Minecraft Will Not be Certified for Windows 8

[wonderfield]

I'm going to drop some numbers here so no one should accidentally get confused about reality:

2011 worldwide tablet sales: ~70M
2011 worldwide PC sales: ~355M

2012 forecasted worldwide tablet sales: ~126M
2012 forecasted worldwide PC sales: >355M (0.9% growth)

Carry on.

 

[heatlesssun]

I'm going to drop some numbers here so no one should accidentally get confused about reality:

2011 worldwide tablet sales: ~70M
2011 worldwide PC sales: ~355M

2012 forecasted worldwide tablet sales: ~126M
2012 forecasted worldwide PC sales: >355M (0.9% growth)

Carry on.

As I have said repeatedly THIS is why we have Windows 8, there's no better argument that can made for it than these numbers.

 

[achensherd]

Corporate users don't upgrade frequently.

But they will eventually, and if all Microsoft has to offer whenever that happens is a gimped/locked-down OS that they may or may not be able to work with, said corporate users just might not upgrade to another Windows OS.

I mean it's odd... in like a month here we go from claiming no one's going to buy Metro/Windows 8 to how it's going to be the beginning of the end of desktop computing because of its overwhelming success.

 

[heatlesssun]

I mean it's odd... in like a month here we go from claiming no one's going to buy Metro/Windows 8 to how it's going to be the beginning of the end of desktop computing because of its overwhelming success.

Kind of odd. Windows 8 sucks and no one will buy it but now Microsoft's grand scheme is to eliminate the desktop and/or lock it down? Talk about passive aggressive.

 

[oldpablo]

But they will eventually, and if all Microsoft has to offer whenever that happens is a gimped/locked-down OS that they may or may not be able to work with, said corporate users just might not upgrade to another Windows OS.

I mean it's odd... in like a month here we go from claiming no one's going to buy Metro/Windows 8 to how it's going to be the beginning of the end of desktop computing because of its overwhelming success.

That's because it's "cool" to hate on Metro. Meanwhile the rest of us are upgrading and adapting and surprisingly doing just fine.

 

[SkribbelKat]

You can download snapshots of the Wikipedia database whenever you want. No big deal there.

Yes, but it takes a lot of disk space and to access it, the Wikipedia recommended way of doing it requires some software that isn't supported under Windows 98SE. On a side note, I ordered a copy of Encarta 2000 and eventually, I'll get around to posting piccies and an awesome review of how amazing my new stand-alone reference library computer is now.

You have a point however how does one even begin to determine just how many of these applications are in use, not to mention the large catalog of customer business software that the general public never sees?

I see no way that Microsoft can benefit now and for many, many years to come from locking down or eliminating the Windows desktop. The Windows desktop is simply far too functional and too well supported to change in this way. I never see people talking about Apple locking down OS X like this even while iOS exists. Windows 8 is simply a single OS that supports two different app models simultaneously and it does make a sense from the perspective of making Windows a do everything OS as it has traditionally been.

This history of Windows has been to support popular computing paradigms. Windows was born out of the shift of personal computing to graphical user interfaces as it become clear from the success and excitement of the Mac that GUIs were the future. Windows 8 is very much like Windows 1 in this regard as 8 embraces the emergence of tablets and touch as everyday, common and popular. As long as open desktop computing remains common and popular Windows will support it. There's no reason for Microsoft not support the thing that made the company and continues to bring in billions in revenue and will for a long time to come.

I'm not even sure what point it was that I was trying to make that you replied to, but I just wanted to say that I don't disagree with the stuff you just said in this post. I'm pretty sure there'll be no total lockdown of programs that prevents random 3rd party installers from working and I'm pretty sure sideloading will be okay too.

 

[heatlesssun]

I'm not even sure what point it was that I was trying to make that you replied to, but I just wanted to say that I don't disagree with the stuff you just said in this post. I'm pretty sure there'll be no total lockdown of programs that prevents random 3rd party installers from working and I'm pretty sure sideloading will be okay too.

Agreed.

 

[achensherd]

I'm pretty sure there'll be no total lockdown of programs that prevents random 3rd party installers from working and I'm pretty sure sideloading will be okay too.

Even if Microsoft locked Windows x86 down like RT, practically making it akin to a mobile OS, they'd be successful for only like a day, if that. Watching the guys at XDA cracking the then-mobile OS open would be like watching tentacles having their way with small body orifices in a hentai, and at the end of it all we're going to have is a new term for that process.

