Although I can’t quite believe it, I have now started a tentative journey to dump Microsoft.
I’ve been a huge fan over the years, taking every Windows upgrade as soon as it became available, persuaded all my family to set up Outlook.com accounts, Skype accounts, and got my wife and myself Windows phones.
Things have been going south for a while though. Constant upgrades to Windows 10 (I now seem to spend more time sorting out issues with my computers than actually using them), the constant crap that Microsoft keeps trying to put back on my computers every time an upgrade occurs, and the fact that Windows phone has basically been abandoned (to say nothing about Groove).
My wife’s 640 recently died so I helped her buy and set up a new Samsung Android. Not wanting to be outdone I decided a phone upgrade was on the cards. I’m not a big fan of the ridiculous Apple price tags so got myself an Android phone. My expectation weren’t high, and I was dreading leaving my old Windows phone. What a revelation Android has been. I used to claim I didn’t need apps, but when they’re suddenly available what a difference. Everything ‘just works’, and I now have finger print access to banking apps, payment apps, and more and more.
This is where the rot starts. I’ll always own a computer for grunt work, but my next tablet is likely to be either Android or a Chromebook (the latter not quite there yet, but so close). My computer will be relegated to being switched on a couple of times a month, and doing so won’t be a joyous experience as I’ll no doubt have to wait whilst it applies whatever updates, and twice a year I’ll have to fix whatever Microsoft tries to break.
This all makes me kinda sad, as I’ve invested so much into the Microsoft ecosystem. Next to go will be my Office 365 subscription, as now I’m seeing what Google has to offer I’m stating to question what value Microsoft is actually delivering.
So Microsoft, consider this a breakup. And for the record; it’s you, not me.
Bats
<p>Dude, I hear ya and can totally relate.</p><p>I am always open to anything, in terms of technology related experiences. However, Microsoft offers nothing for me that can help me enjoy life better. </p><p>In the end, it's not about Microsoft vs. Google vs. Apple. Rather, it's about which service helps make your life and more enjoyable. Years ago, I determined that to be Google.</p><p>As for Office 365, I don't use the actual software itself except for work. I only use it for the 5 TB of storage space an Office 365 Home account offers. I am probably going to cut that off too. Why pay $80-100 a year for something I don't need? My best advice for you is to find out if your employer offers the Microsoft HUP and buy the standalone Office Suite for $10 and install it on your lone PC, just to have it. Or, just use the free Office Online. Other than that,…believe me….you can use Google Drive's Apps. </p><p>I see the Google Drive Apps to be almost on par with Office 365, with the potential to be greater than it. I say this because of the Addons or Extensions. They practically have everything you need to not miss Office 365. You have everything from Mail Merge to Charting to tons of templates. There really is a lot and it meshes very well with the other Google services.</p>
jumpingjackflash5
<p>Unfortunately, I agree, although I still did not follow that path and I am waiting for MS to recover.</p><p><br></p><p>Yes death of Windows phone means incomplete experience for Windows fans. I still have my Lumia 640, but when it stops working one day, no replacement available.</p><p><br></p><p>Yes when using android or apple google docs is on the table, although is has much less features than Office. I recently worked with my students on Google Docs projects and clearly saw its limitations, however it was a logical choice for androids and Ipads.</p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft once understood the importance of synergies between home and work computers, worked for one Windows, etc. Now they struggle.</p><p><br></p><p>I have heard that Windows update will be faster in following version doing more of updates while running. Yes that is how it should be engineered. Most updates' work must be done before the restart so that restart (if required) is very fast. I wonder why they did not this sooner ????????</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Sorry to say but Acrylic effect on fluent design is a very bad choice especially on IPS displays. Gray backgrounds become having strange colors according to desktop wallpaper, etc. Windows should utilize transparency, but mainly on taskbar, sidebar, windows borders – similarly like it was in Windows 7. </p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft still can do it. It can even be back on mobile if they want – make Windows S x64 5-6 inch tablets and add GSM module from Windows phone. I do not know why they screw it up ….</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
jumpingjackflash5
<blockquote><a href="#262879"><em>In reply to jumpingjackflash5:</em></a></blockquote><p>And one more thing. Do not include mandatory <strong>driver</strong> updates with windows update. Make separate section for that in Windows update and let the users to do it on demand. The driver updates are the main causes of those confusions and "sorting out issues" after updates. </p>
Bats
<blockquote><a href="#263259"><em>In reply to cayo:</em></a></blockquote><p>FYI….there is no such thing as a premium Windows Desktop or Ultrabook. LOL…have you ever read the Microsoft and Apple hardware forums? The word "Premium" is a gimmick for the word over-priced. Case and point, Microsoft Surfacebook. </p><p><br></p><p>So you mean to tell me, that if you buy a more expensive computer, you're gonna get a better job? WOW….does Consumer Reports know about this (lol)?</p><p><br></p><p>You know what? What you said about hardware and software…that's what the Apple people were saying in the 90's. They said that the quality of their hardware and software was far superior to anything by Microsoft. LOL…I don't think people are better were better off or made better investments in life due to the Operating System or the Processor or video card in their computers. That's insane!</p><p><br></p>