May 22, 1990.
Microsoft had no choice but to release Windows 3.0, as it had already produced many operating systems and couldn't afford not to sell them; it couldn't just destroy them either.
Because of the outstanding HarmonyOS operating system, the commercially successful Windows 3.0 has become overshadowed.
In order to sell off its inventory, Microsoft had to resort to selling it at low prices.
The full version of Windows 3.0 originally cost $149.95, but it's now only $50, which is practically a fire sale.
Because of the low prices, many people lined up to buy them at various shopping malls.
Currently, there are approximately 30 to 40 million computer users in the United States, most of whom own low-end computers, which cost less than $1,000.
Even if these computers wanted to install HarmonyOS, it would be a tough challenge. Simply buying HarmonyOS would be fine, but they would also need to upgrade the memory, dedicated graphics card, optical drive, and so on; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to fully utilize the advantages of the HarmonyOS operating system.
Not all Americans are wealthy, and most American families are unwilling to spend so much money on computer upgrades. In addition, internet cafes are ubiquitous throughout the United States, which is why the discounted version of Windows 3.0 had a large market.
This time, Microsoft is basically losing money to gain publicity.
In order to regain market share in the operating system market, Microsoft had to release Windows 3.0, just as it had previously allowed piracy in China to seize the Chinese operating system market. However, in Europe and America, piracy could not be carried out openly, so Microsoft could only adopt a low-price strategy.
While Windows 3.0 cannot compare to HarmonyOS, it represents a significant improvement over previous Windows systems, introducing two fundamental concepts from all previous Windows operating systems:
First: Application Manager: Each application is allowed to have an icon, and the application can be launched by double-clicking the icon.
Second: File Manager: You can directly browse your installed applications and various files through a window.
Therefore, as soon as Windows 3.0 was released, it was snapped up by those who were unwilling to spend a lot of money to buy the HarmonyOS operating system.
...
Zhao Ye had been keeping a close eye on Microsoft's situation, and soon after the release of Windows 3.0, he received intelligence about the news.
Seeing that Windows 3.0 was surprisingly popular, he felt helpless.
Microsoft, this formidable rival, is indeed difficult to eliminate in the short term.
"Boss, do you think we should launch a simplified version of the HarmonyOS operating system, also taking the low-price route, to compete with Windows 3.0?" Qiu Bojun suggested.
The explosive popularity of Windows 3.0 was something he hadn't expected.
The HarmonyOS system is already so amazing, yet Windows 3.0 still sells so well.
Qiu Bojun believes it might be because the HarmonyOS system is too powerful.
Sometimes, being too strong is a mistake.
Qiu Bojun couldn't help but sigh slightly.
Bill Gates had no idea what Qiu Bojun was thinking; otherwise, he might have had a few words of utter disapproval he didn't know whether to say or not...
Zhao Ye pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "There's no need for that. Releasing a simplified version of HarmonyOS would only lower its prestige. Windows 3.0 sold so well because of its low price and the large number of older computers owned by users. However, in the future, more and more people will choose to buy new computers, and at that time, users will consider whether to choose HarmonyOS or Windows 3.0."
I suspect that most people will choose the HarmonyOS system.
Personal computers are already very expensive products, typically costing several thousand dollars. At this point, would users really care about spending an extra two hundred dollars to purchase the HarmonyOS operating system?
Therefore, your next step is to take the initiative and cooperate with major global computer manufacturers, including IBM. While Wujiang Group and IBM are competitors, that doesn't preclude cooperation between them.
Zhao Ye paused, then, as if remembering something, continued, "As far as I know, since 1985, IBM's relationship with Microsoft and Intel has been somewhat strained, a classic 'farmer and the snake' scenario!"
"Initially, Microsoft agreed to develop the operating system together with IBM, but as Microsoft's profits from computer software grew larger and larger, Bill Gates had his own ideas. While working on research and development with IBM, he also vigorously developed Windows, a DOS-based operating system."
Faced with Microsoft's decision to abandon its partners and monopolize the market, IBM may already be considering parting ways with Microsoft and starting to develop its own operating system independently!
In fact, in its previous life, IBM parted ways with Microsoft and independently developed the OS/2 operating system. However, it could not compete with Windows and eventually failed.
Faced with betrayal from its younger sibling, IBM chose to partner with Apple. However, the Wintel alliance, formed by Microsoft and Intel, dealt IBM and Apple a severe blow. In the 1990s, IBM encountered its biggest crisis in history. To overcome this crisis, Gerstner reformed the company, one of the main measures being the consolidation and separation of its businesses, including the sale of the IBM PC division to Lenovo in 2005.
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