REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 8, 2001 —
Since its retail debut Oct. 25, Microsoft Corp.’s newest operating system, Windows®
XP, is achieving high demand worldwide. So high that some retailers are having trouble keeping store shelves stocked with Windows XP. Growing consumer demand for Windows XP has led to sales that are exceeding initial sales of Windows 95 and Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) and keeping pace with initial sales of Windows 98.
“We are extremely pleased with the enthusiastic response from our customers,” said Chris Jones, vice president for Windows at Microsoft. “We see Windows XP as being a positive catalyst for a great holiday season for the entire PC industry.”
“In a survey of major retailers in large markets across the country, we have found that 62 percent have reported that Windows XP is selling as expected or better,” said Alan Davis, analyst at McAdams Wright Ragen Inc. “Overall, we are finding that retailers are optimistic about sales of Windows XP and the prospects leading into the holiday season.”
Along with retail sales of Windows XP, sales of new personal computers, peripherals and devices, and software applications have been boosted by excitement around Windows XP. According to NPD INTELECT, total retail software sales have climbed more than 50 percent in the week following the launch of Windows XP.
“The launch of Windows XP is driving momentum in the industry, benefiting customers and vendors alike,” said Steve Houck, executive vice president of Strategic Relations at Corel Corp. “Customers are already responding well to CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS, the first graphics suite fully optimized for Windows XP. Corel’s creative software working with Windows XP delivers a richer, more rewarding experience to our customers.”
Personal computer manufacturers have also seen a positive response in terms of demand for new PCs.
“Early feedback on HP PCs loaded with Windows XP from both customers and retail partners has been encouraging,” said Rob Wait, worldwide business manager for the Consumer Business Organization at Hewlett-Packard Co. “HP PCs plus Windows XP mean an energized market with higher initial sales than expected, decreased customer support calls, and an improved PC experience overall for customers.”
Consumers now have the ability to use the Windows Catalog, the place to find products built for Windows XP. The catalog can be found on the Start menu in Windows XP or at http://www.windowscatalog.com/ . The catalog features more than 10,000 products that are compatible with Windows XP. For quality beyond compatibility, there are now more than 3,000 products with the Designed for Windows Logo from more than 200 industry partners, more than double the number of logo designated products available at launch for any other Windows operating system. The Designed for Windows Logo program gives consumers confidence that they will have a great experience because the product has met a set of design requirements that help ensure it will run well with Windows XP.
About Windows XP
Windows XP — the new standard for efficient, dependable computing — gives users the freedom to experience the digital world by building on the momentum of the Internet and digital media with improvements that increase productivity and provide both business and home users with an easy-to-use and exciting PC experience. Windows XP puts the exciting experiences of the digital age at users’ fingertips by uniting PCs, devices and services, and brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to home PC users, enhancing reliability, security and performance.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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