Windows Vista Users Jump To 7 While XP Users Lag
Windows 7 is picking up market share quickly (in IT terms). However, much of that is at the expense of Windows Vista, as XP users are seemingly staying put, according to a (very) recent InfoWorld survey.
As tracked by InfoWorld's Windows Pulse service, Windows 7 already has more than 4 percent of the market, and that's after less than a month of general availability after its Oct. 22nd release.
However, according to the survey, Windows XP's share hasn't changed during this period. It's still holding at 64 percent. Meanwhile, Vista, after three years, has only 30% of the market, while among new users registering for the InfoWorld Windows Pulse service, 7 is already up to 10 percent.
While obviously still too early to tell, InfoWorld also sees a direct correlation between the 7 uptake and a Vista downturn. Seemingly, for every percentage point 7 rises, Vista drops 1 percent.
Obviously, it's still very early. Excitement has led, as NPD noted, to a 234 percent increase in Windows 7 retail box sales when compared to Vista's opening days.
The question is, how much of this is based on pent up demand for something better than Windows 7, or the promotional pricing that Microsoft used for early pre-orders? It would not be surprising to see Windows 7 sales drop off as the early adopters fade.
Additionally, XP users can't do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7. Rather, they have to do a clean install. While many recommend a clean install anyway, plenty of end users would eschew this because of the effort involved in re-installing applications.
Additionally, IT departments will take some time before they upgrade any XP machines to 7 (if they do). Many skipped Vista.
Finally, there are plenty of underpowered XP machines out there, which would not run Windows 7 effectively. The easiest way to get Windows 7 if you have an XP PC is to get a new box, and many will probably simply opt for this.
As tracked by InfoWorld's Windows Pulse service, Windows 7 already has more than 4 percent of the market, and that's after less than a month of general availability after its Oct. 22nd release.
However, according to the survey, Windows XP's share hasn't changed during this period. It's still holding at 64 percent. Meanwhile, Vista, after three years, has only 30% of the market, while among new users registering for the InfoWorld Windows Pulse service, 7 is already up to 10 percent.
While obviously still too early to tell, InfoWorld also sees a direct correlation between the 7 uptake and a Vista downturn. Seemingly, for every percentage point 7 rises, Vista drops 1 percent.
Obviously, it's still very early. Excitement has led, as NPD noted, to a 234 percent increase in Windows 7 retail box sales when compared to Vista's opening days.
The question is, how much of this is based on pent up demand for something better than Windows 7, or the promotional pricing that Microsoft used for early pre-orders? It would not be surprising to see Windows 7 sales drop off as the early adopters fade.
Additionally, XP users can't do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7. Rather, they have to do a clean install. While many recommend a clean install anyway, plenty of end users would eschew this because of the effort involved in re-installing applications.
Additionally, IT departments will take some time before they upgrade any XP machines to 7 (if they do). Many skipped Vista.
Finally, there are plenty of underpowered XP machines out there, which would not run Windows 7 effectively. The easiest way to get Windows 7 if you have an XP PC is to get a new box, and many will probably simply opt for this.
