Windows Vista delay to boost Mac sales?

While Microsoft has been struggling to release its new operating system, Apple has regularly put out updates for its Mac OS. Moreover, Apple is already strong in areas where Microsoft has promised to deliver key improvements with Vista: security, and features such as video and photo editing and search, analysts said.

"Apple is the one clear beneficiary of the flip in Vista," said Gene Munster, an analyst with Piper Jaffray. If shoppers are looking for what Vista has been promising, the decision is easy, he said. Before, "they would have...had to look at a PC against a Mac. Now they only have one choice, at least for this holiday season, and that's the Mac."