Such a promo won't boost new PC sales, they claim

Oct 6, 2014 14:00 GMT  ·  By
Windows 10 Preview was launched last week, while the stable version should launch in spring 2015
   Windows 10 Preview was launched last week, while the stable version should launch in spring 2015

Windows 10 Preview is already here and all eyes are on the feature lineup that's going to be improved with every new testing build release, but also on pricing details that could be unveiled by Microsoft at a later time.

Even though Microsoft hasn't talked about the price of Windows 10 until now, there have been some voices indicating that Redmond is considering a free upgrade for Windows 8 users in order to boost adoption of its new operating system and to get more people off its modern OS, which was considered to be more or less a flop.

Now it appears that PC makers aren't quite happy with such a promo because it could significantly impact new computer sales, and some have already expressed their dissatisfaction in private circles.

A report by Digitimes reveals that notebook component makers “take a pessimistic attitude” about Windows 10 because they expect the new operating system to have a really low impact on new PC sales.

The free upgrade could affect new PC sales

Some PC makers believe that by offering Windows 10 free of charge to those on Windows 8, sales of new computers would be dramatically impacted because no one would actually need to purchase new hardware.

And while this is true, if Microsoft decides to cancel such a promo, it would also become a double-edged sword: PC makers could indeed win a few more customers that would invest in new hardware, but Microsoft might in the end have to face a new wave of criticism for launching an expensive product.

And still, PC makers claim that “without innovations, the new operating system is unlikely to attract consumers to buy new PCs,” as the report states.

This isn't entirely true. Microsoft tried to tweak Windows 10 in such a way that most of the complaints in Windows 8 would be resolved, including the lack of a Start menu. At the same time, Microsoft also introduced some additional features, including multiple desktops, while also working to implement new ones in the coming updates.

But that doesn't mean anything, PC makers complain, and “Windows 8 users' free upgrade to Windows 10 means there will not be any significant replacement demand.”

Of course, there's no doubt that PC makers are right too, so Microsoft really needs to work this out the right way and kill two birds with one stone: boost new PC sales by convincing users on older Windows versions to upgrade to Windows 10 and lend a hand to manufacturers who are still struggling with disappointing numbers.