Poor old Windows 8, it can't get a break. Just a couple of months after Fujitsu blamed the "weak" operating system for the fall in sales of PCs, Samsung has put the boot in too.
Korea Times reports that Jun Dong-soo, president of Samsung's memory chip division, told reporters: "The global PC industry is steadily shrinking despite the launch of Windows 8. I think the Windows 8 system is no better than the previous Windows Vista platform." No better than Vista? Ouch.
But he didn't stop there. Having poked Windows 8 in the eyes, he then tweaked the nose of Microsoft's Surface tablet, blasting it as "seeing lacklustre demand." Intel and Microsoft's Ultrabooks, meanwhile, have failed "mostly because of the less-competitive Windows platform."
Well he's certainly a straight shooter.
In line with the way the global PC market is going, Samsung is cutting its orders for its production of conventional memory chips, instead going for those used in mobiles and smart phones.
Market research firm IDC lowered its expectations somewhat for PC shipments this year, dropping its projection of 2.8 per cent growth to 1.3 per cent. The reason? The rise of tablets, as well as an "underwhelming reception to Windows 8."
Acer agrees. Its president, Jim Wong, said that adoption of Windows 8 PCs would be slow because it'd take people a long time to get used to using a touchscreen PC. The same company has previously given Microsoft a thrashing, saying it didn't stand a chance against Apple. "I don't think [Microsoft Surface] will be successful because you cannot be a hardware player with two products," an Acer exec said. "Microsoft is working with two dozen PC vendors worldwide, including the local guys, whereas Apple is alone, it can more or less do what it wants."
What do you think of Windows 8? Is it to blame for the decline in PCs? Or is everyone being a bit hard on Microsoft? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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Comments 35
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JohnsonDion1 9 March, 2013 10:42
Windows need to ditch there attempts at making tablets and stick with ultrabooks and desktops, people will always need full desktops so windows should stop the tending that the tablet is the new desktop, all it is, is just a nice device that's pleasant to browse on, hell I'm on an iPad now!
anonymous 9 March, 2013 10:54
Having just got my parents used to a laptop running Windows home edition we upgraded to Windows 8 when their laptop died. It has been a nightmare, everything familiar has gone. They couldn't cope with smartphones, this is going to be a long haul
anonymous 9 March, 2013 11:47
We don't get much choice but to buy Win 8 but at least it encourages coders to get rid of the most disliked bits
Meleagru 9 March, 2013 12:02
It's not that Windows 8 is bad intrinsically, though it actually is, it's just that people are slowly moving away from the traditional PC experience. Only a small amount of consumers are content creators and for them there will always be a need for an OS that can do everything under the sun. But the majority of consumers are happy with just consuming the content or very light content creation. It's just a sign of the times, nothing more.
anonymous 9 March, 2013 12:14
Change is the hardest thing for people. I've been using Windows 8 for like 6 months now. The first 2 weeks were terrible, but it's been great ever since. A step up from Windows 7, but not at all suitable for the Enterprise just yet
anonymous 9 March, 2013 12:46
Who needs a new PC?
Most people already have a decent working one, with an OS they are happy with and there is no need to replace it.
The recession.
The rise of the Tablet PC and Smartphones.
Windows 8 is the the last reason to put people off. Those other reasons are far bigger than W8.
Torashin 9 March, 2013 14:15
I can believe it. Windows 8 looks damn awful and if I were to get a new windows PC the first thing I'd do is install win 7 instead.
Damien2501 9 March, 2013 14:45
@JohnsonDion1 Are you related to someone called Celine??
And I agree that mobile devices can't replace the full PC experience but tablets & smartphones are competing with laptops and desktops for the consumers attention. Microsoft and Co need realise that it's not 2009, when the definition of computer was desktops & laptops - today smartphones and tablets are advanced computers just as capable as PC's.
anonymous 9 March, 2013 15:24
I have also been working with Windows 8 on a touchscreen laptop for some time now. It is definitely useful only for touchscreen laptops. The only reason I do not like it is that upgrading from Win 7 to 8 several programs and functions of the laptop were no longer available. Rather than expanding on the abilities of each OS when 'upgrading' as the term implies, the system just creates the new functions. If Microsoft had give more thought to maintaining the functionality of previous items and programs, I think there might be a better acceptance. Besides the programs that no longer work, I now have 8 function buttons on the laptop plus a fingerprint reader that no longer function. The pluses of Win 8 do not seem to out weigh these minuses.
anonymous 9 March, 2013 18:19
I've used Windows 8 on a traditional touch screen laptop, and to be honest, I wasn't impressed. It's a confused OS, and unless it's in a tablet, it doesn't work well. The touch gestures are available on the touch pad, so why have a touch screen?
The touch gestures are not very good either.
Unless it becomes a unified OS, or Intel bring their new efficient 10w i range of processors for a good tablet convertible, I am regretfully considering a MacBook Pro with its better gestures, quick multi-tasking, and good battery life.
Steen Brage-Andersen 9 March, 2013 20:28
Windows 8 is a great OS with amazing performance and boot times and I am a really pleased user. It is mindblowing easy to use and the interface makes great sense. I have the great opportunity to use a lot of operating systems from Linux, OSx and several server and Windows clients and currently Windows 8 is my preferred OS.
