Company exec says that Microsoft’s new OS boosts new PC sales

May 7, 2013 06:26 GMT  ·  By
Microsoft says that more affordable Windows 8 units will hit the market soon
   Microsoft says that more affordable Windows 8 units will hit the market soon

Contrary to what Microsoft is saying, analysts and research firms around the world are claiming that Windows 8 sales are far from being impressive, making absolutely no difference to the ever-collapsing PC market.

And still, Microsoft CFO Tami Reller says in a statement that Windows 8 has actually served as a catalyst for the PC industry and even though recent figures point to an important decline, this particular market is still alive and growing.

How much? Nobody can tell for sure, but Reller says that PCs are getting more affordable, so increased sales are very likely to be recorded in the coming months.

“The PC is very much alive and increasingly mobile. The PC is also part of a much broader device market of tablets and PCs. Windows 8 was built to fully participate in this broader and increasingly mobile device market,” Reller explained.

“The PC part of the market is rapidly evolving to include new convertible devices and amazing new touch laptops, and all-in-ones. These new PCs are hitting the market now and into the Back-to-School season, and they are more affordable than ever.”

Research firm IDC, on the other hand, reported the worst ever first quarter for the PC industry, with shipments dropping 14 percent as compared to the same period of 2013.

One of the reasons is, obviously, the new and the “still confusing” Windows 8, IDC analysts explained.

"At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only didn't provide a positive boost to the PC market, it's actually hurt the market," Bob O'Donnell, IDC program vice president, Clients and Displays, explained in April.

“[Windows 8 offers] a compromised experience that doesn't excel, either as a new mobile interface or in a classic desktop interface,” IDC senior research analyst Jay Chou added.

The highly-anticipated PC sales boost might after all be experienced later this year, especially thanks to a major Windows 8 upgrade that’s likely to hit the market this summer.

If reports are true, Microsoft could unveil Windows 8.1 in August or September, with sales to begin shortly after that.