More than 500,000 copies of Microsoft's Windows 98 operating system were sold nationwide in the first four days on the market, equalling the launch of Windows 95 three years ago, a market researcher said Monday.
Based on figures from retailers, who account for 80 percent of the market, research firm PC Data estimated that 510,000 copies of Windows 98 were sold between its Thursday debut and Sunday.
"That's dead even with Windows 95," said Ann Stephens, president of PC Data.
She said about 40 percent of people who buy the $90 software are also taking home the $35 Plus! 98 companion product, up from 30 percent who also bought the companion product three years ago.
While Windows 98 received lukewarm reviews in the trade press, the product is being sold in a market that is more than 50 percent bigger because of the explosive growth of Windows-based computers during the past three years.
Analysts also noted that an upgrade to Windows 98 is relatively easy compared to Windows 95, which often required users to buy more memory or make other improvements to their computers.
And Stephens said Microsoft (MSFT) saw pent-up demand after two months of slow hardware and software sales in the run-up to the Windows 98 launch.
She also said Windows 98 had been well publicized, thanks largely to a federal and state antitrust case charging that the software giant has abused its monopoly market position by integrating the Internet browser into the operating system.
"Microsoft can thank (Assistant Attorney General) Joel Klein for doing their advertising," she said.
