Vista selling at quick pace

Windows Vista, the latest version of the world's most popular operating system, is selling at twice the rate of its predecessor, according to Microsoft Corp.

Windows Vista sold "more than 20 million copies" during the month after its debut Jan. 30, Kevin Kutz, Windows client director, said Monday, declining to provide an exact number.

That compares with sales of 17 million during the first two months after the debut of Windows XP, the version preceding Windows Vista, Kutz said.

"We can confidently say we've exceeded debut sales figures for Windows 98 and Windows 95 as well," he said.

"It's a really strong debut, and we're really pleased with the initial uptake, which shows Windows Vista is on track to become the fastest-adopted OS ever."

Operating systems are the most basic software in a computer, allowing it to do useful work with programs such as word processors and spreadsheets.

Given that the personal-computer market has nearly doubled since Windows XP launched, Windows Vista sales "probably should be more," said Michael Silver, vice president of research at Gartner, a technology research group. The analyst said 51 million PCs were sold to consumers worldwide in 2002. This year, the research group predicts 96 million consumers will buy a computer.

Starting in late October, PC makers included coupons for free or low-cost Vista upgrades that could be used once the software became available at the end of January. Microsoft's February sales total includes those promised upgrades, in addition to licenses ordered by PC makers to install on new computers, shrink-wrapped copies sold in retail stores and downloads from the Windows Marketplace Web store.

Silver estimates PC makers sold between 12 million and 15 million PCs with Windows XP Home Edition with the coupons to upgrade to Vista over the holidays -- a significant chunk of the 20 million total, depending on how many included Vista coupons.

Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates, who anticipated Microsoft would sell fewer than 10 million copies for the entire first quarter, called 20 million "an eye-popping number."

Sales of the premium versions of Windows Vista -- Home Premium and Ultimate -- have been "really strong," Kutz said, declining to provide further detail. Sales of the basic versions -- Home Basic and Business -- have been "good," he said.

Microsoft hasn't released sales figures for the Enterprise version of Windows Vista.

A "really high proportion, the vast majority" of Windows Vista sales are being made through the purchase of a PC rather than as packaged software, Kutz said.

That's a change from Windows XP, which "far more people" bought in the box than on a new PC, he said.

"Customers' initial experience with Vista has been quite positive," said Bob Kaufman, a spokesman for computer seller Dell Inc. of Round Rock, Texas.

More detailed sales information will be provided in Microsoft's quarterly earnings report due out April 26, Kutz said.