Windows Vista Wipes the Floor with Mac OS X and Linux

Windows Vista is Microsoft's key to achieving an install base of 1 billion by mid 2008. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, revealed at the Financial Analyst Meeting 2007 on July 26 that in just 12 months Windows compotes will pass the 1 billion milestone, according to company's estimates. And with Windows XP's availability via direct retail and OEM license ending at the end of January 2008, Vista will take Microsoft to 1 billion. Currently, the operating system accounts for a total of 60 million shipped licenses, a confirmed 40 million sold copies worldwide, and an install base larger that any rival operating system.

According to data provided by Market Share by Net Applications, Vista currently accounts for a share of 5.41% in July, up almost a whole point from June's 4.52%. Still, the growing adoption of Windows Vista impacts neither Mac OS X Tiger nor the various distributions of the Linux open source operating system. Vista is in fact eroding the market share of Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98. In July, Windows XP is down to 81.40% from 81.94% the previous month, Windows 2000 dropped to 3.74% from 4.00%, and Windows 98 is on the brink of going under 1%, with just 1.05% from 1.14% the previous month.

Although there have been speculations that Windows Vista would generate an increase in the uptake of Linux and Mac OS X, statistics indicate otherwise. The combined share of Mac OS and MacIntel in July is down from June. Mac OS currently accounts for 3.36% of the market while Mac Intel is at 2.61%. The oscillations of Apple's share on the operating system market point to the fact that the Cupertino-based company's own customers are upgrading to the new platform, and not Windows or Linux users. Linux does account for a small growth in July, from 0.71% to 0.75%, but its position remains irrelevant. And it seems that Nothing grows in the shadow of Windows Vista...