In its first month of sales to the general public,
Windows Vista sales broke 20 million, making it the fastest selling version of Windows thus far. Obviously, Microsoft is going to spin these numbers for all they're worth, but it's really only natural that a years-delayed OS released to an increasingly PC-ified world would sell like gangbusters. With 239 million PCs sold globally in 2006, 20 million doesn't sound like a terribly impressive number, but at least it's nothing to sneeze at. The number includes OEM sales, retail sales, upgrades and Vista Express Upgrades between January 30 and February 28. In comparison, Windows XP sold 17 million copies in its first two months on the market. Other fancy numbers Microsoft is bragging about include 4,500 "Certified for Windows Vista" products and 27,000 drivers, with a respectable portion of those appearing after Vista's launch. No word on how positive Vista's impact has been on general PC sales, and we're confused as to why people like Steve Ballmer would be blaming pirates for "poor" Vista sales when Microsoft sounds so excited about this 20 million number here, but we're guessing the good news from the PR side of Microsoft isn't going to do anything to slow a
WGA crackdown.
posted March 26th 2007 9:09PM
Of course. Microsoft Require PC manufacturers to pre-install Vista as soon as possible and keep the presssure on. You can hardly buy a PC made by big names with windows XP as soon as MS' Feb Launch.
Say 239M PC sales p.a., that's about 20M per month. So yea, basically all the new PC's sold in Feb are Windows Vista, that's it. Is there anything worth to be proud of? I mean, even if Microsoft make a cup a shit and force PC vendor to pre-load it, they will have 20M sales of shit anyway.
True. Microsoft doesn't even give a choice at retail since you can't walk into a store anymore and buy a copy of XP instead of Vista. Regardless, I'd like to see a retail sales to retail sales comparison of XP to Vista as retail sales, to me, indicate how many people really "want" the software bad enough to go buy it. I'd bet that XP sales were significantly higher than Vista even given that it was 5 years ago.
WTF is with all these Microsoft stories?
I bought a brand new PC as soon as Vista was made available since I needed an upgrade anyway and I'm thinking of going back to XP. I have a pretty decent machine 2.4Ghz core2duo, 2GB RAM, 256MB video, and the general performance of the machine is lackluster at best with Vista installed.
while Vista is much more visually appealing - I feel like I've taken a step back in overall performance even though this machine has a lot more horsepower.
Well of course..
Half the people who recently bought a new laptop/desktop computer for school, business, home, etc. had no idea of what Vista was. They just know that they need programs that will do what they need to do and make it look nice. It wasnt too much of a change in my opinion. It was very little heard of to the computer illiterate and when they went to get a new computer, they were forced to get it. With everyone thinking that its some really huge upgrade, they must have it, even though they probably cannot run on it on their current computer (unless of course its less that 6 months old) and/or they want to pay to have their graphics card and memory upgraded at a great expense - just to run an operating system that 'wow's you with the number of problems you can have in one night.
-Tj
Actually... when you say that it won't work on a computer thats more than 6 months old you are completely wrong. I built my computer about 4 years ago and it runs Vista fine with a 3.3 experience rating.
Yes, but can you run Aero Glass? Practically the only GOOD change Vista has from XP (in my opinion and of others of course)? No.
3.3 Rating? Last I heard thats still not up to par with the other machines that you have to pay extra for ;)
I bought my pc 4 years ago. I have a 3.3 rating with windows vista ultimate installed. My aero runs Great! No lag what so ever.
caption: "nah haaaah! in urrrr face, jobs!"
"Of course, the PC market has grown substantially since XP hit store shelves. In 2001, worldwide PC shipments totaled 136 million units, while last year the industry shipped 227 million computers, according to IDC.
And Microsoft's figures include not only boxed copy sales and those included on new PCs, but also people who bought Windows XP during the holiday season and have applied for their free Vista upgrade since the mainstream launch of Vista."
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+sells+20+million+Vista+licenses/2100-1016_3-6170426.html?tag=nefd.pulse
So the PC market is more than 100 million stronger (Gartner's figure as cited by Engadget) since 2001 when XP launched yet mighty mighty Microsoft only managed to shill 3 million more Vista licenses in the same time frame? Not to mention that the 20 million figure itself is subject to scrutiny.
