Despite increasing competition from all sides, Microsoft seems to be holding the "What, me worry?" kind of attitude when it comes to staying on top.
Microsoft executive general manager Charles Songhurst said that netbooks, despite being a growing segment that presents many opportunities for competition, isn't one that should shake Windows 7's success.
The Google Chrome OS and Intel's Moblin provide free and lightweight operating system software for netbooks is geared towards casual surfing and emailing. According to CNet, Songhurst believes that even Google's strength behind Chrome and its free price tag isn't enough to hurt Microsoft's hold on the OS market if the competitors' products aren't demonstrably better.
With Windows 7 being engineered to perform better on netbooks than Windows Vista did, the familiarity of the OS for many users will be reason enough to stick with Microsoft.
Even with Apple's surging success as of late, Microsoft still feels that it the hold on enterprises. "If they are not compelling to the CIO, they are not going to make inroads in the enterprise," Songhurst said, referring to Macs.
Everyone will be watching how Windows 7 performs for both consumers and corporations when it launches next month.