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The tale of the Switch: A lifelong Microsoft user’s switch to Mac and the future of Microsoft

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This article is about a friend of mine who, after having lived in the dark for a long time, has finally seen the light and is actively looking to switch to Mac. For the sake of identity purposes, I’ll call him R. R has been using Windows powered machines for a long time, longer than I have known him. He’s used 95 to XP to Vista to 7 to 8. He has long defended Windows and Microsoft in my debates with him on the Windows Vs. Mac debate. According to him, however, it is when he reached the end of that Windows OS chain, Windows 8, is where he realized that enough is enough. He had had it with Windows. The thought of switching came to him after he switched from Windows 7 to Windows 8. Windows 8 is what changed his opinion on Windows and quite frankly Microsoft altogether. When asked why he decided to make the switch, his reply was a simple one. He stated that he did not like the direction Microsoft is heading and he believes going a different direction on the “OS highway” is best.

What exactly is this direction? Why is R not alone in making this switch from Windows 8 to Windows 7 or even, as in R’s case, Mac? The answer lies in the approach that Microsoft took when creating Windows 8. The meshing of two computing OSs from two completely different computing devices, desktops and tablets, that don’t mix is what is driving people away from Microsoft. Many people have complained that Microsoft is heading in the wrong direction when they decided to make their desktop OS, which owns about 90% of the OS market, to an OS that owns 1% of the market, those two operating systems are the traditional Windows that Microsoft has made a fortune from, and the OS in phones and tablets that Microsoft has not made a fortune from, respectively. In essence, Microsoft replaced a 90% market share OS with a 1% market share (now 3.2%) OS. This radical move has angered many consumers since this switch in layout was sudden and not particularly needed. Windows 7 worked pretty good for most users and it didn’t need such a radical update, all it needed were some major fixes in terms of reliability. Windows 8 provided better reliability but it brought something many customers didn’t want–an overhaul. Windows didn’t need to change what worked but they did. They felt their Metro UI would do great on both desktops with mice and tablets with touch, while only particularly catering to touch. The reason people switch back or switch to Mac is because they feel as though they downgraded. They feel as though they would be upgrading when they go back or switch. Home consumers nor corporate consumers like Windows 8. Consumers don’t like it because of the radical change and businesses don’t like it because it looks childish and the older Windows 7 does what they need anyways.

Okay so why don’t Windows 8 users just go back to 7 and stay there? They do, but they can only do that for a certain amount of time. If they continue using Windows 7 for a elongated period of time, eventually Microsoft will make them get a new OS when they discontinue support for the older 7. Applications will slowly start to no longer work with 7, Windows will no longer release important security updates for 7. This has been done to 95 and XP is falling behind as well. Many schools and businesses are now just going to Vista and 7 due to the ever-increasing lack of support for XP. After a while, they will do this with Vista (probably sooner than later) and they will eventually do this with 7. In addition, all new computers you buy will have Windows 8 on it. Windows 7 is becoming more and more difficult to find preexisting on computers you buy since many manufacturers of computers jumped onto Windows 8 without realizing the huge risk behind it.

Unfortunately for consumers, Microsoft appears to be continuing down the wrong path. At least for the next update, Microsoft is continuing the Metro UI for Windows Blue, something so many people have been complaining about. The Microsoft executives also feel that they are heading in a positive direction and have shown no interest in changing direction. Steve Ballmer betted the company on Windows 8 and on the Surface, both of which continue to net close to nothing in market share. Many people on the internet have been making the suggestion that if Ballmer doesn’t change and fast, his career at Microsoft could be over.

Going back to the Surface for a moment. Didn’t Microsoft sell it’s OS to other tablet manufacturers for them to sell tablets? The introduction of the Surface just about left Microsoft to fend for itself in the tablet industry with the tablet manufacturers moving towards Android and not Windows 8. Because Microsoft decided to make it’s own tablet, it decided to alienate it’s corporate allies who were making Windows 8 tablets. Now, these former allies are moving to Android to power their tablets.

Again back to Ballmer. Gates has been a supporter of Ballmer for a long time and continues to support his decisions. Gates is the single largest shareholder so for Ballmer to be ousted, they need Gates’ approval. Due to Gates’ ever-continuing support, Ballmer will remain there. However, Gates is losing team members on this debacle. More and more people want to see Ballmer gone. In fact, some investors are saying he should just quit now to avoid a major battle over it.

Microsoft seems not to be stopping it’s poor direction. In fact, it is even rumored that the next XBox will have a core Windows 8 UI, again pointing Microsoft down towards the wrong path. All current Microsoft products at that point will have some form of Windows 8 on it, phones, tablets, desktops and laptops. These devices should not be sharing the same OS. It just doesn’t work.

