Looks like Windows 7 will shift a few copies

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Geoff Spick30 June 2009, 11:40 AM

Looking around online stores, Windows 7 is rocketing to the top of the sales charts as users pre-order their copies while its going cheap


Despite all the encouragement from Apple to switch, despite all the advice from Linux users to take the free route and despite whatever users felt about Windows Vista, it seems that not much is going to stop Windows 7 from being a major success when it hits retail. Within days of pricing being confirmed, the OS is already top of the charts at Amazon in the United States.

In fact, the Home Premium and Professional Upgrade versions are taking the top two spots. Fair enough, much of this is down to Microsoft's cunning use of the 50%-off pricing, but as a stunt to get attention and generate word of mouth for those casual users who won't have followed the evolution of Windows 7 or tried the release candidate, it is paying off handsomely.


Amazon's software sales show great interest in Windows 7

In Japan it is Windows 7 Professional that is leading the charge, with Home Premium down in fifth place. In other stores around the world, where a release has been unveiled, Windows 7 also seems to be doing the business. Whether that success will be replicated in territories where the pricing seems not to favour the locals, remains to be seen. Will a split in Microsoft sales occur as those territories decide to try alternative routes to a modern desktop?


Big in Japan, where they prefer the Professional Edition

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Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Looking at the Amazon number 3 position, I suspect it doesn't take many sales to jump to the top. When you think about it, even as little as 30-40 sales might be all it takes when everyone else is buying from the vast range offered.

30 June 2009, 1:33 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Halcon (Advanced member):

I am sceptical about this sales pitch from Microsoft.
As a multi-billion dollar company it can manipulate its marketing strategy to dupe the not so knowledgeable computer user into the hype.
With this kind of marketing, a psychological impact in the public will impulse many people to buy the product of its choice anyway (Home Premium, Business or Ultimate).
Some of you may remember the tremendous impact created back in August 1995, when large crowds were lining to buy Windows 95 at 12 A.M. in the Harvey Norman stores.
The same event was tried with every release, Windows 98 (Original release), XP and Vista; without the comparable success of Windows 95.
To have a better success, Microsoft will need more than that, a better pricing and licence for up to 5 computers.
People will be totally mad to spend a lot of money for nothing, unless they have a big earnings to dispose.
For the vast majority, is best to wait and see, then hope the price and conditions get more realistic to buy.

30 June 2009, 2:05 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

gankul (Cornerstone member):

No different to any other company in regards to marketing.
And yes they have majority of blah blah.
They are all as bad as one another.

30 June 2009, 2:51 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Phred (Cornerstone member):

As yet, no one in locally, that I can find, is selling it.

30 June 2009, 3:13 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

gankul (Cornerstone member):

you can purchase it from microsoft directly, and you can DD instead of DVD. Though i have not gone through the entire proecss to find out if they exclude everyone not in the US and its ever growing amount of states

30 June 2009, 4:13 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Nato (User):

50% Off is 50% Off. The price of vista has dropped heaps in the last month, If u know what you are doing, there is little wrong with vista.
It may have a big footprint but hey 20gb could fit on a usb stick. I hope they have a winner for the 19/20 people that buy pc's.

30 June 2009, 4:29 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Nato:
50% Off is 50% Off.

50% off way too much still equals half of way too much.


30 June 2009, 9:12 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

mtarm1 (User):

well i just preordered from amazon.com (sent to a friend in the US) and it cost me $133 AUD for two copies of home premium upgrade and release date shipping thats instead of $400 if i bought it in aus.

its a bargain to me

01 July 2009, 12:52 AM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

I remember seeing the movie "7" years ago and what happened to Brad Pitt at the end of that was pretty scary :( Isn't Windows heading down the same road? :(

01 July 2009, 5:52 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

AlexF (User):

I can't understand why MS is offering discounts only in North America, (effectively) EU and Japan only. If we live in a Global economy and MS is a global company then why discrimate based on location?
Microsoft you don't feel that you've pissed-off enough people already?

04 July 2009, 9:51 AM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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