“When Microsoft chairman Bill Gates touts his company’s next Windows operating system, code named “Longhorn,” he can barely contain his enthusiasm, adding “it will be super to get that out in the hands of our customers.” The big question is whether customers will share Gates’ enthusiasm more than a year from now,” CIO.com reports. “While enabling the next generation is one thing, getting corporate customers and consumers on the Longhorn bandwagon may take some doing, say professors at Wharton. Is enhanced security going to spark the upgrades to grow Microsoft’s revenue? Will consumers be lured by visual effects? Is Longhorn enough to touch off a buying frenzy for related technology such as semiconductors, personal computers and networking equipment?”
CIO.com reports, “…Many users probably won’t try Longhorn until they buy a new PC. ‘I would bet a lot of people just wait,’ says Kendall Whitehouse, senior director of information technology at Wharton. ‘It’s easier.’ Another issue will be Microsoft’s sales pitch for Longhorn, which largely rests on enhanced security. ‘Let’s face it,’ adds Hunter. ‘Security isn’t sexy.’
CIO.com reports, “According to Thomas Y. Lee, a professor in Wharton’s department of operations and information management, one factor that could drive sales of Longhorn is search, a tool that is understated. Gates has said that search will be a critical component of Longhorn. Depending on how well Microsoft integrates searching capability, Lee estimates that Longhorn could change the way people interact with their computers… Meanwhile, Apple Computer’s ‘Tiger’ operating system, released on April 29, contains a feature called ‘Spotlight,’ which can search every piece of data on an Apple and organize content in “Smart Folders” that update themselves based on search criteria you set.”
“Given the head start of Apple’s operating system and Google’s desktop search, Microsoft has to embed search to remain competitive. ‘Microsoft has always been good at identifying the demands of the marketplace,’ says Lee. ‘But you could argue that enabling smart search in Longhorn is defensive.’ Werbach says Microsoft is somewhat hamstrung when it comes to keeping up with rivals such as Apple. Indeed, Microsoft has to keep its new operating system compatible with its older software because of its large base of customers, he notes,” CIO.com reports. “‘It has to create something new while keeping some of the old. Aside from the Apollo mission to the moon, Microsoft is facing the greatest software engineering feat in history.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Why wait for Microsoft to release a stripped-down Windows Longhorn to buy your next PC? Add a Mac with the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X Tiger to your computing arsenal today! Don’t forget that if you’re switching from Windows to Mac or adding a Mac, you can save a good amount by asking to ‘crossgrade’ your software.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
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TrustedReviews: After using Mac OS X Tiger ‘going back to Windows XP is something of a joke at best’ – May 18, 2005
Manually organize dinosaur Windows PCs while Mac users already have the future with Spotlight – May 18, 2005
The Butler Group: ‘Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger the best desktop operating system in the world to date’ – May 13, 2005
BBC News: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘the most stable and reliable OS, well ahead of Windows XP’ – May 10, 2005
Windows users show strong curiosity about Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger – May 09, 2005
Windows tech writer Thurrott: ‘In many ways, Mac OS X Tiger is simply better than Windows’ – May 07, 2005
EarthWeb: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger is a ‘serious enterprise operating system, a pivotal release’ – May 06, 2005
BusinessWeek: ‘Tiger bolsters Mac OS X’s edge as the best personal-computer operating system’ – May 06, 2005
The Guardian: Mac OS X Tiger a powerful solution while Microsoft’s Longhorn remains on drawing board – May 06, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times: Mac OS X Tiger shows ‘there’s never been a more compelling time to switch to Mac’ – May 05, 2005
Dan Gillmor: ‘With Mac OS X Tiger, Apple is plainly in the lead today’ – May 05, 2005
Jupiter Research VP: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘runs rings around Microsoft Windows’ – May 04, 2005
The Independent: Apple’s ‘faster, smarter, simpler’ Mac OS X Tiger ‘a must-have’ – May 04, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger review for a Windows PC audience finds Tiger’s ‘far, far better than Windows XP’ – May 03, 2005
