[mdlug] Channel vendors skeptical about Vista sales figures

[Jeff Hanson]

channel.tomshardware.com/2007/06/25/channel_skeptical_about_vista_claims/

You'd think that 40-million units sold would represent a runaway hit.
But while Microsoft is calling Vista a huge win, some folks in the
channel are not completely sold on that assessment.

"Microsoft's launch of Vista has been as successful as the U.S.
finding WMDs in Iraq," Herb Criscito, vice president for Buy.com,
said. "We are finding little to no demand for the new operating
system. Lack of support, drivers and compatibility issues have been
major roadblocks deterring customers to upgrade."

Yet, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates recently said 40 million units were
sold in the first 100 days of the operating system's release (while
almost 75% of the licenses were for the Premium edition) and that the
Vista adoption rate has been twice as fast as the adoption of Windows
XP.

But so far, the channel is pausing to think about the "non-OEM"
recommendation options for Vista. According to resellers polled, the
overwhelming response from almost every customer segment is to wait.
Clients by and large are still ordering machines with XP, or if they
get them with Vista, are rebuilding an image with XP and rolling it
out from there.