 

[octoberasian]

Even if Microsoft locked Windows x86 down like RT, practically making it akin to a mobile OS, they'd be successful for only like a day, if that. Watching the guys at XDA cracking the then-mobile OS open would be like watching tentacles having their way with small body orifices in a hentai, and at the end of it all we're going to have is a new term for that process.

I will have to admit this is the best reply ever!

 

[Tudz]

Kind of odd. Windows 8 sucks and no one will buy it but now Microsoft's grand scheme is to eliminate the desktop and/or lock it down? Talk about passive aggressive.

No, Windows 8 sucks and we HOPE no one will buy it The average user wouldn't know the difference between an OS and their arse.

I don't necessarily think MS will DEFINITELY lock down Windows in the future, but I'm not willing to trust they won't, either, or introduce a "home" version that's locked down and a "pro" version that's not but costs 3 times the price. I wouldn't put those sorts of things past MS given they have an epic monopoly on the market. At the end of the day, that's what drives it, the fact they have a monopoly, they can pull shit and get away with it because there's little to no real competition in the desktop market.

 

[heatlesssun]

At the end of the day, that's what drives it, the fact they have a monopoly, they can pull shit and get away with it because there's little to no real competition in the desktop market.

At the end of the day what drives it is demand. If enough people want an open desktop OS and it's profitable to Microsoft then Microsoft will make one. If not, then they won't, it's that simple.

 

[Emission]

So is Notch opting out of... programming his game better? lol

If you've run the game at all, this wouldn't surprise you .

 

[pelo]

But they will eventually, and if all Microsoft has to offer whenever that happens is a gimped/locked-down OS that they may or may not be able to work with, said corporate users just might not upgrade to another Windows OS.

I mean it's odd... in like a month here we go from claiming no one's going to buy Metro/Windows 8 to how it's going to be the beginning of the end of desktop computing because of its overwhelming success.

Its adoption rate is 1/5th what the Win7 rate was. What overwhelming success?

 

[Yossarian22]

Hmm, isn't Minecraft written in Java... are they going to deny certification of Sun-now-Oracle's JVM or write their own? Errrrr? Notch, you know how this technology shit works, right?

PSA: Don't get drunk and shoot your mouth off, ladies and gents.

Notch, stay away from the alcohol/drugs. We all love you very much and care about you.

 

[achensherd]

Its adoption rate is 1/5th what the Win7 rate was. What overwhelming success?

Exactly! So with such an abysmal adoption rate, how is Microsoft going to suddenly force everyone into a locked-down system??

 

[Tudz]

At the end of the day what drives it is demand. If enough people want an open desktop OS and it's profitable to Microsoft then Microsoft will make one. If not, then they won't, it's that simple.

And what brings about the demand for Windows is the fact people demand desktops and thus require an OS and there's little to no choice in the matter. I don't know the numbers, but I'd assume a large number of Windows sales are simply because people bought a new computer and Windows is what came on it. Hell, my laptop I WANTED Linux rather than Windows, but the model I wanted only came with Windows.

That's why they could theoretically use monopolistic tactics like releasing a new platform that is locked down, while retaining the freedom of the previous version (W8) and then choose to entirely lock it down in the future (W9 or 10).

It's not like people are banging on the door of MS screaming "We demand a new OS!", they buy a new computer and lo and behold it has a new OS

 

[heatlesssun]

That's why they could theoretically use monopolistic tactics like releasing a new platform that is locked down, while retaining the freedom of the previous version (W8) and then choose to entirely lock it down in the future (W9 or 10).

As much as people want to say this, what's in it for Microsoft? There's tons of legal, technical, market and political ramifications to this What I think some people are missing is that Microsoft would have created whatever kind of tablet environment was popular. Sandboxed single app store driven models are the most popular software distribution model on tablets and smart phones. If totally open software distribution was popular on tablets, that's the model Microsoft would have gone with.

 

[Tudz]

As much as people want to say this, what's in it for Microsoft? There's tons of legal, technical, market and political ramifications to this What I think some people are missing is that Microsoft would have created whatever kind of tablet environment was popular. Sandboxed single app store driven models are the most popular software distribution model on tablets and smart phones. If totally open software distribution was popular on tablets, that's the model Microsoft would have gone with.

