Microsoft’s PC reinvigoration data

Let’s get in some other Microsoft data released recently – a conversation about the reinvigoration of the PC.  

Microsoft Windows chief Panos Panay cited some numbers to Axios. 

•  More people are using Windows than ever — a 20% monthly increase vs. pre-pandemic.
• More time spent on Windows PCs: On average, people spend 10% more time on each PC than pre-pandemic​.
• Customer satisfaction for Windows 11 is higher than any previous version of Windows​.

The piece says what I often do—quoting the article.  

Who makes the computer and its operating system has become less critical for many workers, students, and consumers, with most key apps running in the browser and from the cloud or being available across Macs and PCs.

Windows still dominate the market for PC operating systems, but Apple has gained significant ground. Beyond grabbing a larger slice of the consumer market, Macs are now either standard or an option at many startups and a growing number of large companies.

Google’s Chrome OS has also become a significant player — especially in education.

I’ll note that Q3 PC shipments plunged, per data from Canalys.  They’re down 18%.  

There’s a hidden element within the article – the services customers use.  Microsoft relies on its ability to play well with others.       Windows is still a massive business for Microsoft… it’s just important to note that they have to remind us of that.  Why?  Because the computer and operating system are less critical and becoming even less so.

I’ll continue to drive this message – if your core offering is about managing endpoints – those computers and operating systems as the focus – you, too, are becoming less critical.    It may be a slow march to irrelevance, but at any speed, it’s dangerous.