Windows 7 pre-order pricing (Full versions: Premium £/?49.99, Pro £/?99.99)

[Caminetto]

TechNet sounds like it could be a financial winner for many of us if we were to subscribe this year and let it expire next. But that might only be the case if Office 2010 is released when anticipated, in the first half of next year.
Anyone have update info on Office 2010?

 

[Flatbroke]

Anyone know if I buy the Premium version with 16gb memory limit, could I use a "ready boost" USB stick, maybe a 16gb size, to go above 16gb? Would games have access to this "ready boost" extra memory, or is the USB 2.0 bus too slow to help out a game that I might want to play in the future.

Remember when 1gig memory was enough for gaming? Dont be so sure 16gig + for some new game is in some far off demension.

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: Flatbroke
Anyone know if I buy the Premium version with 16gb memory limit, could I use a "ready boost" USB stick, maybe a 16gb size, to go above 16gb? Would games have access to this "ready boost" extra memory, or is the USB 2.0 bus too slow to help out a game that I might want to play in the future.

Remember when 1gig memory was enough for gaming? Dont be so sure 16gig + for some new game is in some far off demension.

If 16gb isn't enough, then don't count on Ready Boost! Ready Boost is not counted in memory limit though.

 

[Matt L]

I want to pre order but am waiting on details on the "Family Pack". That would be a perfect solution for me. 3 computers at home running off one license would be great if the price is right.

Anyone got any more details?

 

[dslabby]

From Neowin site today:

http://www.neowin.net/news/mai...et-to-rtm-on-july-13th

Confirmed: Windows 7 set to RTM on July 13

Sean Bradford on 03 July 2009 - 06:02 · 136 comments & 16037 views
Advertisement (Why?)
Earlier today the guys over at GeekSmack.net "confirmed" that Windows 7 was set to RTM (release to manufacturing) on July 13, which also coincides with Wzor's unconfirmed rumor last month. A few minutes ago sources close to the company, who wish to remain anonymous, have confirmed to Neowin that Windows 7 is indeed set to RTM on July 13.

After a year of furious beta testing and continuous leaks every other week, Microsoft is finally ready to give Windows 7 the green light to hit the market. Currently the Windows 7 team is working on polishing off the RTM build so that no show-stopper bugs are present in Windows 7. The date, July 13, also coincides with the kickoff of the Worldwide Partner Conference that is taking place in New Orleans.

Note: Don't confuse RTM and GA (General Availability), as these are two totally different phases. RTM in a nutshell is typically the final build that we will see when Windows 7 hits GA later this year (Unless, of course, there's a show-stopper bug found), but is released to manufacturers so they can work out any bugs the software may encounter with hardware devices. General availability is scheduled to launch on October 22, which will give the tech savvy world time to save up money.

So with that said TechNet, MSDN, and a few other partner connections will also be getting the RTM build on July 13. So let the countdown begin!

Less than 2 weeks, WOOT! :shocked:

 

[OCNewbie]

I'm still unsure whether or not I can use my Windows XP Home Upgrade Edition to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Upgrade. Don't you need the full retail version of a previous OS to use the newer OS's upgrade version?

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I'm still unsure whether or not I can use my Windows XP Home Upgrade Edition to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Upgrade. Don't you need the full retail version of a previous OS to use the newer OS's upgrade version?

No. The previous upgrade works.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I'm still unsure whether or not I can use my Windows XP Home Upgrade Edition to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Upgrade. Don't you need the full retail version of a previous OS to use the newer OS's upgrade version?

The Windows 7 upgrade requires the presence of a valid XP license on the target machine. The installer will check the system then wipe the partition with XP before installing Win7.

 

[iluvdeal]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I'm still unsure whether or not I can use my Windows XP Home Upgrade Edition to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Upgrade. Don't you need the full retail version of a previous OS to use the newer OS's upgrade version?

The Windows 7 upgrade requires the presence of a valid XP license on the target machine. The installer will check the system then wipe the partition with XP before installing Win7.

I've read if the upgrade installer does not find a previous Windows installation, you can just insert the previous Windows install CD as proof.

 

[Athena]

Where did you read that? Everything I've seen has said that a WinXP upgrade can only be effected on a machine that has XP installed. Microsoft does not want to end up having one XP CD serve as an upgrade vehicle for 4-5 machines. The object is to phase out legitimate XP licenses, not cannabalize Win7 sales.

 

[slpaulson]

Originally posted by: iluvdeal

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: OCNewbie
I'm still unsure whether or not I can use my Windows XP Home Upgrade Edition to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Upgrade. Don't you need the full retail version of a previous OS to use the newer OS's upgrade version?

The Windows 7 upgrade requires the presence of a valid XP license on the target machine. The installer will check the system then wipe the partition with XP before installing Win7.

I've read if the upgrade installer does not find a previous Windows installation, you can just insert the previous Windows install CD as proof.

Are you sure that's the case?

Despite what most everybody in this thread has been saying, Vista required you to have another OS installed on your PC before you could use your upgrade disc. You could not just insert a previous Windows CD as proof when installing Vista.

Luckily with Vista you could just install Vista once w/o entering a key and activating it, then install Vista again over the unactivated copy. I wouldn't count on Windows 7 letting you do the same.

 

[QueHuong]

Just ordered the Pro version from Amazon.

 

[iluvdeal]

Originally posted by: slpaulson
Are you sure that's the case?

Despite what most everybody in this thread has been saying, Vista required you to have another OS installed on your PC before you could use your upgrade disc. You could not just insert a previous Windows CD as proof when installing Vista.

