Why did nearly everybody purchase microsoft windows in the first place?

Question

Why did nearly everybody purchase microsoft windows in the first place?

Answer 1

Well, I'll ignore the history of Windows and why it is such a great success, and stick to the present and recent past, which appears to be your concern.



The single overwhelming advantage that Windows has over competing operating systems (OSs) is software availability. More companies make more software for Windows than for any other operating system. If you need a program to perform a specific task, you can be sure it will be available under Windows. Just as an example, many PC games continue to be unavailable for Mac OS.



Macs *are* more expensive, and Macs just don't have all the available software that Windows has. True, Macs now have a very reliable Windows compatibility, but this adds expense and difficulty to the Mac. Consider that a user of a Mac, if he needs a Windows program, must learn how to use Windows *in addition* to learning how to use a Mac, *and* he has to purchase Windows in addition to Mac OS.



The superiority of the Macs security relies largely on the fact that Macs are far less popular than Windows PCs. Virus program authors normally want to infect as many PCs as possible - so why bother with Macs?



Finally, price *is* important on more than one level. When a business chooses a computing platform, it analyzes the cost. Normally, a business can accomplish the desired tasks more cheaply with Windows than with a Mac. When the employees go home, they want to use the same type of computer that they have had to learn how to use at work - i.e., Windows. They don't want to have to "switch gears" and learn two different systems.



Jim

Answer 2

Look at Microsoft Windows as a translator that speaks and writes in a language easy for you to understand, that takes what you write or click on into the binary language , MS/DOS for most home computers, that the computer "thinks" in.



Before Windows, many different computer languages were used, most for specific applications, or needs. Basic, Fortran, there were many...and even for simple commands, things had to be "written" to make the computer understand what you were asking for. Windows automatically takes the simple things you ask or click on, and translates it into the complicated lines of commands that the computer needs to understand what you want. Many times a simple click of your mouse translates to many, many lines of programming.



Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were the first to ever come up with a universally easy to understand, and easy to use system for using a computer, and so as the first, and arguably the best, certainly the most versitile system, Windows has held it's share of the world's consumer market. Linux is free, "Shareware", but a certain level of programming is needed to tailor the system to what you wish, just like Mozilla. Geeks love them both, and for good reason, but they are a little above most people's programming abilities.



Mac has OS, and has made great strides towards being able to interface with Windows without a problem, and is getting better all the time. Windows just has had a bigger head start.

Answer 3

You actually answered this yourself. It's, unfortunately, a larger spread system because of the price. Most users buy a computer to do simple tasks. Ex. Browse the internet, type up a document or two, and maybe chat through Skype or something. So when it comes down to buying a computer they look between the two. Mac's price tag is too much for them when they simply need a machine to surf the internet.



However when it comes to Video editing, or people who are just fed up with Windows, the Mac is the superior choice. I can tell you OS X Leopard is one of the best systems around.



Going to Linux real fast, there is a major issue. With Linux, you better be willing for headaches. 99% of major software is produced for Windows of Mac OS . Which means you can't do most things. However Linux is cleaner most of the time, and is a free alternative to both Microsoft and Mac OS X Leopard.



I would say that Microsoft Windows wins because it's easy(ish) to use, and cheap. Plus most computers ship with it. Actually nearly all computers do.

Answer 4

It started with IBM were Bill G got his start. Most people wanted an IBM compatible computer. And IBM only came with Microsoft operating systems. As the market grew Bill and company strong armed, intimidated and threatened builders of IBM compatible computers if the installed any operating system other than a Microsoft system. Gates was sued for this practice and appealed the Court decisions all the up to the Federal appeals court. He then started to give to charity in the form of millions of dollars to our impoverished congress and white house officials. This went on for months until he final bought enough Government officials to get his way. Yes Bill gives millions to charity, but what charities and with what motivation. Gates has enough to all but eliminate world poverty. If he is such a Humanitarian why does he donate such a small percentage of his wealth. I know people who do not have enough to eat who donate a far greater percentage of their income to charity. With no motivation other than to help someone worse off than their selves.

Gd bless

Answer 5

Because Bill Gates is a Master Marketer. He got contracts with all the big hardware vendors and other software writers to make their own money while guys like apple kept it all in house. They were able to keep PC's flexible that way. Apple prevented this and wasn't able to adapt as quickly by keeping everything in house.

Answer 6

Windows comes loaded with your PC when you purchase it. People start using it, start feeling comfortable with it, and then they don't want to make a switch. (Some people even think they can't install Linux on a windows PC)



I switched to Linux, and its much better.

Answer 7

Aldus Pagemaker

Answer 8

I'm not sure if this helps. But sometimes knowing the history first can help you find your answer. So I have a site here for you fom 'wikipedia". I hope this helps! :0)





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft

Answer 9

people go towards it cause it is cheaper....even though linux is free opensource.

Answer 10

This is one of the reasons why microsoft was convicted of monopolizing the computer industry. All manufacturers had to have microsoft software in it and nothing else. They even took out netscape out of every computer in the late 90s. Of course, the bigger you are the more enemies you make and that's the reason windows operating systems contain so many security measures since so many people are trying to break through. I mean if you were a hacker would you try and hack computers with windows vista or mac 10x whatever it is? The answer is obviously Vista. One of the reasons macs are more expensive is because they are manufacture by a lower amount and economies of scale doesn't take place. For microsoft is the other way around I mean why do you think they include a 90 day trial of office 07? It's so that people will buy it in the end and that way they won't look for any other program since office has it all. You don't have to worry about sticking with windows unless you are planning on gaming a lot since you can always erase that pesky Vista and upgrade to linux ubuntu. You do have to handed to microsoft for making an operating system easy to use even for the computer handicap. Also, remember that not everyone wanted to purchase microsoft but since microsoft has such a high share in the computer os industry(around 90 percent) they have the upper hand but I wouldn't worry about them keeping it for long.

Answer 11

it's a good one