Microsoft's Windows to Aid PC Market Revival in 2015 _ PCWorld

HARDWARE (/CATEGORY/COMPUTERS-ALL/)

hardware (/category//), hardware (/category/hardware/),

laptops (/category/laptop-computers/), android (/category/android/),

ios (/category/ios/),

pcs (/tag/pcs/), windows (/tag/windows/), tablets (/tag/tablets/)

Microsoft's Windows to aid PCmarket revival in 2015

Microsoft’s Windows OS could play a crucial rule in returning worldwide PC shipments to

modest growth next year after multiple years of decline, Gartner said on Monday.

PC shipments could reach around 317 million in 2015, increasing from 308 million units

expected to ship this year, the research firm said in a study. Shipments this year are

expected to decline by 2.9 percent compared to 2013, which is lower than previous yearly

declines.

Agam Shah@agamsh Jul 7, 2014 9:26 AM

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The “revival” of the PC market will be driven by upgrades of old business PCs with

Windows XP, which are no longer supported by Microsoft, said Ranjit Atwal, research

director at Gartner. He estimates that roughly 60 million PCs will be upgraded this year.

Businesses are largely upgrading to Windows 7 and avoiding Windows 8, which is

viewed more as a tablet OS. Microsoft could release a new OS sometime next year,

which could supplant Windows 7 as the OS of choice for businesses. However, it takes

time for companies to test and deploy PC OSes, as happened with Windows 7, which

took more than a year to find a foothold in businesses.

Counting PCs, tablets and smartphones, Gartner said overall shipments of computing

devices are expected to reach 2.4 billion units this year, increasing by 4.2 percent

compared to the previous year. Shipments will further increase to 2.6 billion units in 2015.

Tablets in the passing lane

After the first iPad shipped in 2010, tablets were increasingly adopted as alternative

computing devices to PCs. Gartner is projecting tablet shipments to increase to 256

million this year, up from 207 million last year. Tablet shipments will reach 321 million in

2015, overtaking PCs, Gartner said.

Tablets will get cheaper and more functional, Atwal said, adding that these trends will

continue to drive adoption in the coming years.

Worldwide mobile phone shipments will be 1.86 billion units this year, rising by 3.1

percent compared to the previous year, Gartner said. The worldwide growth will continue

in 2015, with shipments totaling 1.95 billion units.

Android will continue to be the dominant OS across devices, according to Gartner. The

OS will be installed in 1.17 billion devices shipped this year, an increase of 30 percent.

Apple’s iOS will receive a boost from the new iPhone due later this year, and the

company’s iOS and Mac OSes will be in 271 million devices shipped this year, increasing

by 15 percent compared to the previous year. Microsoft’s Windows desktop OS and

Phone OS will be in 333 million devices shipped this year, rising slowly from 326 million

the previous year.

But Windows will be in 373.7 million devices shipped in 2015, overtaking the combined

shipments of Apple’s iOS and Mac OS, which will be in 301.4 million devices, Gartner

said. Android will remain the dominant OS, installed in 1.37 billion devices shipped next

year.

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Anonymous 2 hours ago

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Yaarov Skimaan 4 hours ago

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Sadly MicroSoft has a long way to go. They've missed the boat on portable as

well as BYOD and are struggling mightily to recover. They've pissed off so

many consumers over the past 8 years with exorbitant prices for buggy

poorly crafted software and next to no security that consumers are not likely

to go back to MicroSoft after trying Google, Android and Apple products.

I know I will never willingly use another MicroSoft product, ever.

Bill, Balmer and Allen are Billionaires built off the backs of legions of

consumers that wasted millions of hours of time and billions in lost

productivity. What a crappy track record.

It's good to see them get what they deserve. I just wish Bill was there to get

some too.

Tablet is a joke. Try playing HD video on it.

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TheMalcolmTucker 4 hours ago



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karthiq 4 hours ago

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TeaPartyCitizen 6 hours ago


TheMalcolmTucker 4 hours ago

Maybe your tablet is a joke but mine plays HD both on the device and

AirPlays over wifi to my big screen in HD.

