New Windows 8 poll suggests lagging consumer interest

SlashGear ^ | 10/29/2012 | Eric Abent,

[SeekAndFind]

Microsoft may be doing its best to push Windows 8, but a new poll from The Associated Press and GfK suggests that Microsoft's massive marketing campaign may not be working that well. According to the results of the poll, which surveyed 1,200 adults by phone, a significant 52% of respondents haven't even heard of Windows 8. Not good, especially considering the amount of attention the new OS has been given by the press.

To make matters worse, 62% of the respondents who have heard of Windows 8 say that they had "little or no" interest in buying a new computer running the operating system. That's an interesting way of phrasing the question, as it doesn't seem to cover simple upgrades --- something to consider as the results of this poll paint a seemingly grim picture for Windows 8. The results also claim that 35% of the people who know about Windows 8 think that it will offer improvements over past Windows versions.

It's true that Windows 8 signals a pretty radical departure from previous Windows installments, but we're not entirely sure this poll is asking all of the questions it should. The fact that 52% of respondents hadn’t even heard of Windows 8 is definitely surprising, but where’s the question about the intent to upgrade? We know that a significant percentage of those polled have no interest in buying a new computer running Windows 8, but is that disinterest still present when far cheaper upgrades are brought into the equation?

In any case, it’s safe to say that Windows 8 did not fare well in this poll. We liked it quite a bit, but we can understand that many are hesitant to upgrade, given the amount of big changes made in this Windows release. At this point, Windows 8 is only a few days old, so it’ll be a while yet before we get any solid sales numbers. When we get those numbers, we’ll be able to better gauge how Windows 8 is getting along with consumers, so keep it tuned here to SlashGear for more information.

[SeekAndFind]

See also here:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57541918-75/poll-shows-tepid-interest-in-windows-8/

Poll shows tepid interest in Windows 8

A survey finds half of consumers haven’t even heard of Windows 8. Microsoft will spend over $1 billion in advertising to alter that condition.

[Gay State Conservative]

My desktop runs XP Pro and my laptop runs 7.I’m fully satisfied with both.

[illiac]

I purchased the upgrade from the Microsoft site and cannot get it to install.....stops at 58% every time. Been reading the microsoft boards and it seems several are having the same problem.

The machine I am installing it to is Win8 ready, but still no dice...

Microsoft websites and support on WIN8 are not good, to say the least.

At least this is not a production machine....

[raybbr]

Got a copy from Staples (8 Pro) for $40. The guy claimed it was a clean install but I am not sure. It's hard to tell from the packaging. I am not sure whether to put it on my office box or my laptop.

The guys at Staples were really trying to defend 8 when I brought up the idea that putting it on a desktop or laptop without a touch screen seemed like a waste of design. "Oh, but you don't HAVE to have a touch screen." Yeah, I know but it seems to me the whole interface is for a touch screen.

I have a Windows 7.5 Phone. I actually like it. The biggest complaint I have about it is that you have to use Zune to do anything with it. You can't just plug it into Windows and have explorer "see" and drag and drop. It's clear MS is using Zune like Apple uses iTunes. Everything has to go through a marketplace first. Blech!

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Half of the consumers probably back Obama too.

I for one am bored with the Iphone. The Nokia 920 looks very interesting. We’ll see.

[TheRhinelander]

This O/S will be a colossal failure. I predict Miscrosuck will have to come out with a new PC only O/S and scrap Windows 8 altogether.

[catnipman]

“My desktop runs XP Pro and my laptop runs 7.I’m fully satisfied with both.”

As well you should. Vista totally sucks and Windows 8 makes Vista look like a work of genius.

[catnipman]

“My desktop runs XP Pro and my laptop runs 7.I’m fully satisfied with both.”

As well you should. Vista totally sucks and Windows 8 makes Vista look like a work of genius.

[smith288]

I purchased the upgrade from the Microsoft site and cannot get it to install.....stops at 58% every time. Been reading the microsoft boards and it seems several are having the same problem.

I never upgrade. I keep things in the cloud with dropbox and then wipe my hdd clean and do fresh installs. Minimizes many issues.

[illiac]

Unfortunately, I cannot keep the type of work I do in the cloud since their are privacy issues to deal with...

[Roccus]

Liked my XP also but got forced to 7after hard drive fried.
But don’t fret, MS will find a way to whip us into submission.

[smith288]

Unfortunately, I cannot keep the type of work I do in the cloud since their are privacy issues to deal with...

Thought you said it wasnt a production computer?

[Peter W. Kessler]

Microsoft has failed to show me why I need it.

[FryingPan101]

I have Vista, XP, 7. I’m ok with those for my needs. I just got a great HP Envy printer. I’m wild about it. I’m looking at a new tablet because I love the IPad first edition. I’m just not ready for a computer with a new os and what it means. May be timing.

[illiac]

It is not, but many of my files are copied between machines for testing purposes on new software releases...

[Dilbert San Diego]

Well, technology keeps changing, and new products keep coming out. That’s just the way of it. I’m sure that over a period of years, many will migrate to the new Windows system, but it will take time. Most people aren’t eager to change their systems or how they do things, just because someone comes out with an allegedly superior new improved system.

I think Microsoft has more need to sell Windows 8 than many people see the need to upgrade to Windows 8.

[unixfox]

I think Microsoft has more need to sell Windows 8 than many people see the need to upgrade to Windows 8.

You would be correct. Apple is kicking their ass in the mobile and tablet space and increasingly the desktop space.

I make my living fixing computers, networking, etc but I have to tell you, sales of desktop computers and notebooks has dropped like a rock. Unfortunately Windows 8 will not help matters.

The writing is on the wall and if Microsoft doesn't heed the warning they will go the way Blackberry has.

[Boogieman]

Should have waited six months for Service Pack 1 to come out at least :P

[illiac]

Amen to that. Some of Microsoft’s techs say it has to do with account user control...some are saying that the ISO file is incorrect, some are saying that the hash totals are different, some are saying it has to be a clean install (even though MS says it does not have to be), some suggest tinkering with a bunch of the MSCONFIG files.....no thanks

Thought this might be of some assistance to those who were considering upgrading...