What a Smart Move...

With no warning, Microsoft stops use of Windows 7 & 8.1 on new PCs How dumb is that?
http://www.computerworld.com/article/3023533/microsoft-windows/microsoft-support-windows-10-new-hardware-itbwcw.html

Well it just depends on what choices you made up till now that determines whether or not that is a dumb thing or not...

Microsoft has recognized that systems from 2003 are still running out there on life support and need replacing.

Other systems will last until 2020 when Microsoft stops support for Windows 7 and will give you enough time to save and prepare for your next purchase...and Microsoft hopes you choose them ;-)

However, that will only depend on whether or not the new technology from Microsoft works the way it should and people stick around along enough to see it...

Microsoft hasn't the best record when it comes to upgrades, they're about 50/50 it works or it breaks :-D

Speaking of breaking, the new windows is breaking all the rules and trying something nobody has done before with their attempt to streamline the OS across all platforms.

So Microsoft making the choice to not support old hardware is a "Smart" Choice for them because it fits their model of staying compatible.

Not only that, but Microsoft is also "Smart" enough to recognize that unless you're in the 10% club that has a system that can last until 2020 on Windows 7, you'll need to be upgrading anyway.

That also confirms what we said about not upgrading your windows 7 machine to windows 10 anyway, because it's not going to be compatible and we were right :-D

Microsoft is KING of keeping peoples wallet out so we knew to chill with Windows 7 and the people that bought hardware from us are still using their Windows 7 machines and are running great!
http://5hvnzon.blogspot.com/2015/08/windows-10-compatibility-issuesproblems.html

The choice is yours and you have four solutions, Microsoft, Apple, Google or Ubuntu...

Microsoft has touch screens Apple does not.

We like how Apple manages their software and upgrades over Microsoft, but that is changing and Microsoft has recognized this and is improving their update strategy.

Google is just a copy cat of Microsoft and to prove it they have announced they are going to streamline their OS with all their devices just like...Microsoft ;-)

Ubuntu is one of many desktops that load over Linux and is the primary Operating System for Europe and is completely free. No subscription fees or up front costs, and is compatible with Most software.

So you have choices and it couldn't be a better time because all these solutions are good, it's just which solution is best for you...

**UPDATE**

We have a theory: we think that Microsoft is anticipating they will need at least 3 years to put all their products and services in order.

We say this because of what Microsoft is doing and saying; they are using philanthropy and they are going to provide cloud services for 3 years.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/01/19/microsoft-earmarks-1b-public-cloud-projects/79026478/

Typically when tech doesn't charge anything means that either your system couldn't clean up good enough or in the case of Microsoft we think they need a little more time to polish the chrome...

Which means that they'll be lean and mean by 2020 when they finally close the door on 7 once and for alllllllll, a little dramatic :-P

We'll see...

Maybe so, recently we loaded a driver on an HP Stream with a Realtek Network Card from Microsoft Optional Updates and it Blue Screened the Computer (BSOD)

We don't load drivers from Microsoft, but decided because it was Windows 8.1 shouldn't have a problem, but it did and you'll never guess with what...Microsoft's Office 365 Word program :-(

Whenever you would open Word in 365 it would BSOD the computer.

So once we uninstalled the Network Driver we reinstalled from the Manufacturer and problem went away.

With Windows only supporting new hardware falls in line with what we think about trying to create backwards compatible computer solutions for combustible engines...