Could Windows 8 and the negative direction the company is headed mark the end of the company? Or at least, could it become a major downfall for the company? Only time will tell, but all signs point toward a Microsoft that is driving itself into the ground. They have not innovated in the least bit, ever. The overall PC industry is on the decline. That is, all but Apple, whose Mac sales have flatlined in the past year or so, they continue to post about four million Macs sold a quarter. The Microsoft tablet, Surface, alienates their partners and it has not provided Microsoft any significant growth. Windows Phones continue not to sell and the OS limited to only a few percent marketshare. Windows 8 is starting a downward spiral for the company in it’s sales. It’s market share is lower than that of Vista. Vista remains at 4.9%, Windows 8 at 3.8%. Many people have made a good choice, realizing that they should not switch. Even then, those that do, want to leave. The problem with a low adoption rate on Microsoft’s products, not just 8 on desktops and laptops but also on tablets, phones and media players (whose life has already ended) is that money will become less abundant for Microsoft, it’s income is decreasing and will continue to decrease. If Microsoft can’t get people to switch to their products, they will have a serious problem especially if they continue down the unsuccessful path. Eventually, they will become how Apple became in the 90s if they are not careful and if they do not fire Ballmer. An accurate yet funny indicator of what is to come for Microsoft can best be seen at the introduction of the Surface. During the introduction, the product failed to work and they had to grab a backup Surface. It’s almost as though God was telling them, you’re seriously going down the wrong path. This is a mistake. Apparently, it actually was. Microsoft, if you want to survive, seriously consider your CEO and your direction, do you really want this leader pointing you to the path of self-destruction?

R and others like him, best of luck to you and your switch to Mac. You will find it much better here than there.

Thanks for reading,

Joe

Security on Apple devices compared to Android and Microsoft devices

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What’s the first thing you think about when you think of Windows security? Well, if you thought it is stinks the you are most certainly right. But if Apple’s security was the same or worse, would we still think that Windows security was horrible if the other computers were horrible too? Fortunately for Mac users that is not the case. We Mac users enjoy securities and safeties that Windows and Android users just don’t. Why is that? Why is Apple so secure while Windows and Android aren’t? Well I’ll tell you. It all has to do with the coding and the company behind the software. First of all, Macs and iOS devices have a special coding that Windows and Android users simply do not enjoy. Macs have a code called UNIX, which prevents it from getting as many viruses as Windows computers. Macs do not have to have any virus protection to keep it safe, it keeps itself safe, so you don’t have to mess with having to run scans and buying software you really shouldn’t have to need. Windows computers still run C:// code which has been around since DOS (dumb operating system). This code is a unsafe code that, for some reason, Microsoft refuses to drop. The code is susceptible to viruses. There are Mac viruses out there but they are very hard to find and unless you’re going on sites you really shouldn’t be on anyway (such as LimeWire like sites) then you’ll never come across them. I’ve had my Mac mini for 4 years, hasn’t crashed or received a virus once. My windows computer has received at least 5 viruses in 6 years, that’s the one that we gave away, if you recall from a previous article from Jeremy. Of course, as I said there are Mac viruses, but Apple’s got you covered. I update my Mac every week or two for security updates. The amount that I updated my Windows computer since getting it in 2006? Once. There is a reason for that, you can’t find where to install the updates! Mac has an easy to find spot where you can have the computer search for updates, on a Windows computer, you have to go on a scavenger hunt. The simplicity of Apple at its finest! Let’s switch our minds over to iOS and Android. This ones easy. Android had hundreds of viruses SPECIFICALLY made for it! iPhone? Not a one (unless you jailbreak it of course, but the number still doesn’t get any where close Androids). Of course, Apple still puts out security updates in their iOS updates regardless of their actually being any viruses. People complain that the App Store is too restrictive, but God knows how many devices they’ve saved from people trying to submit viruses! One thing that Apple haters absolutely can not argue, is the fact that Apple is just safer. It’s safer in its mobile devices and it’s safe in its computers. It’s a computer company that actually cares about how safe your devices are.

Thanks for reading,

Joe

Why Microsoft will die in the next few years

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Today, I looked up the stock value of Apple and Microsoft to compare the two. The stock values were extremely far apart. Apple’s stock is $633.68, while Microsoft is a whopping $31.52. Wow! This is incredible. The market evaluations of both companies are a big difference too. Apple is worth 590 billion dollars, while Microsoft is only 264 billion. Apple is worth more than double of Microsoft. But why is this the case? Microsoft dominates in market share when it comes to PCs and gaming consoles right? Well, yes but, and this is a big but, Microsoft is losing ground on both playing fields. We’ll discuss gaming consoles, PCs, the upcoming Windows 8, and the grounds that Microsoft has already lost at.