The Wow starts when?
XP Sold 17mil in 2 months Vista sold 20mil from Jan 30 to Feb 28 thats slightly less then a reluar full month...how is that the same time frame. It sold 3mil more in half the time.
It's far more than "3 million more Vista licenses in the same time frame". If you read correctly, it says Windows XP sold 17 million licenses in the first TWO months. Vista has done 20 million in ONE month - or HALF the time. This will compensate for the larger market as well.
And I think it's only fair to count XP -> Vista Express Upgrades. The customer obviously had the intention of buying Windows Vista, but simply couldn't because it wasn't released yet.
Good job Microsoft, congratulations on a nice OS. Admittedly, I do need a new PC to run Aero, but it can only be expected as this machine is extremely old :)
I find these numbers a bit hard to believe. Not one single person I know is running Vista, nor has any intention of upgrading in the near future...
Well, that's certainly a scientific observation!!!
And the press release includes "the full packaged product sold to retailers" as opposed to number actually purchased by consumers. If you assume there were 19 million computers sold during that time (with Vista as the only option), how many copies of Vista did consumers actually purchase? None?
I must say I am extremely pleased with my Vista Ultimate edition paired with my Dell Dimension 9100.
Payed just $179 for the OEM version.
Very nice piece of software!
Well, yes, if you "payed" just $180, for, umm, I'm sure it feels great.
$179 where?
Ok now im not hatein on vista or anything but the reason there are so many sales is cause almost every pc in the stores is sold with vista preloaded. So every PC bought added alot to the sales.
There should be another jump in Vista sales soon. My happless Tablet PC 1.1 ghz with RC2 license will be running out this coming June and I just can't see myself going back to XP, so I will be buying Vista upgrade soon. My Vista experience has bee awesome.
I know people who wanted to buy a new pc without vista, but they had no choice, unless they wanted to go through extra trouble. Why didn't they want vista? Unsupported devices. It turns out its cheaper to throw them out and buy new. Oh, so much for care.
What I find funny is Engadget posted an article recently about Vista's lackluster adoption. It referenced some kind of security concern? I forget. The reality is Vista is nothing special, relatively, but successful due to the size of its market, and MS is hedging its bets. Engadget would serve us as well -> better by reporting on Linux base visual capabilities.
And cue the fanboys!
How does it feel when a bit of the REAL WORLD actually breaks into your anti Microsoft echo chamber.
Dont try to pretend that the numbers are made up, and dot pull this "I dont know anyone that wants to use Vista" Bullship. The truth is that millions are using it and millions more will be using it in the coming months. All the FUD from bloggers and Apple friendly reviewers didn't do beans to hurt Vista sales. If anything all the negativity in the direction of MS may have caused a backlash against the people that just bashed on it continuously.
This is the problem with too many anti-MS types. Their own hatred of MS products, they believe, actually translates to a general overall hate towards that company in the overall population. Stories like this show that the hate is only from a very narrow few with very big mouths.
A "very narrow" few that want a whole lot more than what a lagging company cares to offer.
But this is always the way it works. Just wait for them to reveal what you really want.
You are so wrong
not that people anti-microsoft so much, frankly people who came here likely knew computer well, from basic literate type to IT professionals. Their experience of vista, is it simply sucked for being a resource hog and the matter about rip offs to mac's design is just a sidekick, any knowledgeable human being could tell who copied who. Not all here are anti-anything, its for the benefit of the consumers, in the end its still us the consumer get to choose what os to choose.
I'm one of those 20 million crackheads who migrated to Vista, on the first day...
It actually runs faster than XP did on the same system and I thankfully haven't run into any crashes or driver issues. I'm sure it took alot of coffee to keep them programmers up typing those tricky 1's and 0's
*Most people and businesses are waiting for service pack 1 this fall before they upgrade to the freshness.
It's something of a shame that I can't get a new computer with good old Win XP installed anymore. Vista might have a pretty face, but it's really a high priced whore upgrade, adding little to the end-user experience and a lot to the Hollywood executives who are happy to make it more difficult to enjoy the online movies. Hurray for Hollywood!
