Infinite Path

Microsoft have been handed an early Christmas present after early sales figures of Windows 7 emerged. The research firm NPD Group have analyzed these figures and the results of their research will be music to the ears of Microsoft officials, who were left despairing after the relative failure of Window 7’s predecessor, the operating system Windows Vista.

NPD Group found that sales of Windows 7 in the USA were a massive 234% higher than when Vista launched nearly three years ago. Microsoft will be even happier with the figures, since, theoretically, Vista should have had an advantage with regards to sales, with January usually having a bigger sales footprint than October.

It’ll be relief all round at Microsoft, who unveiled a high-profile advertising campaign prior to the launch of Windows 7. Unfortunately for them, it was mocked by many people, particularly on Internet blogs and chat rooms, but it now seems that Microsoft have had the last laugh. Early signs of success were evident when Amazon UK announced that the software was the largest pre-order in its history, across any department of its online store.

The importance of Window 7’s success should not be understated. Microsoft are still suffering financially after another relatively poor quarter and are in the process of cutting hundreds of jobs. Although the NPD tempered the positive news by announcing that revenue growth for Windows 7 was not particularly substantial, it was still 84% higher than Vista.