A further delay in the launch of Microsoft’s new Windows
Vista operating system could cost the software giant hundreds of
millions of pounds, its chief finance officer has
admitted.
Microsoft chief finance officer Chris Liddell told investors
that if the launch date slipped by a financial quarter, it would
have an impact on revenues of between $200m (£107m) and $400m.
Speaking as Microsoft posted its fourth quarter results – with a
13% increase in operating profit for the year – Liddell said the
potential loss was “revenue we’d like to see but not
significant”.
His comments came in response to questions as speculation about
the likely release date for the Vista operating system
continues.
Vista was originally scheduled for launch this year but
Microsoft announced in March that it would not be generally
available until January 2007, because the software giant was behind
schedule in tackling security issues.
In May, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer cast new doubts
on the January 2007 release date, hinting at further delays. The
firm was still considering what the right time to launch the new
operating system would be, he told a press conference.
“What we are discussing... with hardware partners is when they
would really like it - early January, late January, February. We
are on track for shipping early in the year,” he said.
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