ALKHOBAR, 6 March 2007 — A month after Microsoft held global launch events for its new Windows Vista Operating System and Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft kicked off a roadshow for the two products in Saudi Arabia. To be fair, the global launch of the two products came at a very inconvenient time for the Saudi market.

“Due to the school exams and semester break, we felt that if the local launch events for Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 were held at the end of January — the time for the official products launch — it would be an inconsiderate move for the market. Saudi consumers needed to focus their attention on the needs of their families at that time,” said Ahmad Alafaliq, Desktop Product Manager, Microsoft Saudi Arabia. “Now people can give some attention to our new products and so here we are offering them that opportunity. I do want to emphasize though that both products have been available in the market for the last month and many people in the Kingdom have already heard a lot about Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 through international media sources.”

Intel, New Horizons and NVIDIA, in partnership with Microsoft, have embarked on a Kingdomwide event. The Windows Vista Launch Roadshow began last Wednesday in Alkhobar’s Alrashid Mall. It continues this weekend, March 7, 8 & 9 in Riyadh’s Hayat Mall and moves on to Jeddah’s Sultan Mall on March 14, 15 & 16.

On Jan. 30, Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 were both released in Arabic, a Tier One Microsoft language. This is a point for which Microsoft deserves praise. The company has ensured that the products are available throughout the Kingdom as well.

“We have Vista Home Basic, Premium and Ultimate in all our stores plus Windows Vista Business for small businesses, too,” said Khaled Al-Najrani, Showroom Manager, Jarir Bookstore, Alrashid Mall. “We received the first shipment about three weeks ago and have had Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 on our shelves all over the Kingdom since then. We are the only company supporting the market in this way. We are selling more of the Basic versions, probably due to the product’s lower price.”

Al-Najrani added, “While people have limited interest in buying Windows Vista alone, everyone who wants to buy a new computer asks us about the Vista operating system and how well a machine can handle it. In cooperation with Microsoft, Jarir Bookstores trained all staff working in IT, multimedia and computer supplies to be knowledgeable about Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. Our biggest problem right now is that only HP has made Windows Vista available in the Kingdom. We sold out of all HP machines loaded with Vista just days after they came into the showroom and now are waiting for a new shipment. It was a big selling point. Computer hardware vendors need to learn that the Saudi consumer is informed and interested in the latest technology.”

In a statement on the launch of Microsoft’s latest products, Chairman Bill Gates said: “Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 will transform the way people work and play. Personal computers have become a key part of the daily lives of almost a billion people worldwide. 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. Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 squarely address the needs and aspirations of people around the globe.”

If you are interested in Windows Vista, Microsoft has made available the “Windows Vista Consumer Experience Guide” for download from www.microsoft.com and you can learn about Microsoft Office 2007 at http://office.microsoft.com.

Despite all the preparations for the products’ release, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Microsoft. At the roadshow, several potential users of Windows Vista, cited security concerns as a reason to delay investing in the operating system.

“I’m using Windows XP and I think it’s fine,” said Mujalli Al-Khaldi, a Saudi student in his junior year studying software engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. “Security is an important part of any operating system and the reports I read about Windows Vista show that the security aspect of this product still needs work. I’ll wait to consider installing it until after they release Service Pack 1. There are also some compatibility issues with some programs and peripherals that have to be worked out.”

On the other hand, early adopters of Microsoft Office 2007 have been enthusiastic about the product, stating that its launch was long overdue. Ease of use, superior functionality for images, excellent features in MS Excel and a host of other positive comments were put forward by Office 2007 users.

“Best of all,” said teacher Aisha Barakati, “is that it only took me about 30 minutes to feel comfortable using the product. That encouraged me to try many new features and everyday I keep finding new things that I like about Office 2007.”

At the Windows Vista Launch Roadshow Intel is demonstrating the speed of its latest processors which give Windows Vista the power it needs to perform. In Alkhobar, Intel was also reminding people that while laptops might be more visible at the Kingdom’s power resellers, desktops should still be considered when purchasing a new machine.

Loads of people purchase a laptop because it’s so portable and easy to move around. Actually, that’s a plus and minus for these machines. Students love the ability to take a laptop to and from college and they can also share all their music, pictures and video files with their friends. Many businessmen prefer the convenience of having all their important information with them all the time and the ability to work anywhere with a laptop. But laptops get stolen much easier than desktops. When a laptop is stolen of course, the machine and all its data are gone.

Another problem with laptops is proprietary parts. This means that the laptop must be taken to an authorized service center for repair. Even after the warranty is over, most laptop spare parts are usually only available from authorized service centers and it can cost a lot of money to repair these machines. Most desktop computers can take more generic spare parts and there are many technicians available to do required repairs. Desktops are often easier to upgrade, too.

Cost can be an issue as well. While the cost of laptops has fallen dramatically lately, it must be considered that especially if you are a power user — someone who likes to play games or work with graphics — a desktop machine can offer more options at a lower cost. Plus, a bigger screen will be a reasonable option. And if you are a parent trying to control computer use — do you really want to struggle with keeping a laptop in the living room and out of children’s bedrooms? A desktop computer can help make parental control of IT resources a much lighter task.

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