I'm one of the 20 million as well. I like Vista but don't think it's that special for most people. I just wanted Windows Media Center. And it did run slower on my old PC. That's what got me to build a new one for it.
Pre-loaded Vista on a 600-1000 dollar machine is a great deal if you ask me since Vista caost around 200-400 bucks by itself
You know what would be great in your universe, would be if the video driver would charge $1000. Then you could say you're getting a video driver plus a FREE computer for $1000. What a deal!
WHAT ? A OS is not a video driver and In the real world your mac cost 2k but have the same if not less than horsepower than a HP at1K and to the people who are saying this preinstall crap would Apple not sell you a Apple without its OS
Newegg.com, $180 for ultimate OEM.
Im not one to jump in on these arguments usually, but this time i will.
First off, ive been working with computers since the days of DOS (which still remains the best OS ever, that is, if you are intelligent enough to use it).
More and more stupid people are buying computers without even a tiny bit of research as to what needs to be done to run one properly. And they complain when something doesnt work perfectly. Guess what? Windows runs on a HUGE variety of hardware, and, for the most part, does so without too many hiccups.
Now take a Mac...the OS is custom made to run on a specific set of hardware, OOO so hard!
Bottom line, in my experience, MACs are for stupid people. And the stupid people gang up in groups to tear down the better piece of software, windows (that is, after the 1st service packs, lol, ill even admit that one). So everyone quit whining. Windows works fine, and quit bashing microsoft. End of story.
until next time, steve jobs can eat a hairy part-of-a-mans-body-that-starts-with-c
Wow you are nuts, I see exclusive hardware as a benefit. Have you ever tried to call customer care for Windows? You might as well shit in your hand and throw it against the wall. Call Apple get help, go to an Apple store get help. One software, one hardware no issues. Oh and try explaining the ease of MACosx to an ignorant PC user then tell me who is stupid.
Engadget: Well uhh... Microsoft, compared to itself, is sucking hardcore, but naturally being the biggest company in the world they're not doing to badly, either.
Reader: I'm no fanboy of either side, but if sales of Vista are doing well, can't you just say that without putting a "screwed both ways" spin on the story?
Engadget: ...Did we mention we have exclusive interface pics of the Apple TV?
Not to be snarky, but to put this in comparison Apple has less than 5% of the OS market share. Of 240 million PCs in market right now, that means 12 million are running OS X. Or, put another way after one month there are 8 million more machines in customers hands running Vista than are using OS X right now. Apologists can spin this however they want but it is a good achievement for MS.
I say this, running vista on 18 month old hardware totalling less than $1400 without a hint of slowdown (and sadly better application and driver support, since I was running XP64 prior. Hence the upgrade to Vista). In general I'm happy enough with it that I recommend the upgrade to friends whose machines can run it fine without reservation, but advice friends with lower spec systems to wait until they buy/build a new machine. For PC users sitting on the fence, run the upgrade advisory tool and see what it says. If you get decent numbers grab yourself an upgrade copy or an OEM copy. I think it is worth the money (the money NOT being the $400 amount ignorant detractors throw around).
Engadget: Saying that 20 Million in a month doesn't sound impressive when 240 million PCs were sold last year makes you sound very biased. That's like saying, "A copy of vista was sold for almost every PC that was purchased." No, that isn't impressive at all.
Also, to whoever said MS only sold an additional 3 million copies while the computer market doubled: The article said they sold 17 million copies of XP in the first two months. So MS more than doubled their sales of OS while the computer market didn't quite double.
I'm running vista. I'm not amazingly impressed with it. It does look better, but my display adapter stops responding and it does seem slightly less responsive sometimes (this is a dual core computer with 2GB ram a fast HD, and a 7900GTO video card for a 4.9 windows experience score).
Having said all of that, I'm still glad to be running Vista and I think it's stupid when people try to knock these sales like MS isn't able to move their new OS. Whatever methods they are using it, they are more successful than ever before.
Your score is 4.9 and you see performance issues? I'm rocking a 3.1 and thought Vista screamed compared to XP.
They forgot to add torrent downloads.