What's in it for MS? Lots of money for certification and licensing. All the money Valve makes from Steam could be made by MS instead, but not just on games, a whole plethora of applications. It'll also let them segment the OS so you have to pay extra for certain features, at the moment there's a lot of software included in Windows, and if it weren't, people would just get (often free) alternatives elsewhere, but on a closed environment MS could much more easily control peoples' wallets.

I agree there would be lots of technical and market ramifications (not sure of the legal and political ones??). But I could definitely see them doing something like a "home" version that is locked down and charging much more for "pro" or "developer" builds that retain the freedom of previous versions for commercial customers. They were never going to lock down W8, even though they have a monopoly they still have to consider the backlash from customers and there's a small, tiny chance that Linux could become a competitor in the desktop market.

The motivation is definitely there for MS to lock it down and although I don't necessarily think that's DEFINITELY the way they're going, I'm not willing to write it off for future versions of the OS either.

 

[oldpablo]

Have you tinfoil hat guys realized yet that Metro is separate from the desktop? Because it doesn't seem like it.

 

[pelo]

Have you tinfoil hat guys realized yet that Metro is separate from the desktop? Because it doesn't seem like it.

You realize MS has been selling the winRT tablets as PCs as well, right?

 

[oldpablo]

You realize MS has been selling the winRT tablets as PCs as well, right?

Uh first of all no they aren't selling them yet. Second of all you can't sell a tablet as a PC because that's like selling a car as an airplane. They are different things. Thirdly, it will be clear (hopefully) that you can't install windows apps on an RT tablet because to do otherwise would essentially be bait and switch. Sure dumb people won't read the labels but MS has to point out the differences somehow, I've not seen any marketing material around it yet though.

 

[heatlesssun]

What's in it for MS? Lots of money for certification and licensing. All the money Valve makes from Steam could be made by MS instead, but not just on games, a whole plethora of applications. It'll also let them segment the OS so you have to pay extra for certain features, at the moment there's a lot of software included in Windows, and if it weren't, people would just get (often free) alternatives elsewhere, but on a closed environment MS could much more easily control peoples' wallets.

You're overlooking the incredible mountain of issues here. First and foremost this would never pass anti-trust scrutiny. And this would most certainly be completely unacceptable to Windows developers.

The motivation is definitely there for MS to lock it down and although I don't necessarily think that's DEFINITELY the way they're going, I'm not willing to write it off for future versions of the OS either.

Well the motivation is there for a company to double prices or do any other number of things to make more money, it doesn't really mean that those actions are doable. Again, it's market driven, as long as their are open desktop OSes and people are willing to pay for them Microsoft will provide one.

 

[pelo]

Uh first of all no they aren't selling them yet. Second of all you can't sell a tablet as a PC because that's like selling a car as an airplane. They are different things. Thirdly, it will be clear (hopefully) that you can't install windows apps on an RT tablet because to do otherwise would essentially be bait and switch. Sure dumb people won't read the labels but MS has to point out the differences somehow, I've not seen any marketing material around it yet though.

So is a tablet not a personal computer? What about a phone?

A desktop is a desktop. It's called a desktop because it sits on a desk, stationary. As soon as you can do most (or nearly everything for a lot of users) on a tablet, it becomes a personal computer.

Do not confuse PC with desktop. The desktop is a type of PC but it isn't the only flavor. Most "PCs" sold nowadays are laptops. Microsoft, when adding a keyboard to a tablet, is selling the same thing but with a touch screen.

 

[Veilrap]

There's a very good reason why so many game studios have been bitching. Microsoft wants 30% of their profits.

Can we be a little more clear here? It seems like the only 'game studio' bitching is Valve and Valve is a competing store. Developers love app stores because they rake in huge sales numbers.

 

[pelo]

Can we be a little more clear here? It seems like the only 'game studio' bitching is Valve and Valve is a competing store. Developers love app stores because they rake in huge sales numbers.

EA and Blizzard/Activision also had a few words to say. Valve wasn't the only one.

 

[kbrickley]

EA and Blizzard/Activision also had a few words to say. Valve wasn't the only one.

I am surprised EA is whining ... they always seem to have lots of titles at the top of the iTunes charts ... not sure how they do in the Google and Amazon stores ... I doubt they are hurting for money in the tablet and smartphone space

 

[Wrench00]

So is a tablet not a personal computer? What about a phone?

A desktop is a desktop. It's called a desktop because it sits on a desk, stationary. As soon as you can do most (or nearly everything for a lot of users) on a tablet, it becomes a personal computer.

