Buy Vista ($159 Home Prem/$259 Ultimate) @ BB, get 512MB RAM + TaxCut + OneCare free

[SunnyD]

Per todays BestBuy ad:

Buy Vista Home Premium or higher and get the follow free instantly (instant savings):

H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal + State
Kingston 512MB DDR PC3200 Desktop RAM OR 512MB PC2700 SO-DIMM
Microsoft Live OneCare

Pricing for Vista @ BB
Vista Home Premium = $159.99
Vista Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition = $259.99 <-- Pretty good deal for a retail box.

BestBuy also has other (combinable) Vista deals too. For example, save $50 instantly on a D-Link Draft-N Wireless Router with purchase of Vista on the same receipt.

In browsing the CC ad - they have a similar offer, in fact includes a Lexmark AIW (yuk), Spyware Sweeper (why do you need this if you have OneCare?) and Norton Internet Security (how to make any PC cry in 12 languages) on top of OneCare and the Router. But the CC offer involves MIR's, so imho not as good a deal.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

hmm...

 

[allisolm]

Everybody has free stuff and discounted deals with Vista purchases. Below are some. I'm sure there are more that I don't have ads for or are online.

Staples - free 1GB flash drive, free installation, FAR software ( 9 titles), software for $9.99 AR (9 titles), $50 additional off 500GB drive or GeForce video cards.

Office Depot - FAR software (6 titles) $50 off several Epson printers (making color flatbed all-in-ones $29.99 and $49.99)

CompUSA- FAR software 5 titles including TaxCut premium Fed & state

Circuit City -FAR lexmark all-in-one printer, d-link wireless router, 4 software

Also at Best Buy, if you purchase any Office 2007 software, you get instantly, any DVD up to $20.

 

[FreshPrince]

is the ultimate upgrade or full retail?

I thought it retails for $400...if so, then this deal is smoking!

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Per todays BestBuy ad:

Pricing for Vista @ BB
Vista Home Premium = $159.99
Vista Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition = $259.99 <-- Pretty good deal for a retail box.

Those are upgrade versions and that is suggested retail price. The BestBuy ad fails to mention the fact that they a upgrades.

Costco Prices:
Vista Home Premium Upgrade $146.79
Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition $239.99

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Per todays BestBuy ad:

Pricing for Vista @ BB
Vista Home Premium = $159.99
Vista Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition = $259.99 <-- Pretty good deal for a retail box.

Those are upgrade versions and that is suggested retail price. The BestBuy ad fails to mention the fact that they a upgrades.

Costco Prices:
Vista Home Premium Upgrade $146.79
Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition $239.99

If indeed this is true, then that's pretty slimy of bestbuy.

 

[SilentRunning]

Punch the product numbers in on BestBuy's website and you will see they are upgrades. I don't even think you can get the signature edition as a full version.

 

[jjmIII]

Omax has Home Prem Upgrade for $159 and .99 for a 512mb flash drive or a "learn Vista" CD.

Plus, I have at least three 30 off 150 cards......who doesn't though?

 

[mrrman]

I am going to install the Ulimate version later today or tomorrow once I back my drives up to see if all the drivers for my other devices work...thats my concern...I have already run the compatibility test and a few errors did appear regarding drivers

 

[Staples]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Per todays BestBuy ad:

Pricing for Vista @ BB
Vista Home Premium = $159.99
Vista Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition = $259.99 <-- Pretty good deal for a retail box.

Those are upgrade versions and that is suggested retail price. The BestBuy ad fails to mention the fact that they a upgrades.

Costco Prices:
Vista Home Premium Upgrade $146.79
Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition $239.99

If indeed this is true, then that's pretty slimy of bestbuy.

People love Costco for a reason. They almost always have the lowest retail prices for b&m stores.

 

[ron2368]

Circuit City has Ultimate for $399, I think I will pass on that price. They do not show any "deals" on the website.

 

[coolVariable]

Newegg and Frys have the OEM version for $199:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116213
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5119986?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

And Amazon has it for $249 with Free Super Saver Shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000HCTYTO/cnet-software0a-20/ref=nosim


Mmmmhhh, the BestBuy deal would be semi-warm if the memory worked with my Dell Dimension 4700 .... but it DOESN'T.
And apparently they only offer the deal with those two types of memory.
That is too bad - and how stupid of them.

That leaves the Costco deal as semi-warm for a retail upgrade version.


So after some more looking around (MS not Google had the answer - surprise, surprise), it looks like the Retail Ultimate Upgrade will also make you eligible to get the Family Discount (buy Ultimate Upgrade at Retail and get 2 Home Premium Licenses for $49):
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-17ConsumerOptionsPR.mspx

"Family Discount Rewards Multiple-PC Households

To make it easier for households with multiple PCs to make the move to Windows Vista, Microsoft is launching a limited-time offer for customers who buy retail copies of Windows Vista Ultimate. From Jan. 30 through June 30, the Windows Vista Family Discount will allow North American customers to license two additional copies of Windows Vista Home Premium for use on other PCs in the home at the reduced price of $49.99 each. Before completing the order online, customers will need to enter one valid full or upgrade Windows Vista Ultimate key from their retail boxed product. After eligibility is verified online, the customer can purchase licenses to install Windows Vista Home Premium on one or two additional Windows-based computers. The Windows Vista Family Discount is available only in the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at http://www.windowsvista.com/FamilyOffer ."

