Analysts: Windows 7 Could Spur Enterprise PC Sales

By Elizabeth Montalbano

Thu, August 27, 2009 — IDG News Service — Windows 7 could inspire businesses to begin spending money on PC upgrades again because it repairs major problems enterprise users had with Vista when it was released nearly three years ago, analysts said this week. The “Windows 7: An OS for Businesses” report from Directions on Microsoft, which will be released early next month, will outline how Windows 7 addresses concerns business users had with Vista, such as poor application compatibility, poor device-driver support and other limitations, which could inspire companies to free up the money they need to upgrade to the new OS. The research firm this week released some analysis that will be in the soon-to-be-released report, written by Directions on Microsoft analyst Mike Cherry with help from analysts Paul DeGroot and Matt Rosoff.

Microsoft executives have acknowledged over the past year or so in public appearances that the company has made a concerted effort to address complaints business users in particular had with Vista. Many companies opted to skip Vista and wait for Windows 7, keeping employees on XP. The worldwide recession also affected PC and software upgrade cycles, causing businesses to do the best with what they had rather than make new purchases. more…

Analyst sees positive PC trends for Microsoft as computer shipments pick up from spring lows

Associated Press

August 27, 2009

Microsoft Corp. may benefit as shipments of personal computers recover from their spring lows, a Collins Stewart analyst said Thursday.

After meeting with industry contacts in Taiwan this week, Sandeep Aggarwal told investors he came away “incrementally more positive on Microsoft and the stabilization in PC shipment trends.”

Aggarwal said contacts indicated shipments are being driven by strong demand for mobile computers, including both notebooks and smaller, less expensive “netbooks.”

This year’s back-to-school sales should improve from 2008 as well, he said.

August sales were “lukewarm” because computer buyers were waiting for Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system to debut, the analyst said.

There have “been very good early reviews for Windows 7,” he said. “Microsoft will likely fix some of the bad press it received from Vista,” its previous operating system.

Shares of Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft slipped 19 cents to $24.36 in morning trading.