Here we are once again, with Microsoft saying one thing and analysts saying another. Microsoft would like us all to believe that the PC market is growing because of Vista, because people want the latest and so-called “best” operating system. That’s not the case, at all.

PC shipments worldwide are expected to grow by 11% this year, mostly due to growth in developing markets and Microsoft’s new low-cost PC program in India. That will only account for a small percentage in growth.

It is true Microsoft can claim people are buying Vista but they are only buying Vista because every new PC sold comes with Vista and it is possible to overwrite Vista with XP if you happen to have a copy lying around. Just because a PC comes with Vista does not necessarily mean the buyer is going to use it.

Industry analyst Gartner states the first half of PC sales show Vista is not a factor in new computer sales.

George Shiffler, a research director at Gartner said, “Our market data suggests Vista has had very limited impact on PC demand or replacement activity. We don’t see Vista having a significant effect on these going forward unless Microsoft becomes much more aggressive in its marketing efforts.”

Further, most of the sales are the result of a growing laptop market, lower prices, faster processors and the spread of wireless access, be it WiFi or cellular data services.

---

Related:

Microsoft CEO: Don’t be too optimistic about Vista

Linux and Mac fail to capitalize on Windows Vista weakness

Windows Vista and Mac OSX see surge in consumer use

Vista to boost PC-TV tuner market, says In-Stat

Vista SP1 may actually hamper market gains

Entry was posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2007 at 3:09 am under Microsoft, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.