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Thread: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

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    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    http://wccftech.com/microsoft-window...#ixzz31a2DRXCS

    It looks something had to give with MS giving away Windows free for phones and smaller tablets.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 13-05-2014 at 07:46 PM.

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  3. #2
    Splash
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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    I started to read the comments on that site, then realised why I'd never heard of it before.

    Atop that: I don't think it's particularly secret that Microsoft have been angling towards a subscription model for some time.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Quote Originally Posted by Splash View Post
    I started to read the comments on that site, then realised why I'd never heard of it before.

    Atop that: I don't think it's particularly secret that Microsoft have been angling towards a subscription model for some time.
    Looks like Windows 7 and 8 will be being used for a while.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Time to go Linux. Wonder if someone will do a "YouWin9" or "Sub-Free YouWin9" distro?

    Of course, despite SteamOS Linux gaming support is still poor. Wonder if there are parts of Mantle over which Microsoft have a potential claim (as in too close to DirectX) or else why have AMD not mentioned anything about Mantle and Linux. A bare-metal API should make porting between Windows and Linux a lot easier.

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    Splash
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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Looks like Windows 7 and 8 will be being used for a while.
    You may well be correct - there were rumours that the OS following XP would have a subs only model back at XP launch. There were rumours that the OS following Vista would have a subs only model etc etc etc.


    It's not happened yet, but if Microsoft were to offer you a Software Assurance-like deal whereby you pay a fixed fee per year per device and were entitled (but not forced) to upgrade to the latest version at no extra charge I think there would be some uptake - O365 is selling reasonably well in certain sectors.

    That's not to say that it's a good match for everyone, but if they were able to sell an OEM PC pretty cheap with a subscription model for the OS through the likes of PC World etc I think there would be a market, and I think that market might be larger than you think. The likes of you and I are *very* small fry in the world of non-business computer (and in general technology) sales - the likes of my Mum and Dad are far more representative of the market at large.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Quote Originally Posted by Splash View Post
    You may well be correct - there were rumours that the OS following XP would have a subs only model back at XP launch. There were rumours that the OS following Vista would have a subs only model etc etc etc.


    It's not happened yet, but if Microsoft were to offer you a Software Assurance-like deal whereby you pay a fixed fee per year per device and were entitled (but not forced) to upgrade to the latest version at no extra charge I think there would be some uptake - O365 is selling reasonably well in certain sectors.

    That's not to say that it's a good match for everyone, but if they were able to sell an OEM PC pretty cheap with a subscription model for the OS through the likes of PC World etc I think there would be a market, and I think that market might be larger than you think. The likes of you and I are *very* small fry in the world of non-business computer (and in general technology) sales - the likes of my Mum and Dad are far more representative of the market at large.
    Not sure TBH. My parents and plenty of older people I have come across would rather not pay subscriptions if possible. Look at PAYG phones - most people I know who use them are older people anyway. They would rather pay upfront and be done with it.

    Edit!!

    It also makes the gaming PC a much more expensive option over time ,and makes consoles far more attractive.

    I really hope Linux devs can take advantage of this potential misstep by MS.

    It could be what gives a shot in the arm for desktop and laptop Linux distros.

  8. #7
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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    I'm not disagreeing with you that going subs only would be a foolish move, just that given the move to a more regular (looks like annual or near enough) release cycle then subscription might make sense in some cases.

    I'm not a Microsoft shill, and am quite comfortable using Linux and BSD where it's a good tool for the job. I just don't understand why people would get as irate as some of the commentards on the page you linked to when the key words that seem to have been ignored are *might* and *version*. There's nothing in the leak (from what the site themselves admit should be taken with a pinch of salt) that screams to me that Windows 8 will be subscription only. One of the many great things about Linux is the amount of choice you get - why would it be such a bad thing for Microsoft to offer you another choice as to how you buy your OS from them?