Luckily with Vista you could just install Vista once w/o entering a key and activating it, then install Vista again over the unactivated copy. I wouldn't count on Windows 7 letting you do the same.

Nope I'm not 100% sure it's the case, I could be wrong. I've just read it on other forums. Here's a post from the Windows 7 Q&A forum at microsoft.com which says the Windows 7 Upgrade disc will prompt you to insert the XP or Vista disc if it does not find a previous install on the hard drive:

http://social.answers.microsof...46e6-8dff-6e115fabeee8

I don't think anyone knows what will actually happen until the upgrade discs actually start appearing.

 

[UberNeuman]

I got the upgrade from Newegg - and no charge on my card yet, I guessing not until it ships....

I've been happy with my Vista install, but I can't ignore a sweet deal like this...

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: UberNeuman
I got the upgrade from Newegg - and no charge on my card yet, I guessing not until it ships....

I've been happy with my Vista install, but I can't ignore a sweet deal like this...

I'm also fine with Vista but went for the upgrade anyway. I was originally just going to get it for the desktop, since I have a retail license and can move the whole kit over to my next machine if/when I get a new box. But at $50 I went ahead and got another for the laptop too (OEM license). So I think this is working exactly as Microsoft wants it to, the discount is driving more people to upgrade early and it's unlikely they'll end up with a lot of XP/Vista holdouts.

 

[xx04201987xx]

what if after I upgrade to the Windows 7 on top of my XP and want to format my computer or something....
Do I need to install XP then install Windows 7 on top of it again??

 

[apexi350z]

I think you can just do a fresh install.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: iluvdeal
Nope I'm not 100% sure it's the case, I could be wrong. I've just read it on other forums. Here's a post from the Windows 7 Q&A forum at microsoft.com which says the Windows 7 Upgrade disc will prompt you to insert the XP or Vista disc if it does not find a previous install on the hard drive:

http://social.answers.microsof...46e6-8dff-6e115fabeee8

I don't think anyone knows what will actually happen until the upgrade discs actually start appearing.

Notice that the person doing all the talking is referencing his experience with XP, not Vista and with ZERO knowledge of Windows 7. He writes that "Microsoft says", but doesn't provide a link.

 

[OCNewbie]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: iluvdeal
Nope I'm not 100% sure it's the case, I could be wrong. I've just read it on other forums. Here's a post from the Windows 7 Q&A forum at microsoft.com which says the Windows 7 Upgrade disc will prompt you to insert the XP or Vista disc if it does not find a previous install on the hard drive:

http://social.answers.microsof...46e6-8dff-6e115fabeee8

I don't think anyone knows what will actually happen until the upgrade discs actually start appearing.

Notice that the person doing all the talking is referencing his experience with XP, not Vista and with ZERO knowledge of Windows 7. He writes that "Microsoft says", but doesn't provide a link.

Noticed

 

[iluvdeal]

Originally posted by: Athena

Notice that the person doing all the talking is referencing his experience with XP, not Vista and with ZERO knowledge of Windows 7. He writes that "Microsoft says", but doesn't provide a link.

I'm not sure where his info is from, but given his activity on that forum and his username, I assume he has had some experience with Windows 7.

On the flip side, have you read any official statements from Microsoft which says the Windows 7 Upgrade must find an existing previous Windows installation on the drive or else you cannot continue?

We know how the Vista Upgrade worked, but who is to says Microsoft will do the same with Windows 7? Vista was a miserable failure for Microsoft afterall.

Here's a forum post from someone who purports to work for Microsoft:

Dido41,
Windows 7 upgrade will be able to do a clean install as long as you have a valid and legal copy of Windows XP or Windows Vista to show during the install. A prompt will appear asking for the cd-rom and product key.
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
http://windows7forums.com/wind...tall-upgrade-only.html

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: iluvdeal

Originally posted by: slpaulson
Are you sure that's the case?

Despite what most everybody in this thread has been saying, Vista required you to have another OS installed on your PC before you could use your upgrade disc. You could not just insert a previous Windows CD as proof when installing Vista.

Luckily with Vista you could just install Vista once w/o entering a key and activating it, then install Vista again over the unactivated copy. I wouldn't count on Windows 7 letting you do the same.

Nope I'm not 100% sure it's the case, I could be wrong. I've just read it on other forums. Here's a post from the Windows 7 Q&A forum at microsoft.com which says the Windows 7 Upgrade disc will prompt you to insert the XP or Vista disc if it does not find a previous install on the hard drive:

http://social.answers.microsof...46e6-8dff-6e115fabeee8

I don't think anyone knows what will actually happen until the upgrade discs actually start appearing.

So what exactly would stop people from downloading XP from Pirate bay or some other torrent site and just use the disk to upgrade?
So in short, you don't need a valid license, you just need an XP cd? That's kinda dumb.

 

[Athena]

What is Windows7Forums.com?
Welcome! This site is an open discussion website about the Microsoft ® Windows 7 ? operating system. This site is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation, and is here for the sole purpose of open public conversation.

The Softies that I've talked with about this say two things:

1. The upgrade to Windows 7 will work like the Vista upgrade (the qualifying product must be installed on the system) rather than the XP method (insert disk to verify).
2. They will provide no further details.

 

[dslabby]

Interesting article that answers many upgrade install questions. Too long to quote, follow link below.

Link to article:

http://www.vista123.net/conten...rade-paths-test-matrix

 

[lxskllr]

Bump as a reminder. This is the last day of the upgrade pricing.

 

[gill77]

In for one.

Thanks guys.