Maybe you should pay for a tablet instead of using the one that comes

in the Cracker Jacks box.

Apple will never be #1 as long as you have to schedule time with an Apple

Genius for repairs. Waiting a week for troubleshooting service is

unacceptable to many people in business. You might as well tell the

employee to take a weeks vacation because that's typical for anyone to

diagnose tablet errors.

TheMalcolmTucker: Wow hatin' on the Genius' guys huh. Well at least

there is help out there. Not like MicroSoft has any help any where. Oh

there's Staples and Best Buy I guess. That Geek Squab is really

efficient.

Win 7 will be supported until 2019-20, so i doubt businesses will supplant win7

with windows 9.

Microsoft can keep doing this also. They can even shorten the amount of

time that they support one of their operating systems. They make 50% of

their money selling an OS with and expiration date and IT managers keep

buying that.

I fix'ed your comment.

Apple can keep

doing this also. They can even shorten the amount of time that they

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Allen 6 hours ago

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Asok Smith 7 hours ago


karthiq 4 hours ago

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Bill Crenshaw 7 hours ago

support one their hardware. They make 50% of their money

selling hardware with planned obselecence dates and apple customers

keep buying

that.

People below are complaining, and it seems like people just joining in a mob

mentality. I almost never see that home screen and it isn't that much work

getting around it. I mean how often did you really use the windows button?

Most of it can be found by right clicking on the new windows button. That

being said, you're going to continue to get Windows like it or not. Linux isn't

a realistic replacement for Windows and Apple charges 30 percent more for

the same hardware. I suppose you could put hackintosh on your PC/Laptop

but Microsoft is getting theirs from the purchase of the hardware. So, yeah

you'll buy it. As for the SP3 that may be the same price range as the Air but

that is just Microsoft being an idiot. The third party hardware options are

cheaper for all the Apple lovers. For example, I built a PC with better specs

(http://pcpartpicker.com/user/WillNy3/saved/s4x2FT) that costs half of a

Mac Pro but is equal or better in EVERY way.

Once the enterprise, SMB and savy consumer consumer customers convert to

Windows 7, they're gonna sit tight until their hardware fries. Windows 8 has

taught us that Microsoft no longer cares what we think, and no longer cares

to make products that are of benefit to anyone except themselves.

We're all going to be looking at Windows 9 with an incredibly jaded eye, and

quite frankly I suspect that Microsoft has yet to learn their lesson with

Windows 8, and will be deliberately making a whole new set of really bad

decisions resulting in a number of serious blunders equal to what they did

with the Windows 8 ecosystem. I strongly suspect they'll continue with deep

integration of a plethora of Microsoft-only services tightly integrated into

an operating system that is no longer actually a PC operating system, but

merely a set of built-in clients for Microsoft services.

I agree with you on your first sentence.

Nothing's going to save the PC, because the hardware isn't getting



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villandra 8 hours ago

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CalhounVinceSr 9 hours ago

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Leif Leifnephewson 10 hours ago



significantly more powerful, not because of the OS. People are already

satisfied with what they have for the most part. PC manufacturers cant

expect people to want upgrades every few years when the next upgrade is

just a pinch better than the last. Some of the new APU and SOC's are actually

a giant downgrade; and tablet-like interoperability is undesirable for most

legacy PC users. The only reason tablets gained so much footing in the

market is because of younger people wanting to stay connected on the go;

and neither side seems to have a grasp on what PC users want whatsoever.

So true. Most people don't do much more than email, some light

photo work, maybe a presentation with a spreadsheet and word

processing.

There might be additional needs for some games but PC's are for work

right?

They did - it's called Windows 7. Unfortunately, however, Windows 7 won't

run on an older computer.

Now, Linux will run on those older computers. I've in fact installed it on two

older computers, as well as test versions on my new main computer. Time

Microsoft realized the people of this planet aren't its slaves.

