NPD: Windows 7 sales 234% higher than Vista's first few days
By Paul Miller 
posted Nov 5th 2009 5:34PM
posted Nov 5th 2009 5:34PM
Looks like Windows 7 is off to a much stronger start than Windows Vista, with the NPD Group claiming the first few days of sales saw a 234% increase over Vista's start. Part of that can be attributed to special deals and low-cost pre-sales -- total revenue was only 82% higher -- but it's hard to deny people are stoked for Windows 7. Interestingly, the PC hardware growth was actually stronger for Vista than 7 (48% year over year compared to 68% year over year), but there are enough variables at play there to make sure Microsoft won't lose sleep over it. In fact, 7's biggest threat seems to be Microsoft's other products, since Windows 7 PC sales were up against 20% of PC sales being comprised of Vista and XP computers, compared to the 6% of non-Vista PCs sold during that launch.
Surprising. I wonder how it could be?
A very good marketing, plus a few good IT reviews didn't hurt either. ;)
I hope you are referring to the engadget website sidebar, which no links are clickable for me....
Yes. I like those positive ads. They're not badmouthing any other competitive companies or anything.
I'm a PC, and happy ads was my idea.
When softwares good people will actually pay for their merchandise... Same with music and movies and games and etc...
Saweet! Now if they could just kill 32bit the world would be a better place.
Must not comment when sleepy. Inane sentences appear as clever sarcasm or what not.
you know what they say
in the middle of a bar fight the guy with the biggest (insert whatever here) is the one still sitting drinking his beer happily.
its been proven time and time again positive reinforcement ads have a higher profit return then negative "competition bashing ads"...someone should take a hint.
Yes, that's why Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads work so well. Because they make you laugh. Laughing is positive. I don't care how much you hate Apple, if the 80s PC guy flipping up his sunglasses didn't make you laugh, you have serious issues.
The Droid ad, on the other hand, is not funny or clever. It's just bashing the iPhone.
But as far as Win 7, yeah obviously the marketing is better for Win 7 than it was for Vista. It helps that Win 7 does appear to be a better product than Vista too.
@Jack
nonononono: John Hodgman is funny. The ads themselves are snotty, pretentious, and underhanded.
"It's just bashing the iPhone"
haha oh wow have you even watched any "I'm a Mac" ads in the past year? They used to be original and witty by bashing Windows while promoting OSX. Now, they fill up 30 seconds with nothing but moronic propaganda.
The Windows 7 ads are way better than the Mac vs PC ads. Every time I see one of those MvP ads, it makes me want to NEVER buy a mac.
It's like Win ME all over again. If you put out a product that sucks like a Hoover, the follow-on product will get bought because everyone is hoping to be saved from the piece of crap they had to have because it was what was pre-installed on their computer.
Double post was not my fault.
No, it was your Mac's fault.
No, that's ok. Don't counter anything I said, just take another jab at Macs instead. That'll prove me wrong... somehow.
Ugh...you really want to start something, don't you?
"So what you're saying is that John Hodgman makes you laugh. Isn't that the point, as per exactly what I said in my last post?"
It's like when a good actor does a role for a sub-par movie (Law Abiding Citizen as a recent example: I love Gerard Butler's ability to pull off the ultimate rough-and-gritty badass in his acting, but the movie itself wasn't good). I like Hodgman, but I hate the ads, which brings me to my next point.
"You think Apple's ads are snotty because you don't like Apple. Normal people who don't have an axe to grind think the ads are funny. That's why the ads are so popular, and it's why Apple keeps doing them."
No, not at all. I like Apple; they make great, reliable products and they often bring innovation mainstream (making multitouch smartphones pretty much the standard, for example). What I hate is the elitist CRAP they push in their "get a mac" ads, which (in a nutshell) only appeal to either a) people who already love Apple and everything Apple does or b) consumers too ignorant to know any better so they just eat it up.
About the iDroid ads: I never watched them until you just mentioned them now, and after watching them, I dislike them, but no as much as the get-a-mac ads. They actually tell you what Droid can do/what it has that the iPhone doesn't (although it's in a not-telling-the-viewer-very-much kind of way, but I suppose the point of the ad seems to be to get people to see what Droid is and why they claim to be so much better than the iPhone, which is why there's a URL at the end of the mysterious-themed ad).
