14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 will debut on July 29 with a brand new offer that makes the new operating system a lot more appealing than its predecessor, in a new Microsoft attempt to move as many people as needed to the new software.
Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade for consumers running genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, so in order to try out the new operating system, users won’t have to spend a single cent.
But while this offer might sound like milk and honey for Microsoft, the free Windows 10 upgrade offer might actually hurt the rest of the industry, as some believe that buying a new computer just for the new operating system is not worth it because it comes free of charge.
FBR Capital Markets analyst Christopher Rolland said pretty much the same thing, explaining that PC makers, who are Microsoft’s main partners, would be the first ones affected by this.
“Microsoft's new free upgrade strategy may affect shipments,” Rolland said.
“Historically, consumers have overwhelmingly upgraded their PC operating systems through the purchase of new PC hardware. While this was our original outlook for the Win10 upgrade cycle, our second half 2015 and 2016 PC outlook is dampened slightly as Microsoft is offering consumers a free cloud upgrade for all Win 7, 8.1, and Windows RT (tablet) owners. Users who convert will be allowed to use the new operating system for up to a year," he added, probably forgetting that Windows 10 will be free for the entire lifetime of a device after upgrading, and not just for one year, as long as you perform that upgrade in the first 12 months after launch.
Why should anyone buy a new Windows 10 PC?
This is pretty much the biggest dilemma for companies building new PCs, as they could use the answer to this question in order to attract more buyers.
But it’s hard to actually find a good reason for consumers to purchase new PCs, and Microsoft doesn’t seem to struggle either to promote the advantages of new Windows 10 devices.
Basically, the company said that purchasing a new PC running Windows 10 is recommended because this way everyone can make the most of the new OS, but the same thing is valid for powerful hardware configurations running Windows 7 or 8.1.
On the other hand, buying new hardware could help you make sure that all Windows 10 features work on your computer, such as biometric authentication tool Windows Hello, which requires additional components to work. But external hardware that could make it possible to use these features is also likely to launch, so once again, buying a new PC with Windows 10 simply doesn’t make sense.
Microsoft should discuss all reasons to purchase a new PC with Windows 10 in the coming weeks, as we get closer to the official launch of the new OS on July 29.