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Per todays BestBuy ad:

Pricing for Vista @ BB
Vista Home Premium = $159.99
Vista Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition = $259.99 <-- Pretty good deal for a retail box.

Those are upgrade versions and that is suggested retail price. The BestBuy ad fails to mention the fact that they a upgrades.

Costco Prices:
Vista Home Premium Upgrade $146.79
Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition $239.99

If indeed this is true, then that's pretty slimy of bestbuy.

What else would you expect from BestBuy? They make a living on being slimy.

 

[Jaxidian]

From what I've read, you can't do a clean install with a Vista upgrade - you actually have to go through the upgrade process. WinXP you could always do a clean install from upgrade disks but not Vista.

Just FYI to all who don't know...

 

[Omniprezent]

Originally posted by: coolVariable
Mmmmhhh, the BestBuy deal would be semi-warm if the memory worked with my Dell Dimension 4700 .... but it DOESN'T.
And apparently they only offer the deal with those two types of memory.
That is too bad - and how stupid of them.

Yea, the memory isn't the greatest, but luckily it works for my system. I bought a second stick for $40 and am running them in dual channel, to make 2 gigs now, on my machine. I did have to turn down my bios memory setting from Turbo to Auto, for them to work tho.

FYI, at my Best Buy, they had 2 different "versions" of the sticks, some had very generic looking chips, with no print on them, whatsoever, other than an 8 or so digit number and the others were using NANYA NT5DS64M8BS-5T chips. I went with the Nanya ones because I could match them, number for number for Dual channeling.

As for the deals, IMO the Best Buy(or even the Staples 1 gig flash drive) deal is the best, because you don't need to screw around with rebates. Everything in the Best Buy deal is free, out the door. Since I needed the memory, I went with that deal. I'll give the Tax software to my inlaws(since I already have Turbo Tax) and probably install the Onecare on my laptop(or just let it collect dust, on the shelf).

 

[videopho]

I agree with Omniprezent.
The BB's deal seems to be the "best" buy. I myself like the Home Vista Premium (retailed) and the Kodak Easy-Share 7.1mp for $149.99 ($249.99 MSRP).

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: videopho
I agree with Omniprezent.
The BB's deal seems to be the "best" buy. I myself like the Home Vista Premium (retailed) and the Kodak Easy-Share 7.1mp for $149.99 ($249.99 MSRP).

Which model is that Kodak?

 

[Dutchmaster420]

i just ordered vista ultimate system builders version from microcenter for 199$

 

[toekramp]

Originally posted by: Dutchmaster420
i just ordered vista ultimate system builders version from microcenter for 199$

32 or 64 bit?

 

[Golgatha]

http://emailinfo.bestbuy.com/pp/editor_...1278;1;02&R=T1_CMP_6603&A=1007&ci=6603

Get 12% off Vista with coupon at Best Buy through the 19th of Feb.

 

[videopho]

Originally posted by: Golgatha
http://emailinfo.bestbuy.com/pp/editor_...1278;1;02&R=T1_CMP_6603&A=1007&ci=6603

Get 12% off Vista with coupon at Best Buy through the 19th of Feb.

Offer valid in the following categories: .......
? computer software ? blank digital media and blank video media ? ink cartridges ? printer docks ? paper Cameras & Accessories: digital cameras $279 & up ? digital camcorders $279 & up ? digital camera accessories ?....


Look even better

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: videopho

Originally posted by: Golgatha
http://emailinfo.bestbuy.com/pp/editor_...1278;1;02&R=T1_CMP_6603&A=1007&ci=6603

Get 12% off Vista with coupon at Best Buy through the 19th of Feb.

Offer valid in the following categories: .......
? computer software ? blank digital media and blank video media ? ink cartridges ? printer docks ? paper Cameras & Accessories: digital cameras $279 & up ? digital camcorders $279 & up ? digital camera accessories ?....


Look even better

Yea, I'd say it will qualify.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: videopho
I agree with Omniprezent.
The BB's deal seems to be the "best" buy. I myself like the Home Vista Premium (retailed) and the Kodak Easy-Share 7.1mp for $149.99 ($249.99 MSRP).

I'm failing to find this deal. Can somebody hook me up with a link?

Thanks!

 

[Link]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian
From what I've read, you can't do a clean install with a Vista upgrade - you actually have to go through the upgrade process. WinXP you could always do a clean install from upgrade disks but not Vista.

Just FYI to all who don't know...

This is part true and part false.
You do need a copy of xp installed on your system to start the installation, but you also get an option to do a clean install on another partition or drive that does not have an xp installed.
Also, you get dual boot of xp and vista on one machine if you use this method.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: Link

Originally posted by: Jaxidian
From what I've read, you can't do a clean install with a Vista upgrade - you actually have to go through the upgrade process. WinXP you could always do a clean install from upgrade disks but not Vista.

Just FYI to all who don't know...

This is part true and part false.
You do need a copy of xp installed on your system to start the installation, but you also get an option to do a clean install on another partition or drive that does not have an xp installed.
Also, you get dual boot of xp and vista on one machine if you use this method.

Interesting...

So this means if I want a clean install of Vista on my C: that I need to get WinXP installed on my D:? Also, is the Upgrade only from XP or will any Windows install work? Would probably be quicker/easier to install Win98 real quick on a D: than WinXP to upgrade from.

Thanks for this news! I absolutely HATE all previous "upgrade" installs for Windows OSes - always seems slower and less stable than clean installs.