Windows 7 pre-orders sell-out in Japan

Often companies will claim a "sellout" in order to hype incredible demand for its product. However, these claims are pointless without any firm numbers -- after all, there's a big difference between moving 100 and 100,000 units. Now we're getting word from Japan that the heavily discounted Windows 7 upgrades that went up for pre-order on Friday are sold-out. While no numbers are given, the 17 retailers involved in the pre-order sales, who presumably have no vested interest in trying to inflate perceptions on behalf of Microsoft, report sales as "considerable" and taking only 1.5 days (of the 10 days planned) to burn though the alloted inventory. A quick check on Amazon US and Canada shows the same pre-order prices we saw Friday. Still, it might be wise to take notice of the "while supplies last" disclaimer if you haven't already.

Update: Engadget Japanese tells us that the 30,000 copies were sold according to Microsoft.

[Vinnie @ Jun 29th 2009 3:14AM]

OH NO!

[Makavre @ Jun 29th 2009 3:16AM]

Oh Yeah !!!!


*** cue Kool-aid guy bursting through the wall ***

[iofthestorm @ Jun 29th 2009 3:43AM]

Yeah, I should get on ordering mine. But hopefully Microsoft will be smart and not artificially limit this special sale price, since these are freaking preorders anyway.

[Endejas @ Jun 29th 2009 4:03AM]

@iofthestorm

Of course it's an artificial supply, it's licenses to software. But I'm betting MS set a goal of having maybe.. a couple hundred thousand preorders worldwide to bolster its worldwide launch numbers. Maybe the preorders hop up into the millions.

What wouldn't be smart for Microsoft would be for them to sell their main source of revenue at half price.

[richb93 @ Jun 29th 2009 4:50AM]

@ Makavre

+ 1 Internets for you my friend.

[ishism @ Jun 29th 2009 6:47AM]

@Makavre
I L'edMFAO. FUNNIEST COMMENT SO FAR.

[OneLove @ Jun 29th 2009 10:07AM]

I dont understand how a "pre-order" sells out. (Just stamp out some more!)

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Jun 29th 2009 3:17AM]

Wouldn't anyone that interested in Windows 7 already have a copy? You know, a copy that doesn't expire until, what, March?

... so I don't quite get the point of having to be first in line for something that's already available.

But I'm sure someone will set me straight posthaste if there's something I'm missing here. Perhaps has to do with the Japanese language support.

[Lando Calrissian @ Jun 29th 2009 3:19AM]

This is a release copy. The release will be even faster because of no debug code, as well.

[Endejas @ Jun 29th 2009 3:24AM]

And since the majority of people using Windows 7 would like to keep it uncrippled, I think getting it at retail for $50 is a pretty big occasion and something that a lot of people would like to take advantage.

$50 now, instead of $100 later. You can't run the RC forever.

[Mr. 14 @ Jun 29th 2009 3:46AM]

First in line for something that's already available?! Did you see the crowds for the 3GS' launch?

Ahh, I'm either going to be very high ranked, or very low ranked for this one...

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 29th 2009 4:18AM]

@ Mr. 14

I thought it was funny, +1

[Erik @ Jun 29th 2009 7:17AM]

@Mr. 14


hahahahahaha.
Your so funny hahaha

-not-

[oghowie @ Jun 29th 2009 3:25AM]

I bet it will sell out in the USA too. Since it's basically an artificial shortage in order to build hype for the OS.

[Dew @ Jun 29th 2009 3:29AM]

It's a limited time special on the price, not the OS.

[Kelmon @ Jun 29th 2009 3:47AM]

Oh, that's definitely true - it's a marketing stunt. However, it's a pretty good idea and I don't see anything wrong with it since cheap pre-order prices are quite normal and it is not unusual for there to be limited numbers of licenses available in a software special offer.

Personally, I am intending to buy a license for Window 7 Professional so I would get one if they offer it at a price lower than the OEM version will likely cost in Europe.

[oghowie @ Jun 29th 2009 3:50AM]

I don't really think there's anything wrong with it.

I've actually already pre-ordered 3 copies.

[Beastage @ Jun 29th 2009 8:29AM]

They sell a download version, no box... just key... there is limit on that.

[Alex @ Jun 29th 2009 9:09AM]

Already got three copies myself. Basically for the full regular price of one copy. Nice.

[Chasethebase @ Jun 29th 2009 12:51PM]

The pre-orders will sell out in Europe too...oh wait...what was that about the EU?

[m3tric @ Jun 29th 2009 7:51PM]

Glad I got my 4 copies of Win7 right away from Amazon. Can't wait!

[Juan @ Jun 29th 2009 4:06PM]

The rebirth of Windows?

[rvsylver @ Jun 29th 2009 3:31AM]

While Amazon US and Canada show preorder prices, it still isn't available in the UK by the looks of it. Is there a UK availability date on this - even if it is the discounted full version and not the upgrade one?

[Simon @ Jun 29th 2009 3:53AM]

UK release, 15th July

[PS360WiiDsPCGamer @ Jun 29th 2009 3:33AM]

WiNdOwS 7 fTw!1!