Do not confuse PC with desktop. The desktop is a type of PC but it isn't the only flavor. Most "PCs" sold nowadays are laptops. Microsoft, when adding a keyboard to a tablet, is selling the same thing but with a touch screen.

But including a keyboard to a tablet to have full function of the tablet Kind of defeats the whole purpose of a tablet. Same goes for lack of touch screen function on a desktop and not having access to touch input.
Bit of a flawed logic if you ask me. Why not seperate the two all together? or at least give an option for a different UI on the different platform?

 

[pelo]

But including a keyboard to a tablet to have full function of the tablet Kind of defeats the whole purpose of a tablet. Same goes for lack of touch screen function on a desktop and not having access to touch input.
Bit of a flawed logic if you ask me. Why not seperate the two all together? or at least give an option for a different UI on the different platform?

Because Microsoft wants their own niche. They have to separate themselves from the iPad and Android somehow. Offering a keyboard makes sense.

It also means you can use a single device for both content creation and content consumption. Keep in mind most people don't use their PCs to play games anyway. A keyboard allows for lengthy emails to be typed up or replaces the need for a laptop altogether. You can still use Office and your average college student can still get his/her work done on it.

So it isn't a matter of Microsoft even wanting to lock down the PC. They've already done that with WinRT. Granted, they're just following the Apple trend. Ballmer wants Apple money

 

[Wrench00]

I am surprised EA is whining ... they always seem to have lots of titles at the top of the iTunes charts ... not sure how they do in the Google and Amazon stores ... I doubt they are hurting for money in the tablet and smartphone space

Maybe because they invested millions into origin and now microsoft is saying well here the stipulations now. Windows gave them them the option to be restricted. Inorder to have MS not get sued to oblivion they will need top open metro so other competing stores such as Direct2disk, steam, amazon etc..

 

[Wrench00]

Because Microsoft wants their own niche. They have to separate themselves from the iPad and Android somehow. Offering a keyboard makes sense.

It also means you can use a single device for both content creation and content consumption. Keep in mind most people don't use their PCs to play games anyway. A keyboard allows for lengthy emails to be typed up or replaces the need for a laptop altogether. You can still use Office and your average college student can still get his/her work done on it.

So it isn't a matter of Microsoft even wanting to lock down the PC. They've already done that with WinRT. Granted, they're just following the Apple trend. Ballmer wants Apple money

Problem with Modern API is that its not really capable of serious content creation. The API is to severely limited for anything that has real substance.

 

[pelo]

Maybe because they invested millions into origin and now microsoft is saying well here the stipulations now. Windows gave them them the option to be restricted. Inorder to have MS not get sued to oblivion they will need top open metro so other competing stores such as Direct2disk, steam, amazon etc..

They won't get sued for a closed Metro ecosystem for the same reasons Apple and Android aren't sued.

Though you have to ask how this is any different than the Netscape fiasco. There are a lot of similarities here

 

[oldpablo]

Okay so basically if I add a keyboard to a tablet I can now install x86 software? You realize you missed the entire point. They can't lock anything down unless they get rid of x86 or the "PC" or "desktop" pick your word of choice. And they can't do that because then they would die. So, non-issue. You are basically saying they are pushing everyone to WinRT and ditching the desktop. Cite your sources buddy because that's ridiculously dumb.

 

[Tudz]

You're overlooking the incredible mountain of issues here. First and foremost this would never pass anti-trust scrutiny. And this would most certainly be completely unacceptable to Windows developers.

Are you sure? Other companies do it just fine. I know MS have had antitrust issues in the 90s, but if they can get away with it on phones/tablets (just as other companies do), then I think they may consider it on PC as well.

Well the motivation is there for a company to double prices or do any other number of things to make more money, it doesn't really mean that those actions are doable.

Which is basically what I said. It's not doable now, in W8, but I could see it as a step toward making it doable.

Again, it's market driven, as long as their are open desktop OSes and people are willing to pay for them Microsoft will provide one.

Again, MS has a monopoly. It's not a free open market with lots of OSes vying for market share, you go buy a new PC and your options are often Windows or Windows. Linux COULD be an option if it were supported by third party proprietary developers, and OEMs, but it's not to any great extent. The market will be there in the foreseeable future for desktops, thus the market will be there for a desktop OS and MS are the only people providing one supported by the majority of developers.

 

[Tudz]

Have you tinfoil hat guys realized yet that Metro is separate from the desktop? Because it doesn't seem like it.