    EDIT: Just saw your edit around gaming PCs and consoles. Bear in mind that both the XBone and the PS4 have a subs based model (XBox Live and PSN). I may be wrong as I don't own or have any interest in either, but I believe that there are costs associated with both *on top of* the licensing premium you pay per game to the manufacturer.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Superb marketing idea. For Win8.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Looks like ill be sticking with my existing licenses and/or migrating to linux wherever possible if they do.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Not sure TBH. My parents and plenty of older people I have come across would rather not pay subscriptions if possible. Look at PAYG phones - most people I know who use them are older people anyway. They would rather pay upfront and be done with it.

    ....
    Quite. Though I'm not sure age is entirely the determining factor, and with regard to PAYG, my suspicion is that that's because older people are far less reliant on mobile phones, or especially smartphones, than younger ones.

    Put it this way. I probably qualify as "older". My university days, for instance, are >30 years behind me. For me, for my usage PAYG is a no-brainer. However, I spent many years on monthly contract, and my older brother still is. I'd say, from my friends and relatives in my age group, it's probably 2:1 contract, rather than PAYG.

    As for a subs-based Windows, I doubt it'll shock anyone here if I say "No way in hell. Not a chance. Not doing it, EVER."

    If MS offer a subs version, as an option, like Office365 and Office packages, fine. No problem, as far as I'm concerned. If, like Adobe for Creative Suite (mainly Photoshop, in my case) they go subs-only, then they lose me, just like Adobe have.

    As it happens, I think Office365 has some pretty good deals. I just don't like the principle. I can understand why some people find it attractive. But me? Nope. I want to know what ir's going to cost, and I'll buy or not, based on that. I gave up renting things after my first video recorder, back in 1970-something, and I'm not about to start renting computer software now. I want my regular monthly outgoings down, not up.

    I would not be surprised if MS did this though, and not surprised if they didn't. But after the PR dusasters of trying to force Win8 MUI, and XBOne Kinect, in us, only to have to climb down, I hope they market test this carefully if it is more than an option.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Quote Originally Posted by Biscuit View Post
    Looks like ill be sticking with my existing licenses and/or migrating to linux wherever possible if they do.
    I'm already migrated on some machines to Linux, and sticking firmly with existing licences on others, and a suspicion that MS might go this route over time is partly why I'm migrated. Not everything can be, but what can be, more or less already is.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    It was the rumour of XP going subscription that generated my initial interest in Linux, and why I stayed with win2k until win7 was released. (I did dabble with XP a year or so before Vista came out - I was suitably underwhelmed)

    If MS were to go to a subscription only model, it will be goodbye from me, and goodbye from him. As it is, I am moving slowly towards the Apple infrastructure; windows subscription would just speed up that process.
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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    I think all the software giants will have to go for a subscription model if they're going to survive. It will be large business customers that keep them afloat to begin with.
    The trouble is, that with all the free software out there, they're going to have to offer something pretty exceptional to get the public custom as well. I think for a while they'll be surviving on the people that know no other options.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    To be honest I'm not sure of the issues here. We have a new generation coming through that have been raised with the idea that they need a subscription to do anything with their Xbox/PS3/4s. A lot of the software sold to businesses with a subscription on an annual basis with support mixed in. The models already there.

    An combined Office/Windows subscription model if decently priced and with easy to access support would do very well with the general public, especially if sold at time of purchase of a new PC/Tablet in the same way that Comet once pushed Sky subscriptions with new TVs. It removes the drama of paying for upgrades and dealing with issues for the consumer.

    Many of us Mac users find the support Apple gives second to none both in store and on the phone although we do pay for it, consumers may be more willing to live with a subscription model for Microsoft if the same kind of support is offered. Interestingly Apple have made the latest version of the MacOS free to current users and given away their 'office suite' to new Apple hardware purchasers. In reality they know they have little chance of beating Microsoft with their frankly superb office offering. However if you give it away for free... that changes everything...

    I still maintain that Microsoft need to release a free version of Windows to improve access to their ecosystem which is where they should be concentrating their efforts. I'm not 100% sure subscription based models would be a high flow, long term money spinner, but I do suspect it would be relatively popular.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    I really don't like the idea of subscription based os at all. i also bet Microsoft plans on using DX12 for windows 9 as a exclusive.

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    Re: Windows 9 might have a subscription based version

    Ugh well time to start working on those alternatives - I only have 2 windows pcs left

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