The Windows 8 and other failed Microsoft products thread - Windows 8 "relaunches" Feb

cant wait to not use it

Why should I give a fuck again?

The horror!

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Microsoft is reportedly planning to kill its retail full edition of Windows 8, offering simplified upgrade and System Builder options for home users. The software maker has typically sold upgrade, full, and OEM System Builder copies of its Windows software at retailers.Windows Weekly co-hosts Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley have both revealed that Microsoft is planning to remove the full edition option in favor of a System Builder option for home users building a PC.

In the past, home users wishing to install a full copy of Windows could either purchase a pricey boxed copy or a cheaper OEM edition. The OEM edition, that was technically for system builders, could be sold by retailers with a piece of hardware — but many have offered this as a standalone purchase. Full boxed copies come with 90 days of support via email and telephone after activation, whereas OEM copies lack the support option. Thurrott and Foley both speculate that the full edition will no longer be available in stores, replaced with an OEM System Builder option for those building a new PC. The change marks a shift in Microsoft's licensing plans for Windows 8 and simplifies the offering to consumers on the web and in retail stores.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the existence of a System Builder version for consumers earlier this month, revealing that Mac users would have to use the edition to install Windows 8. Microsoft will release a Windows 8 Pro upgrade offer for existing Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users — priced at just $39.99. If the rumors are true, expect to see just upgrade and System Builder options on the shelves in late October. Ultimately, the change is good for consumers providing Microsoft plans to offer its System Builder version at a similar price to its previous OEM copies of Windows 7.

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http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/13/31...der-only-rumor

They're only doing this because after the backlash and outrage of the majority of their customer base from the Windows 8 preview, they know they won't sell shit with an OS priced at 300 goddamn dollars.

Decided since they're taking away Aero -- I'd get used to it being gone.

But go to Windows Basic? No way o.o Go to the OTHER looks_and_feel that they're removing: Windows Classic : D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../WindowsXX.png

Surprisingly feels like a step up from Aero despite being obviously uglier.

:realsmug:

Gabe Newell: “I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space.”

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Originally Posted by T.J. Hafer

“Valve wouldn’t exist today without the PC,” he insisted, “or Epic, or Zynga, or Google. They all wouldn’t have existed without the openness of the platform. There’s a strong temptation to close the platform, because they look at what they can accomplish when they limit the competitors’ access to the platform, and they say, ‘That’s really exciting.’

“We are looking at the platform and saying, ‘We’ve been a free rider, and we’ve been able to benefit from everything that went into PCs and the Internet, and we have to continue to figure out how there will be open platforms.”

Newell even went as far as to say that a change of operating systems may be necessary in the future to preserve the open platform, so get those boot CDs ready.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for the 2,500 games on Steam to run on Linux as well. It’s a hedging strategy,” he said. “I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space. I think we’ll lose some of the top-tier PC/OEMs, who will exit the market. I think margins will be destroyed for a bunch of people.”

“What we are interested in is bringing together a platform where people’s actions create value for other people when they play. That’s the reason we hired an economist.

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If Valve came out with the SteamBox, and released an open platform OS for my PC, I would be a happy man.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck Microsoft. It seems their care about the PC went out the door with their PC game development.