I think you missed the whole gist of my post, unless you were referring to the other tinfoil hat guys because you didn't actually quote anyone directly

 

[pelo]

Okay so basically if I add a keyboard to a tablet I can now install x86 software? You realize you missed the entire point. They can't lock anything down unless they get rid of x86 or the "PC" or "desktop" pick your word of choice. And they can't do that because then they would die. So, non-issue. You are basically saying they are pushing everyone to WinRT and ditching the desktop. Cite your sources buddy because that's ridiculously dumb.

Okay so basically if I add a keyboard to a tablet I can now install x86 software?

that's not what I said. Software has nothing to do with a keyboard. Don't be an idiot.

They can't lock anything down unless they get rid of x86 or the "PC" or "desktop" pick your word of choice.

A locked ecosystem has nothing to do with an ISA. They can lock down whatever the hell they please. They've already locked the bootloader and they're keeping track of what hardware you have installed on your PC. That's not an "if." That's what's happening right now.

And they can't do that because then they would die.

I think Microsoft is going to decrease in market value tremendously. It has to do with them following Apple instead of carving their own niche. Attaching a keyboard to a tablet isn't exactly a Eureka! moment. Microsoft should instead cater to the professional and business market. Chasing Android and Apple with a mere fraction of applications that they offer (Win8 Metro apps number in the thousands, whereas Apple and Android are up near 700k) is hopeless. It becomes even more hopeless where Microsoft takes a 30% cut. Apple and Android take a similar cut as well, but they're not hurting for developers.

You are basically saying they are pushing everyone to WinRT and ditching the desktop. Cite your sources buddy because that's ridiculously dumb

I'm saying that's where Microsoft is headed. They've already locked down the bootloader. They're keeping track of your system hardware in order to cash in even further (try upgrading an OEM manufactured win8 device and see what happens). They've locked down their ARM WinRT tablets from the outside world completely. They're overcharging OEMs for the Win8 and WinRT licenses, bundling the latter with a mandatory version of Office (the OEMs have no choice here, meaning you have no choice here. Want to use OpenOffice or LibreOffice because you don't need Office? Tough shit. You're paying for it anyway). And now there's whiff of them looking to build a phone next year.

Tell me again how Microsoft hasn't changed the scope of the personal computer. Remember all of those choices you use to have? Me too.

 

[oldpablo]

I think you missed the whole gist of my post, unless you were referring to the other tinfoil hat guys because you didn't actually quote anyone directly

Not to you specifically, just in general. It seems like people aren't grasping yet that you can't install windows prgorams on ARM. Windows apps from the new Windows Store yes, but that means probably a full code re-write from the ground up of Windows programs to work on ARM. Even including a link in the store and then installing it in "desktop mode" can only work if they program is an actual x86 windows program. So no, WinRT absolutely cannot just take over x86 as people are basically claiming.

that's not what I said. Software has nothing to do with a keyboard. Don't be an idiot.



A locked ecosystem has nothing to do with an ISA. They can lock down whatever the hell they please. They've already locked the bootloader and they're keeping track of what hardware you have installed on your PC. That's not an "if." That's what's happening right now.



I think Microsoft is going to decrease in market value tremendously. It has to do with them following Apple instead of carving their own niche. Attaching a keyboard to a tablet isn't exactly a Eureka! moment. Microsoft should instead cater to the professional and business market. Chasing Android and Apple with a mere fraction of applications that they offer (Win8 Metro apps number in the thousands, whereas Apple and Android are up near 700k) is hopeless. It becomes even more hopeless where Microsoft takes a 30% cut. Apple and Android take a similar cut as well, but they're not hurting for developers.



I'm saying that's where Microsoft is headed. They've already locked down the bootloader. They're keeping track of your system hardware in order to cash in even further (try upgrading an OEM manufactured win8 device and see what happens). They've locked down their ARM WinRT tablets from the outside world completely. They're overcharging OEMs for the Win8 and WinRT licenses, bundling the latter with a mandatory version of Office (the OEMs have no choice here, meaning you have no choice here. Want to use OpenOffice or LibreOffice because you don't need Office? Tough shit. You're paying for it anyway). And now there's whiff of them looking to build a phone next year.

Tell me again how Microsoft hasn't changed the scope of the personal computer. Remember all of those choices you use to have? Me too.