Longhorn mentioned in nearly every Apple Mac OS X Tiger review to assuage Windows masses – May 02, 2005
Boston Herald: Mac OS X Tiger should compel Windows PC users to think about switching to Apple Mac – May 02, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger will likely improve performance of your Macintosh – April 30, 2005
PC World review gives Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger 4.5 stars out of 5 – April 30, 2005
Forrester analysts: Apple should advertise Mac OS X Tiger on television and in movie theaters – April 29, 2005
Ars Technica: Mac OS X Tiger ‘at least twice as significant as any single past update’ – April 28, 2005
BusinessWeek: ‘Tiger bolsters Mac OS X’s edge as the best personal-computer operating system around’ – April 28, 2005
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Windows is weak, Longhorn will be cosmetic upgrade; Apple can deliver killer blow to Microsoft – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: ‘Longhorn is in complete disarray and in danger of collapsing under its own weight’ – April 27, 2005
Wired News: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘full of welcome surprises’ – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn ‘has the makings of a train wreck’ – April 26, 2005
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Apple posts QuickTime movies of Mac OS X Tiger features in action – April 13, 2005
With the amount of time, effort and money expended in securing my Win2003 Enterprise Server, I can well believe that many will NOT be in a hurry to start fresh with a new model. I am afraid to install Microsoft Service packs for the fear that they will undermine the delicate equilibrium I’ve finally been able to establish on my server.
I am sure that Microsofts upcoming release of Longhorn will spark far more interest than is being speculated.
If the feel and look of the longhorn beta are retained, people are going to have the same amount of excitement as Tiger has generated. It is a slick OS, and while they have yanked a few of the features out, you can bet that they are going to put everything theyve got into this release.
Tiger has GOT to be making them nervous though – it will be very difficult, though not impossible, to outshine this beautiful work.
Considering longtime Windows OS users like me have not switched perse, but are now trying, and LOVING, the Mac experience, they are going to have to pull out all the stops to retain users.
In the meantime, Mac should try and get as much crossover sales as possible, Windows users will be absolutely astounded at the quality of this OS. It is a beautiful thing.
However, I do think Apple could do a lot more to promote this – more advertising etc. For now, time is on their side.
Microsoft has a great marketing machine and will use it as well when longhorn is released, Im just saying Apple could pick up a lot more users if they revved their marketing up to match.
I can’t imagine the utter ignorance that awaits in 2007..
“WOW>> LONGHORN HAS FAST SEARCH>> CAN MAC OS DO THAT?!”
*shall I grind my teeth for 2 years awaiting that question..?
Tiger Rocks!
Thanks Rob Enderlie for that unsolicited praise and advice.
“Microsoft has to keep its new operating system compatible with its older software”
Because in spite of their purchase of Connectix, the concept of virtual machines is still over M$’s collective heads.
MDN Magic Word: “between”, as in M$ is stuck between a Tiger and a hard place.
“Aside from the Apollo mission to the moon, Microsoft is facing the greatest software engineering feat in history.'”
Wrong, this shit isn’t rocket science. Give your head shake.
Just copy whatever the hell Apple has done (less the usability and reliability), re-brand it and shovel it to the masses.
Taining, training, training. Apple needs to get IT tech staff onto training programmes to get them up to speed servicing corporate Apple Mac IT solutions..
Common Apple. Your time has arrived.
I think Windows XP users have a right to ask why must the be forced to buy a new PC so they can run Longhorn just to get “security” when they were promised that with the release of XP with much fanfare and hyperbole.
A company is reaching the bottom of the barrel when their own shortcomings and inadequacies become its marketing virtues.
Windows’ lack of security: It’s not a bug, it’s a feature!
“‘It has to create something new while keeping some of the old. Aside from the Apollo mission to the moon, Microsoft is facing the greatest software engineering feat in history.'”
This is like.
