Marvel At The Huge Crowds Lining Up For Windows 7
10:53 am, October 22nd, 2009, Leander Kahney
A cheap shot, I know, but this is a real picture of the crowd that turned up last night at Fry’s in Renton, Washington, to be among the first to buy Microsoft’s new operating system. Renton is a town just outside Seattle, where Microsoft is headquartered. Photo by the AP.
For comparison, hit the jump for a pic of the line for Apple’s Snow Lepoard in San Francisco earlier this year.
Photo by Rik Myslewski of The Register.
Posted by Leander Kahney in Apple, News | Comment on this article
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That’s because Windows users can pre-order and download their OS.
Shahn Hogan, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
apples and oranges really. I have the awesome option of downloading and not having to waiting in long lines. I can be up and running 30 mins after download.
Bryan
bryan, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 am
Did you just compare Renton, Washington/Windows to San Francisco/Mac? I think there’s a bit of a discrepancy.
Blah, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Considering Renton is about 30 minutes south of the Microsoft main campus this is indeed sad.
I’ve been running Windows 7 RTM for about a month or so (I’m a developer) and while I don’t find it to be a terrible OS I don’t think it’s something you absolutely must have unless you want to take advantage of more RAM than a 32-bit OS can handle.
John, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
Who shops at stores anymore? PC users know and take full advantage of the internet and its computers. Now write another article on how Windows 7 outsold Harry Potter in pre-orders.
MacPricks, go find some other way to validate your overpriced, overrated minimalist designs for computers who need bootcamp so that their computers can be more than what steve jobs lets them be.
I won’t even go into all the hardware changes Apple has gone through, they are pretty much PC’s now in pretty white plastic.
Think different… yea right. lol
Modern Heretic, on October 22nd, 2009 at 11:53 am
lol… is this for real? windows 7 will be installed on more computers by the end of the year than all mac operating systems combined.
my favorite argument for getting a mac is how they never get viruses.
do you know why? because nobody uses macs. why would someone bother writing a virus that could potentially infect, what, 5% of the world’s computers? virtually zero businesses? i mean, come on. how stupid can you people be.
but go ahead and pay $2700 for a system that will underperform a PC that I can build for half that price.
steve, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
W7 users are under theatrical denial. The switch is happening… (horror-movie sound in the background please).
Ed, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Wow, way to go “Modern Heretic” for calling people who choose a different computer platform from you “Pricks” It doesn’t make sense why people using the dominant operating system on the planet should take time out to go to a Mac website and insult people, theres no basis for any of your remarks apart from rampant insecurity on your part, the hate has to stop, it’s getting absurd now, it’s inanimate objects that are being argued over! Get a grip.
Bryan, you must be lucky, or have a very “Clean” system to get it working in 30min
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/entdev/article.php/3839151/Windows-7-Install-Time-Varies-Wildly.htm
And although Mac users couldn’t download their operating system, (I’m not sure how sensible it would be to download a full DVD image for most people, especially with bandwith caps) I pre-ordered Snow Leopard and had it arrive the morning of the official release, and all for £29, whereas Microsoft seems to be charging Vista and XP users at least £79.99 for an upgrade, and if you want more “Features” anything up to £229.99 for something that Vista should have been in the first place… not to mention most apple stores will install the latest Mac OS X for you for free if your computer needs repaired for any reason (they can do that because you buy the machine and software as a package)
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/uk/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7?WT.mc_id=pointitsem_win7_buy&WT.srch=1
And of course windows pre-orders are going to be massive, its the dominant operating system in the world, nothing new there, but why are more and more people moving to alternative operating systems (not just Mac OS) if things are so good on the Windows side?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_desktop_operating_systems
Coming back to the article though, it’s a bit of a flame bait article, but it does highlight the discrepancy between Microsoft’s PR machine exuberant claims and the reality. Remember the Vista “WOW starts now!” ?
Not trying to argue here, just trying to bring some truth to the proceedings, if any Windows fanatics out there care to provide some evidence of claims such as “PC users know and take full advantage of the internet and its computers. ” then maybe we can start an intelligent debate.
Leon, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
lets be honest, the ratio of windows to mac users is like 1000:1 or more
I myself a windows hater, mac lover
but people standing in line just shows customer loyalty/love nothing more.
It is easy to see that Apple customers are more loyal than Microsoft ones, honestly since when standing in line means more sales, or better product?
