Windows 8 Sales Below Projections

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It’s not looking good for Microsoft this week. Sinofsky left, they had to fix huge Skype security holes, and they were sued for misadvertising their tablet - just to name a few. Today’s news isn’t going to help.

Paul Thurrott of SuperSite for Windows is reporting that according to his sources, Windows 8 hasn’t quite lived up to Microsoft’s expectations. Thurrott explains that Microsoft is mainly blaming this on lackluster sale of Windows 8 PCs and the fact that their manufacturers have done a poor job of effectively bringing well designed computers to market.

While this may or may not be the case, he also outlines what he thinks are many other issues plaguing the operating system so early on in its lifespan. Specifically, he mentions questions about Sinofsky, the economy, a confusing range of device types, waiting to release the Surface Pro, and the fact that Windows 8 is simply confusing. Most importantly, he closes the article making it clear that all of this could have been avoided one way or another. Will Microsoft’s latest and greatest pull through in the end? Only time will tell, but Thurrott thinks that “the Windows 8 launch is much like that of Vista…”

[quote_box author="" profession=""]One of my most trusted sources at Microsoft confirmed Windows 8’s weak start this week. And with all of the drama surrounding Windows 8 and the recent, unexpected departure of Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, rumors are sure to swirl.[/quote_box]

 

The operating system has been available for three weeks and been met with mixed opinions, mostly divided over whether the new interfaces and applications are a move in the right direction. Windows 8 RT is great for the Surface, and Windows 8 Pro is great for tablet/PC hybrids, but the latter as an upgrade for existing Windows 7 users is not all too spectacular and whether or not you should upgrade has been widely debated. A couple of days ago I outlined what Windows 8 is like for those of us that like our mice and keyboards, so feel free to read that for a better understanding of what you’re getting yourself into when upgrading from Windows 7.

[Supersite for Windows]