Microsoft planning to charge monthly for Windows OS?? Say What??

[JM Aggie08]

Time to fire up Fedora :thumbsup:

 

[mrjminer]

Work just provided me a Dell tablet. It has a Core i5, 8gb RAM, docking station to connect two monitors, and a keyboard to turn it into a laptop. So this has replaced my work desktop.

So while it won't be used for CAD or gaming it is an adequate desktop replacement. Although currently it is twice as expensive as a desktop.

But you are right about the subscription model. Look at Photoshop. Even the older versions do everything that most people need out of the software. Users just weren't upgrading so Adobe went to the monthly subscription plan.

Hm... I'm sitting on a 4300y, 8gb, 256gb venue 11 in the outlet for like $600. Decisions, decisions.

 

[destrekor]

I don't see it going subscription at home, anytime soon.

For the enterprise world, they may very well offer a full subscription cloud service to provide all the standard Server services, and in addition, license per user the OS that will go on their desktops, NUCs, tablets, etc. That would probably try to own the full enterprise business for any particular customer - and in some ways try to out-compete XenDesktop and similar competition.

It could also work well with a true on-premises server and still license out the OS by user, which they could have something in mind to help businesses unify an employee's hardware, to possibly include personal devices and home laptops/desktops.

On the consumer end of the market, Windows NEEDS to become very cheap, so they can get away with a more rapid pace upgrade cycle, with fewer major changes, especially perhaps some releases without any kernel changes. $30 for an upgrade license perhaps every year or every other year? Considering they don't often get users to upgrade their existing hardware all that often, if ever for many consumers, I also don't expect they'd really lose much at all. There's a potential to even make more by charging less - if they can consistently get more users to upgrade their existing hardware, instead of waiting 5+ years and buying a new laptop or desktop to replace their previous device. Then they just have what version came with the computer, and they leave that as is until the next upgrade.
Users will still replace hardware like that, but if you marketed the Windows upgrades more, made them cheap, and introduced new features that consumers want, people will buy.

I don't expect to see much, if any, subscription services pushed to the consumer. I think Office will remain the only subscription software on that front; the enterprise market, however, will see more subscription offerings, without doubt.

 

[ultimatebob]

Well if this happens I will just switch all my family computes to a linux based OS. I think Microsoft will see a major revolt from it's consumers.

Everyone threatens this (especially after the Windows 8 Start screen debacle), but nobody actually seems to DO it.

Maybe it would happen quicker if Linux finally made user friendly administration tools that didn't require you to drop the command line to fix things.

 

[sourceninja]

I'd think microsoft would stop selling exchange, lync, and office on prem before they start doing Operating systems as a service.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I really can't see them making a movie like Avatar or Frozen on a tablet any time soon.

 

[Fritzo]

tablets are great. They are NOT going to replace desktop needs for a far time off.



as for MS going to a monthly charge? for home users? not going to fly. i see a more hacked torrents of windows happening and other brands of OS's gaining users. BUT i do think within 15 years nearly all software (perhaps not all games) will be monthly fee based

Tablets may actually replace laptops/desktops. Their limit right now is the interface, but I see tablets being plugged into docking stations for large monitor/keyboard/mouse use as a workstation.

 

[Zee]

it will never fly. people just wont upgrade.

 

[KeithTalent]

I thought this has been rumoured for ages now. Would not surprise me since that seems to be the way these things are going. Fortunately there will always be alternatives, even though I find Linux a bit frightening.

KT

 

[KeithTalent]

I thought this has been rumoured for ages now. Would not surprise me since that seems to be the way these things are going. Fortunately there will always be alternatives, even though I find Linux a bit frightening.

KT

 

[waggy]

Tablets may actually replace laptops/desktops. Their limit right now is the interface, but I see tablets being plugged into docking stations for large monitor/keyboard/mouse use as a workstation.

I don't see it anytime soon. Dedicated desktop computers for a long while (well i do think maybe 10 or so years) are still going to be faster and more useful then tablets.

I have a tablet and love it. i take it with me when i take my daughter to practice. its great.

but it's not as powerful or useful as my computer at home.

Everyone threatens this (especially after the Windows 8 Start screen debacle), but nobody actually seems to DO it.

Maybe it would happen quicker if Linux finally made user friendly administration tools that didn't require you to drop the command line to fix things.

I know a lot of people that usually upgrade OS's when they are out. Very few have upgraded to 8. most are sticking with 7 and plan on keeping it for a while.

 

[cubby1223]

Ok, am I reading this right in this article? Someone tell me this isn't seriously going to happen.

Sorry, no, you are not reading your article "right".

 

[GTaudiophile]

Next step is virtualization of your desktop/workspace. Platform independent online access to everything you are used to seeing/working with.

You could have three different devices in your house...a desktop computer, a macbook, and an android tablet. You could work mainly on the desktop and do your heavy productivity there, then using apps/web interface essentially access all of that from a familiar desktop/tiled front end on the other devices and access all of your content just like you would if you were sitting in front of the desktop. Cloud storage is the infrastructure and idealology of piping all your stuff to the web. Next logical step is removing the barrier of hardware/platform for your desktop. They are giving you the storage for free right now. That's the hook. They'll set the hook and reel you in on fees once they go to phase two.

Think remote desktop/terminal services, but only much more robust. You'd log into a website or launch an app and then your normal home computer desktop would be available to you anywhere. You wouldn't be connecting directly to your home computer. All of your settings and "stuff" would be replicated and dished back to you from the web.

