14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s Windows operating system was installed on more than 97 percent of devices in 2005, but the company is very likely to experience a dramatic decline in the coming years, especially due to competitive products coming from the likes of Apple and Google.
Gartner analysts said that Microsoft’s share of the computing market is very likely to drop to 14 percent by 2017, as competition in the PC, tablet, and smartphone market is getting fiercer.
“You need to own consumers in terms of mobile and tablet in order to remain relevant in this market,” said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi, according to T3.
Users will no longer choose Windows, Milanesi said, especially because they’re now provided with some full-featured alternatives, including the more user-friendly and more affordable Linux and Mac systems.
“Consumers have options and consumers are choosing. Microsoft can not take that for granted that they’ll be the one to be chosen.”