About what's propaganda in the Mac ads: I don't need to prove Apple wrong, only you: "propaganda --> information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to...harm [an]...institution". So it might be true, but it's still propaganda.
Oh hell, why not throw a curve ball? Can you do an in-place upgrade from Puma (PowerPC) to Snow Leopard (Intel)? That's the equivalent of upgrading from XP to Windows 7. It's not Microsoft's fault when people decide for themselves to keep using nearly-10-year-old software. Shazam, there's the underhanded tactics we know and hate from the Get a Mac ads.
"Apple's ads work because they're funny."
They work because they target fans of Apple and computer-ignorant people (which unfortunately makes up the majority). Actually, do the ads even work? I'm not being sarcastic--I'm actually wondering if anyone has statistics or something along those lines.
"If you don't think they're funny, that's because either you have no sense of humor, or you're butthurt because Apple is pointing out flaws in Windows."
I don't think they're funny because I don't like elitist pricks.
People make a normal pace from XP to Vista. They generally didn't enjoy Vista and will obviously move quicker to get them away from Vista to the next version.
Confounding.
It's easy to double your sales when your only competitors advertise your product for you!
(This comment isn't being put here to stay on the front page like the idiotic argument above me. It's actually a relevant reply.)
Booyah, Apple, Booyah. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Phil Schiller just say a couple weeks ago that not many people would upgrade to Windows 7?
Booyah, Phil, Booyah.
Those stupid "Get a Mac" ads are signs of desperation. No one can stop the force known as "Windows 7" ;)
Who manufctures better computers apple or Microsoft. ?exactly.
Until the day ms decides to manufacture a computer , there is no comparison. Apple is on a whole new level. Agree??
Tom: "What I hate is the elitist CRAP they push in their "get a mac" ads, which (in a nutshell) only appeal to either a) people who already love Apple and everything Apple does or b) consumers too ignorant to know any better so they just eat it up."
Here's your problem. You are vastly - VASTLY - overestimating the general public's knowledge of Macs, and what they can do. Macs even being able to do anything at all is news to a lot of people out there. So Apple pushes their strong points against Windows' weak points. Isn't that what companies do when they advertise? Make their products look good by comparison? You call it "elitist crap" which is idiotic. By your definition, any ad featuring any product that makes itself look better than another product by comparison is "elitist crap". You think Apple is the only company that does that? Heh.
"after watching them, I dislike them, but no as much as the get-a-mac ads. They actually tell you what Droid can do/what it has that the iPhone doesn't"
Er... maybe you need to watch that Droid ad again. All it does is list what the iPhone doesn't do, which is considerably worse than the Get a Mac ads. And the Get a Mac ads list things that Macs can do that Windows doesn't. You are about one hair away from crossing the line into hypocrisy with these complaints. Watch those double standards there, junior.
"I don't need to prove Apple wrong, only you: "propaganda --> information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to...harm [an]...institution". So it might be true, but it's still propaganda."
So you're saying Apple is spreading rumors, information, ideas... that are true? If that's the case, then I fail to see the problem. If what Apple is saying in their ads is true, why do you have a problem with it?
"Can you do an in-place upgrade from Puma (PowerPC) to Snow Leopard (Intel)? That's the equivalent of upgrading from XP to Windows 7"
Puma? You're kidding, right? Tell you what, you show me ONE PERSON who is upgrading from 10.1 to 10.6 in one shot, and I'll agree that you have a point. that is 5 major OS releases apart, which on the Windows side is more equivalent to upgrading from Windows95 to Win 7. Additionally, the difference in your example is hardware. PowerPC vs. Intel. What is the excuse on the Windows side? The problem is entirely contained within Win 7. Let's not kid ourselves, either. You know and I know the vaaaaast majority of Windows users are on XP. The same cannot be said of Mac users and 10.1, can it? The whole reason this is a big deal is specifically because so many Windows users are on XP.
If you're going to throw curveballs, you should probably make sure they're not stupid first. Shazam!
"They work because they target fans of Apple and computer-ignorant people (which unfortunately makes up the majority). Actually, do the ads even work?"
