PC sales to fall an unprecedented 17 percent this year

Post #2,051 by brettj 7/17/01 11:37:34 AM Reply	PC sales to fall an unprecedented 17 percent this year ... and PC makers might have more problems facing them because of Microsoft's XP bundling strategy. But on the other hand, if Microsoft doesn't bolt software that was invented by their competitors into their new OS, who will want to upgrade? Does anyone think that XP will be released on time? The only way I see that happening is if Microsoft agrees to all the conditions and penalties the DoJ is going to demand. IMO, the likelihood of that happening with Bill at the helm is slim and none. He must be allowed to innovate. (: [link\|http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/12027.html\|PC Makers Caught in Microsoft Antitrust Squeeze ] By Daniel F. DeLong NewsFactor Network July 16, 2001 With sales forecast to fall an unprecedented 17 percent this year, observers say a delay in releasing Windows XP could be a death knell for some computer manufacturers. With personal computer makers holding their collective breath, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is acknowledging that its chief antitrust attorney has approached the Justice Department in a bid for new settlement talks to end a four-year-old legal battle. .... PC sales are forecast to drop an unprecedented 17 percent this year. Because there are so many changes in the XP, most PC makers think the new system will induce many consumers and businesses to purchase new computers. Analysts told NewsFactor Network that PC makers are extremely nervous over potential complications due to more legal wrangling. "It would be devastating to Microsoft and its partners," Rob Enderle, an analyst with Giga Information Group, told NewsFactor. "There is tremendous pressure from the industry to settle the issue quickly." .... Some state attorneys general have said they might raise the Windows XP system as an example of Microsoft's continuing to abuse its power. The new system, they argue, is packed with features -- such as instant messaging and media player software -- that are certain to damage some rivals.
Post #2,075 by Brandioch 7/17/01 2:13:33 PM Reply	WTF? People aren't not buying PC's because they're waiting for XP. (damn double negatives). What I mean is, that there are reasons OTHER than the impending release of XP that are causing people to not buy PC's. At work here, we have a few P-90's that I've taken out of production. Everything else is 500MHz or better. More than enough power to drive anything we're running today. Why are we seeing this slowdown if W2K has been released? Isn't there supposed to be a rush to upgrade PC's for W2K? A rush that hasn't happened? Today, people's machines do what the people want them to do. Saturation. Mature market. "Some state attorneys general have said they might raise the Windows XP system as an example of Microsoft's continuing to abuse its power. The new system, they argue, is packed with features -- such as instant messaging and media player software -- that are certain to damage some rivals." Only if MS can get someone to buy this version. If you have a decent machine TODAY, you've probably already got a media player and instant messanger. Why would you want to upgared to XP to get them again?
Post #2,078 by brettj 7/17/01 2:26:04 PM Reply	Maybe it's the cool billion MS will spend on advertising ... ... that's causing everyone to think that XP will work consumers into a buying frenzy? You raise some good points. Can MSFT pull off another W95 rollout and have people standing in line at midnite again? Knowing Microsoft loyalists, anything is possible.
Post #2,095 by jake123 7/17/01 4:08:14 PM Reply	Midnight buyers... there's a big difference between now... ... and 95. Then, people thought it was kinda cool. Now, they'll just think they're wackos. -- ---------------------------------------------------------- * Jack Troughton jake at jakesplace.dhs.org * * [link\|http://jakesplace.dhs.org\|[link\|http://jakesplace.dhs.org\|http://jakesplace.dhs.org]] [link\|ftp://jakesplace.dhs.org\|[link\|ftp://jakesplace.dhs.org\|ftp://jakesplace.dhs.org]] * * Montr\ufffdal PQ Canada [link\|news://jakesplace.dhs.org\|news://jakesplace.dhs.org] * ----------------------------------------------------------
Post #2,135 by Brandioch 7/17/01 8:32:05 PM Reply	Naw, something else I don't understand. 1995 - computer sales up 1995 - MS releases Win95 1996 - sales up 1997 - sales up 1998 - sales up 1998 - MS releases Win95 1999 - sales up MS releases W2K (I forget the date) 2000 - sales dropping 2001 - sales dropping So, why does anyone think that XP will re-vitalize the sale of PC's? W2K didn't. And it was SUPPOSED to be so much greater than anything before. More stable. More secure. With Active directory. But the sales fell. So, what's in XP that will get them that W2K didn't have? Just more hype about MS. "Sales will be better NEXT quarter. Believe us. "
Post #2,681 by CRConrad 7/24/01 9:23:02 AM Reply	I really like the typo! (If it was one?) Bhrandisim wrote: 1995 - MS releases Win95 [ . . . ] 1998 - MS releases Win95 Yup, that's more or less exactly what they did! :-) Christian R. Conrad The Man Who Knows Fucking Everything (Und Danke, Es Geht Mir Gut!)
Post #2,683 by DonRichards 7/24/01 9:27:49 AM Reply	Heh, heh "When it crosses my mind to do something, I don't ask why, I ask why not. And usually there's no reason not to, so I just go ahead. It's given me the strangest collection of hats"

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