Two weeks after the launch of Windows 7 come some early data on how it is faring with consumers (while these sales are minor in the bigger scheme of things, getting early favourable buzz going with consumers is an essential part of building momentum for the new operating system).
According to research firm NPD, purchases of the software upgrade in the US were 82 per cent higher in the first few days than they were at the launch of Vista (in dollar terms). You can put most of that down to promotional offers.
However, consumers didn’t rush out straight away to buy Windows 7 PCs (despite assurances from Steve Ballmer that new PCs will be the main driver of demand for the software). Sales of PCs were up 49 per cent from the year before, which is less than the 68 per cent year-over-year bump they got with the Vista launch. You can probably put that down to the recession.
The verdict: this vital product launch has gone off pretty smoothly (while giving Apple another chance to poke fun). But it will be a long time before 7 can be declared a success.
