Microsoft announced that Windows 8 licence and upgrade sales have reached 60m following its October 2012 launch (see Windows 8: savior or sinker?). The adoption rate is in line with Windows 7 and while the number is respectable, it does not reflect a buying bonanza.
The figure highlights several issues. The 60m includes bulk sales to PC manufacturers for example but as Microsoft has not revealed the split it’s not clear how many of the 60m are sitting in the channel rather than out and live. With PC sales figures expected to show a decline when shipment estimates are released over the next few weeks, the situation remains uncertain. One of the other details that would have been informative is the split between full license sales vs. lower cost upgrades. With overall PC sales probably lower, plus PC manufacturers like Acer and Fujitsu saying Windows 8 sales have been disappointing, Microsoft could be looking at a notable Windows revenue hit. Surface sales figures would also be informative but have so far been kept under wraps – this is the prime indicator of how well Microsoft will manage the market shift to mobile devices.