Windows 8 Surpasses Apple's OS X

Windows 8 continues to slowly climb up the ranks of the world's most used operating systems. After Microsoft's radical Windows redesign had surpassed its unpopular ancestor Windows Vista in June, it overtook the combined installed base of Apple OS X in August. Windows 8 now only trails Windows Vista and Windows 7, albeit by a significant margin.Windows 8 continues to slowly climb up the ranks of the world's most used operating systems. After Microsoft's radical Windows redesign had surpassed its unpopular ancestor Windows Vista in June, it overtook the combined installed base of Apple OS X in August. Windows 8 now only trails Windows Vista and Windows 7, albeit by a significant margin.

The release of Windows 8.1, due in October, could give another boost to Windows 8 adoption as it promises to iron out some of the major kinks users have been complaining about. Microsoft has a lot riding on the success of Windows 8 and CEO Steve Ballmer will be keen to end his stint as the company's leader without the blood of another flop like Windows Vista on his hands.