Windows 9 Expected To Push Consumers Off Windows XP

Windows 9 is probably one of the most talked about topics as of late. So far we've heard two release windows for the rumored platform: Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. The latter date has lingered around for a bit, while the Fall release window suggests that Microsoft may be itching to move away from Windows 8.

Regardless, even Dell is talking about Windows 9, indicating that the unannounced platform, which may be revealed in April during the BUILD conference, will likely convince Windows XP customers into upgrading to the latest Microsoft release. The "cool factor" of the Modern UI will eventually win everyone over.

Is Windows 8 really that horrible? Definitely not. The problem Microsoft has had in the past is that the platform is too different from the norm. Walk into an electronics store, and the average desktop consumer sees touchy tiles on every screen. There's a desktop underneath all that flashy content, but the average buyer may not realize that, and instead seek out a solution with Windows 7 still installed.

Windows 8.1, launched in October 2013, definitely made the platform feel more like a single unit than the previous Desktop/Modern UI double-feature. Windows 8.1 GDR1, scheduled to launch in April, will supposedly help merge the two together. Windows 9? Even more.

As previously reported, the problem with Windows XP for many may not be with fighting off a Windows 8 upgrade, but replacing legacy software that doesn't play nice with the likes of Windows 7. For businesses that could be a big expense.

Still, Dell believes that Windows 8.1 and Windows 9 should pull businesses and consumers away from the dying, cobwebbed platform. "When Windows 9 comes out, we're also seeing a lot more interest around developing the transition strategy for their OS," explains end user computing marketing chief Margaret Franco.

"There is a pressure point in order to start accelerating OS migration because in April, that's when the support for XP ends. We're seeing much more interest around OS planning and strategy planning, such as finding out what the benefits of touch are," Franco added.

In a recent report from the IDC, Lenovo was the worldwide leader in the fourth quarter, owning 18.6 percent of the PC market. Hewlett Packard came in second with a 16.8 percent market share, down 8.5 percent from the same quarter in 2012. Dell ranked as third with a 12.2 percent market share, Acer in fourth with 6.7 percent and Asus with 6.1 percent.

Here in the United States, Hewlett Packard was in the lead with 24.6 percent of the local market share, down 12.3 percent from the same quarter in 2012. Dell came in second with 21.7 percent, and saw a 6.6 percent growth year over year.

  • juan83
    i am the first in write rubbish!! what windows 9? what for? people still is using XP and seven.. okey more to complain about...
    Reply
  • aldolo
    make it driver-compatible with xp and add an "install over xp" procedure.
    Reply
  • memadmax
    They will have to pry XP from my cold, dead, hands...And they will have to do the same with 7 too...Better have a sturdy crow bar handy... None of that chinese crap either...
    Reply
  • memadmax
    We can also throw in 2000 for my older machines too. The ones with proprietary hardware that microsoft seems to never want to give even second hand support....>_>
    Reply
  • Steven Schaeffer
    "Is Windows 8 really that horrible? Definitely not."

    I agree Windows 8 isn't horrible. It functions on the PCs with which it ships, making it better than ME or Vista. It is relatively secure, making it better than Pre-SP1 98 or post-April XP. It just has one minor issue that belies all positives: No one likes it! The charms, the tiles, the hot corners--these are all functions that lowers usability and enjoyment. Considering that an OS only serves to operate the PC to its intended purpose, not be the machine's usage itself, failure to provide ease and enjoyment of interactivity is crippling.

    Hopefully Windows 9 resolves this, I do not want to be stuck with 7 forever and ever.
    Reply
  • megiv
    MS just needs to understand that Desktop UI cannot be like Smartphone UI.Bring back the start MENU and get rid of the start SCREEN. Desktops got a big screen, they don't need a dedicated screen for start menu...
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    12806350 said:
    make it driver-compatible with xp and add an "install over xp" procedure.
    Humm, no.

    Last I heard, Win9 will be 64bits-only so if your hardware does not have 64bits drivers, it is as good as dead and buried for Win9 - you can still run 32bits programs with WoW32 but not kernel-space drivers. Also, Microsoft changed a bunch of things in their driver model between XP and Win7 to improve things such as security, reliability, performance and DRM so going back is not really an option.

    If your hardware is too old to have 64bits Win7 drivers, it most likely won't be able to handle Win9 too well even if it could run it.
    Reply
  • billgatez
    Unless Win 9 includes an option for a classic desktop and is able to run on older hardware. people will stick with XP or move to Linux.Dell and others are just talking up Windows to keep MS happy.
    Reply
  • jacobian
    What? The "cool factor" of the Modern UI will eventually win everyone over? Is this some kind of joke? For one and a half years the majority of users, and specially enterprise users, kept telling Microsoft: get rid of Modern UI, or at least give as a Classic Desktop mode so we NEVER see any trace of the tablet UI on a desktop. Instead of addressing the root problem, Dell hopes that the "cool factor" will win customers over. Is Michael Dell being delusional?
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    Windows 9 Expected To Push Consumers Off Windows 7
    Fixed. Windows XP users might just migrate to Windows 7.
    Reply