Way to Go Microsoft! -- Windows 8 Adoption Rate Trailing Vista

Remember the Microsoft disaster known as "Vista"? Well it looks like the geniuses in Redmond have done it again--

Is Windows 8 Adoption Rate Really Trailing Vista's? | News & Opinion | PCMag.com: "Data compiled by Web analytics firm Net Applications put Windows 8's online usage share at just under 1.6 percent through Dec. 22 as measured in relation to all desktop and laptop PC operating systems. Microsoft made its next-gen PC and tablet platform available on Oct. 26. Computerworld's Gregg Keizer tabbed back through the data to find that Vista, after the same period of time following its 2007 release, had shown up on 2.2 percent of all Windows systems (you can access the same data by clicking back through the Net Application report.)"

Well I guess that is what happens when you decide to "dumb down" your OS to be mobile-ready (meaning built for smartphones and tablets)--and completely abandon your installed base of PC and notebook (non-touchscreen) users! Note to Redmond: I (and a lot of other PC users) do not need a touchscreen PC or notebook device--in fact, a touchscreen slows me down.

Many PC users are migrating to Apple, and a growing minority to Google Chromebooks. Here's my migration path history (1995 to present): Windows 95 - Windows 98 - Windows 2000 - Windows XP - Windows 7. Where from here (once my last Windows 7 notebook wears out)? I guess Google Chrome/Android since Microsoft has reportedly decided to change their future business model to primarily "subscriptions" for touchscreen devices. I need a keyboard and mouse for speedy, accurate content creation. Chromebooks and Android tablets support mouse devices (iPads do not). I use Word almost daily, but I can change (Google Docs anyone?). How about you?

Prediction for 2013: Apple and Google continue their global OS dominance in both smartphone and tablet devices, and increase their encroachment into the desktop/notebook sector previously dominated by Microsoft. It appears Microsoft is destined to be a distant third-place in the global OS competition for computing devices (smartphones, tablets, desktops, notebooks).

Long story short: Microsoft abandons its users, and its users in turn, abandon Microsoft.

Tweet    Follow @johnmpoole