Microsoft should make re-support Windows XP amd bring it up to date

making it better, kick "big brother Gov't" in the butt and get them out of

controlling their business! This would be an immense help to millions of users

and allow microsoft to make money again the American way, honestly!

It may be true.

Microsoft will split Win9 in a tablet and a desktop version. That will likely

take care of the worst problems of running Win8 on a desktop.

Metro will still be there, but much toned down.

Personally i still don't see any reason to change from Windows 7, but

Windows 9 may at least be a decent alternative for those stuck with XP/2003.

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Billy Batson 10 hours ago

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Curly Tea 10 hours ago


Zippy1970 8 hours ago

So's Linux.

Computers suck now, nothing "Educational" about them.

Just NSA spying devices, profiling all the end-users like prisoners.

Win95, 98, 2000,XP & WIN7. I'm done with that crap.

I'll be buying BIG BROTHER Apple's mini Mac and Mac Pro in a few years. Then

I'm done with computers for good. Consent upgrading and pissing money

away on "expiration ware" has reached it's crescendo.

Time for the PC market's bubble to burst.

Every computer OS will someday be out of date and will need to be

replaced. The Windows OS system has been less un-compatible than

than OSX. In fact a few years ago Mac to what is now called the Mac

OS_ . When they did none of the software of the previous generation

was compatible with the new. So unless you plan on dying in the near

future or plan on no longer using a computer you will be upgrading.

Apple did it once when Lion came out in 2009 ish. Lion no longer

ran programs made for the PPC Cpu of 2000-2005 computers. It

wasn't until 3-4 months ago that Apple stopped support ( Safari

browser ) of 10.6 which was the last OS to support PPC

programs. So up until 3 months ago you could run a modern OS

with programs as old as 2001-2002. MS killed some software

when they went from 3.1 to 95, a very few when 98 came out, a

ton when the crap called ME came out, and then lots when XP

came out, to Vista, some more when they went to 7, and some

more when they went to 8. Apple and MS both are on about the

same cycle except Apple's OS usually makes older hardware

faster where MS OS does not. That was broken by Apple when

Mountain Lion came out and now with Mavericks. All prior OS's

took better advantage of the existing hardware. NO MS OS has

made older hardware faster than previous OS's except maybe 8

and I have heard conflicting reports about that. Apple was good

from 10.0 to 10.6 and didn't have problems until 10.7. No

computer will last forever but since IE can't be removed and

safari can, any future IE hole in XP may be used even if IE isn't in

use ( as has happened in the past ). At least with Apple you can

remove Safari and use modern versions of Chrome or Firefox

and be safe on an old machine. I would think 10 years at a time

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KinYalbets 10 hours ago


ChrisDeAngelis1 9 hours ago

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Brian Galvan 11 hours ago


is the max for either with Apple being a little easier to do it. I do

not foresee another XP 13 year run as MS won't allow it. They

have already killed Vista support for the latest programming

tools even though Vista is 99% Win 7. They really want everyone

to go to 8 but will allow 7 to be used for now. I think in 2-3

years, 7 will be killed off also.

Yeah that was terrible. In June 2005 Apple told everyone they

were going to switch to Intel processors, by August 2006 all

Macs sold were Intel based.

That didn't mean they couldn't run PPC based software. In fact

Mac OS 10.6 released in August 2009 was the first OS that was

Intel only.

Apple continued to support PPC G-series Macs well into 2013

with the end coming in August 2013 with the nine year old

PowerMac G5 going 'vintage'.

I own some old computers (a 29 year old Mac for one) but really

does anyone really "Use" a nine year old computer?

There is nothing wrong with Windows 8 if you use Classic Shell. I use

Windows 8 and haven't seen the "Metro" interface for months. Windows 8 is

stable and performs better than Windows 7. The Windows UI has been the

issue and it is easily remedied.

The UI was never the issue, for me it was Steve Ballmer.

You and nobody else.

Breaking news, Microsoft will pay more journalists and blog writers to

contribute to creating BS articles of how the next version of windows will be

the next best thing since sliced bread!

serile 8 hours ago



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Joe Damico 11 hours ago

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Agnik Shanti 12 hours ago

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I couldn't have said it better Brian! MS needs to make an OS designed

for the desktop, hopefully Windows 9 will be better than Window 8.

