Why Do People Still Buy Microsoft?

[Syrus28]

They arent anonymous. And if it was actually 3-5% they wouldnt have sunk the TWO BILLION dollars into the warranty programs that they had to.

Not to get in an argument here, but of all the stories I've heard, their sources are usually "BB associate who wish to remain anonymous", to "former EB Games Manager [Insert Name Here]" If there are any truly valid sources, I would be delighted to read them... I've been wrong plenty of times. However, the consensus of failure rates is hardly consistent enough to make me believe they are true.

Again, a failure rate of 33% could have indeed motivated Microsoft to spend $1 Billion. But it could also have been 10%, or 20%, or to keep customers happy and suppress the increasingly bad press of their product. Microsoft only stated that it was more than was acceptable, but who knows what their definition of "acceptable" is. I really don't know.

 

[GroovyLinuxGuy]

There is so much BS in that. IT departments do not buy software to keep them employed. Sorry that is not the case. IT departments are already horribly over worked and under staff because companies see them as nothing more than overhead.

Agreed.

The real reason they buy everything from Microsoft is SINGLE SOURCE responsibility. It makes their job easier. When something goes wrong they can call up Microsoft and have them fix it. There is no finger pointing involved because it single source.

Disagree. Have you ever had to deal with Microsoft trying to support you. Our Windows admins have given up on Microsoft support completely. MS likes to tell you the theoretical fix for an issue, which unfortunately doesn't usually work in an enterprise Production environment. For all their fancy certs, they may as well be fresh out of University (no that's not a dig at CompSci students). All they can really do is recite the fixes not actually come up with one on their own.

Also most of the work IT staff do or jobs to do does not involve the OS. Going all apple would not reduce the overhead cost of IT since most if it is largely unaffected by maintain the system. The IT people on these boards will tell you that largely they do not have problems running the Windows based server.

Not sure what kind of IT work you do, but at my company it takes 2 Windows sysadmins to administer 25 Windows Servers and 3 Linux SysAdmins to look after ~300 Debian servers (me being one of them and I still have time to lend a hand to our HelpDesk when they have the odd Mac issue). And as far as not involving the OS, our DBA, SysAdmins, HelpDesk and programmers are all involved at the OS layer (don't really know how you can write an efficient app if you don't know the platform inside and out but that last part is only my opinion). I'd rather pay the higher price for a Mac and have a stable Unix platform from a "big" company then an unstable, smoking crater where there was once a windows server.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

deleted

 

[boonlar]

I think this sums up the consoles.

Also ps3 has no games.

Oh and xbox360 ps3 wii iphone and zune are all made by Foxconn in the same factories somewhere in China.

 

[opeter]

I am tying this to Windows because as a mac user we're very critical of Windows and yet you guys are perfectly happy to use a product from MS that has a higher failure rate than Windows.

Because as a mac user we're very critical of Windows...? WTF?

I mean, what should this mean. I treat myself as a Mac user too, but i'm not critical to Windows. I have a Mac mini at home, at workplace i work on a PC. Never got any problems with it.

Is this really a religion of yours, or what?

 

[DJ567]

Windows vista is a good OS imho, even tho most people disagree, OSX is a similarly good OS, both have pros and cons, but that doesnt make 1 better than another.

microsoft make good and bad products (360s supposedly break but i've never had a problem)
apple make good and bad products (how often do we see problems with macs on this forums (nvidia discrete graphics problems anyone!!!))
sony make good and bad products (ps3 works i just dont like using it, my first 1 died after just a day)

i could go on forever with every company ever (except amstrad lol)

people should buy what they want to buy, people should sell what they want to sell, people should have the choice, thats why we live in a capitalist society, not so everyone has the same substandard products (name one good car to come out of the soviet union and you will see my point)

I have macs, running windows, 360s and a ps3 rarely have a problem with any (im lucky i guess) would not say any1 is better but i certainly have a preference towards OS X for computing needs and the 360 for gaming.

 

[63dot]

I know Apple has probably been at or near the top in terms of reliability, usability, and service but what draws me to even their unpopular products like the Cube, or the outrage over no firewire in the Macbook unibody, is that I have a certain bit of brand loyalty for them.

For instance, I love Fender guitars and have ever since I started playing in the '70s, and they have had wild swings in terms of quality and service, but I still found something I liked about them. I also love Volvo, but some of their later stuff makes me scratch my head even though I am very loyal to them. But thankfully, Apple is much more consistent than those companies.

If Apple started becoming more sloppy like Microsoft or Dell, I would not notice for a long time since part of what filters what I see in Apple are the great experiences I have had from their past products.

 

[Melrose]

You're not, but most of us are.

While I am personally very critical of Windows - for good reason in my case - I can also appreciate that for some people it has worked okay. And I like to think that my decision is not merely an hapless guess but an educated choice based on experience. I don't like being lumped into a group of people who blindly just jump on board because they happen to have a product with a certain badge on it..

I can't stand Windows, but I'd buy a 360 before I bought a PS3... but only because that's what everybody near me has (I'm not much into gaming anyway). Plus, it look downright hot.

