Ballmer: Win 7 Sales 'Fantastic', 2x Predecessors

By Marcus Yam
published

Ballmer thinks it's fantastic. Monkey dance, please?

With all its evolutionary, but significant, improvements over Vista, Windows 7 was to be the piece of software that would turn things around for the PC industry.

While it remains to be seen just what sort of long-term effect it'll have, initial inspections have most parties fairly pleased. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, not one to ever hide his excitement, characterized Windows 7 sales as "fantastic."

"Since launch, we've already sold twice as many units of Windows 7 than any other operating system we've ever launched in a comparable time," Ballmer said, according to PC World.

"Windows 7 is the simply best PC operating system we have ever built," Ballmer added. "It enables people to do more of what they want to do more easily and more quickly, and customers are responding."

Interestingly, Ballmer did not attach a number of unit sales to the term "fantastic," but the Wall Street Journal has supposedly pegged the number sold at 40 million copies sold, though it's unclear if that is just retail, OEM, bundled, or a combination.

Either way, it seems that Ballmer has a good reason to monkey dance.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
59 Comments Comment from the forums
  • doc70
    +1 to MS for this product
    Reply
  • Euphoria_MK
    It's a good product, but these sale numbers were expected,especially when knowing that vista did not get accepted very well by the general public.
    Reply
  • El_Capitan
    Can't wait to see the new Mac commercials.

    PC: I'm a PC, and your commercials don't seem to be working out like you'd expected.
    Mac: ...
    Reply
  • the_one111
    El_CapitanCan't wait to see the new Mac commercials.PC: I'm a PC, and your commercials don't seem to be working out like you'd expected.Mac: ...Oh snap! Epic pwnage!
    Reply
  • tester24
    I can see Q4 for Microsoft being significantly higher. Definately worth every penny.
    Reply
  • hakesterman
    The apple commercials are very old, they need to go a different direction on their advertising. Apple needs to show off thier Pc's in their comercials and get away from bashing Windows. Their advertising crew needs to be fired and bring in some new people with fresh idea's. As far as Windows 7 goes, i had it on my PC for a trial period and i had no problems with it at all and would recommend. I will get it when i upgrade my PC till then i'll keep what i got. Go Windows 7......................

    Reply
  • tipoo
    Windows 7 is now on 3/4 computers in my house, and I didn't pay a cent. Being a MSDNAA member is sweet :)

    I dont dare install on that last system though, a P4 with 512mb of RAM and a 4200RPM hard drive will not make for a good Win7 experience.

    That said, the faithful old Athlon XP with 1.75GB RAM and a 7200RPM 250gb hard drive runs Win7 surprisingly smoothly!
    Reply
  • I have the idea that latest 2 Windows where programmed by designartists instead of by people who actually use it,and work with it!

    It took the free response and complaints of millions of users, to tell MS how to build it!
    And it's still far from 'the perfect OS for the job'.
    Reply
  • ssalim
    Go PC!
    Reply
  • Euphoria_MK
    the_one111Oh snap! Epic pwnage!I can see your maturity, what is exactly the ownage here?

    They just said that Win 7 sold 2 x more than Vista... hmmmm knowing how bad was Vista done, this was to be expected... and it actually proves and contradicts their previous news statements about Vista as being the best upgrade out there from XP....

    Anyway, use some soup and wash that MS fanboyism of your eyes so you can see clearly.

    Why do you even mention Mac in these comments. This news has nothing to do with Apple. Are you so envious that you have to post some lame ass comments like this in order to satisfy your shortcomings?
    Reply