Sparrow79hu 9 March, 2013 21:44
Win8 sucks. I don't know what the hell a tablet OS is doing on my laptop.
anonymous 9 March, 2013 21:47
In my opinion Microsoft should have kept the UI of Windows by and large as it was in windows 7 - just improve the performance and add in new features. Keep Windows for the serious stuff and make it stable (more business orientated, basically the traditional market). Then create a separate mobile OS, not called Windows, based on touch gestures alone - this would cover mobiles and tablets.
By all means make them integrate well together between separate devices, this is the basis of an ecosystem. Trying to be a Jack of all trades will mean that you master none, it is as simple as that.
I cannot see many small, mid or large businesses in these testing times who would risk upgrading their systems to Windows 8. To me I just see a confused split personality of an operating system. As a question to any Windows 8 advocates - what would a traditional user, using Office Suite and a browser gain from upgrading Windows 8?
Damien2701 9 March, 2013 22:49
Im using windows 8 right now and im not a big fan. I know people are trying to defend it but Microsoft have not done it because they have your best interests at heart and want to make the best interface for you. it is because they want to hook you in to an eco system so you buy a windows phone and tablet too and have all your apps ect across all devices. Its not a great interface for a mouse and keyboard, it works, but only just
Mike0124 9 March, 2013 23:21
Personally I am quite happy with Win 7 - for almost the first time fairly inexpensive PCs are fast enough to do pretty well everything efficiently, so there is less incentive to upgrade to a faster computer. I have a tablet(Toshiba AT300) which I am very happy with but most of the time at home I use the PC and prefer using the mouse and keyboard rather than touch on the tablet.
Added to this I really do not like what MS have done with the win 8 interface, I would have probably have bought win 8 if it were just a cleaner upgrade from win 7.
anonymous 10 March, 2013 00:11
I updated my laptop when Windows 8 came out and while it has its faults I'm quite impressed.
Before the PC makers start throwing stones how about some decent hardware, I've been trying to find a decent touchscreen laptop for the last couple of months and the choice is pretty poor. If Samsung, Acer or the others aren't making what I want, I'm not going to buy. The only company that seem to off anything halfway decent is Asus and even then it's not quite what I'm looking for.
anonymous 10 March, 2013 04:33
I run Windows 8 Pro and I love it.
anonymous 10 March, 2013 04:46
It's not that windows 8 is a bad operating system which it isn't, It's just the fact that there was so much bad hip about windows 8 before it even hit the shelves that it drove customers away from using it. It's a know fact that people don't like change and especially something as radical as what windows 8 is. It appears that Microsoft isn't going to change anything to please the consumers of their products so I guess it will be their dumb.
anonymous 10 March, 2013 07:24
My family have got Win 8 on one tablet, Win7 on 2 laptops and Vista and XP on PC's. The one with XP is used by all the family for day to day work and printing and we ALL without exception prefer to use that PC. Nuff said
jayce35 10 March, 2013 08:52
i been using win 8 since november and i still can't stand it ,its like having 2 separate os's desktop[ and metro .i think they should of done that metro on comes on a touchscreen device or make it so you can switch on and off would of made lot more sense.if
anonymous 10 March, 2013 11:12
I'm in love with windows 8, for me it's brought back the excitement of new and innovative software, I haven't felt this way since the very first time I installed Linux,.
If you give it a chance it's actually very intuitive, blisteringly fast on my new laptop and much more streamlined and efficient than any other version of windows that I've used. Ok Microsoft took away the start button BIG DEAL! from the start screen just begin typing what you are looking for and it pops up right in front of you, how much easier can it be? So much more pleasant than clicking through menus with a ridiculous amount of sub menus across your whole desktop!
With win 8 it's like you have 2 operating systems in one, the traditional desktop for work and then pressing the windows key will flip you over to the new tile based modern UI , where all your apps are stacked neatly in customisable rows. You have third party developers designing hundreds of new apps everyday, that means they will be developing what you as a user would want to use, this can only serve to make windows better and in my books this can only be a good thing.
I love the new metro style IE its streamlined, clean and gives you a larger more immersive view, then I have regular browsers when I need more functionality.
Don't get me wrong, I know I sound like a windows 8 advert but I'm no microsoft fan girl, I've only used windows in the past when I've had no other choice, but I feel strongly that if people give this new OS a chance and evaluate it as a completely new OS and not try to replicate windows 7 within windows 8 then they might find its not so bad as they first imagined. After all the first time I used Mac OS It felt like writing with my left hand and I found it hugely frustrating but now it's like 2nd nature. Don't give up on win 8 yet it might just be the best thing to come out of Microsoft.
