Windows 7 launches to small lines
updated 11:10 am EDT, Thu October 22, 2009
Windows 7 sees small queues in Japan
Microsoft today saw a relatively muted reaction to the debut of Windows 7 with limited lineups. No reports have surfaced of significant lineups in Western countries, but in Japan the company saw relatively limited queues at Yodobashi Camera and other major retail locations. The lineups were partly spurred by contests; those who bought early were given shirts as well as entries to win travel tickets, Disneyland passes and gift cards.
Unlike previous launches, however, the low turnout is partly deliberate as Microsoft has made Windows 7 more widely accessible in advance of its release; it made free public betas available as early as February and has encouraged early access for the most eager users through free Windows 7 Ultimate copies in house party packs. The company has acknowledged that it still expects the vast majority of upgrades to come from purchases of new PCs rather than separate upgrades.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has said he only expects a slight improvement in PC sales due to Windows 7, as most will only upgrade as part of their usual replacement cycles instead of buying early or holding off until today's OS update. [Japan info via Impress]
It's already been available on-line hasn't it?
10/22, 11:23am reply
I thought people had been downloading that Win7 RC version that was upgradeable to the real deal. I'm sure all the diehard Windows 7 fans would have grabbed that instead of waiting.
I do agree that most Windows 7 will be via OEM. It's time for people to start upgrading their hardware and will save themselves the trouble of a Windows 7 install. Windows computers are dirt cheap so it really does make sense to get a nice, fresh package. Can't go wrong there.
iphonerulez
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Joined: Nov 2008
So...
10/22, 11:40am reply
Msft needs to lure people to line up with prizes and gift offerings, whereas apple simply has to be selling a new product for sale at a non-discount price... Interesting & revealing situation for all those monkey fanboys...
- A
Fast iBook
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Joined: Mar 2003
Re: So...
10/22, 12:08pm reply
Or maybe that says something about all those Apple fanboys. They have more sense than waste hours of their lives standing in line for something they could buy on-line and have shipped right to their doors.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
@testudo
10/22, 12:39pm reply
then what would explain all of the camping out people did for the XP?
eldarkus
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Joined: Feb 2004
STFU testudo
10/22, 12:52pm reply
srsly. Who the h*** beat the c*** out of you as a kid, such that you have to come on here and attention w****? If someone says black, you say white. If someone says white, you say black.
LAMER
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
oh testudo
10/22, 01:13pm (1 reply) reply
still beating your head against that wall the will not yield. tsk tsk.
years go by and you have yet to change the world. perhaps you should set your sites a bit lower. go to a ms fanboys site and bask with them in the glory of all things ms.
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Dear Steve Ballmer
10/22, 01:17pm reply
All those people you pissed off with Vista, who switched to Apple?
They ain't coming back. I don't care how good Win7 is.
There are even more people who haven't switched but they aren't giving up XP until you pry it from their cold, dead hard drive because they don't trust Microsoft for shiite after you charged them all that money to help beta-test your OS.
Love,
Climacs
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Lines?
10/22, 01:28pm reply
Who would wait in lines for an operating system? Especially when more people then ever pre-ordered from Amazon. This article is ridiculous. There were no lines for Snow Leopard and that has nothing to do with sales or demand. Not to mention it's just a DVD... I dont think people are worried about low stock and sell outs.
luckyday
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Joined: Apr 2008
Windows 7 party
10/22, 02:37pm reply
I suppose people are still hung over from their Win 7 parties. Honestly, who would line up to pay half the cost of a netbook for a box with DVD in it?
peter02l
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Joined: Mar 2009
Microsuck Store grand opening in Scottsdale
10/22, 03:21pm reply
in case any of you are wondering, here is one of the comments about it from someone who was there, and several other commenters echoed this:
The microsoft opening was a big waste of 18 hours! It was a bust, they promoted giving $500+ in each gift bag, we got $25 gift card, water container mints and chapstick! Even Microsoft personell came out over the night saying how awesome the gift bags were and what a treat we were gonna get, only to get the cheap stuff that high schoolers get on the back to class day! I will not be shopping at the store for their disgusting appreciation to there customers!!
read the rest here:
http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2009/10/22/20091022microsoft.html
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001