Less than two weeks ago, Microsoft announced that the final version of their new operating system, Windows Vista, would definitely be released in November. Whoops! They have now re-announced that the new release date for Vista is now January, 2007. Actually, that isn't quite true...those with volume licensing agreements will be able to obtain the Vista code necessary to upgrade from older Windows versions to Windows Vista in November 2006. But, everyone else, including you and me, will have to wait until January next year to get it.
Microsoft cited overall quality issues, especially around security, drivers and performance, as the reasons behind the delay. That includes possible problems with loading and operating Vista on new computers.
Of course, this announcement just kills off the planned retail sales pitches for the holiday selling season. Many analysts and commentators are saying that Microsoft probably did the right thing, if they don't feel it will be ready in time. They have already suffered public relations disasters in the past by releasing a product before its time...not to mention loads of overworked tech support folks who would be inundated with calls from unhappy customers.
The delay would likely hurt retail PC vendors the most. Dell, which sells most of its PCs directly, could probably handle a delay of a few weeks without too much trouble. Hewlett-Packard and Gateway, on the other hand, have to have their PCs ready for retail partners weeks ahead of when they will actually go on sale, and can't change gears as quickly. It really could put a crimp in sales expectations of many PC companies as the new operating system was expected to be delivered by Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment