Microsoft Windows 7 Sucks: Clif Armstrong
Here’s why Microsoft Windows 7 will not get Mac users.
You’ve probably heard by now that Microsoft’s Windows and Mac’s Snow Leopard have been exchanging blows ever since their announcement. Which ever one is better is all about your personal preference.
I’m not hear to bash Windows 7. I haven’t even used it or tested it out. So if Microsoft wants to take back it’s share of the OS market away from Apple, shouldn’t Microsoft make it easy for someone who has a Mac (like myself) to purchase and install a copy of Windows on their Mac?
Microsoft, you screwed up.
I have two computers: my Macbook Pro and a PC I built in 2005. On my PC, I’ve run Windows 2000 and it’s been a really great OS. It does what I need it to do and I’m happy with it. On my MacBook Pro, I have the latest version of Snow Leopard and I’m really happy with that too. I planned to purchase a copy of Windows 7 because it’s a lot like XP. We use Windows XP at my work and it works great. So when I heard that Windows 7 was just like XP, I decided to bite the bullet and get a copy of Windows 7 for my Macbook.
Whoa wait…. did I just say that I’d bite the bullet? Hold on a second, let me consult my wallet first.
Windows 7 Prices (For Upgrades)
- Premium: $119.99
- Professional: $199.99
- Ultimate: $219.99
Windows 7 Prices (Full Versions)
- Premium: $199.99
- Professional: $299.99
- Ultimate: $319.99
WHOA!! HOLY CRAP MICROSOFT!!!! How much is your operating system? A 120 bucks for your BASIC version?! I don’t care how good your operating system is or how good you say it is, it’s not worth those prices.
See, the only computer system I have that can run your OS is my MacBook Pro, and to be completely fair and honest, I would have to buy the full version of Windows.
I am forced to purchase Ultimate because I would like a fully unlocked version on your OS so that I can enjoy the quality of work that you’ve put into Windows, and not be restricted to certain conditions of your OS.
So I would have to spend $319.99, probably $340 with tax on your operating system, and don’t forget, I’ll need to buy addition programs to add onto MSW7 so I can fully enjoy it.
All in all, we’re talking about $340 for MSW7 plus an extra $200 for various programs (Games, Anti-virus, etc…).
500 bucks. You can buy a new computer with that money, or better yet, spend $300 more and get a Mac laptop.
Also, I can only install MSW7 on ONE computer? What if my laptop gets stolen? What if I want to build my own PC, but upgrade it in an years time, would that be considered a new computer? Oh yeah, there’s your “Family Pack” edition, but that’s even more money!
You see, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to take away Mac users even if MSW7 is a superior product and OS because the price is way to much. And I’m limited to the computer that I’ve installed it at.
Microsoft, what you don’t understand about Mac customers is that they are very happy with their Macs. And MSW7’s price point is going to encourage those happy Mac owners to stay with their Macs. Beside, it was only 30 bucks to get Snow Leopard.
If MSW7 was 50 bucks, the Full Version, and had unlimited installs on my two computers, then I would buy it today.
Microsoft, you don’t understand your customers. You don’t understand people who have Macs, and you don’t understand what is going to build a loyal customer base that will continue to purchase Microsoft products into the future. But guess what, all the hype and good will that MSW7 has promoted, will not take me away from my Mac. Sorry, Microsoft, you’ve failed.
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Can’t say I disagree with your points. Windows NEEDS to lower its prices if it wants to snag customers. Most people obtain Windows through newly purchased computers. HOWEVER, the title is a complete mislead. Windows has been notorious over the years for its ridiculous prices. This isn’t just a problem with Windows 7. In no way was the article directly related to flaws in the operating system I personally LOVE. Merely a criticism of the strategy Windows has had for as long as I can remember. Granted, my years are limited, but still…
Case in point: If you’re gonna say Windows 7 sucks, I want to know why it sucks. Not how the prices are way too expensive.
Cliff I don’t think you understand the difference between Windows and Mac. On the Mac side (and I am not a Mac user I am strictly going by what Leo Laporte says) Mac users tend to upgrade their Operating Systems when a new one becomes available, Windows users on the other hand tend to wait a litlle while longer and a lot less upgrade their OS most Windows users acquire a new operating system when the purchase a new computer, which would cost waaaaaaaay more than what Microsoft is charging. So Microsoft can get away with charging so much for their software, because most people obtain it through a much more expensive computer, that being said the prices I see you have listed are way higher than they used to be to upgrade.
I must agree with flyboy…You claim that you are “not here to bash Windows,” yet the title of the post is “Windows 7 sucks.” And to reiterate patrick’s point, if you are going to criticize the price of the OS then this post could have been much shorter. I thought the post was going to state why you didn’t like W7, not why you don’t like the price. For that, I was disappointed.
Additionally, how can you criticize the price of the OS when the price for Apple hardware is so incredibly out of proportion to how much a new PC would cost. You said it yourself. You can buy a new PC for around 500$ which would include the new OS, while a new Apple machine (mac mini, for example) costs 600$ and doesn’t come with a monitor (add 150$-200$).
I appreciate that you are being an informed consumer. And to be honest, I haven’t tested W7 at all. I held out with XP when Vista was the newest and greatest (and we know how that turned out). Furthermore, I have had a great deal of experience with macs. I like them in a different way that I like Windows. You are right, it is a personal preference. I think I’ll stick with Windows because it is familiar and I am a stick in the mud. When you buy W7 and test it, I would really like to hear what you think!
Students can get a copy of Windows 7 for 30 bucks, just search online.
I did that and it’s a boatload better than Vista. That said, I agree the standard retail prices are much too high, and Microsoft has been guilty of that for a while.
Well, I can agree that the title is a bit misleading, and that i’ve used the mac OS for the past 6 years, so I may be a little bias.
I haven’t tested out Windows 7, but I hear good things about it and i’ll defiantly write a review when i’ve tested it out.
I think that Windows currently dominates the OS market, and the main reason for it is because of gaming. In Fact, the only reason I want to purchase (or not) windows 7 is because of a game. (also, you don’t have to buy the full versions for new computers, the upgrades work as a clean install on a blank HD)
I understand that the cheapest Mac is the Mac mini for around 800 (including monitor), and that you can buy a PC actually for $350, but what does that get you?
1.6 pentium celeron
6 gig ram,
320 HD
256 graphics card,
Plus a monitor ($200 or so)
The only thing you can run with system is ‘out of breath’ because this computer will cough up it’s lungs before it can run any game off the Best Buy shelf.
To build a decent gaming system, you’ll need to spend between $800-$1500. Which is about the price of a Decent Mac that can run Windows 7 through bootcamp.
I would argue that the cost of component and computer technology are the same equipment-wise. So what is the reason for the price increase of Microsoft new OS? Give Windows 7 to everyone for 50 bucks, or even 30 bucks. MS will then dominate the market again, for being a mac guy for 6 years, i’d buy it.
I thought they could get it for 19 bucks online?
Just got a new PC with Windows 7 on it. Initially had some problems getting things up and running, but I think that had something to do with 2 different anti-virus programs clashing with each other (a whole other story.) Now, things seem to be working better and I’m really liking Windows 7. My son has Windows Vista on his computer and I’m definitely thinking I’m going to upgrade. Although, as you put it, Cliff, the price tag is a little hard to swallow, especially for a 9-year-old’s computer!
[...] 7 Doesn’t Really Suck… : Clif Armstrong 23 December 2009 No Comment So a while ago, I wrote an article on pretty much why the new Microsoft Windows 7 sucks. Basically, I didn’t give a thorough review on the [...]
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