You are just so all over the place that its practically impossible to respond. I was talking about software and you started going somewhere crazy with adding keyboards to tablets to make them PCs. See above, they can "lock down" WinRT all they want and it WILL NOT affect regular windows programs because they function in a completely different part of Windows (the part we are used to using). And once again, if you think MS can just do away with Windows programs and force everyone EVERYONE to re-write all millions or whatever programs to be Windows Store apps, you are literally crazy.

 

[oldpablo]

Microsoft should instead cater to the professional and business market. Chasing Android and Apple with a mere fraction of applications that they offer (Win8 Metro apps number in the thousands, whereas Apple and Android are up near 700k) is hopeless. It becomes even more hopeless where Microsoft takes a 30% cut. Apple and Android take a similar cut as well, but they're not hurting for developers.

Oh when is the last time you took a look around hundreds of business and didn't see ipads and tablets everywhere? This is going after the business market. And they don't need to worry so much about apps right now because on an x86 tablet you can do BOTH. So the WinRT ones won't sell high yet with businesses because they have less apps, big deal. Oh wait, WinRT tablets will have a fully functioning version of office.

So no the dramatically smaller Windows Store (initially) is only going to make an impact with Joe Consumer who wants Angry Birds or a specific app. Meanwhile it will sell like hotcakes to everyone else that wants the power of Windows in tablet form (minus windows programs, for now). That means accessories, synced ecosystem, really too many things to list. Windows 8 tablets will exist on another plane compared to iPads and Android tablets because they can flat out do more overall. The app market thing will eventually reach parity for those that care.

 

[pelo]

Not to you specifically, just in general. It seems like people aren't grasping yet that you can't install windows prgorams on ARM. Windows apps from the new Windows Store yes, but that means probably a full code re-write from the ground up of Windows programs to work on ARM. Even including a link in the store and then installing it in "desktop mode" can only work if they program is an actual x86 windows program. So no, WinRT absolutely cannot just take over x86 as people are basically claiming.



You are just so all over the place that its practically impossible to respond. I was talking about software and you started going somewhere crazy with adding keyboards to tablets to make them PCs. See above, they can "lock down" WinRT all they want and it WILL NOT affect regular windows programs because they function in a completely different part of Windows (the part we are used to using). And once again, if you think MS can just do away with Windows programs and force everyone EVERYONE to re-write all millions or whatever programs to be Windows Store apps, you are literally crazy.

That post wasn't even referring to you but another poster. So quit douching around and start reading what I quoted and who I quoted. Here's a link, because apparently you're too busy badmouthing me to actually fucking read. But apparently I'm the one that's all over the place.

See above, they can "lock down" WinRT all they want and it WILL NOT affect regular windows programs because they function in a completely different part of Windows (the part we are used to using). And once again, if you think MS can just do away with Windows programs and force everyone EVERYONE to re-write all millions or whatever programs to be Windows Store apps, you are literally crazy

There's money in that. And there's alternatives to MS. Apple has been gaining market share on all ends and I don't need to tell you how many devices Android fires up each and every day. If Microsoft locks down their operating systems they won't be facing any law suits. Nobody is forcing you to rewrite anything. Want proof? Check out that amazingly shitty selection of applications currently available for Win8/Metro. You'll still have Win7 and you'll still have Linux. You'll also have Android and you'll have OS X. All of them, minus Android, are capable of running x86.

Microsoft is bullying away the OEMs. They're building hardware AND software now. They made Metro in order to unify everything from phones to desktops. That's exactly what Apple is doing with respect to iOS and OS X; merging to a single OS to govern it all.

 

[oldpablo]

So is a tablet not a personal computer? What about a phone?

A desktop is a desktop. It's called a desktop because it sits on a desk, stationary. As soon as you can do most (or nearly everything for a lot of users) on a tablet, it becomes a personal computer.

Do not confuse PC with desktop. The desktop is a type of PC but it isn't the only flavor. Most "PCs" sold nowadays are laptops. Microsoft, when adding a keyboard to a tablet, is selling the same thing but with a touch screen.

Exhibit A. Anyway it doesn't matter, because now it seems you are going a whole different direction with look at how much choice there is and we still have windows 7 and iOS and OSX can now install my x86 Windows programs! You're hopping from one point to the next, whatever happened to everyone being forced into the Windows Store and onto WinRT per the thread discussion?

 

[pelo]

Your point:

MS won't lock down x86 because of potential lawsuits and angry customers.

My point:

MS has already started that locking down process (OEMs, WinRT, Bootloader). The lawsuits won't come because there are alternatives and they're not a monopoly anymore.