I have no idea know who Rob Enderlie is – those were just my thoughts – which I believe I am entitled to. Sorry if I offended anyone.
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And for god sakes MDN, “crossgrading” your software simply does not work. Would you stop pushing this already!?
Tiger Rocks!
Thank you for the kind testimonial. You sound like you have some solid experience and creditials. I suspect no offense was given. The responding post may have just been a bit ambiguous, a reference to some sly amusement among many on this site. Hope it did not give you offense. Welcome to the Mac experience! We can now start looking forward to the next big cat in about 18 months!
Thank you RePlay! I am an excited Mac user and will look forward to that next release.
The last Apollo mission was launched before M$ was founded; M$ didn’t have anything to do with it.
Maybe that’s why we successully got to the Moon. And back.
When Longhorn ships, that could signal the end for Apple. What will their advantage be then? Since Apple never promotes OSX, so I guess they have already thrown in the towel.
Tiger Rocks!
I just read the thread and found your post unbiased and honest. No worries…keep the posts coming!
On topic: I suspect many will wait until Longhorn is mature before jumping the XP ship. Especially the enterprise market. Hopefully, Apple can make the most of their OS lead and gain some market share.
Are you listening Apple…advertise Tiger!
>>>>>The last Apollo mission was launched before M$ was founded; M$ didn’t have anything to do with it.
Maybe that’s why we successully got to the Moon. And back.<<<<<
Page 278 of “Uncle John’s UNSTOPPABLE Bathroom Reader” (Bathroom Readers’ Institute) opines that the landing on the moon was a giant hoax.
and now for the obligatory pun …
no shit, sherlock
http://www.bathroomreader.com/home.html
Some will wait for Longhorn, some won’t.
Some will switch to Tiger, some wont.
Some will buy both, some won’t buy either.
I don’t think Tiger or Longhorn will change the world as we know it. They will just make life a little more enjoyable.
(Well… hopefully Longhorn will …. teeheehee)
Same with Xbox360 and PS3.
It boggles the mind, all this hype over vaporware. There are a couple of things that keep popping into my head every time I hear mention of Wronghorn…
Most compare it to Tiger but even though Apple doesn’t do the major release every year anymore the next even more powerful version of OS X if not already out the door will be eminent.
Will Wronghorn run on most of the hardware available today by stipping out bunches of features or will everyone have to go out and buy new stuff to be able to run it?
“It has to create something new while keeping some of the old. Aside from the Apollo mission to the moon, Microsoft is facing the greatest software engineering feat in history.”
Redmond, we have a problem.
[insert audio clip of Nelson Muntz saying “HA-haaaa!”]
Beverly:
You make some valid points – and you may be right that they may have to leave out critical new features due to the fact that there is much ancient hardware out there.
Or, perhaps there will be a couple of versions – one for older PCs and one for new ones.
We shall see. it will be an interesting couple of years. We will probably have the next version of the Apple OS well before Longhorn is released.
I still think it will be an important and different Windows OS than we have seen in the past. If not, they will be done if this Mac switching continues. They have to be afraid – very afraid.
Now that was a damn fine article. No bias just analysis. Spot on!
“Why wait for Microsoft to release a stripped-down Windows Longhorn to buy your next PC?”
Because your average user is working/gaming happily on his XP box. By the time he needs new hardware, he’ll buy a box with Longhorn on it.
Despite the repeated comments on this forum, most Windows users are not horribly frustrated with Windows or facing security or stability issues on a daily basis. The fact that they will NEVER face security issues with a Mac (as far as we can foresee in any case) is something that is hard to believe for most and as Mr. Hunter already notes: security isn’t sexy. (I’d say security is more sexy on Windows than on Mac: in the Wintel world a lot of future enhancement remains, on the Mac side it’s not an issue.) What isn’t sexy, doesn’t sell.
I can’t wait to hear the collective groan from Windows users who finally realiize that Longhorn will be less than promised, and still require PC users to purchase an entirely new computer system to run another weak and ineffectual operating system from Microsoft.