Microsoft To Increase Vista Sales By Eliminating Competition
Despite an outcry from users who still prefer Windows XP over Vista, Microsoft announced that, as of today, it will no longer sell XP. Rather than allow customers the choice to simply buy and install XP, Microsoft’s strategy is to force them to buy and install Vista before being allowed to “legally downgrade” to XP.
I’ve written before about the sub-market that formed after Vista’s release where some computer stores were doing a brisk business uninstalling Vista and installing XP in its place. In addition, many Windows users decided to upgrade from older versions of Windows to XP instead of Vista.
It would appear that Microsoft’s marketing strategy to improve Vista sales is to “innovate” its foolish customers away from XP and to Vista “for their own good” until Windows 7 can be brought to market sometime in 2009. Of course, if we’ve learned anything from history, it’s that Microsoft never delivers on schedule.
So if you’re one of the folks unhappy with Vista, you might want to grab a copy of XP while they’re still readily available. Or better yet… (Nope, I won’t even say it.)
Doug
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Reader Comments (14)
That is so typically MS strategy. Nevermind what the marketplace wants, nevermind that the newer product still isn't ready for 'release', just force the marketplace to comply. Resistance is futile! Comply!
All MS needs to do is create smart, intuitive software and they wouldn't need to harpoon their own customers. (Heavy sigh)
I guess that means the support for XP will be pulled whenever Windows 7 hits the market. I guess we can only dream that 7 will be ready for market as scheduled :(
I use Vista with little problem. Of course, I am not a 'power' user so I can't speak to the problems others may be having.
We are a UNix shop and I do prefer Unix to Windows. But some odd ball software we still use requires Windows so we are captive until we can rewrite or workaround.
If anyone asks me these days, I recommend they look at Apple and Leopard instead of Windows. It is a much more elegant OS (second only to Unix heh).
I read that Gates is leaving or maybe gone already from Microsoft. Great! Maybe they will get away from the destructive mentality that continues to hamstring their creativity. It will take a severe gutting however.
Good strategy, piss off another segment of your customer base. Brilliant.
Same old story. Only a near monopoly could get away with being so abusive toward their customers.
Why does anybody use Windows when there are alternatives? Wait, I know.
mac fanboys are loving this. i am one of the ones who went back to XP so the frustration is real. i will say this: when my pc dies, I will probably trade it in for a mac. go on windows slaves, chide me all you want but i am tired of the work. nobody should have to subject themselves to so much. say what you want about mac, it is a stable os with a more elegant interface.
The answer is elementary - buy a Mac. You should enjoy your computer and OS, not fight with it.
Another fanboy. Give it up, if macs were better they would rule the corporate world.
Come on, even diehard windoze users have to admit this is a heavy handed tactic. MS is getting slammed on all sides with Google's internet based (and way cheaper) alternatives to the bloated software MS churns out, to Unix and Apple gaining ground every year to late delivery of product to releases that should still be in Beta. MS needs a transfusion. Maybe Jobs leaving will help, but I am afraid MS's infrastructure needs replaced as well. Must be sad to have all that money and not be able to be an innovator.
Want a real os? Unix is is a class alone.
(Sigh)
The never ending squabble between Microsoft and Apple.
'Mine's bigger.'
'No, mine.'
(Yawn)
B-bye Bill!