I just want to point out that I've been saying this here and on Neowin for 6 months.

I don't believe anyone would argue with the notion that Vista will at some point be loaded on as many PCs as XP is currently. It would seem though that the consumer market as it applies to OSs has become more educated and informed. Most transitions are going to be done when buying a new computer. Those people that are capable of building a computer will still have a choice untill MS takes copies of XP off the market. Consumers have always and will remain the greatest factor in determining the success of a product.   

While I haven't exactly done the research but it would appear that the majority of those who purchased Vista are "power users" to some degree. Which is ironic considering how Microsoft emphasized the user-friendliness of Vista when it comes to the casual user.

Of course, like Philly says, Vista will eventually end up on most PCs simply because it is bundled by default with most new PCs sold. I think the biggest factor in the not-so-overwhelming reception of Vista is, and I doubt it would come to anyone as a surprise, the price.

Let's face it, the only thing that the average Joe sees new in Vista is the interface (it's also the only thing that MS advertisements for Vista advertise), and who's going to shell half a G for a new interface. Besides, for the average user, XP is good enough and that's all they average user really wants. Also add to that the hardware upgrade factor, as almost every article about Vista points out that unless you've bought/upgrade a system within the last year you'll need to upgrade at least one or two components (RAM and Graphics Card usually) to take full advantage of Vista.

Ditto whiterabbit007. I'm the average user and I totally agree. At what point will Microsoft realize that the vast majority of computer users simply what something that is easy and works. Making something look "prettier" is not the driving factor behind a purchase considering that kind of money. You're right on with your average Joe analysis.

Well if you want a pretty desktop, Windowblinds is a lot cheaper and easier to set up without the expensive hardware upgrade.
And all your software will still work.

I think Vista is great, but Microsoft made a huge mistake by making Aero only available in the most expensive packages as well as upping the price for even the most basic package. If they would of done like they did in the past, making Home and Pro versions and keeping the old prices with Aero in both, they'd be getting more sales.

I got lucky having a Technet subscription through our business, and I love Vista Ultimate, but I see where they screwed up here.

The extended and delayed release created all kinds of opportunities for rumors and other information to fester in the market place. Most people that I ask about switching to Vista that are not experienced users other than internet and/or Office use, reply that they are fearful that it will not work with their existing system and are waiting to the time when they will want a new computer. Who can blame them?

As someone who does not require cutting edge technology, based upon what I've read from various sources Vista doesn't seem to offer anything special for me. When I heard the initial sales figures being glowing reported, I just thought to myself, those only represent the people who just have to be the first adopters of any new tech, wait to see if the average user jumps on the wagon or not.

I know that I'm the anomaly among my female friends regarding the "look" of my computer. None of them bother to change the plain turquoise wall paper that comes with their original set up, much less change icons or cursors. Forget about all the rest. That's just not important at all to them. So Vista's bells and whistles isn't going to attract that crowd at all. They all have XP, it does what they need it to do, and they're not looking for anything else. To forget that those people are a large segment of the current computer-using population and to expect them to want to buy an upgraded computer just so that they can run Vista, is poor strategy and design, IMO.

I don't see the need to always buy the new OS's.  Since 3.1 I've had 95, ME9damn0 and XP.  I will probably skip Vista.  Whats the advantage?  Moving wallpapers!  What am I going to do, stare at it all day.  I'll save the $150 to update and the cost of a new Graphics card.  There are some things I like about Vista but not enough to spend the money.