Listening to Paul and brads discussions around chromebooks and the future of computing I had a thought that perhaps windows 10s doesn’t go far enough for the consumer market. But I don’t think it’s the apps that Microsoft should lock down – I do think that chrome and other verified apps should be allowed, this post isn’t about that.
I Think the areas of windows that should be locked down and potentially removed are the 90% of windows features that consumers don’t need.
For example just today I noticed my microphone on my surface pro had stopped working,it turned out to be a driver issue as a result of an update. In the end I had to download a surface tool to fix the issue and I thought to my self why? This never happens on an iPad and I assume chromebooks? I want a stable operating system especially on the OS manufactures own hardware. And that’s the thing that once you go to a simpler system you’ll never come back to windows. its the same argument for console gaming over of gaming, I don’t want to tinker or have the opportunity to mess things up, I just want to use the device as a tool. That’s what chromebook is.
Microsoft could make make a super stripped down version of windows, same shell single driver options that they verify.its crazy that on surface there are multiple driver options for audio, why? and why should I deal with it? There are computing options out there now where I wouldn’t encounter these issues- Microsoft has to match this and windows 10 pro will never be able to without gutting the system.
They can still offer windows 10 pro for those who need it. I think this is the only way they can compete with chromebooks.unfortunately because of my work I need windows pro and will be stuck with it for at least a decade but if I could I’d switch.
skane2600
<p>Even when MS produces its own PCs, it still has to consider the entire Windows ecosystem when it makes changes to the OS. Apple has never had to deal with that issue since they make 100% of the HW that runs their OS's. Apple's "simple" solution is just to stop supporting their older devices and forcing users to buy new devices if they want to keep up. Which approach is better is a matter of personal opinion.</p><p><br></p><p>As far as a stripped-down version of Windows is concerned, they'd be better off just creating a brand new simpler, less capable OS (a la iPad) and not call it Windows. The lesson MS apparently didn't learn with RT (considering 10S) is that using the name Windows brings with it certain expectations and they ignore those expectations at their peril. </p><p><br></p>