Let’s discuss gaming consoles first. Apple is not a competitor in this, since they don’t have a gaming console even available. Microsoft holds this ground at about 28-30% of the market. This might sound good, however PS3 and Wii together beat it out by 70-72%. PS3 has 27-29% alone. Remember, when xbox 360 came out it had all of the seventh generation console market, now it doesn’t even have a third of that. Let’s not forget that people are going more and more mobile, which by my estimate, the gaming console market may never die out completely, but you’re about to see a DROP in users. People like to be more mobile, this is a market that while Sony and Nintendo have both entered, Microsoft has yet to enter.

Now let’s talk PCs. This is a level that discludes everyone besides Microsoft and Apple. In 2011, It is estimated that 14% of computer users use Macs. Clearly, Apple is not the winner here, and I see that. However, look at Macs numbers a few years ago. In 2007, 7 percent of computer users used Mac. That is double the computer market share in the past 4-5 years, and Apple is only continuing that path. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Apple has entered the more mobile space, which Microsoft has still yet to enter or gain traction.

Windows 8- Microsoft is going to kill its PC base. It’s making the move to more mobile devices. The only problem with this is that desktop users will upgrade to 8 and hate it. They will then switch to Mac. Apple and Android have gained enough market share to be able to not allow Microsoft to enter in with a significant market share. Microsoft has failed at tablets and smartphones. However, apparently they think it’s smart to throw out an operating system that apparently worked for years, to only bring one in that has failed in the past. Basically, they’re replacing a 86% market share operating system with a 1% market share operating system. Windows 8 looks a lot like Windows 7 phone operating system, which as you know has not gained any traction whatsoever.

Monopolies of Apple- Almost everything that Apple got itself into has succeeded. Media players such as iPods, mobile phones (iPhone), tablets (iPad), media services such as iTunes, the newer cloud services such as iCloud. At least Apple is showing consideration for a TV. Microsoft, again has not. Microsoft has not entered any of these fields with considerable or even countable market share. They canceled the Zune, they have almost 0% market share on their phones, and I have yet to see a successful Windows tablet. They’re trying to enter it now, but they are too late, they will not gain market share in tablets or phones, they’ll lose PC market share and Microsoft will cease to exist in the big guys realm. Microsoft has done good, they stole Apple’s ideas successfully, now it is time for them to end. They have entered the Post-PC revolution too late. Because of this, Microsoft will meet it’s downfall.

Thank you for reading,

Joe

Possible Decline in PC’s Due To Tablets

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Hello once again my fellow Apple fans. I have news that is “insanely great”, (as Steve Jobs would say). Chief executive of Apple, Timothy Cook, predicted that there could be a possible decline of PC’s, due to the sudden “flood” of tablets such as the iPad 3. The iPad, when introduced in 2010, has become a major success for the company. Twenty percent of Apple’s total revenue is made off the iPad. In the fall, Amazon introduced the iPad’s first credible competitor, the $199 Kindle Fire. Analysts estimated that 4 million of these tablets were sold, not even comparing to Apple’s 15 million iPads sold during the holidays.”Tablets are on fire; there’s no question about that,” said Brad Silverberg, a former Microsoft executive, mainly speaking for the iPad. Even though they are “on fire” tablets unfortunately aren’t there yet. In 2011, PC’s outsold tablets 6 to 1. But still a significant change from 2010, the iPad’s first year on the market, when PC’s outsold tablets 20 to 1, according to Canalys, a technology research company.
“From the first day it shipped, we thought-not just me, many of us thought at Apple-that the tablet market would become larger than the PC market, and it was just a matter of time that it took for that to occur,” Cook of Apple said recently. In other blog posts, Horace Dedui, an analyst with Asymco in Finland, made an argument that tablet sales would pass traditional PC sales in the fall of 2013. His projections rest heavily on an assumption that Apple will face a more serious competition in the tablet market. Setting aside assumptions, Tim Butcher, an entrepreneur who held a senior position at Apple, Microsoft and Dell, said that tablet sales would “absolutely” pass those of PC’s.At a technology conference in 2010, Steve Jobs, then Apple’s chief executive, said that PC’s are “still gonna be around and still have a lot of value. But they are going to be used 1 to X-amount of People.”

Thanks for reading,

Dillon