That living license and hosting is what will be the future revenue stream.

All the more attractive to the NSA to make your data all that more accessible? And just where are you going to store your pr0n folder now?

NSA: Dear Mr. Doe, after reviewing your MS CloudOne account, we see that you like videos of gang bangs and group sex. And after reviewing your phone GPS and credit card history, we see that you visited Club Bang at least once a month for the past twelve months. We feel it is our civic duty, now that you have decided to run for Congress, to leak information to the press concerning your swinger practices. If you feel our actions may harm your desire to become an elected official, then you may simply swear an oath to the NSA confirming your allegiance, support, and continued protection of our practices. Good luck at the polls and God bless America!

 

[_Rick_]

Well, I suppose a way to make a subscription model work, would be to offer a base version of Windows for free, then offer subscription plans for certain features.
Want a fancier, more practical UI? Pay up.
Want support for games? That'll be tree fiddy.
Need RAID support? You guessed it.
Built-in backup functionality? Yup.
Essentially anything beyond using a web browser could be made into a subscription option.
Alternatively, offer a feature market, where you can buy individual features, much like you buy apps now. That could actually work out pretty well, if they find the pricing sweet spot.
In general, a "Windows Market" needs to happen, and Publishers need to get on board.
MS should buy Valve (YES, I JUST WROTE THAT!) and use the steam experience to flog every bit of commercial and free software that's available, with the advantage that binaries need to pass QA testing at MS.
Sure, you will want to run your own code, or testing code occasionally, which may not be on such a platform, but being able to buy, manage licenses and updates through a single portal, is something that really needs to be driven forward.

And if I see one more fucking game on steam that uses it's own built-in launcher and updater, I'm going to scream.

 

[Mai72]

I subscribed to Microsoft Office 365. The price is only $7 per month and it's worth it to me. I use Office quite a bit and the difference between Windows Office and Openoffice is substantial.

I was using Openoffice for quite a long time and got tired using it.

*I don't know if I would pay a monthly fee to use Microsoft's new operating system.

 

[JMapleton]

I'm riding this Windows 7 until the wheels fall off. Even bought a spare copy.

 

[Genx87]

I don't see it anytime soon. Dedicated desktop computers for a long while (well i do think maybe 10 or so years) are still going to be faster and more useful then tablets.

I have a tablet and love it. i take it with me when i take my daughter to practice. its great.

but it's not as powerful or useful as my computer at home.



I know a lot of people that usually upgrade OS's when they are out. Very few have upgraded to 8. most are sticking with 7 and plan on keeping it for a while.

Seriously, take a look at the Dell Venue 11. i5, 4-8GB ram, SSD, attachable keyboard, dock that allows for dual monitors. This capability is available right now. Hell I am typing on one right now that is hooked up to 2x2407WFP monitors. For a business line computer this is no different than my ultra small form optiplex 790 with an i3, 8GB ram, and 256GB SSD. Except I can actually take this wherever I go.

 

[mrrman]

I guess the torrent sites will be busy then

 

[JMapleton]

I guess the torrent sites will be busy then

If it's subscription based, an internet connection to download updates and verify subscription will likely be required to maintain it. No way they'll let people pirate copies.

 

[mmntech]

Tim Cook would blow his load like Rand Marsh if this happened.

With the subscription model, you're always going to get the new updates as soon as they come out. However, you'll probably end up paying more in the long run. Businesses will just keep using old versions of Windows if that happened, or switch to Mac or Linux. Not to mention how unreliable cloud based services are. Adobe, I'm looking at you.

 

[SP33Demon]

I hate Apple. I'll end up owning my first Apple .... or doing Linux.

I'd rather pay $300 than $10/month. I'm so fed up with all this microtransaction shit that I'm ready to throw all my electronics out a window.

Yep, totally agree with this. Hate the microtransaction BS.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Tim Cook would blow his load like Rand Marsh if this happened.

With the subscription model, you're always going to get the new updates as soon as they come out. However, you'll probably end up paying more in the long run. Businesses will just keep using old versions of Windows if that happened, or switch to Mac or Linux. Not to mention how unreliable cloud based services are. Adobe, I'm looking at you.

You do know that many companies are migrating to Office 365, right?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

saas is where it's at nowadays. all about that recurring income.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_as_a_service

this guy thinks it's going to be huge in asia.
http://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/05/26/theres-perfect-storm-brewing-saas-startups-asia/

 

[Genx87]

Tim Cook would blow his load like Rand Marsh if this happened.

With the subscription model, you're always going to get the new updates as soon as they come out. However, you'll probably end up paying more in the long run. Businesses will just keep using old versions of Windows if that happened, or switch to Mac or Linux. Not to mention how unreliable cloud based services are. Adobe, I'm looking at you.

It depends on how virtualized microsoft can make the applications. If there is a hypervisor in between the application and OS. That will cut out the incompatibility issues. I think more business would sign up for a subscription to ensure up to date operating systems. Most of the time the reason why business stays on old operating systems isn't the cost of upgrading or rolling it out. It is there are applications they use that are incompatible with the new OS.

 

[waggy]

If it's subscription based, an internet connection to download updates and verify subscription will likely be required to maintain it. No way they'll let people pirate copies.

there will be a way around it. there already is for windows OS's to get updates and verify it.

I would never count out the ability of hackers.