By David Field -

Almost twelve years on from the release of Windows 95, Microsoft has finally released Windows Vista, the first new operating system since Windows XP. A new version of Office is also included in the bundle which will decide how successful the next couple of years are going to be for the IT giant.

The two packages make up 56 per cent of Microsoft's profits, according to the BBC, which accounted for an operating profit of £9.5 billion during the last financial year. Launching both of them at the same time could be seen as a bit of a gamble by Microsoft and some experts have called into question how successful it will be. To search online for the best deals on PC's and PC accesories, UK Net Guide's Shop and Compare will point you in the right direction!

However, in reality the company has very little to worry about. In terms of exposure, some companies would probably prefer to stagger product launches to maximise the amount of attention they receive. It's what record companies attempt to do with their own artists and this is only ever undone by the release form a rival company in the same week. Microsoft doesn't have the problem of exposure, it is without doubt one of the largest companies in the world and when it speaks, people listen.

It has become fashionable to criticise and attack Microsoft because it has become a 'middle of the road' company. Even though it invests millions in its research and development, people refuse to accept that its products are cutting edge. If a Microsoft programme was repackaged and given an underground name, it would take off on message boards all over the world. Quite basically, Microsoft rules the roost and nobody else can come close in terms of PC software.

Much has been made about the challenge that Apple poses, rejuvenated under its reinstated chief executive Steve Jobs. Both companies are now undoubtedly the giants of the technology world and if you're not running Windows, you're probably running an Apple OS on a Mac. Microsoft and Apple will never destroy each other and they will continue to live in tandem, despite veiled attempts to undercut each other. The Zune – Microsoft's iPod killer – is designed to have a crack at sharing the market. But it will never drive the iPods out of business in a month of Sundays.

Office is still the staple of PC software and one of the desirable things about buying a Mac is that you can now get the latest Office as well. This kind of cooperation between the two companies demonstrates their dual success and shows that Microsoft has very little to worry about.

Vista will succeed just as XP did when it followed on from the original operating systems.