News19,135 Articles

October 21, 2009

Windows 7 breaks retail records

Pre-orders reach new heights

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Uk retailers have reported huge pre-order sales for Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7, with the product becoming Amazon's biggest-grossing pre-order product. PC World-owner DSGi, meanwhile, has revealed that the OS has massively outstripped early sales of Windows Vista.

According to Amazon, Windows 7 has overtaken the Nintendo Wii and  'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' as the most pre-ordered item on its website.

Amazon said in the last three months, only 'The Lost Symbol' - the highly anticipated novel by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code - has out-sold Windows 7 when it comes to pre-orders.

"The launch of Windows 7 has superseded everyone's expectations, storming ahead of  'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' as the biggest-grossing pre-order product of all-time at Amazon.co.uk, and demand is still going strong," said Brian McBride, managing director of Amazon.

Amazon also revealed that when Windows 7 was first made available for pre-order in July this year, it sold more copies in the first eight hours of its release than Windows Vista managed in its entire pre-order period.

At DSGi, meanwhile, the retailer sold more copies of Windows 7 during the three weeks it was available on pre-order than it sold of Windows Vista for the first year the older OS was available.

Laptop buying advice

See all laptop reviews

See also: Windows 7 deliveries arrive

Free whitepaper: Is social networking really bad for business?

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

Comments received


Arnie. said on Wednesday, 21 October 2009

I'm staying with XP. sp3.

It does everything I require and never gives me any real problems to worry about.

I wonder how long it'll be before Microsoft are rolling out the service packs to cure all the bugs.

Caveat emptor!


T800 said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Seen pre-release vids of Windows 7.... and it hardly looks or feels like a massive step away from the Vista environment at all! Of course, 7 is essentially "SuperVista", an enhanced version of Vista with all the complaints/problems taken care of, yet introducing some of its very own. I agree with Arnie- it might be a good idea to stick with XP or Vista until all any new problems appearing within its first few months of being on sale are sorted out first! ... although since XP is no longer being supported fully- it looks like Vista will now be the operating system of choice until then... funny how things change, lol! ;)

Nikolai said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Arnie, T800: awesome wisdom on a product you've not tried. Care to impress us with your reviews of a movie you haven't seen?

Al said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Well said Nikolai!!! Arnie and T800? You two must be living on another planet. Windows seven is basicaly an open apology for VISTA. Whilst W7 may look similar to Vista is hugely different. I have to say I've been using W7 for a couple of months now and wow I'm impressed. For a start W7 has had the propper testing that it needs, not like Vista. I thought I'd never be happy with anything other than XP pro and I can honestly say this is the natural progression. If anyone is thinking of sticking with VISTA over W7, well.... I feel sorry for you. You realy would be better going back to XP!!! LONG LIVE WINDOWS 7!!!!!!!!!!

Ian said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Al

I'll think I'll stick to the Mac - a superior system.

Emily said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Just ordered my Macbook Pro..

I would give up on Windows, XP was fine.. but downhill since then... Vista didn't last long did it?

Apples are good for you - come to the fuity side...

Pab said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

I actually just installed Windows 7... and I loves it. After installing all my programs, it's so much different than Vista. In fact, it seems faster than XP in some regards, but it has all the XP features plus the Vista features. I love love love the way Vista does networking so I'm glad to see that's in here. Overall, it really is a fantastic OS. I think people should try it before they trash it, it might change their mind.

Kevin Rowley said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

yes it sold so well i never got my copy today they could not get me one even thought I ordered it and paid for it weeks ago

Microsoft Bloggers said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Yeah, bet all these sites and forums are being hit with pro comments at the behest of Microsoft itself.

Social commentary is big business and you'd all better believe that large companies are doing their best online to ensure their products are being highly recommended by the rapid adopters...

Microsoft Bloggers said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

Yeah, bet all these sites and forums are being hit with pro comments at the behest of Microsoft itself.

Social commentary is big business and you'd all better believe that large companies are doing their best online to ensure their products are being highly recommended by the rapid adopters...

Forum Editor said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

I'm not aware that Microsoft has asked anybody to make 'pro comments' about Windows 7. I don't think they need to, and I certainly haven't had anything from the Press Office about it.

About 4 million people beta tested Windows 7, and the feedback from them was overwhelmingly positive. My personal view (expressed at the behest of nobody) is that Win 7 is far and away the best Windows version yet, and I believe the market response will back me up.

It remains to be seen, however, and Microsoft will certainly be watching the retail sales returns very closely.

Windows 7 user said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

I have to say as a user of windows 7, this is an amazing OS. Once you start using windows 7, you won't be able to go back! That every thing is simpler, for example how you can arrange your windows on the desktop, how you pin your programs with your shortcuts, how you shake to view, ordering your taskbar items... It's truly amazing... Plus the older features like when you edit a photo and you can always revert to the original pic using live photo gallery, and going to previous versions of your folders just by right-clicking->properties->previous version!
I haven't used the multi-touch screens so far, but I bet that would be an awesome thing to try/have :)!

Windows 7 user said on Thursday, 22 October 2009

I have to say as a user of windows 7, this is an amazing OS. Once you start using windows 7, you won't be able to go back! That every thing is simpler, for example how you can arrange your windows on the desktop, how you pin your programs with your shortcuts, how you shake to view, ordering your taskbar items... It's truly amazing... Plus the older features like when you edit a photo and you can always revert to the original pic using live photo gallery, and going to previous versions of your folders just by right-clicking->properties->previous version!
I haven't used the multi-touch screens so far, but I bet that would be an awesome thing to try/have :)!

scotty said on Friday, 23 October 2009

nikolai and al whats wrong with arnie and t800 having a opinion just like your entitled to your own opinion or is it the fact you two work at microsoft and don,t want anybody damaging the reputation of this money spinning product that will damage it,s own reputation with it,s endless bugs.

Rob_08 said on Friday, 23 October 2009

My 7 Pro came on the 21st but im in no rush to install it, its funny but i just cant let XP go, and neither can i be excited about a new O.S anymore. I guess when you have an operating system which does all you need , the feeling to change is minimal. But ill give it a whirl when i can be bothered.

John said on Saturday, 24 October 2009

Don't you just love everyone who jumps on the band wagon...lol Same happened with Vista..."I'm staying with windows XP" was heard all over the place. Vista wasn't that bad and I must say i have very few problems with Vista...maybe I'm just lucky but I doubt it. As for Windows 7, well I've been using it since it was made available over 6 months ago and it is ROCK SOLID !!! Not a problem with anything I run. That's fine though, you folks stick to your XP and Vista...makes no difference to me ;-)

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

Which parts of the desktop PC/laptop experience can't you get on your smartphone?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google

PC Advisor Software Store


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now