SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

Microsoft CEO Ballmer: Windows 7 Will Only Bump PC Sales ‘Slightly’

(Reuters) – Microsoft’s release of its new Windows 7 operating system is expected to increase demand for personal computers only slightly, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told journalists in Munich on Wednesday. "There will be a surge of PCs but it will probably not be huge," Ballmer said in answer to a question at a news […]

Oct 8, 2009
Channel Insider content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

(Reuters) – Microsoft’s release of its new Windows 7 operating system is expected to increase demand for personal computers only slightly, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told journalists in Munich on Wednesday.

"There will be a surge of PCs but it will probably not be huge," Ballmer said in answer to a question at a news conference about the likely effect on the market of the new system, which will replace the unpopular Vista.

Major new software updates from Microsoft, whose Windows operating system runs about 90 percent of the world’s PCs, are in general eagerly awaited by computer makers who hope for a sales boost.

Windows Vista downgrades to XP could hurt Win 7 sales. Click here to read more.

However, in a survey of more than 1,000 companies released by ScriptLogic in July, six in 10 companies said they planned to skip the purchase of Windows 7, partly due to spending cuts and partly over concern about compatibility with existing systems.

Ballmer reiterated he saw the technology sector returning to growth only slowly, and said it would take time to reach pre-recession levels.

Resellers say Win7 won’t spur a PC refresh cycle. Click here for more.

Windows 7 will be generally available on October 22, far earlier than originally planned.

(Reporting by Jens Hack; editing by Simon Jessop)

Recommended for you...

Motivair by Schneider Electric Launches New CDUs for AI & HPC
Luis Millares
Dec 15, 2025
Mission Announces New Multi-Product Solutions in AWS Marketplace
Jordan Smith
Dec 10, 2025
CrewAI CEO: Human Trust is Core to Autonomous AI Agents
Jordan Smith
Dec 9, 2025
Sparklight Launches Partner Solutions Program
Jordan Smith
Dec 8, 2025
Channel Insider Logo

Channel Insider combines news and technology recommendations to keep channel partners, value-added resellers, IT solution providers, MSPs, and SaaS providers informed on the changing IT landscape. These resources provide product comparisons, in-depth analysis of vendors, and interviews with subject matter experts to provide vendors with critical information for their operations.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.