Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer has made a bold prediction about the sales projections for Windows 8: “400 million Windows 8 installations by the end of 2013”.
The thing is, before you reach 400 million, you at least have to pass 4 million and by the looks of things, Windows 8 might just meet Ballmer’s perdition. So far the numbers look healthy. Speaking at Microsoft’s BUILD 2012 conference, the spirited CEO revealed that in the first 3 days alone, the company has sold more than 4 million licenses of Windows 8.
Three day metrics very important
Selling 4 million copies in 3 days is significant because if Ballmer’s prediction is to hold up, Microsoft will need to keep shifting licenses at the same daily rate. With just 2 months left in 2012 and a full complement in 2013, Microsoft can easily meets its 400 million target if things stay at the same rate.
Microsoft of course is competing with Apple who released OS X Mountain Lion back in July. During its early launch Apple sold only 3 million in 4 days—those numbers weren’t as strong as Microsoft but Apple still reported healthy projections. By that standard then, Microsoft is certainly on the right track.
Analysts believe that Microsoft overall base being larger than Apple’s, puts the company in good stead to at least ramp up sales in the coming weeks.
OEM will give Windows 8 a push
Microsoft naturally cannot rely on just upgrades alone if it is to meet its target–new computers will have to do some of the heavy lifting. In this regard Ballmer was happy to reveal that so far “tens of millions” of the new operating system has
been snapped up by the company’s OEM partners. Big-name PC makers like Dell and HP have already unveiled their new line of windows 8 computers. With the holiday shopping season almost here, both manufactures (and others) should see strong sales of new PCs. “We are excited about what we are seeing from initial sales and it looks to be good,” said John Solomon, senior VP of HP’s Printing and Personal Systems.
The one thing that might irk would-be buyers of machines with Windows 8 installed is the fact that new laptops which take full advantage of Windows 8’s touch features will be pricey. HP plans to sell a range of devices and its offerings have been reported to start at $700. Considering that the average laptop buyer operates at the low end price points, OEMs might struggle to shift many licenses built into these systems. And that of course will present a pricing dilemma.
Windows 8 and its quirks
Microsoft has over 600 million people running Windows 7 and a large chunk of the 4 million licenses sold would have been people taking advantage of their $39.99 and $14.99 offer. That’s a lot of people and pretty soon the feedback on the operating system will be gathering momentum. Already there is talk among some users that Windows 8 is not suited for a desktop environment and many people are struggling to get to grips with it. On top of that many of their old programs don’t work. All these quirks means that Microsoft had better hope that the feedback doesn’t dent future sales.
It’s early days and perhaps too soon to predict whether Ballmer is wrong about the sales of Windows 8. Perhaps in another few weeks the projected numbers can take on better clarity.
Have you tried the new Windows? Let us know how you are fining the new metro interface by using the comments below.
Source: http://www.sitetrail.com/2012/11/01/4-million-windows-8-licenses-sold-in-3-days-%E2%80%93-could-steve-ballmer-be-right/
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