Microsofts Next Windows Variant Must Be the Modern Thin Client

[steve2470]

https://www.petri.com/microsofts-next-windows-variant-must-modern-thin-client

We are quickly approaching the tipping point where running software locally will become a legacy approach much like on-premises hardware. This, I believe, is true for both the consumer and the enterprise and if Microsoft does not play its cards right, the company may find itself in an awkward position where other platforms will outperform its own operating system.

Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 S as a modern version of Windows that will only run apps from the Windows Store and they claim this version of Windows will maintain optimal performance its entire lifecycle while also being more secure. This is fine as an in-between step for the evolution of Windows but it is not the correct long term solution to the “Windows” problem.

What is this problem? It’s the end goal for Windows. Where is it headed, what’s the longevity plan for the software and more importantly, how is Windows going to remain relevant in a world that no longer needs it to survive? These are the questions that Microsoft must answer if the company wants to retain its position as the platform authority for productivity.

You may write-off that ChromeOS is not a threat to the enterprise but that platform is very close to being a modern thin client; relatively lower-power hardware and nearly all tasks are performed through a web browser. Microsoft does not have a response to the growing threat of what Google is building and if you think it’s Windows 10 S, it’s not.

more at link

[earthshine]

1. I, personally, abhor anything that gives MS more control of my minute-by-minute use.

If you follow the progression from Win 7, 8, 10, and updates of 10, MS is becoming much more invasive.

Remember how they forced 10 on unsuspecting people in a manor resembling using a club?

They treat us like "users," not valuable customers.

Once Win 10 is offered on machines only as a "service," they will monitor everything we do and constrain us in the use of our machines.

I plan to be done with all MS hardware and software within a few years.

[TeapotInATempest]

2. This will be an interesting development to watch

Let's see how well the age-old balancing act between security and performance gets handled.

[d_r]

3. I really like my kids chromebooks

They are perfect for their school work.

I spend a lot of time in places where there are no g's. I don't want a thin client, thanks.

[hunter]

6. Every kid and teacher in our high schools gets a Chromebook.

Chromebooks cost less now than some textbooks. They are difficult machines to mess up. The software for teachers is excellent.

Google won this one.

I love my Chromebook. It's the first laptop I've felt comfortable traveling with. I'm notorious for losing things, or having them stolen. (I once had an expensive camera stolen at Disneyland...) I've been burdened with frightfully expensive laptops (the kind worth more than my personal automobiles) and I've hated it. I feel like I'm babysitting a machine. Losing a Chromebook wouldn't be a serious financial hit. If I'm logged out my personal data is fairly safe from casual crooks too. I log out when I travel.

The offline Chromebook apps are perfectly adequate for the writing I do. I don't need an internet connection. There are offline games I find amusing too.

Microsoft is trying to catch up here, but what's the point of Windows if it's doing what ChromeOS can do on far less expensive machines?

My desktops run Linux. It's not that I'm hostile toward Google, Microsoft, or Apple, it's just that Linux does exactly what I want it to do with minimal fuss. The first real operating system I used was BSD and Linux is very similar to that. I suppose I could still use BSD, but I have better luck with Debian Linux (and it's variations) on the machines I stumble upon.

[d_r]

7. Chromebooks are the most

Widely used is in US K-12 now. They took apples spot with over 50% of the market. I don't think that windows has ever had over 25% of K-12.

Yeah, I get it that the off line aps are there, and an SD card slot and USB for that matter. I would still rather just have Linux all things equal, Linux can be like a chromebook.

I just got a new work laptop. I didn't have a PC with windows on it so I was going to leave a windows partition. Where I work a lot of stuff on windows but they just let me have Linux because I don't ask them questions s. Anyway, I had the partition for a couple of weeks and used it to play fallout 4, but windows trees to fix itself and blanked out the boot menu and I ended up having to reinstall Linux and just wiped the windows partition.

I guess I'm like you it isn't that a fridge or anything, I just like Linux. I put mint and xfceon this time.

[Peachhead22]

4. can you say "anti-trust issues"?

Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 S as a modern version of Windows that will only run apps from the Windows Store...

As I recall, MS bought themselves a boatload of anti-trust headaches years ago when they bundled in MSIE into Windows. Didn't they make it difficult to uninstall MSIE or difficult for other browsers to coexist with MSIE or am I mis-remembering? It was seen as a way to leverage the ubiquity of Windows onto the browser marketplace. This new approach of only running apps (not just browsers) available from MS seem like it'll lead to those old anti-trust issues on steroids!

[Egnever]

5. Apple does that now with all ios devices

not sure how it would be a problem for windows.