Windows 7 likely to spur demand for PCs from large firms, says Dell

DEMAND for computers from large companies is likely to pick up by as soon as mid-2010 as a result of Microsoft’s launch today of its Windows 7 operating system, a senior Dell executive has said.

Dell’s president for large enterprise, Stephen Schuckenbrock, told reporters: “Windows 7 is the best quality product launch that Microsoft has had in a very long time.

“When you consider that Vista was a bust, Windows 7 is a capability upgrade on a scale that has really never been seen before.”

Microsoft launches its next-generation Windows 7 today, with many PC companies hoping that it will energise corporate replacement cycles as companies running on older versions of Windows buy new computers and servers.

Microsoft is hoping the successor to Vista will be more of a hit with users as many features take into account multimedia applications and the fact that users are beginning to store their data on the internet.

Windows 7 has greater support for multi-touch interfaces, handwriting recognition and improvements to its ability to work with multi-core processors. Changes have also been made to the familiar taskbar that most users have at the bottom of the screen.

Some of the features will be familiar to Apple Mac users as similar functions have been rolled out in Mac operating systems.

Windows 7, is a slimmed-down version of the company’s flagship operating system and essential for Microsoft, said Microsoft International president Jean-Philippe Courtois in an interview in Paris.

“The last 12 months have been very painful,” said Mr Courtois.

“Innovation is really a growth driver, and Windows 7 is a core platform that we have to build our growth.”