Microsoft Debuts Vista SP1, Fueling Demand for New PCs

Taipei, Feb. 12, 2008 (CENS)--Microsoft Corporation, the world's most dominant vendor of PC (personal computer) operating systems, has launched its newest update of Service Pack (SP1) for Windows Vista, which is expected to spur demand for new PCs among companies worldwide, according to industry sources.

Microsoft has released the SP1 to manufacturing (RTM), and will most likely benefit insiders in the PC sector, such as Asustek Computer Inc., Acer Inc., Quanta Computer Inc. and Compal Electronics Inc.

Windows Vista was debuted at the end of January 2007, and but the business edition of Windows Vista Enterprise has yet to become popular among companies because they have wondered whether the new operating system is compatible with other application software in their machines. In fact, Windows XP and Windows 2000 have remained even more popular than Windows Vista for business PCs, while nearly all recently launched consumer PCs, including desktop and notebook models, have been widely installed with Windows Vista.

Industry insiders noted that most companies have preferred to wait for release of Windows Vista SP1 instead of buying Windows Vista in light of possible instability of the new operating systems. Thus, after Windows Vista has been heavily debugged by Microsoft, the launch of its newest update SP1 is expected to actually stimulate demand for new PCs and Windows Vista among companies.

Furthermore, Microsoft's better-than-expected sales revenue for the fourth quarter of 2007 has clearly reflected simmering sales of Windows Vista, according to institutional investors.

In fact, Microsoft already released Vista SP1 Beta on a trial basis at the end of this January, which is effectively improving Windows Vista's security and compatibility with new graphic cards and printers. As to performance, the update accelerates processing time of copying and compressing computer files more rapidly than Windows Vista. The Chinese edition of Vista SP1 is probably scheduled for launch in the first quarter of this year.

Noteworthy was that as Microsoft will continue releasing updates for Windows XP and Windows 2000 till 2014 and 2010, respectively, some companies said that they have decided to keep using such previous editions for a while.