How Windows 7 is Selling iPad

[Flavius]

I was skeptical when I read the headline, but then again MS still hasn't got it yet:

Windows 7: The Best iPad Seller!

http://mikecanex.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/windows-7-the-best-ipad-seller/

...And Steve Ballmer has trouble understanding why people are buying the iPad? Srsly, Ballmer?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

That blog update was a total non sequitur. If the blogger's friend wanted to play the game on his iPad, he'd just be shit outta luck.

Several of the issues had to do with non-Microsoft software, so that's not a reflection on MS at all.

I doubt Windows 7 is helping iPad sales except for those people who are strictly casual users and consumers of media. The games available on iPad/iPhone appeal to totally different demographics than PC games.

People who primarily surf the web and play casual games would certainly benefit from the simplicity and ease-of-use of an iPad. I've used Windows 7 and the handful of things mentioned don't even begin to scratch the surface of what makes W7 such a pain in the ass for non-expert users.

I'll stick with XP until it just won't run anymore. I haven't seen anything included in Windows 7 that's a necessary feature for me. I think that's the culprit behind poor sales more than the existence of the iPad and other slate devices. People don't need Windows 7, just like they didn't need Vista. XP remains sufficient for the vast majority of people, and forcing them to upgrade--especially when the OS works substantially differently from what they're used to--is just asking for trouble.

 

[Flavius]

That blog update was a total non sequitur. If the blogger's friend wanted to play the game on his iPad, he'd just be shit outta luck.

Did he say that? He did not.

Several of the issues had to do with non-Microsoft software, so that's not a reflection on MS at all.

That's precisely what it is. That's what the post is about.

I doubt Windows 7 is helping iPad sales except for those people who are strictly casual users and consumers of media. The games available on iPad/iPhone appeal to totally different demographics than PC games.

Let assume, that was the case - what has that got to do with the philosophy of MS operating systems?

People who primarily surf the web and play casual games would certainly benefit from the simplicity and ease-of-use of an iPad. I've used Windows 7 and the handful of things mentioned don't even begin to scratch the surface of what makes W7 such a pain in the ass for non-expert users.

I get it it now. There is a thought in this post: you don't like Windows 7.

I'll stick with XP until it just won't run anymore. I haven't seen anything included in Windows 7 that's a necessary feature for me. I think that's the culprit behind poor sales more than the existence of the iPad and other slate devices. People don't need Windows 7, just like they didn't need Vista. XP remains sufficient for the vast majority of people, and forcing them to upgrade--especially when the OS works substantially differently from what they're used to--is just asking for trouble.

It is quite common (and natural) that people try hard to make use of what they feel strongly about (and know perhaps) when they feel the need to say something smart or just be lucid.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

That blog update was a total non sequitur. If the blogger's friend wanted to play the game on his iPad, he'd just be shit outta luck.

Did he say that? He did not.

He told a story about the trials his friend went through trying to play a game on Windows. Then, at the end of that ordeal, he made a point about iPads outselling Windows 7. There was really no connection there. The friend couldn't have avoided this whole mess by buying an iPad because he wouldn't have been able to play the game anyway.

Several of the issues had to do with non-Microsoft software, so that's not a reflection on MS at all.

That's precisely what it is. That's what the post is about.

Uh, no, non-MS software being shitty doesn't reflect on Microsoft. No matter how you try to spin it, Microsoft isn't responsible for it. Microsoft sucks but at least blame them for things they're actually responsible for.

Let assume, that was the case - what has that got to do with the philosophy of MS operating systems?

Not much. Also doesn't have anything to do with iPad sales--and neither does the blog post you linked.

People who primarily surf the web and play casual games would certainly benefit from the simplicity and ease-of-use of an iPad. I've used Windows 7 and the handful of things mentioned don't even begin to scratch the surface of what makes W7 such a pain in the ass for non-expert users.

