Enought with the new OS's already!
I think that most individuals (not talking about companies with dozens of computers in a network here) will stick with their current OS as long as they have the computer it is running on. People have had, or have at least heard of, enough 'upgrade' nightmares in the past to be leery of trying to upgrade their systems. I've noticed that people who have begun their computing careers on OS's older than Windows 7 tend to hang on to that OS as long as they can because it is familiar to them and they don't want to have to 'reinvent the wheel' and learn a new OS just to get work (or play) done. It seems like ever since ME (Millenium) came out, the OS's have been coming out more and more often. The 'improvements' in each successive OS are often too subtle for the non-techie person to even notice too. I'd say as long as a new OS keeps costing what seems to most individuals as an arm and a leg, they will also be resistant to change for economic reasons. If their current OS is getting the job done for them and is still relatively stable, why should they fork out another $200 or so to get a new one? Especially if it won't be fully compatible with their computer as is? Then they are talking about a major upgrade in hardware that will cost even more.
This business of replacing desktops with tablets is stupid. Tablets are neither desktops nor are they laptops. They are a toy, really. An oversized ipod touch that is neither easily portable nor ergonomic on a desktop. They are practically sealed shut. Even if you can get one apart without breaking anything, everything is so tiny and enmeshed together, it's nearly impossible to work on. You can't clean the inside of them without what amounts to delicate 'open heart surgery' that might ruin the thing, so you can't keep them from filling full of dust (the ruination of computers everywhere if they aren't kept clean). You can't upgrade them by replacing video cards or adding more RAM. If they quit working, all you can do is ship them back and hope they can be taken almost completely apart and fixed by the manufacturer or another specialized repair place. They don't have a lid like a laptop, so you need a special carrying case to put them in so the screen doesn't get scratched up. You can't put the screen at an angle without buying or improvising some kind of stand for the thing. so ceiling lights glare on it. They have no keyboard, so you have to use touch screens which are no where near as accurate or easy to use as the commercials want us to believe, especially if your fingers are the least bit sweaty or dirty. Practically have to be wearing rubber gloves to get any kind of accuracy out of those screens without having to wipe them off all the time. I've used them and I keep hitting the wring thing on the screen because you can't feel anything: it's all slick 'glass'.
I've used the tablets belonging to clients and friends but will never own one. I hate the things!
