Wednesday February 10, 2010 1:53 AM AEST

Atomic MPC > News > Build > Operating Systems > Windows 7: Fastest selling OS ever

Windows 7: Fastest selling OS ever

Windows 7 flies off store shelves.

The launch of Windows 7 was one of the most important releases from Microsoft over the past five years; apart from their Xbox 360 they don't have much that made consumers rush out to stores en masse.

Replacing their now-aging Vista OS, Windows 7 comes in both x86 and x64 flavours - both of which CEO Steve Ballmer said "sold twice as many units as any OS in a comparable time frame", according to Cnet news.

While there were no amusing antics nor leaping around the stage, Ballmer also mused that the effects of the economy seem to be lifting but that many people still realised that Apple products were comparatively more expensive.

There's still a lot of work that has to go into Windows 7 to get everyone out there to upgrade, but it looks like one of the most successful releases the company has ever pulled off.

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13 Comments

Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.

thesorehead Nov 20, 2009 11:04 AM	Will definitely be getting an OEM copy for my next rig. My current rig will go to my little sister, who's studying so she can get the absurdly-priced upgrade. W00tage!
Metasynaptic Nov 20, 2009 1:20 PM	I picked up an OEM Win7 and it goes quite well. my experience of uisng it is quite positive. Installing it was an exercise in tearing hair out... until I discovered that the bundled Microsoft reference driver for my Gigabyte 4850 just refused to work. So after an install of vista, upgrading with the october drivers from Ati and an upgrade to win7, everything is peachy. Bloody annoying that a tiny driver can result in looping black screens though.
Aktavite Nov 20, 2009 3:27 PM	I have always been hesitant to pick up a new OS. W7's release candidate was good enough that I picked up an OEM Home version.
Trekker Nov 20, 2009 4:49 PM	the main thing does everything work with it
Ezekill Nov 20, 2009 5:40 PM	So you guys with the OEMs...you just burn an ISO once all your drivers are installed ?
sUpEr gEEk Nov 20, 2009 6:12 PM	So the monkey man didn't do the monkey dance I feel ripped off. Lolz
Metasynaptic Nov 20, 2009 6:29 PM	Don't need to burn a thing. Just insert OEM disk, follow the bouncing ball. Fundamental difference with retail win7 and oem version is that with oem you go to your PC builder for OS support... which means you usually have to figure it out yourself. with retail win7, you can call MS support for Q&A. There are other differences, but that's the primary reason oem versions are cheaper.
fliptopia Nov 20, 2009 10:42 PM	just upgraded an rc install to oem pro version yesterday. It's suprisingly easy.
SceptreCore Nov 20, 2009 11:06 PM	I won't upgrade till Vista has out lived it's usefulness.
mr.gargoyle Nov 21, 2009 12:28 AM	I thought Vista outlived it's usefulness about the same time it was released , lol
TonyB Nov 21, 2009 10:24 PM	I got an XP pro oem with a game build rig 18 months ago and continued to ignore Vista, to my ongoing satisfaction given the disastrous swathe of issues the big V has had. I might consider Vista SP3, oops, I mean Windows 7 - after Service pack 2 maybe ;)
sUpEr gEEk Nov 22, 2009 7:19 AM	TonyB Wouldn't Win 7 SP2 be classified as Vista SP 5??
meta4 Nov 22, 2009 11:39 PM	I trialed the beta Win 7 and liked it a lot, but since I already bought Visa (a while ago) and then paid the extra for the 64 bit ver, well Win 7 is just a bit to rich for me atm.

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 109 | February, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.

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