companies in Bermuda already have them on the shelf for consumers.

There is some mixed reaction in the marketplace, with some users saying the system only brings the system up to the "user friendly'' standards that the Apple Macintosh has had for some years.

Tomorrow's launch follows a massive wave of hype and publicity. See story, Page 11 With its user-friendly, graphical interface, Windows 95 has captured the attention of many users who are running DOS or Windows 3.1, and it is expected that PC buyers will soon be inundated with hardware from the major manufacturers which will already have Windows 95 installed.

Windows 95 upgrades are retailing in Bermuda for about $130 (for those already with Windows). The whole product (for PCs without Windows) is about $270.

More programmes can be expected in the near future for Windows 95 and it will run a lot of the existing Windows software, making the running of a PC more convenient and a lot of fun. Microsoft expects to have sent out 20 million copies by year's end. Reviews to eradicate bugs which arise are also scheduled.

"The introduction of Windows 95 has been a long awaited event,'' said Mr.

Deroy Butterfield, desktop product manager at Business Systems Ltd. "It gives you a lot more flexibility in managing your PC. It should give the user better access. I have them on the shelf already.'' President of the 200-strong Bermuda Macintosh Users Group (BERMUG), Mr. Chan McIvor said: "The general opinion you will get from Macintosh users is that PC users are catching up. The whole idea of graphical interface came from Macintosh, so they (Microsoft) are following Macintosh.'' Mr. McIvor also pointed out: "I don't think that most people really know yet how good Windows 95 is. It is a very important tool, make no mistake. We will have to see how the DOS users get on with it, whether they like it or not and whether it does what they want it to do.'' MCS Ltd. senior consultant, Mr. Les Center, noted: "Windows 95 certainly looks like the best windows product that has ever been available. It is certainly a lot more user friendly than previous windows products and it now rivals the user-friendliness of the Macintosh.

"Obviously, Macintosh has had those features and facilities for at least 10 years. The Windows PC environment has never had that and it will now make the operating environment for the user a lot better.'' Mr. Ian MacIntyre, retail manager of The Computer Centre, said: "We are excited about Windows 95. It is going to be a very strategically important product. We have stock of it and will be selling it on day one. We are using it ourselves in-house and it is good stuff.

"It is not completely reliable, because it is the first release. I see people using it in homes. I doubt if you are going to see much corporate commitment to it, certainly at least for a while.''