The ads work because they're funny. It's that simple. And of course the ads work. This isn't Microsoft and the Seinfeld ads that got cancelled after two ads were shown because they were full of so much fail. The ads are still running, aren't they? Wouldn't that indicate that they're working? Common sense, people.
"I don't think they're funny because I don't like elitist pricks."
Sigh. Again with the elitism. You already admitted that what Apple is saying in their ads is true. How are they being elitist? By pointing out that Windows has flaws? OH GOOD LAWD. Maybe the point of advertising is escaping you at the moment, but I assure you that the point is to make your product look good. Everybody does that with their advertising. But somehow Apple is "elitist" when they do it. LOL? Maybe you should consider just getting over it. People who aren't like you and don't hate Apple for no reason think the ads are funny. Which is why Apple keeps running them.
@Tom and Jack
I own both a Mac and a (very nice) Windows Desktop
my macbook runs leopard and my windows box has vista but I'm going to install 7 tomorrow.
I agree with both of you on different levels, but I am curious as to why Jack got downranked on his last post, it was insightful and very valid.
the simple fact of the matter is yes, 7 has more legacy support than S. Leopard. however here's the big draw here, Puma was indeed 5 revisions ago and also in a time when apple computers still were not top rate or very high sellers. only post Jaguar (when the iPod REALLY took off, 3G) did ibook and imac sales really pick up. the majority of people's first mac was a g4 ibook/powerbook or g4 imac which is inherently more powerful than a 400mhz G3 iMac (the first one to officially support OS X 10.1)
the next real argument is that Windows XP is still being sold, hence A LOT of machines ranging from bargain bins to the most extreme falcon northwest rigs have the same operating system. there is an extremely small install base of Puma computers compared to Tiger computers or Windows XP computers out there. it's foolish to really say just because Puma and XP both came out in '01 that 7 is better solely on the fact that you can upgrade straight from xp. while xp was in office (9 years almost) apple released Jaguar, Panther, Tiger and Leopard. If apple ran the numbers, it would have been smart to maintain PPC support but instead they weighed the pros and cons, Leopard is every bit as usable as Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger and Snow Leopard, if you need an OS to use on your legacy devices then use one of those. A lot of Windows 98 machines have the MINIMUM requirements to run XP (and I mean BARE minimum) but would you want to? would you rather have a newer OS and have it choppy? (A 2001 Windows XP machine running 7) or an older OS and have it run peppy (A 2001 Windows XP machine running XP?) That just seems like a silly argument no? No one will use 2001 equipment when newer equipment is available (unless financially it is not possible)
As for the Ads, every advertisement that downplays its competitior (yes, including the Get a Mac ads) can be directly compared to political advertisements. Every Poly ad starts with how bad the competitior is and then gets into how good the candidate is. let's review both the apple and verizon ads. Almost every Mac ad starts with PC complaining, freezing, or overall not working as he should and then Mac hops in and says he just works and everything is all cheery in mac land (which isn't always true) and the ad ends. Usually it has cheerleaders or consumers cheering for Mac by the end and PC looks glib....doesn't that fit the politician scheme? Only difference is yes, you laugh because John Hodgeman and Justin Long are indeed very funny people and pull off their persona's very well. Let's look at the Verizon Droid ad, it starts off clearly mocking apple ads with the fun acoustic music and the soft female voice, while listing everything the "i" don't. then in the end it tells you that everything the "i"don't, the droid does. it's not funny, but it sure gives food for thought no? hmm what if they're right, i should go check it out to be sure. isn't this the politician scheme as well? You guys are comparing apples to apples, but trying desperately to turn one of them into oranges so you can argue.
the simple fact that can be taken from both of these scenarios is this:
a) Apple and Microsoft have both created a very nice operating system and it is up to you to decide which to buy
b) Apple and Verizon are both doing the same thing to sell their product, again up to you to decide which one you want
as for the elitist prick nonsense, you can't just laugh at an ad? commercials are supposed to get emotions going, anger, excitement, anticipation, laughter, sorrow... the popular notion is that apple ads are funny and they are not because a mac is funny, but because Justin and John are funny. why do you think apple pays them so much to do them? even if you absolutely HATE apple computers because they "stand" for something (which is absolute garbage, they're a tool not a cigarette or a flag or symbol) you should be able to appreciate the humor in them purely because well, they are funny.
ok, end rant. :-)
Okay sorry, but no. It was fun making xbox-huge arguments when I had 10 minutes to kill while I was converting a movie last night, but I'm gonna have to leave the previous two giant posts without reading them (and so no response).
