14 DAY TRIAL // Even though Microsoft refuses to provide some clear figures on Windows 8’s sales performance, it’s no secret that the new operating system is a rather disappointing product when it comes to the number of licenses sold to users since launch.
Now Demos Parneros, president of the US division of Staples, one of the key Microsoft partners that are selling both Windows 8 and Surface tablets, confirmed that early uptake is clearly below expectations.
While Parneros also cited the lack of touchscreen devices capable of running Windows 8 as one of the reasons, the operating system also failed to excite, so better figures are expected in the near future.
“There was a lot of anticipation and build for Windows 8, as you mentioned, and that really slowed sales down [in Q4], that in combination with people moving to tablets. And then the Windows 8 release, honestly, was below what we expected,” he was quoted as saying by The Var Guy.
“One of the products was introduced [an apparent reference to Surface RT]. The [Surface] pro [tablet] model was introduced just recently to reasonably good reviews and decent sales but definitely below expectations. I would also say that touch product, which really makes Windows 8 a better experience, was scarce in the quarter,” he added.
The Staples executive, however, said that his company would stick to Windows 8, as everybody expects the new operating system to perform a lot better in the upcoming months.
“We believe in Windows 8, we’re excited about it. I like the recent things that we’ve seen. But it’s got to build a little faster.”
Microsoft is reportedly planning to cut Windows 8 prices for OEMs, in an effort to bring more affordable devices to the market. The company will roll out Windows Blue, the first major Windows 8 upgrade, this summer, so it needs to sell as many licenses of the new operating system as fast as possible.