March 21st, 2006
Consumer Launch of Windows Vista Delayed
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Based on the past performance of Microsoft with respect to delivery dates, it should come as no surprise that Microsoft today announced that the consumer launch for Windows Vista would be delayed from the second half of 2006 to January 2007. On the other hand, they will still be releasing corporate versions in November. And, according to Microsoft, it’s not just because the code isn’t ready. It’s also because PC makers didn’t want the operating system introduced in the middle of holiday sales.
Microsoft said Vista is delayed because it wants to improve overall quality, particularly in security, and that PC makers didn’t want the operating system introduced in the middle of holiday sales, because a new version would create instability in the market.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft is planning six core offerings of the Vista operating system, targeting how people use computers instead of PC hardware specifications. Source: Reuters
We Say: This certainly didn’t do anything positive for Microsoft stock, as it dropped 2.6% in extended trading. Still, it’s not really much of a surprise. Delays are a fact of life with Microsoft products. It’s interesting that security is listed as one of the issues causing the delay, in light of the upcoming Microsoft security products. Also, despite Microsoft’s assertion that PC makers didn’t want the OS introduced in the middle of holiday sales, other reports indicate that PC makers are up in arms over this announcement.
jfb3 says:
You’d think that this news would make their stock price go up! They sell a license for Windows on a new machine at Christmas and then sell a new version to the same person by Valentines Day.
Two for one!
March 21st, 2006 at 3:57 pm
NWLB says:
By the time they do release it, it will be late 2007. Not that I suspect many care, I don’t think there is a great rush to buy the latest bug fest.
March 21st, 2006 at 4:10 pm
John Tidball says:
Here we go again. How many times have we seen this before?
After the Corp. version is found to be buggy, that will give
reason to put it off longer. I’m waiting for Apple to port
to the PC. Now that would be great!
March 21st, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Shumway says:
I don’t think this comes as a surprise at all, given their history of delayed products. I wonder how much of a demand for Vista there will be by early ‘07, though.
March 21st, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Lockergnome's Tech News Watch says:
Consumer Launch of Windows Vista Delayed
Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes: Based on the past performance of Microsoft with respect to delivery dates, it should come as no surprise that Microsoft today announced that the consumer launch for Windows Vista would be delayed from the second ha…
March 21st, 2006 at 6:14 pm
Dave Barnes says:
Delays are a fact of life for [b]all[\b] companies.
Micro$oft is not alone in this.
March 21st, 2006 at 7:39 pm
John Corliss says:
What else can anybody expect from the company that invented vaporware? And if it ever DOES show up, rest assured it’ll be bloated, clumsy, buggy, and (IMO, as part of a probable deal with the US Justice Departement so as to avoid being broken up) will make it easier for the United States government to spy on you. At the same time it’ll make it harder for you to access *your own hard drive* and there will be even more questionable and hidden files and folders on it than with XP. There will be more reporting back to Redmond from your computer, and it will be much harder to block such activity using a firewall.
In essence, more questionable stuff will be happening in the background, and any improvements over XP will be frivolous and won’t justify the upgrade.
This is all simply my opinion, but frankly… I wouldn’t do Vista if somebody was holding a loaded gun to my head. My computer already is doing everything I need it to. Or, well… that is, probably until the next M$ “vital security update” that “innocently” destroys or slows down some vital function.
March 22nd, 2006 at 3:18 am
Tony Wilkes says:
Can’t imagine that Christmas consumer PC sales will rise on this news; more likely people will hold off. Sounds like manufacturers are trying to get rid of not quite good enough stock.
March 22nd, 2006 at 3:38 am
Zane says:
I my self was hoping to buy a laptop at Christmas. I wanted it to have Vista. But after reading these comments about Vista I just might wait alonger time now. So If anything this news keeps me from shopping for a laptop.
March 22nd, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Ron Ingram says:
Does anyone remember the past? Remember ME? Don’t push Microsoft or we will end up with another ME!
March 23rd, 2006 at 5:00 pm
» Gartner Says Windows Vista Will Be Delayed » Blog Archive Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech says:
[…] Looks like Windows Vista will not be debuting this November, and it looks like they are going to miss ANOTHER Christmas season to push their products, if you ask Gartner Inc. As noted before by Michael, the consumer version has already been delayed until next year, now gartner believes they will delay it for volume license customers as well. The research note, released to clients on Monday, said the new Windows Vista operating system is too complex to be able to meet Microsoft’s targeted November release for volume license customers and January launch for retail consumers. […]
December 29th, 2006 at 11:56 pm