I purchased my HP DV2035US back in June of '06, and it runs fairly well on XP, better on Ubuntu, decent on OSX. I picked up Vista Home Premium for dirt cheap at school, figured I'd give the quad-boot a shot. Needless to say, my XP partition is no more. I don't know why everyone dogs on Vista so much. I'd consider myself a fairly intensive PC user, and sans some led quicklaunch button I never used in XP, I haven't seen a single compatibility issue with Vista. The OS runs much faster than XP, looks/functions much cleaner than Ubuntu+Beryl, and frankly has tons more software support than OSX.
Take it from an OS aficionado who triple boots into Ubuntu+Beryl Linux, OSX, and Vista, it's my favorite for a reason. (Though I'm posting this from Ubuntu).
feel as though I'm replying too much... The score can bottleneck on silly things. IIRC, my processor/memory/graphics/hd were all in the 4-5 range, but my gaming graphics is 3.1 (laptop). Therefor, my score is 3.1. I run every Aero option on with no performance issues whatsoever. In this sense, the score is somewhat meaningless. My PC's gaming abilities has nothing to do with day to day functionality if I don't game. What really effects those things is the processor, memory, hd speed etc. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but I find the OS to be much more efficient than anything else I've ever ran (considering what it has to offer).
I've been using Vista with a rating of 2.0 (I still can run Aero) and I have no problems nor have I seen any slowdown at all.
I love it over XP and definitely over OSX. So fanboys, cram it up your ass :)
The only crash I've gotten was when I tried install my Mixman DM2 drivers. Naturally, the device is wayyy out of date and the company has pretty much gone shit under. No biggy though, as the programs still work :)
Also, everything worked right out of the box. That's right - no drivers to install (including my wireless which Ubuntu won't even recognize). It even automatically installed my USB soundcard (Phillips PSC805) without a hitch.
so did your dm2 work in the end??
I bought Vista Ultimate the third day it was out. It may have made me pick up that extra gig of RAM my pc was begging for months for but, after that it runs like a champ. The overall usability is a step above my old XP Pro machines. I'll hopefully soon be upgrading those one at a time also. Vista is about $50 more than I think it should be but, I guess that's the price you pay for compatibility / ease of use.
I though this was a semi-respectable news source. But I think I've just had enough with these anti-microsoft/windows entries. It seems that no matter what they do, you'll find a way to slander them.
Seriously, if you are going to run windows - why not run Vista? I see absolutely no reason to run XP. And the price definately won't be an issue. (say I use it for 5 years, that's like 20/year [home premium oem]) Unless you've gotten too used to just being able to leech everything.
They're probably counting unique activations. In which case they're also including "frankenbuilds", as they don't seem able to stop these. "Frankenbuilds" are RTM versions (slightly hacked) running with Beta keys. So make that 20,000,000 - 3. ;)
I'm surprised they've hit the 20 million this soon. I would've thought that people would've put off the upgrade for another year or so. Especially considering corporations have to take into consideration the "training" involved for their staff etc.
MS Office 2007 on the other hand, that's going to make a lot of "MS Office Xperts" in the office say "WHO THE HELL REPLACED THE MENUS WITH THIS BUTTONS?!?!". This is a big change if you've grown accustomed to using "standard" menu-navigation in the Windows environment.
I know loads of people with Vista in the UK, none of them paid for it, so does M$ count those as sales.
Hello Mr TorrentSpy, this is Grabby McMarket, how many people illegally downloaded our un-crackable operating system last month? Really 6 billion, add that to our 20million actual sales and everyone in the world is running Vista, I'll give the good news to Bill.
And I thought that by making it incompatible with everything (Damn you Logitech and your iTouch is legacy so we wont support vista, that is true, but your new products suck, especially your Keyboards and mine is running flawlessly, why should I have to get an expensive and less featured SetPoint device) and making Basic and Home Premium (All the features M$ boasts are exclusive to Ultimate, but you try buying a prefab running that) the only ones available to Retail Manufacturers would hurt sales, I was wrong.
Microsoft wants to blame poor sales on piracy and brag about large sales simultaneously? You can't have your cake and eat it.
If those numbers are true, why don't I know a single person that is running Vista? I work in IT and nobody I work with is using it.... Sounds like FUD to me.
Transparent window frames and opaque windows.
lol