I'm cherry blue and I'm a PC
Dsellars 10 March, 2013 11:32
Microsoft should have done something similar to Apple (and what Ubuntu is starting to do) is strongly integrate the mobile OS and Desktop. If you look at OSX you get all of the simple, good features of a desktop and you also get all the good features from iSO like launch pad (which allows you to, in a iSO style bring up all of your app icons and unlike WIn 8 they can be easily hidden again) and Notification centre etc. I think if Microsoft had left even just left the normal desktop and made it so you had to click a button etc to get to "modern start" even that would be better than as it is just now
anonymous 10 March, 2013 12:46
By being so late into the game Microsoft has been left with all the crap options as all the good ways of using a touch screen have been copywrited out of their ability to use them. Windows 8 failed before it was even conceived. The real problem lies with the lack of forward vision available to Microsoft. This is because they dragged their heels going down the hardware route. Apple had one source for hardware. Itself. Microsoft didn't do hardware so it evolved in an a strange environment of multiple hardware creators. This is key to understanding how they could not have evolved to survive the current situation.
Mark Anderson 10 March, 2013 13:21
I use it and it's OK.
That's all I have to say.
anonymous 10 March, 2013 19:32
I've used 8 since october 26, 2012 and like it on and off but now stuck with it. over all I like it. I use a mouse and keyboard and have no problems at all. in fact it works very good without the touch screen. i don't see all the concern people say that it doesn't work well. I've basically converted 8 to a better 7 by uninstalling most of the tiles. I do use the weather tile, and ebay app works good. as far as the pictures and music tiles I uninstalled those and its just like 7. over all I find no issues.
anonymous 11 March, 2013 11:36
To all the people saying that Windows 8 is crap: I don't get where did you get your reasons from! I am using W8 since the start and I think it is much better than W7, in many ways: it is faster, more intuitive, safer, easier to use. If people talk about "big change" from W7, well play with the new interface and you will get used to it! It is a big change, and what? Life is full of changes, get over it. To all the people who blame W8 for slowing PC sales: W8, or for that matter any other OS wouldn't change it! Open your eyes! People realize they don't need a PC as a tablet is better for content consumption, and most people do just that. On the other hand professional users (content producers) will keep buying PCs as tablets can't possibly be used for that (try to create a professional website on your iPad or Android tablet). Seriously open your eyes and stop living in some other freaking dimension. What is happening is a natural flow, PC sales will go down no matter what! I have Acer Iconia W700 (W8pro 11' tablet with i5), it is light, it is ultra portable, it is great for content consumption, and if I plug it into my monitor + keyboard + mouse, I have a great and powerful content creation device. This way I don't have to compromise, or have 2 different devices. And that is what w8 is great for!
anonymous 11 March, 2013 12:23
An article I had to write after reading that:
http://blog.programmingdan.com/?p=21
anonymous 11 March, 2013 15:26
I like to have windows 8 with the surface desktop of VISTA.
METRO is just too ugly. No Fun.
anonymous 11 March, 2013 16:31
Microsoft strayed too far away from their usual interface. Between vista an 7 everything was in the same place roughly so you didn't have to learn it again. I like the general theme but the new start menu tile system is irritating after a while desktop users need a normal start menu like on windows 7 for all other situations or at least the option to have a normal start menu whilst on the standard desktop
anonymous 11 March, 2013 18:14
I don't like being told what OS to use. Many PC venders force you to buy their recommended OS version, being preloaded, and charging you for it. If you then want to install another OS you have wasted the money on the preloaded version. The preloaded software is also mostly "trialware" or "crippleware" versions. Filling the hard drive with useless software you have to uninstall anyway. I usually build my own PCs and then install only the software that I want on it. These always run faster and with less problems.
MHO
anonymous 11 March, 2013 18:24
We brought in a few tablets running Windows 8 and one laptop as test beds for development. I had them on my desk for 2 weeks playing with every feature before handing them over to programmers and testers. I've never had so many "WTF" and "you've got to be kidding" moments in my 16 years of IT. There shouldn't even be a debate as to how ridiculous Windows 8's interface is. Someone needs to send a case of dictionaries up to Redmond with the word "Intuitive" underlined with a highlighter marker, as well as the words "convoluted" and "confounding".
anonymous 15 March, 2013 10:14
i quess i am confused...who told me that i was to use a touchscreen now....i mean,, was there really a need for it...i don,t think so, and i don,t think touch screen is beneficial to me, more like un-beneficial to me....its not what a guy sitting in his comptuer chair, with 24 inch monitor, really wants....i cannot imagine getting up and touch a screen...not in my wildest dreams
anonymous 24 March, 2013 12:17
I use and love windows 8 with a mouse and keyboard, the modern UI flicks straight to desktop with the use of a third party program.
I am also a Fitter and Machinist who has had too use touch screens for years, after seeing what my dirty fingers did to the screens I will never be a fan. This feature is only for people who never get their hands dirty like most of us do.
anonymous 9 April, 2013 14:49
" My desktop is not a kiosk. My desktop is not a phone.
I actually use this piece of crap for business. I am so mad at these people."
found at
http://www.laptopsreviewers.com/223/windows-8-sucks-yes-or-no/
fuentess, I couldn't agree more with you...
Damian
anonymous 12 April, 2013 10:11
There is nothing wrong with windows 8, PCs cost too much compared to tablets - hardware and software. How do Windows 8 applications choices and costs compare to those on iOS?