Windows 7 has been shaping up as a cash cow for Microsoft, and sustained strength in the consumer sector for the new operating system could lift the company to yet another record quarter when it reports financial results on Thursday.
Just last week, Microsoft announced a major milestone in adoption of the new operating system, reporting that it had sold 240 million Windows 7 licenses, reflecting strong uptake in both the consumer and business segments. Additionally, the third quarter will reflect a full three months of Office 2010 sales, which also figures to give the balance sheet a boost, though capital expenses from data-center build-outs to support the company’s cloud-computing efforts could be a drain. Datamation looks at the numbers heading into Microsoft’s quarterly earnings report.
Given the signs, chances appear good that Microsoft will once again break records for the first quarter of the company’s fiscal 2011 when it announces revenue and earnings on Thursday.
Part of what’s likely to drive Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to another record quarter is significant consumer demand for Windows 7, which was launched a year ago, as well as growing adoption of the system among large corporate technology buyers.