Vista launch lifts PC sales

After five weeks of sluggish PC sales, US retailers received a big boost during the first week of Vista's launch, according to a report released on Thursday by Current Analysis.

PC unit sales soared 173 per cent at US retail stores during the week ending 3 February, compared with PC sales in the previous week, according to the report. Current Analysis also noted that during Vista's debut week PC unit sales rose 67 per cent compared with the same period a year ago. Computers loaded with Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, made their debut on 30 January, but initial reports found interest paled in comparison with launches of previous versions of Windows.

The report also found that demand was higher for PCs with the more expensive version of the new operating system.

Laptops loaded with Vista Home Premium accounted for 76 per cent of all laptop PC sales, while Vista Home Basic represented only 16 per cent, according to the report. It also noted that Vista Home Premium laptops carried an average sales price of $863 (£438), while the Home Basic laptop version had an average sales price of $616 (£313).

Analysts note that Vista Home Premium appeals to experienced, middle-of-the-road users -- a group that tends to also favour laptops.

"Vista Basic is for the entry-level computer user, and you don't get a lot of the visual experiences that you do with Vista Premium," said Samir Bhavnani, research director for Current Analysis.

Vista Home Basic does not offer high-end media features or fancy graphics as the more expensive premium version does.

Desktops also experienced a bigger demand for premium versions of Vista, but the gap was not as wide. Vista Home Premium desktops accounted for 59 per cent of all desktop PC sales, while Home Basic desktops garnered 33 per cent.

The report is based on unit sales from five major US retailers: Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Staples and Radio Shack.

To see which Vista version is right for you, take a look at our detailed Ask the Editors feature.