October 2012
Featured in this insight: IT & telecommunications, Retail
Market research shows users unimpressed by Windows 8: A recent study by Forumswindows8.com, an independent support site for Microsoft’s new operating system, discovered that a mere one in four of those surveyed said that they preferred Windows 8 over the previous Windows 7 system.
The survey asked 50,000 active Windows 8 users about individual features included in the OS. Quick boot up and shut down times was regarded as the best feature, with over half (56%) claiming it was their favourite thing about the system.
The new Metro User Interface was not particularly popular amongst most users, with only 22% choosing this feature as their favourite. However, the study suggests that the main issue with Windows 8 is the cost, with 35% believing it is the biggest weakness that needs to be improved.
In addition, system requirements of the new OS is also a big concern among users, with 26% citing this as the most significant weakness.
There is an upside for Microsoft though. When users were asked about their most preferred tablet, the Windows 8 Surface came out on top with 35% of the votes. This was followed by Android with 33%, while only 26% voted for the iPad.
Windows 8 Mobile also exceeded the iPhone, with 29% saying they would rather purchase a phone with a Microsoft operating system compared to 22% preferring Apple. However, they both have a long way to go as 42% admitted they would favour a mobile Android OS over both of the tech giants.
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