[insky @ Jun 29th 2009 3:39AM]

I never thought simple text could ever hurt my eyes...
...I was wrong.

[richb93 @ Jun 29th 2009 4:51AM]

Having a working caps lock FTW?

[Galactor963 @ Jun 29th 2009 8:30AM]

@richb93

Caps lock would have turned that in to "wInDoWs 7 FtW!1!"

[SDotCiRe @ Jun 29th 2009 11:21AM]

@Galactor963

You're such a tool.

[Ryan P. @ Jun 29th 2009 3:41AM]

This doesn't surprise me at all.

[Lando Calrissian @ Jun 29th 2009 3:53AM]

Welcome back, Windows!

[seriousam7 @ Jun 29th 2009 3:56AM]

Wow Ricker, I usually don't comment on the anti-Microsoft bias this site is claimed to have, but wow. You don't have to explain to us how sell-outs work, nor do you need to question the "considerable" amount of units sold by putting quotes around the word. That post seemed like it was dripping with bitterness.

Please, please try to at least sound unbiased towards Microsoft, 'cause believe it or not, there's a lot of people who read your blog who actually like Windows. And if you don't get those Windows fans to read your blog, then you don't get all those clicks on your page, which means you don't get as much ad money, which means you might lose your job, which would really suck right now.

[Kelmon @ Jun 29th 2009 5:57AM]

Translation: I see bias against my beloved Microsoft where none exists. For reasons unappreciated by the rest of the world I think it is important to defend a faceless company despite there being nothing to defend it against.

Seriously, where was the bias in that article? Take a deep breath and chill out.

[chansthename @ Jun 29th 2009 7:53AM]

There seemed to be a bias to me as well

Engadget must fix up the comments system, so that we do not have to click on the timestamp to get higest ranked. The comments are the only real reason for me reading engadget daily, fix it they were fine before but they suck now. I as of yet can't find a good clean tech blog to replace engadget but anyopne want to recommend one?

[Me4u2 @ Jun 29th 2009 3:57AM]

Please help me out here guys, I can't seem to recall correctly.... I was just wondering how many seconds it took for mac Osx Snow leopard to sell-out??? Am kinda like an Apple enthusiast, so bear with me...

[K @ Jun 29th 2009 4:04AM]

Quality over quantity any day of the week.

[melloncollie @ Jun 29th 2009 4:07AM]

Yeah, how's that 9% market share working out for you guys?

See, I can make sarcastic asshole comments too.

[Tesla @ Jun 29th 2009 4:34AM]

@K

I knew there was a reason the Zunes are better than the iPods!

[Kelmon @ Jun 29th 2009 5:46AM]

About 6-seconds.

Yes, my answer is about as dumb as your question. Honestly, what is it about this web site that makes it attract half-wits (yes, I include myself in that)?

[Robot Overlord @ Jun 29th 2009 9:07AM]

i like the colors of engadget

[Ridgecity @ Jun 29th 2009 3:58AM]

Of course this was going to happen. In Japan you have to wait for weeks everything if you don't have bought it by the first couple hours it's available.

Everything sells out, and you make a pre-order offer for that day's pizzas, they will sell out.

[Mike @ Jun 29th 2009 4:15AM]

Trojan horse! Windows 7 is MS's Trojan Horse into Japan! Now, they will some how make all of the Japanese purchase Xbox 360.

[sauerkrautface @ Jun 29th 2009 4:10AM]

The ad says that each person can buy 3 copies of each edition, for a total of 6 copies a person. With the price guaranteed to go up after the pre-orders are sold out, how could they not sell out in 3 days?

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 29th 2009 4:16AM]

I'll just get my copy from my university for $14.99! :D

[MarnBeast @ Jun 29th 2009 5:16AM]

I'll just get my copy for free from my university. MSDN FTW!

[kazbaeden @ Jun 29th 2009 11:42AM]

I was thinking about that, but with Vista we had to wait until December (11 months) before we were able to buy ours, and I'll be out of school by then.

[Down @ Jun 29th 2009 4:34AM]

Sort off off-topic but still very related. Is it possible to pre order Windows 7 on the Amazon US website but ship it internationally? I'm in Hong Kong btw.

[Daza @ Jun 29th 2009 4:48AM]

Lots of people have asked this and apparently you need a US shipping address. Perhaps if you use a service like vPost it would work but it might want to match a credit-card to the shipping address, which wouldn't work.

[Tes @ Jun 29th 2009 6:04AM]

Well I've had a friend order it for me in the US and he'll ship it over to me here in the UK when he gets it, but from the calculations I've not really saved that much.

$49.99 in the US compared to £49.99 IS a big difference ($82.38 today)

But after transferring $49.99 to his account the exchange made it £31appx (so far a saving of £18) but shipping and POSSIBLE duty will probably eat that £18 pretty quickly.

[kazbaeden @ Jun 29th 2009 11:45AM]

Tes, why did you want the US version? UK preorder is later this summer and you get the full version.