After a marathon development effort that took more than five years to complete, software giant Microsoft today launches the consumer version of its computer operating system ? Windows Vista.
The software, available to home users in three versions, promises to ensure personal computers are more secure, up-to-date and running smoothly for more than 750 million users of Windows-based machines who can opt to upgrade and for many first-time PC buyers around the world.
Microsoft?s Office 2007 productivity suite ? used for creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations - is also being released today to consumers.
?Millions of consumers had a hand in helping us design, test and create the most exciting versions of Windows and Office we?ve ever released,? said Bill Gates, chairman and co-founder of Microsoft.
In its most significant launch since Windows 95 more than a decade ago, Microsoft will release both Vista and Office 2007 in more than 70 countries, in about 99 languages by the end of this year, and at more than 39,000 retail stores worldwide. It will also be available online.
The Hong Kong retail market launch of the two products will be staged this Saturday at the Fortress electronics store in Times Square, Causeway Bay. Launch partners include Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard, Intel and Canon.