And I swear to god if one of you says that I'm just stopping because I don't have anything to say, you're the most immature people ever. I haven't even read either of your posts (hell, you could even be agreeing with me for all I know). I'm only saying this because it's (unfortunately) a far too common response after online debates.
Looks pretty good. I'm using Windows 7 on my MESH box and it's great. I mean Vista was OK but Windows 7 just feels snappier and the new features (Peek, etc) are pretty neat.
Worst part is I bet they will attribute it to their marketing blitz, but it has nothing to do with marketing. They made a good product and IT people are recommending it.
So how's the Windows 7 whopper sales?
They, unfortunately, tend to kill their customers. Makes it hard to get repeat sales.
Interesting info, but i couldn't care less about windows 7
Apparently you could, since you bothered to post this comment.
Hey, thanks for sharing! The door's on your left...
You sir, are an idiot.
Don't let it hit you on the way back to the Apple Store.
rain is wet. somebody buy me that whopper.
Da da di da da da di da da da di da
I work at Burger King
Making Flame Broiled Whoppers
I wear paper hat
Would you like an Apple pie with that
Would you like an Apple pie with that
Ding, fries are done.
Ding, fries are done.
Ding, fries are done.
Ding, fries are done.
I gotta run.
I gotta run.
I gotta run.
I gotta run.
I'm willing to bet $100 that by this time tomorrow there will be at least 100 comments in this article, AND that 30% of those will be fanboy comments from all forms of OSes.
Any takers?
I have only fifty bucks...and I'm not going to waste them in a bet that I can't win lol.
Uh...there'll be over 100 comments within an hour! MS and Apple comments get tons of comments quick! Where have you been???
Alright, I'll bite (this is put-on fanboyism, so be warned)
N00bs! Win7 is teh sux, cause cum from M$. They evul lulz.
All pro 1337s use teh Haikuz or teh OS/2 eCOmstationz lulz.
Good enough?
To clarify: I use Xubuntu, XP, eComstation, and Haiku. No 7 yet, cause I need 64bit/multi-core before I make the jump.
I for one, Prefer a Big Mac
Well played, sir.
You should also try the Apple Fries. ;)
Apple fries? Haha I wonder what that would look like (deep fried apple slices with fries?)
I like Burger King's Apple Pie.
Apple fries look like this:
http://www.bk.com/en/us/menu-nutrition/category9/menu-item206/index.html
Real apple fries look like this: http://www.liketocook.com/50226711/grannys_apple_fries.php
Well so much for those Mac ads "I'm starting a fresh start with Mac"
Haha, I love it when commercials try to predict outcomes, and they fail at it :D
Ah, not so fast there sparky. People don't use Windows. Banks use Windows. Offices use Windows.
People use Macs.
It's supposed to be a competitive market. But it's not. Especially when it comes to MS's main market (Enterprise). MS has a monopoly. There is no competition. Businesses want multiple hardware vendors pushing down the price.
Think about the proposition here, these are Windows XP businesses who have been holding on for dear life, now MS is saying, look we've even included an XP emulator in there, so for god's sake upgrade already. The alternative is holding onto 8 year old PC hardware. Wow.
That being said, Windows has been losing market share to Apple for about 5 years now. So even though OS X doesn't exist in the Enterprise space, Apple keeps winning and winning.
And by the way, the Ad didn't 'predict' anything.
"People don't use Windows. Banks use Windows. Offices use Windows. People use Macs."
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that only those who had Macs were people. I guess I'm just an imaginary person?
People use Windows more than Macs. Ask anyone on the street if they use a Windows or a Mac. Most of the time, you'll hear Windows. Mac may be gaining marketshare, but it's not anywhere as close to as the level Windows is for personal computers. You have a statistic to prove me wrong, please post it here.
I'm not hating on Macs, I'm just stating the fact that Windows is a more popular operating system, and it's sad how Apple has resorted to badmouthing it constantly in their ads (which were funny in the beginning, but are just annoying filled with so many contradictory remarks).