Most of you know that when Apple comes out with a new update to its operating system, users can update their Apple computers cheaply — whereas (until Windows 8) Windows users paid $100+ to upgrade their operating system every few years. Apparently Microsoft is seeing benefits to Apple’s approach and are working on a platform called Windows Blue, which will be available at a low cost (similar to Windows 8 intro price of $39.99) or free.
Moreover, yearly updates to the Windows platform may be the norm soon, or so The Verge reports. We think it’s about time. Consumers will get a better price on new Windows versions thus I assume more consumers will be upgrading Windows rather than sitting on old versions which, over time, tend to become more vulnerable, more prone to attack and therefore less safe.
Also, rumors abound that Windows Blue will bring back the traditional Windows start button – the lack of which has many Windows 8 users fuming – or at least wistful. Right now there are a few good apps that can bring back the start button on Windows 8 — some free and some not.
What do you think about the Windows Blue idea? Do you think it’s about time that Windows users get upgraded operating systems more often and for a much more reasonable price?
When you think about it? What if Microsoft were to charge $30 or $40 for each yearly upgrade for Windows Blue? Microsoft make as much money on Windows as they do now — since a new Windows OS comes out only about every three to four years. By my math, 3 x $40 = $120 and 4 x $40 = $160. If customers currently buy a new Windows version every 3 or 4 years for $100 — then Microsoft is going to make even more money with Windows Blue. But I can only assume that users will not be forced to update to a newer version of Windows “Blue” each time a newer version is offered. So a yearly update may well turn out to be, for most consumers, an update they’ll install only ever couple of years. Additionally, I assume, that like all previous versions of Windows, Microsoft will provide support for a particular release of Windows Blue for a reasonable amount of time.
Right now it’s all speculation, but it’s something to think about. Apple has been successful with a similar approach.
So what do you think? Are new versions of an operating system every year a bit too much? Time will tell.
Tell us what you think about the Windows Blue idea? Should Microsoft take this decidedly Apple tack?
I think I use it till it is ready to drop . I like getting my monies worth and to upgrade every year would be nothing short of a hassle . every two years would not be bad at $30 or $40 but every year no way .
I have no objection to upgrading every year or two, providing I would be upgrading to a better OS. If Windows Blue intends picking the eyes out of previous systems of Windows and presenting us with something akin to XP, it’s a great idea. For me, upgrading isn’t a problem, but getting something worse for my money is.
Great to see someone I actually “Know” replying on the Internet. I do agree with you even though my updating depends on my own then current bank balance.
Totally agree with Barb. Don’t mind updating every year or so, but not when I get garbage instead of an efficient OS as XP and a mail program that is totally confusing to most. I realize techs need to keep their jobs, but not just to continually change, change, change a GOOD thing.
I agree with Sue!
Have to agree with these posts, would need to be something inside the update to make it much better than the previous version, maybe updating every 2 years and this will give the techs a chance to develop and trial new stuff
I think that Microsoft is touched. They should have stayed with XP and made improvements. It was the best operating system that they have come up with yet!
Ihave vista which took me fotever to tweak, now it works beautifully.then came 7 with no mail program and other missing peices now 8 with outstart button. you have tostart building old windows parts into it to make it work.then browsers with no menu bar.where are the gains ?. none except for microsofts bank acc. they say its easier to use . thats true they are only half there. ( ha ha) on us users.
Well I know what I’m going to do when My Windows 7 based PC gives up the ghost, and that’s cross the floor to Apple. I’ve had it with Microsoft dictating to and not listening to us.