Posted on 08/02/2011 8:13:00 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
After a healthy 10-year run, Windows XP may finally be losing its overwhelming grip on computer users. Though it's still the most heavily used version of the Windows operating system, XP's market share among all operating systems finally dipped just below the 50 percent mark last month, according to stats out today from Net Applications.
The aging OS has gradually been shedding market share a bit each month over the past few years, touching 62 percent a year ago and 51 percent in June before its latest dip in July, according to Net Applications. At the same time, Windows 7--the current version of the OS--has just under 28 percent share among all operating systems, including Apple's Mac OS X and iOS. But Windows 7 has steadily grabbed more customers since its official release in October 2009. Meanwhile, Vista's grip on the market has steadily fallen each month and now rests at just over 9 percent for July. Altogether, Windows controls about 87 percent of the overall OS market.
With Microsoft due to cut off extended support for Windows XP in another three years, the company has been pushing both individuals and businesses to make the leap to Windows 7. To further motivate customers, Microsoft has released studies that bolster Windows 7, such as one from May that highlighted Windows 7 as five times more secure than XP.
However, Redmond offers no direct migration path from Windows XP to Windows 7, so moving to the latest OS typically requires either a total reinstall or an upgrade to a new PC. Tools such as Microsoft's Windows Easy Transfer may help ease the pain, but the migration is still time-consuming, especially for larger companies. A survey of IT professionals last November found that half of them were planning to continue to use XP even after the support tap is turned off in 2014.
Before I go to Windows 7 I want to know two things
1) IS the up one folder button back or do they still make you use the !@*# ribbon?
2) Can the search actually find something? XP had a great search while Vista’s search can’t find §¶¡+, even Freerepublic’s horrible search is 1000x than Vista’s
I’m driven by my industry which is a bit stuck-in-the-mud when it comes to computer issues. Even if I had Windows 7, I’d still have to keep an XP machine around just for compatibility with industry software. I can’t even use the latest versions of Word without getting grumbles from clients who claim it screws up their document formatting.
My wife shares your lament.
My experience is the exact opposite.
Same here. Toshiba Satellite C655.
That’s the immediate future. The near future will be devices which contain memory (short and long term) that you will sit on a surface that pop a virtual display and keyboard with which you will interact.
Eventually, we’ll be the Borg :-)
And they will be less with Windows 7 firewall. Mayhap Microsoft is starting to get it together.? Only time will tell.
I’m running WXPP SP3 with 3.5GB RAM and won’t upgrade to a newer O/S until absolutely necessary as Vista and 7 are memory hogs.
I remember when W95 first came out - the min. RAM requirements were 8 MB with 12 MB recommended.
These Operating Systems just get more and more bloated with useless crap, but if they didn’t, then no one would be buying new computers, or upgrading RAM, etc...
I just hope my HDTV doesn’t have built in obsolescence like PCs do.
I have a Mitsubishi TV from 1993 in a guest room and the pic is great.
The pic is nowhere near the quality of my HDTV, but I doubt my HDTV will be around and working after 18 years.
Same with my iPhone 3G - I just bought it a couple of years ago but it’s already a relic and painfully slow compared to the newer models.
I’ll have to upgrade when the iPhone 5 comes out.
BTW - W7 is this decade’s version of WinME
XP on a Dell was awesome and flawless for six years. Glad I switched to an HP and 7 a few months ago. Very sweet.
An IT tip for fellow Freepers... Here is a great site to pair with your Windows OS of choice. It makes maintaining (updating) all the popular programs a breeze. You can check everything you want/use, save the executable, and it will install it all in one click. Save the executable and re-run it later and it will update everything in one click.
Because they have 30x fewer shares?
I’m here all night folks, Try the veal.
Will upgrade to WIN 8 when it comes out, supposedly before Christmas, or spring of 2012.
I prefer a large screen too.
I think I’ll be the last one to give up XP. I have it on too many machines that will never need to have the OS changed.
Not sure if you’re being facetious but on the chance that you’re not....
A virtual keyboard has no tactile feel. It is broadcast onto the surface upon which the device sits. I guess the tactile feel is that of your kitchen table, your desk or even your lap.
I haven’t seen a screen yet but they’re working on them. Whoever does the best job on that device will be TNBT.
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