Windows 8′s sales are worse than Windows 7′s were at the same time in its lifecycle—unless they’re higher. They’re also apparently worse than internal Microsoft estimates. But what those estimates are is anyone’s guess. Truth is, we don’t really know and we won’t for some time. But combine the new operating system with the continuing conjecture over former Windows Division president Steven Sinofsky’s departure, and you’ve got some great headlines.
The first mutterings about poor sales came in the aftermath of Sinofsky’s demise, with incredulity that he’d be let go so soon after Windows 8′s launch unless sales were catastrophic. Bad sales are plausible, too, after reviews of Windows 8 were decidedly mixed. The operating system, at best, seemed deeply polarizing.