Microsoft's new consumer operating system pricing strategy

[ArizonaSteve]

Are they including both the x86 and x64 versions in the same box now?

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
I'd rather windows 7 be like the next xp and last about a decade.

xp is awesome

 

[AdamK47]

I'll be sticking to OEM versions. No need to buy the retail version at twice the price. I've never had a problem activating an existing install after replacing the motherboard, or any piece of hardware for that matter.

 

[OCGuy]

Windows 7 is finally going to get me off XP. Ill probably be using that for a while.

 

[TwiceOver]

I saw the article on how everyone is jizzing themselves over the Windows 7 pricing strategy and I still don't get it. 7 Business is still the same price as Vista Business. Maybe the upgrades are cheaper, but the full install media doesn't appear to be any less to me.

 

[Hacp]

It costs too much to upgrade the buisiness version.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Yarrrrr!!!

Me 2

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
I'd rather windows 7 be like the next xp and last about a decade.

this

 

[her209]

Apple gets away with it because it "controls" the hardware that Mac OS runs on. Microsoft doesn't.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: her209
Apple gets away with it because it "controls" the hardware that Mac OS runs on. Microsoft doesn't.

and this

 

[evident]

just bought my first windows OS today. W7 Pro for $100

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Barfo

Originally posted by: Dari
I forgot where I read it but Microsoft said they admired Apple's operating system strategy. Apple has (arguably) churned out 7 service packs in 10 years and their customers have lined up to pay for each one. Microsoft has churned out only 4 in that time period. IIRC, Microsoft has a program for businesses where customers pay a yearly fee and are able to get the latest operating system. I don't think it caught on so they've decided to try a different way by going the Apple route. Windows 7 may be the starting point of this new pricing model.

So, my question is, will you buy a brand new operating system from Microsoft in 2-3 years time like Apple users do if the features were compelling enough?

Fixed that for you.

Yeah... you have no idea what you're talking about.

They haven't been 7 new full operating systems, but the prices have ranged from $0 to $29 up to $129 for a complete, non-gimped version. Pricing depends on how much they've improved in the new version.

The thing that MS should think about copying from Apple with regard to OS releases and pricing is Apple's family packs. 5 licenses for less than the cost of two individual licenses. I doubt there are many Anandtech members who wouldn't come out ahead with that pricing scheme.

10.0 -> 10.1 was free
10.5 -> 10.6 is $29

Every other one was $129, unless you upgrade from 10.4 to 10.6, in which case it's $159.

Family packs are a nice idea.

Couple other things - Apple's updates have been getting less frequent since the early days of OS X. Also, Apple customers will line up to buy anything by Apple, so it's no surprise they'd line up for OS updates. On the other hand, a lot of Windows users actually hate MS or at least grudgingly put up with them.

Lastly, I'd say they're more than service packs but not as big as MS's OS updates.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Nopers. Vista is da debil, and 7 isn't enough better for me to care. I'll stick with linux mainly, and XP does everything I need a windows OS for perfectly well.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
I'd rather windows 7 be like the next xp and last about a decade.

this

 

[ivan2]

already ordered 7 regardless of what pricing strategy they have =(

 

[dr150]

Does "XP COMPATIBILITY" of the $99 version give you benefits for gaming?

I hear it's a stripped down version of XP (no Directx) made specifically for some proprietary corporate software.....

 

[PingSpike]

How and why does MS think its going to do what apple is doing, I have no idea. Most of the shit apple does that their tiny fanbase loves just pisses off Microsoft's largest customer base: Business. Businesses hate change. IT is a cost.

Case in point: Office 2007. Is that ribbon thing the most efficient way to use it? The answer is who cares. If I have 70 users that are trained up on how to do it the old way and 3 new guys, who cares if its easy to train the 3 new guys? I'd be more concerned about having to go retrain the 70 existing users that were already all set. Why do you think everyone still uses QWERTY keyboards?

When it comes time to buy a new OS or whatever, if all my users know the Microsoft stuff then I'll get what they know to ease the transition and save on training costs. But if Microsoft changes all their shit then suddenly I actually will look at alternatives because I'm going to have to retrain them no matter what.

 

[dennilfloss]

I got a Vista 64 Ultimate SP1 upgrade disc for free so I'll give this a try (with SP2) first before spending money.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Barfo

Originally posted by: Dari
I forgot where I read it but Microsoft said they admired Apple's operating system strategy. Apple has (arguably) churned out 7 service packs in 10 years and their customers have lined up to pay for each one. Microsoft has churned out only 4 in that time period. IIRC, Microsoft has a program for businesses where customers pay a yearly fee and are able to get the latest operating system. I don't think it caught on so they've decided to try a different way by going the Apple route. Windows 7 may be the starting point of this new pricing model.

So, my question is, will you buy a brand new operating system from Microsoft in 2-3 years time like Apple users do if the features were compelling enough?

Fixed that for you.

I agree with the change you made. They didn't really do anything but fix bugs and change menus slightly. It's a scam really.

 

[rudeguy]

anyone know how it works if I am using a Windows 7 RC? Can I buy an upgrade or do I have to buy the whole thing, uninstall everything, then reinstall?

 

[Lonyo]

You mean like Win 3 -> Win 3.1 -> Win 95 -> Win 98 -> Win ME/XP?
Oh look, ~3 years between each OS.

People seem far too hung up on the gap between XP and Vista, not realising that it was that gap which was the weird bit, and Vista -> Win 7 is the normal sequence of things.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: NSFW
anyone know how it works if I am using a Windows 7 RC? Can I buy an upgrade or do I have to buy the whole thing, uninstall everything, then reinstall?

You cant convert a RC version to a regular version. You will have to either buy the upgrade and use a Vista/XP key to install, or buy the full version of Win 7 and do a fresh install.

 

[nerp]

I'm going to have to jump on the preorder upgrade pricing right now. $49 for Home Premium upgrade? I'll bite. Will probably grab a $99 Business upgrade disc.

 

[PhaZe]

Anyone want to go 50/50 on a technet subscription?

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: mcvickj

Originally posted by: Sheik Yerbouti
I bought the pre-order today. I really like windows 7, and for 50 bux, it's a hellava deal.

I thought about that but I want the full version. I've never had great luck with upgrading a previous Windows OS.

from what i read, if you have XP and you get the upgrade, you still have to do a fresh install - just on the same partition XP was on. so really, you are getting a full version clean install.