's just really bizarre. At least the novelty is entertaining. -
wannabepro Not surprised.Reply
You'd think M$ would know what their customers want instead of shoving something stupid down their throats. -
CrArC wiyosayaTech guys can love the UI all they want; however, that does not quell the main, as I see it, business aspect of yet another upgrade which is, namely, cost.Where have you guys been? Most businesses have just upgraded to Windows 7 at considerable cost, yet somehow, 8 loving tech writers fail to realize this. Why they fail to realize this baffles me.The business world, IMHO, is not likely to upgrade to 8 because the cost does not justify the "improvements" that have appeared in 8. IMHO, it is much more likely that the business world will wait until Windows 9 or 10 for their next upgrade, and without the business world buying in, any version of Windows will not succeed.Sorry to say this, but the business world is not driven by the same got to have the latest greatest toy urge that 8 loving tech writers seem to be. Wake up to reality, guys. No matter how much you guys love this OS, it will not be a big hit mainly because it is too costly for the business world to upgrade after just having upgraded to 7. Exactly. Windows 7 and even Windows Vista was, at least, very similar to XP (imagine how crazy that sentence sounded back when 7 came out). Comparatively little to learn when it comes to basic operation. Businesses would avoid it because of factors involving app/environment compatibility, the need for system upgrades, as well as the new OS not being of much benefit overall compared to the already functional systems.Reply
Now, though... now there's this whole new UI which gets in the way. It does not simply sit on top of the old desktop. It's intrusive and has been built to be a core part of the Win 8 experience. Now, as well as the concerns businesses had with Vista/7, they must contend with users, even competent users, not having a clue how their own computers operate.
If you're an IT department trying to support a business of hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of computers, are you really going to take on that challenge? The cost would be enormous. Productivity down. Training. Resolving all the inevitable issues people will have. Even ignoring the money, the raw impracticality of it just can't be justified.
We're still on XP over here. We will be dragging the company kicking and screaming towards Win 7 this year, but forget Win 8. -
alidan DjEaZy... it's a crap OS... period!!!no, at its core, its a great os...Reply
the problem is forcing people to use metro
and complete removal of the start menu, and than making damn sure you cant put it back in through registry edits.
yea, i know 3rd party programs can fix that crap, but i shouldn't have to pay more money to fix what shouldn't have been removed.
i may look into 8 after service pack one, when they will without a doubt add an option for the start menu and no metro. -
CrArC wannabeproNot surprised. You'd think M$ would know what their customers want instead of shoving something stupid down their throats.Seriously. It blows my mind that not one person in MS in a position of power sat down and thought "hang on, won't a massive fundamental change to the operating principles of Windows cause issues for consumers and businesses alike?".Reply
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nikorr W8 is pushed on customers, I don't like that.Reply
MS
I am surprised it sells even that much. -
Fact: Windows 8 has overtaken Linux already. I don't see everyone calling Linux a failure, even though it clearly is! Metro is here to stay, deal with it, you will see more of it in Windows 9 or whatever comes next. Hopefully the desktop is finally abolished outright by then, and note the creator of Metro has been promoted in Microsoft. God Bless Windows 8, a real operating system for all true patriots!Reply