Small businesses are expected to snatch up Windows 7 within months of its October 22 release to take advantage of the Federal Government small business tax rebate.
The rebate, which refunds 50% of the cost of computer and IT products, will expire on 31 December.
Unlike Windows Vista, which had numerous hardware and software compatibility problems, an XP mode feature will enable the new system to run applications that are only compatible with Windows XP.
And analysts say the take-up could contribute to a spike in PC sales.
“Small businesses normally upgrade their operating systems when they upgrade their PC, so they buy a machine with Windows 7 already installed,” Gartner’s principal research analyst Lillian Tay told The Age.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