It just shows how much appreciation customers of one company got
king, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Ummm….Who cares about lines at stores? Is the article some sort of lame implication that Apple’s OS is more popular than Microsoft’s? Or what?
Try posting sales revenue, or units sold. Those are facts, and the conclusions one draws from them are that despite the fanaticism of Apple’s customers, they are few in number. Despite the implications one might draw from anecdotal comparisons of line lengths, OSX is a niche product.
iGenius, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
It is funny that for all the fantatical Windows-lovers hatred of Macintosh culture, this is a good reality check that deep-down, they just want to be like us.
Psst. It’s okay Microsofties… we won’t make fun of you if you want to switch too. The more the merrier!
kc!, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
“King”… loyalty is maybe the wrong choice of word, I use Mac, but I’m not “Loyal” to a computing platform, that would be absurd, I do however feel it is the best platform for me out there at the moment, many other people agree, I think what starts queues like the one’s at Apple stores is genuine excitement about something new, something unconventional and different from the day to day humdrum, people don’t do that for Microsoft, simply because Microsoft IS the “Day to day humdrum” simply by being so dominant, they are “the norm” and there are people out there who get absolutely terrified and insecure when anything out there challenges what is normal to them
Leon, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Just because a product shifts more units than another doesn’t mean it is a better product, it just means it is more accepted by the majority, reasons for which can be better quality in some areas, but in Microsoft’s case can be quite squarely placed on the fact that for a long long time there was no real alternative to Windows, and that can be very directly linked to all the recent anti-competative lawsuits Microsoft’s had to face recently, people are looking for alternatives, anyone that thinks overnight millions of people will switch from Windows to something else are deluded, especially since Microsoft has had 2 decades to entrench itself, but the change is happening, it will be slow, and it may take another 2 decades before a balance in the market is reached, but the minority operating systems are going to keep growing, and Microsoft’s share is going to keep slipping, thats the simple truth.
Leon, on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Not a fan of either OS but Renton, Washington population: 83,650. San Francisco population: 808,976 (metro 4M+).
And, for my obligatory cheap shot, I can say that if I want the latest of any Linux distro… I don’t line up like a shlub
Rob Russell, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I personally feel honored that people like ‘Modern Heretic’ and ’steve’ take time out of their busy schedule to come here to an obviously Mac oriented site to share their vast storehouse of knowledge, wisdom, and insightful viewpoints.
Is it any wonder that Windows is the dominant operating system in the world when it’s most intelligent and ardent followers are as articulate and persuasive as these two?
Bravo, I say! I’m sure Steve Ballmer would be proud as punch of you both. In fact, there just might be a little something extra in this weeks paycheck, eh?
Chris, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I’ve used macs since 1989- love them- have been forced to use windows at work since 1999- detest the windows os- but I get really pissed off at all this childish shit that goes on between the 2 tribes-lets just live and let live
dave, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hooray snarky cheap shots!
Dean, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Steve, you missed the point completely… That machine you bought for cheaper that “Out performs” the mac… in what way exactly? do you spend all day counting the fractions of seconds that Word takes to open? how long a spell check takes to run? or are you talking about games? yes there are more games for windows, but then again, Microsoft has ensured that by locking people into DirectX development (which they forced people to Upgrade to Vista in order to use DX10 btw) Even if you do take the games that run on both Mac and PC, does extra FPS matter? as long as it is at a decent playable rate what does it matter if you have 30 or 130 fps? are you talking about CAD applications? then comparing a custom built PC to anything less than a Mac Pro would be stupid, Real digital designers who get paid for their work use high end systems, and high end software, most of which is available on Mac and PC and which the Mac Pro compares favourably (and in some cases cheaper) than equivalent Dell systems similarly specced.
I moved away from windows, because within 3 years my very fast system became slower and slower at doing the things I wanted, I looked after the computers health religiously, Defragging, Virus Scanning, Registry Cleaning… it reached the point though that to do all the things needed to keep my system safe ate up so much time, and the software had to become so much more complex to defend against new threats, that my system came to a complete crawl BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY SOFTWARE! that was meant to be HELPING my system, I honestly believe I would be much more productive on a Mac platform of slower speed than I would be on a Windows Based PC twice as powerful simply through a better user experience through intuitive software and system stability, and yes, not having to have ridiculously invasive security software chugging away in the background the whole time when I just want to write an email.
