Old Operating Systems Fade Away Slowly
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5. Vendors will need to empty their inventory
Once Windows 8 launches, companies like HP, Dell, Acer, and others will have millions of PCs in the pipeline that are pre-loaded with Windows 7. It will take time to push those through the market even as they look to ramp up Windows 8 sales. Furthermore, just like with Windows XP, PC makers will follow customer demand. If buyers keep asking for Windows 7, PC makers will keep selling it. This factor helped past operating systems stay afloat. Why wouldnt it help this time around?
6. Listen to Microsoft
Microsoft is by no means saying that just because Windows 8 is launching this year, Windows 7 will die off. Quite the contrary, the company believes that it will sell 350 million Windows 7 licenses in 2012, alone, and could see similarly strong sales next year. If Microsoft doesnt think Windows 7 will quickly fade away, no one else should.
7. Let history be ones guide
The best way to handicap chances for success for Windows 7 is to look at the past. And over the last several years, there hasnt been a single popular version of Windows that has been tossed out so quickly. Even Windows Vista performed well for some time after it was replaced. Windows 7 is one of Microsofts most popular operating systems of all time. Itll follow the patterns set forth by its predecessors.
8. It was built for longevity
When Microsoft was building Windows 7, the operating system was designed solely for longevity. The company knew that it made a mistake with the last version of the OS and it wanted to make it right with the new version. In order to do that, it had to make sure it could last a good 10 years the way XP had. Guess what? Microsoft succeeded.
9. Remember pricing
As noted, PC makers will try to clear their inventory of Windows 7-based devices as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is to cut the price of Windows 7 models to move them out fast. Windows 8 computers, meanwhile, will likely be far more expensive. This is another good reason not to count out Windows 7.
10. Software is always a consideration
The biggest issue with adopting any new operating system is users concern that their most important applications wont work, or at least wont work reliably, on the new operating system. Microsoft has made great strides in ensuring third-party legacy software works with its platform. But it still cant control all of those enterprises that need to update specialized and custom applications with the new platform. Expect the software lag to help Windows 7 for the short-term.
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