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Microsoft's Windows Chicago: A Promising Upgrade or a $10,000 Clunker?

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Computer users will soon face a daunting decision: upgrade to the new Windows Chicago operating system or stick with the existing Windows 3.1. Microsoft has released a beta version of Chicago, touting features such as "plug and play" hardware installation, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously. However, industry experts predict that the final version will not be released until 1995 or later, leaving users to wonder whether it's worth the wait and the potential upgrade costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft has released a beta version of Windows Chicago, dubbed "Beta-1," to over 10,000 test sites, with the final version expected by late 1994 or early 1995.
  • The new operating system promises features such as "plug and play" hardware installation, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously.
  • Industry experts predict that the final version of Chicago will not be released until 1995 or later, causing some to wonder whether the upgrade is worth the wait.
  • The current version of Windows, 3.1, is being downplayed by Microsoft, with the company acknowledging numerous problems, including install errors and incompatibilities with newer hardware.
  • The "Reviewer's Guide" for Chicago maligned Windows 3.1, often referring to it in the past tense, and listing numerous shortcomings, including but not limited to:

+ Complicated tasks for users

+ Intimidating and unintuitive interface

+ Difficulties finding and using system features

+ Failure to recover from application crashes or hangs

+ "Out of Memory" error messages, even with available free memory

  • Microsoft is expected to charge users hefty upgrade fees for applications that can handle long file names, which will not be possible in the current version of windows.
  • The company is also facing criticism for making customers trade in an old operating system for a new one, without offering any refunds.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 test sites have received the beta version of Windows Chicago.
  • Microsoft expects to release the final version of Chicago by late 1994 or early 1995.
  • Industry experts predict that the final version will not be released until 1995 or later.
  • The current version of Windows, 3.1, has been available on the market for over two years.
  • More than 292 pages of the "Microsoft Windows Chicago Reviewer's Guide" are dedicated to detailing the shortcomings of Windows 3.1.

Sources:

  • Computer world
  • Microsoft Windows Chicago Reviewer's Guide (292-page document available on Compuserve and the Internet)
  • Industry experts (names not specified)

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