Windows Vista hits the stores in New Zealand

January 30, 2007

First man almost missed the mark

Windows Vista hits the stores in New Zealand

Auckland, January 30, 2007: New Zealander Graham Saywell came perilously close to not being the first person in the world to buy Microsoft’s new computer platform, Windows Vista.

“I nearly didn’t get it – I was outside the wrong shop,” he said early this morning, clutching a copy of Windows Vista, a shiny new Acer notebook and a till receipt that says “Microsoft Windows Vista, 30/01/2007 00.00.

Mr Saywell, who describes himself as being “in domain names”, was outside the Dick Smith Electronics regular store in Manukau City, Auckland, early this evening instead of the giant Dick Smith Electronics PowerHouse store down the road.

“Some of the staff saw me and came and told me I was in the wrong place,” he said.

“I grabbed my deck chair and rushed down to the right store, and somehow I still managed to be first in the door.”

New Zealand’s proximity to the international dateline means that it is the first place in the world able to sell the long-awaited operating system. Dick Smith Electronics PowerHouse stores in Auckland and Hamilton opened at midnight to take advantage of the position. Hundreds of people flocked to the stores to be among the first in the world to get their hands on the system.

Mr Saywell sold his old computer and Windows XP operating system a 10 days ago on the Trade Me auction site in preparation for the launch of Windows Vista.

“I wanted to be ready,” he said.

Mr Saywell’s new computer system is worth even more than expected, thanks to both being signed by New Zealand sporting star Dan Carter, who made the first official purchase of Windows Vista for sale for charity.

Mr Saywell lives in the Auckland seaside suburb of Takapuna.

ENDS

© Scoop Media