Microsoft has sadly lost their way. I like their SQL Server, and their

.Net is pretty good. But they have some serious issues. They need to

give up on Bing and the Phone OS, and concentrate on making a good

OS and Office product. Changes for the sake of making a change isn't

necessarily a good thing. It's like they ran out of ideas so they make

random changes and call it a new version.

Their commercials are embarrassing too, not even mentioning one

specific thing the product does. Just showing some guy skate

boarding or dancing around or something.

Microsoft has lost their minds. They are so fundamentally lost,

that whether they know their way isn't even an issue.

Oh, is THAT what is going on!

I had wondered how so many web sites of the quality of, for instance,

PCWorld, or ZDnet, could write such unparalleled manic balderdash,

but I supposed the website authors were probably bipolar.

MicroSoft mastered the art of FUD, Vaporware and deceit.

After buying windows 8 and windows ME not to speak of Vista the next

version of windows should be FREE.

You are kidding right .? How much ? How much did Microsoft pay you ?

max999 12 hours ago



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CarlForster 14 hours ago


William Baldwin 13 hours ago


jimn9879 11 hours ago

Don't count on it! Microsoft has been failing in many areas lately. They have

lost their way!

If Microsoft was serious they would be launching Windows 9 this year. But

from what I've seen in the rumor mill (for W9) W7 and XP will continue to be

#1 and #2 used OS for some time to come.

I'll say this one more time. Microsoft has lost their minds. They are so

fundamentally lost, that whether they know their way isn't even an

issue.

You reckon???

Microsoft NOW have more prolems/fails than gains.

Hell Win8 updates FAIL,

Micrisoft Applications 365/Office/ IE and just updates for current Microsoft

applications (my Expression WEB 4) fail and cause more problems than

successes.

How long they can keep this up and still retain clients I would suggest they

are reaching a point of NO return.

If WIN9 (this will be the end game) does NOT return the full START/MENU

functionality as in WIN7, we (115 users) will become a NON Microsoft

business).

windows 9 (thresh hold) will bring the start menu back..but don't let

that convince you of Micro$haft. They still sell you to the NSA. Go

Linux.

You hate MS; we get it. Linux is not and will not be for anytime

soon an alternative to Windows or OS X. Get over it! Until

Linux geeks quit spending all their time one-upping each other

with different builds, UIs, installers, etc. it will never be viable!

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Jason Breeze 15 hours ago

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TsarNikky 17 hours ago

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Paul W 17 hours ago


jordiboy 16 hours ago


Too many versions, interfaces, and incompatibilities to deal

with. Some better for servers, some for desktops, none for the

entire company.

Microsoft continuously makes the marketing mistake of trying to do

Everything while doing nothing particularly well.

The extent of the "revival" will depend, to a very large part, to how Windows-

9 handles all of the various platforms on which it is expected to work well.

Full-size laptops and desktops have not been well treated of late.

As for tablets being in the "fast lane," they do very well for their designed

uses. However, full-size laptops and desktops will be around for a long time

for the "heavy lifting" of content creation and data entry.

I personally would like to thank MS for cutting support for XP, at a time

when a lot of folks can't afford a new laptop or desktop (certainly not a

smart phone or tablet), nor can afford to buy just the software for the

upgrade. People have other things to spend thier money on....food, utilities,

gas to get to their part time job with no benefits (or to the unemployment

office to find a part time job with no benefits).

Paul,

XP was released almost 13 years ago. How long should Microsoft

continue to support an operating system? Do you think Apple will still

support iOS 7 in 2027? Will Android still provide updates for Ice Cream

Sandwich in 2025/2026?

Cutting support for XP was a business decision, not some nefarious

plot to keep the breadlines open.

