Early Windows 7 Retail Box Sales Up 234% Compared to Vista

From DailyTech: While Apple seems to be content with "going negative" when it comes to commercials touting its computing products, Microsoft has taken a different route with Windows 7. Apple has focused more on bashing Windows 7 (and the faults of its predecessors) rather than focus on the main strengths of the OS X platform. Microsoft, on the other hand, has created positive ads which tout the new features in Windows 7.

It appears that Microsoft's positive route -- along with relatively positive reviews -- have led to some rather impressive sales numbers for the latest and greatest from Redmond, Washington. According to NPD Group, boxed unit sales for Windows 7 during the first week of availability were up 234% compared to it's predecessor, Windows Vista. However, due to an increased use of discounts – such as $50 and $100 Home Premium and Professional upgrades for general consumers, along with $30 Home Premium and Professional upgrades for students – meant that dollar sales were up just 82%, which still isn't too shabby at all for Microsoft.

Total Windows PC sales (including Windows 7, Vista, and XP machines) were up 49% year-over-year compared to 69% when Vista launched. Sales in relation to the week prior to launch were up 95% for Windows PCs versus 170% for Windows Vista during its retail launch in 2007.

NPD predicts that things are looking good for Windows 7 in the coming weeks. “A combination of factors impacted Windows 7 PC sales at the outset, but the trajectory of overall PC sales is very strong leading into the holiday season,” said NPD Stephen Baker, NPD's vice president of industry analysis.

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