In the period leading up to Windows Vista launch, Microsoft predicted that the software would send consumers on a $1.4bn spending spree, in addition to a $1.7bn that was to be spent by businesses.

The reality however is turning out less rosy than Microsoft predicted. UK retailer Dixons saw its profits drop by £20m ($40m) as a result of disappointing Vista sales. Instead of buying state of the art, high margin Vista systems, consumers opted for computers that let them surf the web and edit documents without costing an arm and a leg.

19 Oct 2007

For Dixons, Vista's Wow has yet to start. Most people who did make the switch are scratching their heads, wondering what great Vista innovations took 5 years to develop.

Vista may be the most secure Windows version. But if security was a serious purchase consideration, Windows never would have reached its 90 per cent market share in the first place.