It is a new year and businesses are optimistic that 2013 will fare better
than 2012. But, it seems this may not be the case for Windows 8 PC
sales. A new report paints a grim picture regarding their immediate future since sales have not been trending as well as hoped. The declining sales seem to be attributed to
consumers' addiction to lower cost options, which are causing many to opt for
Windows 7 PCs.
According to the blurb report by the NPD Group, holiday sales for Windows 8 are just not too impressive. Despite the launch of Windows 8, Windows holiday sales were dismal, at best. In fact, the holiday unit sales for Windows laptops fell by 11 percent compared to 2011.
Over the past year, the price of Windows laptops rose up to $420. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook rose to $1,419, resulting in a sales drop of 6 percent. The upshot here is that although both Windows and MacBooks have recorded drops in sales--Apple had a $100 price increase versus a couple of dollars for Windows.
One cause for the declining sales of Windows 8 laptops may be attributed to changes in the mix of systems from Windows 7's glory days. When compared to Windows 7 laptops--Windows 8 laptops are more expensive, and consumers are expecting to pay a lot less for a Windows PC. Windows 7's release was accompanied by cheap netbooks, and that is certainly not the case with Windows 8.
The upside for Windows 8 PCs is that the NPD report indicates a high U.S. demand for their touch-screen models. Retailers can hardly keep their touch-screen models stocked. If the prices of their systems drop a bit, and the supply of the touch-screen models eases-- increased sales may be attained. This offers greater advantages over the Apple lineup, which has yet to develop touch-screen MacBooks.
According to the blurb report by the NPD Group, holiday sales for Windows 8 are just not too impressive. Despite the launch of Windows 8, Windows holiday sales were dismal, at best. In fact, the holiday unit sales for Windows laptops fell by 11 percent compared to 2011.
Over the past year, the price of Windows laptops rose up to $420. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook rose to $1,419, resulting in a sales drop of 6 percent. The upshot here is that although both Windows and MacBooks have recorded drops in sales--Apple had a $100 price increase versus a couple of dollars for Windows.
One cause for the declining sales of Windows 8 laptops may be attributed to changes in the mix of systems from Windows 7's glory days. When compared to Windows 7 laptops--Windows 8 laptops are more expensive, and consumers are expecting to pay a lot less for a Windows PC. Windows 7's release was accompanied by cheap netbooks, and that is certainly not the case with Windows 8.
The upside for Windows 8 PCs is that the NPD report indicates a high U.S. demand for their touch-screen models. Retailers can hardly keep their touch-screen models stocked. If the prices of their systems drop a bit, and the supply of the touch-screen models eases-- increased sales may be attained. This offers greater advantages over the Apple lineup, which has yet to develop touch-screen MacBooks.
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