Windows - Apple’s Plan to Win… again

Summary

This video explores the decline of Windows' market dominance, from its peak at 90% to a low of 62%, amidst growing competition from Mac OS and Chrome OS. It delves into Microsoft's history, from its founding by Bill Gates and Paul Allen to the challenges of adapting to new technologies like smartphones and tablets. The script critiques Windows 8's unpopular interface and the security update that led to a massive computer outage. It also discusses Microsoft's attempts to innovate with Windows 10 and 11, the impact of the Apple ecosystem, and the future of Windows in a competitive tech landscape.

Takeaways

• 😕 Windows has experienced a significant decline in market share, dropping from 90% in 2013 to an all-time low of 62% by the end of 2023, before slightly recovering to 72% in 2024.
• 💻 The script discusses the history of Microsoft, highlighting Bill Gates and Paul Allen's early experiences with programming and the founding of Microsoft in a garage in Albuquerque.
• 📈 The success of Microsoft's early products like MS-DOS and Windows, which became popular due to their use in IBM PCs and other computers, establishing a near-monopoly in the PC market.
• 📉 The failure of Windows 8 and Windows Phone OS is attributed to poor design choices and an inability to compete with Apple's iOS and other emerging platforms.
• 🛑 The recent global computer outage was not due to a cyber attack but a security update gone wrong, affecting millions of Windows computers and highlighting the risks of centralized systems.
• 🚀 The release of Windows 11 is seen as an attempt to revitalize the Windows brand, but it struggles to surpass Windows 10 and faces criticism for its hardware requirements and privacy concerns.
• 🛍️ Apple's shift to ARM chips with the M1 MacBook Air has been highly successful, offering significant performance and battery life improvements, which has bolstered Mac OS's market share.
• 🔄 The script mentions Microsoft's challenges with adopting new technologies like VR, AR, and foldables, which have not always been well-received by the market or have faced technical issues.
• 🔒 The importance of security is underscored by the worldwide system crash caused by a faulty update in a firewall program running in the kernel mode of Windows.
• 🌐 Microsoft's future plans include moving Windows to the cloud, offering a subscription-based service where users connect to remote computers for their computing needs.
• 💡 The script concludes with a call for Microsoft to find a clear direction for Windows and make swift decisions to remain competitive against rivals like Mac OS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

Q & A

What was the cause of the largest computer outage in history mentioned in the script?

The largest computer outage was caused by a regular security update, not a cyber attack, which affected 8.2 million Windows computers simultaneously.

How did the decline of Windows affect Microsoft's position in the market?

The decline of Windows has led to a significant drop in Microsoft's market share, with Windows' share falling from 90% in 2013 to an all-time low of 62% by the end of 2023, before slightly recovering to 72% in 2024.

What was the initial reaction to Windows 8's interface and features?

Windows 8's tile-based interface, absence of the desktop, and removal of the Start menu were met with strong negative reactions from users, who found the changes to be a radical shift from what they loved about previous versions.

Why did the speaker switch from Windows to Mac?

The speaker switched from Windows to Mac after being frustrated with Windows 10's update policy, constant tracking, and privacy concerns.

What significant hardware development does the script mention for modern computers?

The script mentions the Intel Core i9 chip, which has 14 cores, 20 threads, 24 MB cache, and a speed that can ramp up to 5.4 GHz with a TDP of only 35 Watts.

What is the history behind the founding of Microsoft according to the script?

Microsoft's history dates back to 1968 when Bill Gates, a high school geometry teacher, petitioned his school to lease a teletype Model 30 computer for time-sharing, giving him and others access to programming.

What was the impact of the Altair 8800 on the founding of Microsoft?

The Altair 8800 inspired Bill Gates and Paul Allen to contact the developers, claiming to have a version of the BASIC language ready for the computer. This led to the creation of Microsoft in a small garage in Albuquerque.

How did Microsoft's Windows XP and Windows 7 contribute to its success?

Windows XP and Windows 7 were successful because they combined the best features of previous systems and offered user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible and popular among users.

What was the main reason for the failure of Microsoft's Windows Phone?

The Windows Phone failed due to its late entry into the market, lack of apps compared to the iPhone's App Store, and technical and design issues that made it less appealing to consumers.

What are some of the challenges Windows 11 faces in becoming widespread?

Windows 11 faces challenges such as high hardware requirements, particularly the need for TPM 2.0 support, and the lack of significant new features that would motivate users to upgrade from Windows 10.

What was the aftermath of the recent worldwide system crash mentioned in the script?

The worldwide system crash, caused by a faulty update from CrowdStrike, led to the blue screen of death on millions of computers and raised security concerns for enterprise customers, potentially leading them to refuse upgrades or seek alternative software.

What is Microsoft's plan for the future of Windows according to the script?

Microsoft plans to move Windows to the cloud, offering a subscription-based service where users connect to remote computers running Windows, similar to cloud gaming services.