I get it it now. There is a thought in this post: you don't like Windows 7.

I think Windows 7 is redundant. For its added overhead it doesn't really give you much more in the way of functionality.

I'll stick with XP until it just won't run anymore. I haven't seen anything included in Windows 7 that's a necessary feature for me. I think that's the culprit behind poor sales more than the existence of the iPad and other slate devices. People don't need Windows 7, just like they didn't need Vista. XP remains sufficient for the vast majority of people, and forcing them to upgrade--especially when the OS works substantially differently from what they're used to--is just asking for trouble.

It is quite common (and natural) that people try hard to make use of what they feel strongly about (and know perhaps) when they feel the need to say something smart or just be lucid.

Could you rephrase that? I don't even know what you're trying to say.

The blog post you linked seems to indicate Windows 7 is selling poorly because the iPad is better. I'm countering by saying that while the iPad may appeal more to some users, the real driver behind the lack of Windows 7 sales is that there's no pressing need for most people to upgrade.

 

[Bisz]

I switched to Mac early last year after being a Windows guy (and a Mac basher) since sometime in 1996. I will never go back.

 

[Switch]

iPad - 15m units sold
Windows 7 - 300m units sold

Case closed.

 

[Lindley]

I've recently gotten hooked on the iPad game Knight Defense. It's a cross between chess and tower defense.....totally fun.

 

[hamudm]

I'm not an "expert" and I've found Windows to be substantially more of a satisfying user experience than XP. Particularly, now I don't have to fuck around with TVersity to stream my media. The new media player integration made streaming to my ps3 a snap.

Speaking of snap, the new "snap" feature is awesome at work, where I often need more than one window on the go. Aesthetically it's also great. And it's been a heck of a lot more stable than XP as well.

I also have an iPad.

 

[ThankQ]

iPad - 15m units sold
Windows 7 - 300m units sold

Case closed.

Erm, no.

All-time record sales:

Britney Spears - 100m
Spice Girls - 75m
.
.
Bob Dylan - 70m

 

[Switch]

Britney Spears is rather more tolerable than Bob Dylan.

Actually I wasn't suggesting that Windows 7 is better than iPad. That's like suggesting that a Cessna is better than a Toyota. My point was that whatever point the OP thinks he is making, it is wrong. In reality I suspect that "because Windows is too complicated" comes out just ahead of "because it makes a decent frisbee" on the list of reasons why folks are buying iPads.

 

[ThankQ]

Britney Spears is rather more tolerable than Bob Dylan.

Okay, you must be 15 and horny.

My point was, "a bunch of people think this" doesn't make "this" true. In the US, something like 90% of the population believe in some type of "god". If there is no god, they're all wrong. At one point, nearly 100% of the people belived the sun moved around the Earth. Turns out they were all wrong.

I detest the arguments "more people think" or "more people like". They're not arguements at all, they're bullying. I'm stronger than you, therefore I'm right.

You seem like a sharp kid. Let's drop the "mine's bigger" from our debate tactics, is all I'm saying.

Actually I wasn't suggesting that Windows 7 is better than iPad. That's like suggesting that a Cessna is better than a Toyota. My point was that whatever point the OP thinks he is making, it is wrong. In reality I suspect that "because Windows is too complicated" comes out just ahead of "because it makes a decent frisbee" on the list of reasons why folks are buying iPads.

Yeah, good points. Like I said, you seem bright. Make this argument instead of the dick-waiving contest.

 

[Amaris]

I love Windows 7. Also, I want an iPad.

 

[Flavius]

Yeah, who doesn't
Thanks, Steve B !

 

[BlobVanDam]

That article really had nothing to do with iPads. It's clearly a Mac fan whining about setting up a PC, and making a leap to an iPad as a solution. Unless you're doing simple browsing, an iPad is not really the best solution for surfing the net, and not really comparable to a PC for gaming. It's more like a computing supplement, but not a replacement in any way.