Computer customers in Denver area aren't racing to Vista

Rocky Mountain News

Published January 31, 2007 at midnight

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Consumers in the metro area are apparently taking a wait-and-see attitude toward Vista - just as experts have advised them to do.

Stores haven't seen hordes of consumers lining up to buy the new Microsoft operating system.

"We've been selling a fair amount. There's definitely not high demand," said Jarred Dotterer, warehouse associate at Micro Center at the Denver Tech Center. "We're not low on stock."

Brandon Hamilton, the founder of Rocky Mountain Tech Team, a Boulder provider of information-technology services, said: "My clients are actually listening to me, and nobody has gone out and bought Vista."

Ryan Batty, a local spokesman for Sun Microsystems, said Tuesday's launch of Vista inspired him to go out and buy a new MacBook Pro from Apple.

"I have used Microsoft since 1984, when I was 10, and for the first time ever, I am 100 percent Microsoft-free," said Batty, who bought his Mac on Christmas Eve. He was tired of Microsoft operating systems and decided to pass on Vista.

Besides, Batty already owned an Apple iPod digital music player, which he enjoys. Friends were buying Apple computers and touting them. So he decided to take the plunge on a Mac.

"I love it," he said.

Employees at area Office Depot and Office Max stores couldn't comment on their Tuesday traffic, referring all inquiries to their corporate headquarters.

Melissa Perlman, a spokeswoman for Office Depot at the company's Miami headquarters, said, "Our 1,200 retail stores across the country have seen an increase in traffic," but added the company would not release traffic data for financial reasons.

Got Vista?

If so, the Rocky wants to hear about your experience using Microsoft's new operating system. Send an e-mail to business@rockymountain news.com today through 5 p.m. Friday. We'll print some of your responses in Monday's Rocky Tech section.

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