Category Archives: Windows

Crapware, and how we got here

Posted on January 15, 2013 by halberenson

Crapware is in the news in a big way this week thanks to Oracle’s recent Java “security” update and a blog post by Long Zheng that exposes the economic incentives for software developers to bundle crapware installers. He also points out that … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Search, Windows | Tagged Adobe, Bing, crapware, Google, Java, Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Yahoo | 48 Comments

The impact of “cheap” on PC buying psychology

Posted on January 6, 2013 by halberenson

Paul Thurrot wrote an excellent analysis of what may have held back Windows 8 sales during this past holiday season. I think when you couple consumer’s expectations that notebook PCs should sell for $300-$500 with the absence of any of … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows | Tagged PC sales, poor windows 8 sales, windows 8 sales | 11 Comments

There is no ARM in Windows RT

Posted on January 2, 2013 by halberenson

Windows RT is the name of Microsoft’s version of Windows 8 for ARM processors, right? It’s aimed primarily at Consumers, right? It’s role in business is primarily in the BYOD realm, right? That’s so 2012! Let’s talk about strategy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged Office 2013, Office RT, Windows 8, Windows futures, WIndows RT | 47 Comments

Intel and the Windows 8 Launch

Posted on January 1, 2013 by halberenson

Happy New Year! As I let the coffee sink in and recover from last night’s “nerdly New Year”, which is what my wife called the attempt to get photos from a recent trip to play from a share on our … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged Clover Trail, Intel, OEM, Windows 8, Windows 8 Convertibles, Windows 8 Launch, Windows 8 Tablets | 7 Comments

Does Microsoft have a Phablet Strategy?

Posted on December 20, 2012 by halberenson

Recent reports are that HTC cancelled a Windows Phone 8-based entry into the so-called Phablet category. Phablets, for those who don’t follow these things, are crossover devices between Phones and Tablets with screen sizes starting at 5″. I tend to think … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows, Windows Phone | Tagged HTC, Microsoft Phablet, Phablet, Windows Phablet, Windows Phone 8, WIndows RT | 6 Comments

And now for another edition of How the Windows Eco-System Fails: Best Buy at its worst

Posted on December 18, 2012 by halberenson

I decided to pay a visit to my local Best Buy to see how things were shaping up for the final run up to Christmas. Just after walking in the door I am greeted by this: Yes, the large Windows … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged Best Buy, Microsoft Surface | 31 Comments

Google’s Exchange ActiveSync Debacle

Posted on December 17, 2012 by halberenson

I’m having trouble getting too worked up about Google’s decision to drop Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) support for non-paying customers of Gmail et al. If this really was an attempt to slow Microsoft’s progress in mobile it was both petty and … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows, Windows Phone | Tagged Google EAS, Google Exchange Activesync, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync | 18 Comments

Are evaluations of Microsoft Security Essentials unfair?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by halberenson

Microsoft Security Essentials has recently come under some criticism for poor test results. The obvious, or maybe not so obvious, question to ask is how much of this is about the performance of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged anti-malware testing, Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender | 26 Comments

OEMs continue to fail on the Windows 8 Launch

Posted on December 3, 2012 by halberenson

The more I wander around looking at Windows 8 in the retail channel the more frustrated I become. There remains very little availability of systems that showcase Windows 8. By that I mean, where are systems that make you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged poor windows 8 sales, Windows 8, windows 8 sales | 13 Comments