Leon, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Ps. Love the irony here… I posted my take on Exkclamation today with a link back to this post! Thanks!!
http://photography.exkclamation.com/2009/10/22/abandoned-windows/
kc!, on October 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
First – full disclosure:
I’m neither a mac fanboy nor a windows purist. I primarily use windows based machines out of necessity, but am looking forward to switching to mac soon enough. With that said, this story seems to lack any meaningful comparison between the popularity of OSX vs. Windows 7.
Like Rob Russell points out, the two cities are completely different.
This story would have (at least a little) more merit if the lines were compared within the same city. The fact that there’s an obvious bias (either in MS’s favor or Apple’s) completely invalidates any meaning the author of this story is attempting to convey.
Observer, on October 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I don’t think Seattle people line up for stuff much. I was one of 4 people to get in line for Guitar Hero – Aerosmith when it came out at midnight a while back at Best Buy at Southcenter. I bought into the hype, and wanted to try it out night of. Of course, it was a total letdown, but whatever. The fact that Windows 7 costs more than a video game is reason enough for me to avoid it for now.
John Boy, on October 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
@Modern Heretic
Why are you even on this site, which is full of “macpricks” as you call them.
You fucking idiot.
Andrew Macdonald, on October 22nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
500 people line up for Windows 7 in London
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8319083.stm
Luke, on October 22nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
> how long a spell check takes to run?
There is a good spell check program Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It works in all programs, including blogs and articles. It comes with an optional grammar check.
Tomer Guez, on October 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Big fan of Cult of Mac here but what’s up with the copyright infringement on that top image? You clearly do not have a license.
Is stealing other people’s work ok? Can I reproduce your article and use it in any way I want?
David, on October 22nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Why don’t you post something like this,
http://www.youtube.com/user/microsoftstore#p/a/u/2/sz9Nj-sHcKw
talk about dedication.
Chris, on October 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
wow…that’s all I have to say. One think i noticed is that there are more microsoft fans on here trashing mac users that mac users trashing Microsoft fans. I guess the reason microsoft fans take out their aggression on mac users is that there pissed they’re stuck with a crappy os full of problems/viruses. Yes it’s true that no one makes viruses for macs because a small percentage of the world out there uses them…and this is a bad thing because……? Exactly…it’s NOT a bad thing. Enjoy wiping out your system for an upgrade windows fans.
(p.s. I recently switched to mac from a windows pc. All i have to say is “Once you go Mac, you never go back! I know….corny, but true)
cody, on October 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Haha this is great.. But I agree and disagree with users on this article. I don’t think its fare to take pictures of these two stores and put them side by side, but it is very sad for Microsoft because in my little town we had about 50 people line up for Snow leopard..lol
Now as for the Mac hater Steve. Sure we spend $1000 to $2000 but on average we spend $1400 and sure you can build a Machine for half of your over priced estimate of $2700, I would much rather spend the extra and have a Machine that I trust will not fail on me in a year or yes get a virus. So I am sorry that you hate us easy going mac people, also I don’t know one person other then movie editors that spend $2700 on there mac.
Chayce, on October 22nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
It is funny that all you people argue over nothing. People buy Mac’s for their stability for certain programs over PCs. That is fine. I am not flaming anyone here because I am a designer and I use both systems. Both systems are great in their own right and they attract certain user groups. Get over this pissing contest especially with the amount of operating systems sold. If you guys really wanted to have this fight why not focus on the untapped market of Linux and Ubuntu. What these two operating systems have going for them is amazing. OMFG! Guess what…..they are free. Get a life with this stupid war over what system is best. Who cares. In the end every machine no matter what it is will break down and eventually we all have to buy a new one. This is the rule of the electronic world.
Q, on October 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Why no huge line for 7? Cuz windows users know better than suffering for technology:
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/aXA4riL30YI/windows-7-amazon-preorders-beat-even-harry-potter
nuff said.
John, on October 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
mac cult people, windows fans are here because this link is coming up in a search about windows 7 news, not because we’re looking for mac cult people. I love windows 7, and I don’t see what all the fuss is about with mac users, mac and pc have the exact same hardware, so the only difference is the OS. Which is better? I say windows, you say mac, guess its a stalemate
Greg, on November 20th, 2009 at 5:03 am