Will Windows 7 be here for the Holidays?

Microsoft has announced that the next version of Windows will ship before the end of 2009.

But will it really be ready for the Holidays? We remember the many delays before Vista was finally on the market.

ZDNet says that as a rule, talk of a new operating system usually has a chilling effect on computer sales as buyers wait for the new operating system to appear.


People do this because they want the latest operating system on their new computer and don’t want the hassle of upgrading. Adopting the wait and see approach also eliminates any hardware hassles that might happen.

Recently ZDNet asked the following question on their website:

Does the release of Windows 7 by the end of the year alter PC buying plans?

The reply was:

Yes - 56%

Not planning to buy a new PC - 25%

No - 16%

Don’t know - 3%

The recession will cause a slump in computer sales for the remainder of 2009. If the ZDNet respondents reflect a true cross-section of potential computer buyers, there could be an even bigger slump in computer sales between now and December when Windows 7 is slated to appear.

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