Vista Arrives With Limited Fanfare
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The quiet debut for Microsoftâs latest version of the Windows operating system reflects how the companyâs influence has faded as the nature of computer software has changed.
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With the release of "Extras," Microsoft has finally delivered something.  Regardless, Vista is in trouble and Microsoft should abandon it before it's too late.
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(InfoWorld) - PCs running Microsoft'sÂ new Windows Vista operating systemÂ got a cool response from consumers in Japan during their first month on sale, according to data published Tuesday. Sales of desktop and laptop computers from brand-name makers in February were 1.2 percent higher than the same month in 2006, said BCN. The company came up with its figure after analyzing point-of-sales system data from about 560 specialist PC and electronics shops that are part of 12 retail chains. The entire market was up 6 percent thanks to better demand for white-box PCs made by computer stores and for motherboards. The jump in the brand-market was smaller than expected by market watchers, who thought the launch of the long-awaited operating system on Jan. 30 would give the PC market more of a kick. Better sales had been expected in part because consumers had shown a lack of interest in new PCs in the months prior to Vista's launch. In October, sales were down 21 percent compared to the previous year. In November, they were 22 percent lower, in December 19 percent down and in January 14 percent below the same month in 2006. The little strength there was in the brand-name market came from increased sales of laptops, sales of which were up 9.3 percent on a unit basis for the month, said BCN. The desktop sector was down 13.8 percent on the year. Despite the apparently lackluster response from Japanese consumers, Microsoft and two major PC makers have in the last 24 hours given the Vista launch votes of confidence. "We're actually pretty happy with how the launch has gone so far," said Darren Huston, president and CEO of Microsoft's Japan unit, at a news conference on Monday. The same day Walt Mayo, corporate director of Dell Japan's home and business sales division, said in an interview that the Vista launch has been "good overall." On Tuesday Richard Walker, head of Hewlett Packard's consumer PC division, said sales of Vista PCs were "strong" in the global market. He didn't have any data specific to the Japanese market. "We're definitely ahead of our plan as far as Vista is concerned," he said. Among Vista sales demand for the premium versions has been greater than anticipated, said Microsoft's Huston. "That was actually a good, positive surprise for us," he said.
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PC owners who bought late last year and planned to take advantage of Microsoft's Windows Vista Express Upgrade program have found that their Vista OS upgrades are taking longer than expected to arrive. They are not amused.
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By Robert Evatt, Tulsa World, Okla.  Jan. 31--After 5 1/2 years, Microsoft Corp. finally unleashed its new computer operating system, Windows Vista, at local stores Tuesday.
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Although some companies may be ready to jump on the Vista bandwagon, analysts said most enterprise users will take their time testing the new operating system before rolling it out to employees.
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Forget the people lining up at Best Buy to get Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system. The real selling took place yesterday in a packed ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where more than 3,000 people from local companies and government agencies gathered to catch a glimpse of the new...
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By LEE GOMES The Wall Street Journal  The launch of Microsoft's new Vista operating system Tuesday was supposed to put Windows in the limelight.
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After years of delays and billions in development and marketing efforts, it would seem that Microsoft Corp. would want anyone who possibly can to buy its new Windows Vista operating system. Yet Microsoft is making it hard for Mac owners and other potentially influential customers to adopt the software.
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For nearly a year, television and Internet audiences have been seeing a familiar string of ads from Apple attacking rival Windows-based computers. With this week's release of Windows Vista, the newest jabs aren't any friendlier.
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By Jessica Mintz  Acrobatics, blaring music and plenty of hype accompanied Microsoft Corp.'s long-delayed debut of its new Windows Vista operating system.
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Skeptics were drowned out by the marketing campaign for Microsoftâs operating system on the eve of its arrival.
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REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft's coming-out party for Windows Vista, its long-anticipated operating system, has a Cecil B. DeMille feel. The new Windows is the product of a cast of literally millions: more than 2 million consumers and businesses who tested it and offered their advice; tens of thousands of hardware and software partners who have helped mold the visually gripping operating system; and thousands of Microsoft employees who have sweated out the details.
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Microsoft on Friday made available to the public a pre-release version of Windows Vista SP1. We want to know what you think.
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By Bob Mims, The Salt Lake Tribune  Jan. 31--Microsoft's retail launch of its new Vista computer operating  system was marked Tuesday not with a bang, but with something more than a  whimper.
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While software-geek society greeted the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft's much-hyped new PC software, with mostly bored skepticism (CNET called it "warmed-over Windows XP"), the new souped-up operating system could have major implications for the digital media business.
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The Microsoft operating system is improved by SP1, but Windows Vista still is missing some features we'd like to see.