Burned by the extended 2 year warranty that covers the Red Rings of Death specifically? Oh yea, I was SOOOO pissed when they promptly repaired my 360, never to have the problem again

+1

 

[chuckcalo]

Some people rather spend $300 on a machine that "should work" than spending $1000+ on a machine that "just works". They both work.

As for hardware, I must say Microsoft have made one of the best gaming mouse ever: IntelliMouse 3.0.

Windows is buggy, yes; but is what a 70% of the planet use. I never knew about Macs until like 4 years ago and I've been a PC user for more than 13 years (I'm 20 now).

P.S: 360 ftw.

 

[SpaceKitty]

Some people rather spend $300 on a machine that "should work" than spending $1000+ on a machine that "just works". They both work.

As for hardware, I must say Microsoft have made one of the best gaming mouse ever: IntelliMouse 3.0.

Windows is buggy, yes; but is what a 70% of the planet use. I never knew about Macs until like 4 years ago and I've been a PC user for more than 13 years (I'm 20 now).

P.S: 360 ftw.

The old saying that Macs just work is wrong. All one has to do is check the Apple discussions or any Apple forums to find that that is not true.

 

[mothy]

I cannot comment on Zune, XBOX etc.

------------

With regards to Windows vs OS X.

Most of enterprise computing do not buy Windows because 'it is windows'
They buy and install Microsoft Office as cheaply as they can.

Which means they buy PCs running Windows.

i.e. The decision is not made based on the operating system, it is based on getting Office and Outlook.

For home use, cost is still the barrier.

I have persuaded only a handful of friends and family to stump up the extra money for an Apple at home. 2 Reasons i try to do this.

1 - They will be happier (They ALL are)
2 - I stop the 'My computer is broken' calls.

 

[chewietobbacca]

I cannot comment on Zune, XBOX etc.

------------

With regards to Windows vs OS X.

Most of enterprise computing do not buy Windows because 'it is windows'
They buy and install Microsoft Office as cheaply as they can.

Which means they buy PCs running Windows.

i.e. The decision is not made based on the operating system, it is based on getting Office and Outlook.

For home use, cost is still the barrier.

I have persuaded only a handful of friends and family to stump up the extra money for an Apple at home. 2 Reasons i try to do this.

1 - They will be happier (They ALL are)
2 - I stop the 'My computer is broken' calls.

Compatibility is a big issue too. Companies can't afford to be at the whims and mercy of Apple. Whereas Windows promises legacy support, Apple doesn't. For instance, imagine if a company had a bunch of PPC computers that up til now were running Leopard fine. Snow Leopard rolls around, and PPC is now out dated, and they can't run programs on half their hardware because they're Snow Leopard based? You think a company would just up-and-upgrade everything?

MS's bread and butter is enterprise, which they do a magnificent job at it, with the customizations allowed and so on. Exchange is marvelous. As long as the global economy runs on MS, it will provide services to it.

As far as the entire XBOX thing goes - i've had my elite for half a year and haven't had problems. My friend had a RROD but had it replaced promptly. Yeah, real bummer getting it replaced promptly

 

[IJ Reilly]

Microsoft promises legacy support, but by no means do they always deliver. And how many applications are broken by OSX updates?

 

[FX120]

Microsoft promises legacy support, but by no means do they always deliver. And how many applications are broken by OSX updates?

Heh. I am still running a FoxPro 2.5 client from 1992 on Windows 7, that's about as good as you can get these days.

Although it would be nice to be able to move the Fox server up to something more modern than NT4, but the disks have quit reading and it's hard to find a more modern machine with a 5.25" floppy drive

 

[IJ Reilly]

Heh. I am still running a FoxPro 2.5 client from 1992 on Windows 7, that's about as good as you can get these days.

Although it would be nice to be able to move the Fox server up to something more modern than NT4, but the disks have quit reading and it's hard to find a more modern machine with a 5.25" floppy drive

Until I finally graduated to a Mac that didn't run Classic a few months ago, I was using some applications dating back to the mid-1980s. The idea that only Microsoft does legacy is, well, wrong.

 

[Syrus28]

Until I finally graduated to a Mac that didn't run Classic a few months ago, I was using some applications dating back to the mid-1980s. The idea that only Microsoft does legacy is, well, wrong.

How is this a valid comparison? He is still running FoxPro on Windows 7, while you required an out-dated OS to run legacy applications.

 

[ashjamben]

microsoft has the dominance in the 'office' suite and i doubt that'll change anytime soon.

and also, what's wrong with the xbox? yeah, it's made by microsoft who make a pretty lame operating system, but would you still thinks its crap if it didn't have the microsoft logo on it?

 

[IJ Reilly]

How is this a valid comparison? He is still running FoxPro on Windows 7, while you required an out-dated OS to run legacy applications.

A much older one, and it was under Classic. Meaning, the compatibility layer of OSX.

Either way I'd be interested to know how many circa 1992 applications run in Vista or Windows 7.

 

[AppleMacTheBest]

And how many applications are broken by OSX updates?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/373263/

 

[zap2]

Also ps3 has no games.

