Windows 8 Can’t Shake the Market Share Blues

This may not come as a surprise, but in terms of market share Windows 8 is not faring well.

Although Windows 8’s overall PC market share of 2.67 percent is higher than January’s share of 2.26 percent, the amount of percentage growth from month to month has decreased. February’s PC market share gain of 3 percent was smaller than January’s gain, which was smaller than December’s gain.

And at 2.67 percent, Windows 8 still lags well behind that of the widely-disparaged Windows Vista (currently 5.17 percent), according Web analytics firm, Net Applications.

Meanwhile, the PC market experienced a 3.7 decline in 2012 and is predicted by research firm IDC to decline again in 2013 by 1.3 percent.

Here’s a round-up of recent stories about Windows 8’s struggles to break into the market.

Windows 8 Uptake Slows for Third Straight Month

Windows 8’s market share gain in February was smaller than January’s gain, which was smaller than either December or November, according to Web analytics company, Net Applications. (Computerworld)

Microsoft’s Windows 8 Looking Like a Dog

Four months after its launch, Windows 8 barely beats Apple’s Mac OS X 10.8 operating system, called Mountain Lion, which had 2.6 percent usage market share in February. By comparison, its predecessor, Windows 7, had 9.1 percent global market share four months after its release. (Investors.com)

Windows 8 Market Share Half of Vista’s Share After Five Months

The latest figures from Net Applications shows that Windows 8’s market share stands at just 2.67 percent, five months after it was first released. That’s nearly half of Windows Vista’s current share. (ZDNet)

PC Market Forecast to Decline for a Second Consecutive Year in 2013

Despite intense industry efforts to overcome market inertia, 2012 ended on a sour note with global PC shipments shrinking 3.7 percent on the year. With limited initial traction from Windows 8 in the holiday season, and continued pressure from tablets, IDC now expects PC shipments to decline by 1.3 percent in 2013. (IDC Press Release)