Microsoft wants to put Windows PCs fully in the cloud – but what will that mean for you?

Linux!

 

Cloud based OS with the likes of a corp,what could possibly go wrong.MS did say ages ago they wanted subs based OS,yeah that went down like a lead balloon if I recall.XP was supposed to be just that subbed

 

Alright, so Microsoft's talking about moving Windows PCs fully into the cloud. Basically, it means your computer's stuff, like files, apps, and settings, will be stored and run on remote servers instead of just on your local computer.

Here's what it could mean for you:

1. Less Need for Fancy Hardware: Your PC might not need to be a super powerhouse anymore since most of the heavy lifting will be done in the cloud. Cheaper, lighter devices might be enough to get the job done.
   
   
2. Anywhere, Anytime Access: Imagine being able to access your stuff from any device with an internet connection. That means you're not tied down to one computer - more freedom to get things done wherever you are.
   
   
3. No More Hassle with Updates: Cloud-based systems could make updates and maintenance a lot smoother. You won't have to worry about annoying update interruptions or managing stuff yourself.
   
   
4. Maybe Some Cost Savings: Depending on how they charge for it, it might be cheaper for some people. You pay for what you use, and it's easier to scale up or down as needed.
   
   
5. Privacy and Security Concerns: Of course, you might wonder about how safe your data is in the cloud. They gotta make sure they've got top-notch security measures in place.
   
   
6. Internet Dependence: The catch is, you'll need a reliable internet connection to make this work. No internet, no cloud computing, and that's a bummer.
   
   
7. Old Software Might Not Play Nice: If you've got old or special software that loves local stuff, there might be compatibility issues. Microsoft has to tackle that challenge.
   
   
8. Performance Worries: Some folks might worry about things being slower with cloud computing, especially for graphics-heavy stuff or real-time tasks.
   It's interesting to see where technology's heading.

 

And I'm happily humming along using Vista and Win 7.

 

Please don't take my response as a personal attack on your post, but it is clearly in disagreement with it.

Here's what it would mean for me.

1.That's true if you feel a cell phone or a tablet fills your needs, but for a power user they would be virtually useless. Microsoft isn’t introducing cloud service to benefit the consumer, they’re doing it to benefit themselves by creating a new revenue stream. I like the autonomy that comes from using a personal powerhouse. By the way, a cell phone or tablet can easily cost half as much as the parts required to build a powerhouse PC.

2. I don’t have to imagine it because there’s nothing new about it. Users have been able to remotely access their computers for decades, but most notably in the last 20 years. Also, there’s nothing new about uploading your data to a cloud service, because they too have been around for years, and they don’t have Microsoft snooping in the background because you're still in charge.

3. Providing you skipped Vista and Windows 8, which I did, an operating system is essentially a pay once every 5 to 6 years. Microsoft’s cloud will probably begin with a chunky setup fee, and then after a monthly fee to keep it will follow. A single year on an MS cloud will exceed the cost of an operating system many times over across a 5 year period.

4. Microsoft was recently hacked by the Chinese, and they’ve been hacked numerous other times over the years. I would think a hacker would find a cloud loaded with millions of users and small businesses infinitely more attractive than going after a single private middle class computer owner.

5.You need a reliable internet connection now so no change there.

6. Microsoft’s cloud is predicated on the notion of limiting software competition by eliminating independent software compatibility while they tap into the consumer with ongoing charges.

7. I’m into video and audio creation, as well as image manipulation. For instance you would be unable to rip a family movie from an old video tape, or cut and splice digital images from a modern digital camera, because cloud computing would lack the processing resources to make it happen, especially over the net. There was a time around the year 2000 when extracting a single video from an 8mm tape, reencoding it, and then burning it to DVD took about 12 hours on the most powerful computer of the day. Now I can do it in a couple of hours. Cloud computing even on the fastest internet connection would be unable to achieve it. A powerhouse computer is about so much more than just accessing a few text files. I'm willing to bet that Microsoft's cloud will include file size upload and storage limitations which will essentially exclude home movies. So I for one am not buying it.