Microsoft Rolls Out Vista

After years of delays, Microsoft has launched new versions of its two most important products -- Windows and Office.

At a press conference Thursday at Nasdaq's Times Square headquarters, CEO Steve Ballmer nodded to the years of frustrations saying, "It's exciting to finally be here." Ballmer confidently predicted that "more than 200 million people will be using at least one of these products by the end of 2007."

Microsoft released the business versions of Office and Vista, as the new version of Windows is called. Consumer versions of Vista and Office will go on sale at the end of January.

The giant software maker also launched new server versions of two related products, Exchange, for email, and SharePoint, for collaborative projects, and has more than two dozen new or upgraded applications slated for release in the next year or so as part of Microsoft's largest-ever wave of new products.

Microsoft and the PC industry, which has seen sales growth slow, are counting on the new products to increase sales.

Many on Wall Street believe that the new products will give Microsoft's topline a substantial boost; indeed since mid-year shares have appreciated by about 40%. But there are also analysts who believe that businesses will be in no hurry to begin the laborious and expensive process of upgrading their computer systems.

Shares of Microsoft were off 11 cents to $29.46 in recent trading.