Microsoft is not transitioning windows to a subscription service. They're transitioning to the same model as iOS: you buy the OS with the device, and you get updates for the lifetime of that device, but you cannot cherrypick the updates, it's all or nothing.
No, Microsoft isn't in the same position as Apple. MS only owns the Surface and (now defunct) Nokia/MS Lumina device market. And how long will you get Windows 10 automatic updates for free? At the moment Microsoft hides that information until 15 July. Read the above link to get the details from an independent German IT newspaper.
