Windows 8 Fails to Impress, US Survey Shows

According to a new Associated Press survey of 1,200 U.S. adults, 52 per cent of respondents haven't heard of Microsoft's Windows 8, which officially launched on October 26, 2012. But the numbers may soon increase.

Some experts are suggesting the results are due to Microsoft's late start in running national television ads. For example, the first Windows 8 TV spot debuted October 15 during a Monday Night Football telecast.

In addition, Microsoft has only started its push to convince consumers to upgrade from previous versions of the Windows operating system (OS). The software giant is reportedly planning to invest more than $1 billion toward Windows 8 marketing. (Source: computerworld.com)

Two-Thirds of Respondents Uninterested in Windows 8

Unfortunately for Microsoft, those efforts could be wasted.

That's because almost two out of three respondents (61 per cent) admitted to having little or no interest in purchasing a desktop or notebook computer running the new operating system.

And only 35 per cent of the respondents said they believe Windows 8 will be an improvement over previous versions of Windows, which most (80 per cent) of respondents said they were running on their home computers.

Given such findings, it's no wonder research firm Forrester has predicted that 2013 is "going to be ugly" for Microsoft.

Surface Equally Unimpressive

If the Associated Press' survey results weren't bad enough, research is also pointing to dark days ahead for Microsoft's Surface tablet computer. Among consumers surveyed, 69 per cent had little or no interest in purchasing a Surface tablet. (Source: cnet.com)

The Surface, which currently runs the Windows RT operating system and is priced at $399 and up, also went on sale October 26.

Microsoft has so far declined to comment on the survey or its results.