Now that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) has released Windows 8, the guessing games have begun. First is whether mixed reviews of the product will slow its adoption. The pricing of Windows may offset negative press. Upgrades to Windows 8 cost as little as $39. Some PC owners will make the upgrade just to see what the new product is like.
Microsoft’s larger hurdle may be businesses that worry about training employees and setting up IT support for more than one operating system. Analysts also will watch whether sales of Windows 8-enabled portable devices will do well. This begins with Microsoft’s own Surface tablet but will soon spread to Microsoft partner product sales. The first of those will be Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK).
Sales data about Windows 8 will not be uniform around the world. Data about activity in places like Africa and India already have begun to reach the media. Since sales data for the United States are not yet available, any straw of information will increase the speculation about the eventual fate of the new Microsoft product.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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