KUALA LUMPUR, 3 February, 2007 – Thousands of consumers in Malaysia are expected to throng Low Yat Plaza today to be among the first in the nation to purchase copies of Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007, and to witness the launch of the two most significant products in Microsoft’s history. The two-day celebration of the launch that will end tomorrow will feature fun and exciting activities such as The Amazing Vista Walk Hunt, Evolutionary Pearl Discovery Showcase, live performance by hip hop and rap group K Town Clan, dance workshop, Vista Fugitive, Fear Factor, and Tip of the Hour.

Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 are now available in more than 70 countries, in 19 languages (with 99 languages anticipated by the end of the year), and at more than 39,000 retail stores and online. In Malaysia, retail stores across the country will start offering the products today. The launch marks the achievement of an unprecedented collaboration between Microsoft and its customers and partners, and ushers in an era in which personal computing is easier, safer and more enjoyable than ever before.

“Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 will transform the way people work and play,” said KT Ng, Microsoft Malaysia’s Director of Client Business Group. “Personal computers have become a key part of Malaysians’ daily lives. Together with many others worldwide, Malaysians had a hand in helping us design, test and create the most exciting versions of Windows and Office we’ve ever released. Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 squarely address the needs and aspirations of people in Malaysia and around the globe.”

New Opportunities
The consumer launch of Windows Vista is also expected to unleash a flood of new next-generation hardware, software and entertainment devices and services. Currently, more than 1.5 million devices and peripherals are on the market that work with Windows Vista, including more than 2,500 that are Certified for Windows Vista. In addition, thousands of PC manufacturers and system builders around the globe will deliver the Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Office 2007 on new PCs.

“We designed Windows Vista and Office 2007 as springboards for our partners, for realizing the next generation of computing, for a whole new wave of innovation in devices and software that offer better graphics, better connectivity and communications, and a more productive, more enjoyable experience all around,” Ng said, adding that today’s launch will have a dramatic impact on computing in the long-term.

Hewlett-Packard has been working closely with Microsoft to offer a broad range of Windows Vista products. “Today’s announcement is a culmination of more than 150,000 man-hours HP engineers have spent over the past five years working with Microsoft on the development of Windows Vista, in order to ensure that HP delivers a more satisfying, relevant and valuable technology for all users,” said Danny Lee, Country General Manager of Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd.

“HP and Microsoft have worked closely to ensure more than 450 HP printers, scanners and cameras will run smoothly on Windows Vista and will take advantage of the many new and exciting features of Windows Vista,” he added. A full list of HP’s Windows Vista compatible products can be found at www.hp.com/go/windowsvista.

Lauding the capabilities of the new products, Intel Malaysia’s Country Manager, Debjani Ghosh, said, "The launch of Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System represents an unprecedented convergence of leadership technology by both Intel and Microsoft. Ultimately, the winner is the consumer who will benefit from the natural synergy of hardware and software that truly reflect their needs and aspirations for a new digital lifestyle.” She added, "With Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System running on Intel Core2 Duo processors, consumers can truly experience ‘More Performance and More Possibilities’ as they create, manage and share entertainment and information like never before."

A New Era of Personal Computing
Windows Vista and the latest release of Microsoft Office feature dramatic graphic enhancements to the interface that make the desktop more visually exciting and significantly easier to use. With simple and intuitive tools, consumers can easily create and share digital documents, photos, music and videos, participate in digital communities, and play online and offline games.

With Windows Vista, consumers will be able to experience all kinds of entertainment — from television to video games to music and movies — how and when they want. Keeping in touch with family, friends and colleagues using e-mail, voice recording or video will be richer and more convenient. Redesigned user interfaces will increase productivity and ease of use, helping consumers and small businesses produce documents — from a marketing plan to a child’s birthday invitation — that look better and are more professional in less time. Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 will continue to improve access to information with new tools that make it easy to find the right piece of information — be it an e-mail message, image, note or media clip — no matter where it is stored.

The new versions of Windows and Microsoft Office also deliver advances in family safety by empowering parents to better manage and monitor their children’s PC and Internet activities. With a few simple clicks in the new Windows Vista Parental Controls center, parents can manage and monitor PC and Internet access, and decide what kinds of TV, music and games are appropriate for their children. Security is also more robust in the new releases. Features such as Windows Defender help protect consumers against attacks from spyware and malicious Web sites, while other enhancements help safeguard personal information. In Microsoft Office 2007, Document Inspector helps clean personal information, comments and hidden text from documents, so families can share their documents with confidence.

“These are the most amazing versions of Windows and Office ever,” said Ng. “The visual effects are spectacular; the navigation is streamlined and intuitive. They make it much easier to protect your PC, yourself and your children online. And they work together to help you accomplish more throughout the day.”