Why don't you go picket outside some gas stations about the high

price of gas, there is where a lot of your money is going due to out of

control fuel prices and the increases in food costs.

ldo17 12 hours ago

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Iempath 11 hours ago

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blsm9999 17 hours ago


Iempath 11 hours ago

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Well, Microsoft still claims Intellectual Property rights on all

those Windows XP installations out there—it says it never sold

them to you, it only licensed them. But if you claim property

rights over something, then you must also be responsible for

that property, right? You cannot just abandon it and let it rot.

The current duration of copyright property rights is something

like 90 years. Therefore Microsoft should have to maintain

Windows XP for that long.

"cant afford a new laptop." huh? I see big box stores offering a basic

Dell 15.6" for $249. $229 if Dell financing is used.

Paul, you can get Linux for free, and it runs well on older computers.

Try Ubuntu, or Kubuntu if you prefer a Windows look. You can add a

desktop image or slide show, and change the color scheme. You can

even make desktop shortcuts.

I am a lifelong pc user who started with DOS 3.1 and have used all the

versions of MS operating systems since. I have just spent the last 2 days

trying to update/upgrade my daughter's 1yr old HP machine from Win 8 to

Win 8.1. 2 full days! Failed updates, update troubleshooters, disabling 3rd

party anything and looping reboots have been my current experience with

freshly installed versions of Windows 8. This is absurd. This is the worst piece

of software I have ever encountered from Microsoft. It's hard to see how this

will lead to a "resurgence" of PC's if this is the current user experience.

Hopefully the Clippers do better under Ballmer's leadership than Microsoft

did.

Post why you wanted to up from w8 to w8.1. I'm on IE 10 bc it aint

broke, and to avoid probs similar to yours.

Leif Leifnephewson 10 hours ago

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karthiq 4 hours ago

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Tom Young 18 hours ago


GPickles 15 hours ago


ldo17 9 hours ago

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VSDude 18 hours ago

If it's a stationary or no-name portable you can likely upgrade to

Windows 7.

If it's a brand portable, you're likely out of luck.

Go the windows blog run by microsoft, and tell their people about it.

No seriously...they need to hear what you have gone through.

My pet peeve with MS is that while they develop new OS's to meet the

demands of both hardware and software, there's no reason to discontinue

supporting older OS's like XP, W2K, etc.. Looking at it this way, MS should

embrace its loyal followers instead of kicking them under the bus.

"...there's no reason to discontinue supporting older OS's like XP, W2K,

etc."

Are you serious? Obviously you have no idea how difficult it is to

maintain updates, patches, drivers, etc. for an operating system and all

its supported applications. It is a massive undertaking requiring

enormous resources, which could be better used to support and

improve more up-to-date and future products/platforms. Windows

Vista, the successor to XP, was released over 7.5 years ago! I think

Microsoft has done quite enough to support the 13 year-old XP

operating system and its faithful customers. It's time to cut the cord.

It’s got to be easier doing those kinds of incremental updates

than it is to develop an entire new OS, like Windows 7, 8 or 9.

And cheaper, too.

Pretty simple in Linux, just takes a couple of commands.

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John Swart 18 hours ago

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Make that "crucial role" and you have a less embarrassing article.

Windows will "aid" the PC market if their either make it easier to buy

Windows 7 on the new machines in the store (most are running 8 or 8.1) or if

they come up with a new OS that restores a lot of the functionality Windows

7 had. They got rid of the "Windows 7 East Transfer" which let you easily

move your files and settings to a Windows 7 machine - you can't easily adjust

the screen resolution, spacing and size of the icons, and I've seen lots of

problems with Internet Explorer on Windows 8 crashing and restarting

repeatedly. Also, taking away the "Start" button with its easy grouping of all

the programs installed (Start>All Programs>) has made it much harder for

people who have used Windows for years to get to their programs - they

think it's ridiculous to have to "Search" for it. You really have to work at it

to put the "Quick Launch" bar back on the desktop. I'm a consultant that

works with many different clients, and some people do like SOME of the new

features - but what they have taken away has caused people the most

consternation.

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Microsoft's Windows to Aid PC Market Revival in 2015 _ PCWorld