// Home / News

Apple: Windows 7 will help us sell more Macs

By Barry Collins and Reuters

Posted on 16 Oct 2009 at 07:32

Apple is launching a pre-emptive strike against Windows 7, claiming the new operating system "is still just windows".

Windows 7 is due to be officially launched on 22 October, and a groundswell of strong reviews of the new OS has given rise to speculation that it could reverse Apple's steadily increasingly market share.

Apple, however, claims that Vista's successor will actually increase its sales. "New Mac users continually tell us that they are tired of all the headaches with Windows, and they want the ease of use, stability and security of a Mac," claims Apple spokesman Bill Evans. "At the end of the day Windows 7 is still just Windows."

Windows 7 review

To read our definitive 11-page review of Windows 7, buy this month's PC Pro magazine - on sale now

Apple claims the inconvenience of having to perform a clean install from Windows XP is one of the reasons why people might seek an alternative. "We think a lot of folks will look at that as the straw that broke the camels back," Apple's vice president of Mac OS X marketing tells CNet.com. "People are tired of the headaches with Windows and this is another great excuse for people to check out the Mac."

That view is, perhaps unsurprisingly, not shared by Michael Dell, who has lavished praise on the new Microsoft OS. "I’ve been using Windows 7 for a long time now," he said earlier this week, "and if you get the latest processor technology and Office 2010 with it, you will love your PC again. It’s a dramatic improvement."

Analysts, on the other hand, argue that the release of Windows could be good for both Microsoft and Apple. "It could very well be a tide that lifts all boats," claims Rob Enderle, principle analyst at the Enderle Group. "Windows 7, with a lot of marketing dollars, is going to drive a lot of people into stores. The extra traffic could actually help Apple."

However, he cautions that Apple won't benefit from the same user backlash it did with Vista. "Windows 7 is good. It doesn't have the problems Vista did, so gaining share gets a lot tougher."

Subscribe to PC Pro magazine. We'll give you 3 issues for £1 plus a free gift - click here

From around the web

User comments

But then maybe people are tired of losing all their documents, music and photos and switch to a Win 7 machine ;)

By TimoGunt on 16 Oct 2009

@TimoGunt

*Ahem* BOOM! HEADSHOT! That's me needing a new keyboard and monitor, then...

By nichomach0 on 16 Oct 2009

@Nichomach0

You don't get a keyboard and mouse with a Mac. They're EXTRA...

*Ahem*

By cheysuli on 16 Oct 2009

I just snorted my coffee

What an insanely embarrassing comment - I hope Mr Evans has kept his CV up to date.

By verdot on 16 Oct 2009

I just snorted my coffee

What an insanely embarrassing comment - I hope Mr Evans has kept his CV up to date.

By verdot on 16 Oct 2009

Is there an echo in here?

(sorry)

By verdot on 16 Oct 2009

my tv has hdmi as do many windows pcs/ laptops.

As is ie with out the use of adapters how comon are hdmi ports on apple mother boards?

on windows hardware watching a blu ray movie is easy-cyberlink power dvd

on apple hardware with apple os, no virtulisation or boot camp how do we watch a blu ray movie???

thanks

By invalidscreenname on 16 Oct 2009

"At the end of the day Windows 7 is still just Windows"

With insight like that, I'm amazed Mr Evans isn't CEO already!

Next he'll be telling us that, "OSX Snow Leopard is still just OSX" or that, "A Fiat 500 is still just a Fiat".

Astonishing! It's comforting to know that people with such stagering interlect are in charge... oh wait... he's a spokesman... oh now I understand! Sorry I thought he was using his brain.

By Grunthos on 16 Oct 2009

Erm?

If someone has a PC with some files and programs on it, exactly how much easier is it going to be to switch to a Mac? They still start off with a new PC (i.e. just like a clean install) but this time their programs are less likely to be compatible than if they upgrade to Win7.

Yes OSX as an OS is a little cheaper. I'm sure it's very nice to use. But I have fallen off my chair laughing when reading a Mac person saying that a PC owner "may have to upgrade their hardware for Win7." But the Mac alternative "hardware upgrade" is far more expensive.

As for "Windows is still just Windows", yes it is. People know what they're getting, except it's better this time.

By phantombudgie on 16 Oct 2009

Illusion

I have an iMac and stopped updating OS X months ago because of Apple's poor quality control. Sadly, it doesn't 'just work'.

I've been using Windows 7 since January and will buy a new laptop as soon as they come with Windows 7 pre-installed. I've used Windows since 2.0 and am very impressed with 7. I think that Apple is whistling in the dark.

By Leglehid on 16 Oct 2009

"But then maybe people are tired of losing all their documents, music and photos and switch to a Win 7 machine ;)"

And suddenly find because of the morass of forced on you folders and 'libraries' they can no longer *find* their files in the first place.

By bubbles16 on 16 Oct 2009

Oh dear

Sounds like Apple are a bit worried. As well they might be.

By Lacrobat on 16 Oct 2009

oh bubbles16, are you still having trouble with the concept of libraries. It's really quite simple. They point to places on your hard drives so you can easily find the files. With homeshare you can even point your libraries to other libraries on your network. A simple search locates the files no matter what computer they're on. It's not rocket science

By TimoGunt on 16 Oct 2009

Bubbles - you missed the joke!

See http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/352384/apple-snow-leop
ard-snacks-on-peoples-data

It wasn't about finding data, but OS/X wiping it.

--------------------
"New Mac users continually tell us that they are tired of all the headaches with Windows, and they want the ease of use, stability and security of a Mac,"
LOL! Those Apple sales guys spoofing the boss again!

When I had a Mac (earlier this year) I found it very unproductive. Which was why I sold it. Bill Evans didn't ask me what I thought and I loved the Mac back in '87 when I had an SE. Bottom line is Windows does more. Like bricks in the Tate modern, some may argue it's art, but it certainly isn't worth the asking price. OS/X is cheaper? Jolly good, because the minimum hardware costs as much as my high-end gaming PC including the external drives and 22" screen.

By cheysuli on 16 Oct 2009

To be objective for a moment.I love the Mac Build quality EG Solid ali chassis.Not sure about the software though.So if Dell or someone could build an equivelent laptop then that would be ideal.As for me.I will stick with Vista for now.I am on SP2 with latest drivers and it seems to work fine once it has booted up which i have to admit is a bit slow !!!

By Jaberwocky on 16 Oct 2009

The irony is not lost on me...

I love how Apple claims that performing a clean install of Windows 7 over XP is 'inconvenient', ignoring the sweet irony that switching to Mac requires new versions of all your software, which seems an order of magnitude more inconvenient to me!

By theloz1 on 16 Oct 2009

Leave a comment

You need to Login or Register to comment.