There have been conflicting rumors for a while now, but as time passes Microsoft is willing to share actual sales numbers. Turns out the new OS is doing well in sales.
Peter Bright/Arstechnica wrote:With Windows 8 selling 40 million copies in five weeks, it seems to be selling at about the same pace as Windows 7. Considering the different market dynamics—Windows 7 was an iterative release that fulfilled substantial pent-up demand as businesses chose to ignore Windows Vista whereas Windows 8 is a more controversial update being brought to a market that is generally happy with Windows 7 anyway—this is a healthy performance. Windows 7 sold very well and matching it is no mean feat. The apparent failure to surpass Windows 7's launch could explain the mixed reports on early sales. Strong sales can still be disappointing if they were expected to be stronger still.
I don't expect Windows 8 to be adopted by businesses (albeit not for the same reasons most people here tout), but I do expect that Windows 8 will be popular with the non-enthusiast PC user. Even some enthusiasts will eventually be won over. I'm pretty pleased with the OS on the whole.