Maybe I'd agree... in 2006

Oh and xbox360 ps3 wii iphone and zune are all made by Foxconn in the same factories somewhere in China.

Yes, but the design of the Xbox 360 is the problem(or so they say)

 

[IJ Reilly]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/373263/

Applications with "major issues," 25. Mostly shareware and freeware. You don't think Vista broke that many applications at least?

 

[Pnut13]

Yes, but the design of the Xbox 360 is the problem(or so they say)

yes the 360 is made with older parts, so that is why you get drives that scartch disks and soldering that fals off of the mother boards on them, i know a dozen people that have a 360, all are on there 2nd, most on their 3rd, my best friends bro on his 7th!!!!!

I personally think that any one is crazy for buying one, i dont like 3rd person shooters or need to play online because i have friends that play games, and i hate buying something and knowing that it will break, probably within 2 years or less.

I have a Wii and a PS3 and i am very satisfied.
The only people that seem to care are fanboys of M$

,
Peter

 

[chewietobbacca]

Applications with "major issues," 25. Mostly shareware and freeware. You don't think Vista broke that many applications at least?

The thing Vista broke the most was driver-oriented since they went on a new driver model. That and the x64 version broke some old old programs, but most of those issues were resolved pretty quickly. Either way you cut it though, the large reason companies use and continue to use XP is due to its compatibility with whatever their hardware or software desires are, whereas with Apple, they would be at the whim of what hardware they dictate. When the new OS's no longer support legacy hardware, and a company wants new features, it would not want to be at the mercy of another company's dictations.

And then there's the whole realm of key licensing, slipstream customizations, etc. that companies want that Apple isn't in the business for. My point is that if Apple wants to be an integral part of enterprise, a lot of its culture would have to change, and I just don't see Apple moving away from their current direction targetted at ordinary consumers.

Maybe I'd agree... in 2006




Yes, but the design of the Xbox 360 is the problem(or so they say)

The PS3 is still lacking in titles. XBOX 360 sales have actually increased over the last year, while Sony is now in 3rd place. There is a reason for that

And the problem was cooling, which was a hardware issue. The software itself was fine - and to be fair, when you consider that this wast he first next gen console out and MS's expertise isn't in hardware, hiccups were expected. Since 65nm and new cooling has been put in, failure rates on the new ones are low.

I have a Wii and a PS3 and i am very satisfied.
The only people that seem to care are fanboys of M$

,
Peter

I have a Wii and once the novelty wore off, I realize that I only played two games: Wii Sports, which came free with it, and Super Smash. To each their own I guess.

Your second statement though, is surely a joke. THere are plenty of people on tihs forum only who own a 360 and they surely aren't fanboys of MS so quit generalizing.

 

[IJ Reilly]

The thing Vista broke the most was driver-oriented since they went on a new driver model. That and the x64 version broke some old old programs, but most of those issues were resolved pretty quickly. Either way you cut it though, the large reason companies use and continue to use XP is due to its compatibility with whatever their hardware or software desires are, whereas with Apple, they would be at the whim of what hardware they dictate. When the new OS's no longer support legacy hardware, and a company wants new features, it would not want to be at the mercy of another company's dictations.

Apple has made one major change in hardware direction in recent years, the migration to x86, which obviously (to me) was more than just a "whim," and also opened up a range of new opportunities both for Apple and Apple customers. I'm also not quite following the virtue of staying with XP, which is after all eight years old. Would a similar virtue confer to sticking with OSX of the same vintage, say 10.1, if it would run on all current Mac hardware?

And then there's the whole realm of key licensing, slipstream customizations, etc. that companies want that Apple isn't in the business for. My point is that if Apple wants to be an integral part of enterprise, a lot of its culture would have to change, and I just don't see Apple moving away from their current direction targetted at ordinary consumers.

I see your point here, but I know Apple does have some fairly large corporate installations, so they must have some methods available for supporting these installations.

 

[zap2]

The PS3 is still lacking in titles.

All you did was restate your comment I disagreed with...here I'll list some of the great games it has

LittleBigPlanet
Warhawk
Resistance Fall of Man 1+2
MGS4
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Prince of Persia
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
MotorStorm 1+2

FallOut 3
BioShock
GTA4
Rock Band 2
GH:World Tour
Devil May Cry 4

XBOX 360 sales have actually increased over the last year, while Sony is now in 3rd place. There is a reason for that

First off the PS3 has always been in 3rd, so the usage of "now" is a bit weird. And yes there is a reason, but don't fool your self into think there is just one. Price is a big factor. Online. The X360 might have better games(its a personal call), but that doesn't mean the PS3 is lacking in them

And the problem was cooling, which was a hardware issue. The software itself was fine - and to be fair, when you consider that this wast he first next gen console out and MS's expertise isn't in hardware, hiccups were expected. Since 65nm and new cooling has been put in, failure rates on the new ones are low.

I never said it was a software problem...and no, these issues were not expected. Xbox (the first) is a fine piece of hardware, and the Zune is(hardware wise) fine. Plus MS is a billion dollar company. They can get it right the first time.(I fail to see what it begin the first console out for this generation has to do with anything, unless you're saying MS rushed it, and I'd agree with that)