Microsoft is hoping to make a big splash with the release of its Windows 7 operating system, but the features and functionality may not be enough to outdo rival Apple. In fact, a report says new Windows releases by Microsoft mean a boost in Apple’s sales.
So if history repeats itself, Microsoft’s release of Windows 7 on Oct. 22 will not have a negative impact on Apple and may instead increase Mac sales. Past releases of Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows 98 have had no negative impact on Apple’s bottom line, according to a report by Broadpoint AmTech analyst Bill Marshall.
In the report to clients, Marshall said new operating-system launches from Microsoft increase sales of Apple computers. He predicted Apple could double its global PC market share from four percent to more than eight percent in the next five years.
“We have concluded that no negative correlation exists on Apple’s hardware sales when Microsoft launches a new OS,” Marshall wrote in an excerpt of his report published by Brainstorm Tech. “Ironically, we believe new OS launches from Microsoft may have even acted as a delayed accelerant to Apple’s s computing sales.”
Microsoft’s Windows 7 has been getting overall good reviews by developers and early users, but good reviews may not be enough to keep existing customers and sell Windows 7 computers.
“The world is changing, and companies are changing,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Interpret. “For the first time we are seeing Apple and Microsoft go head-to-head with operating systems. And you have a combination of factors: For a Windows user Windows 7 is strong; for Mac users (Mac OS X) Snow Leopard is strong.”
But the question is whether Microsoft will be able to gain any new customers from its rival.
“Microsoft has…