Windows Vista got off to a slow consumer start compared to its predecessor. U.S. retail Vista sales were significantly less than Windows XP during their respective launch weeks.Windows Vista got off to a slow consumer start compared to its predecessor. U.S. retail Vista sales were significantly less than Windows XP during their respective launch weeks.
NPD released sales figures on Thursday for software that end users install themselves on a computer. Windows Vista unit sales decreased 58.9 percent in units compared to Windows XP during their respective launch weeks, while revenue decreased 32.1 percent.
Vista's launch starkly contrasts to Office 2007, which sales increased more than 100 percent compared to Office 2003 during their respective launch weeks.
Microsoft launched Windows Vista on Jan. 30, 2007 and Windows XP on Oct. 25, 2001. Some important distinctions:
- Windows XP PCs went on sale about a month before box stock reached store shelves. Windows Vista was available on new PCs and in boxes on the same day.
Read the rest of this story on Microsoft Watch: "Windows XP Outsells Vista at Retail"
