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

[California Roll]

Originally posted by: chilifries

Originally posted by: ozone13

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: ozone13
Jeez, for that price, just get a technet subscription....you get EVERY OS and major Microsoft application, and you get 10 licenses of each for $350.

http://technet.microsoft.com/e...bscriptions/renew.aspx

Does this mean I could get 10 licenses of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Home Server, Office 2007, etc., for $350 per year?

its $350 period...the licenses don't expire. After one year, if you don't renew, you just can't redownload any new stuff, but all your existing downloads (and keys) still work just fine. Unfortunately, the Home Server is not on technet....I think that's because its technically OEM only, and not retail.

Technet does have WHS (Windows Home Server) now. They added it a few months ago.

My Technet subscription expired last month... debating now whether to pick up win7 for $49 or hope Technet goes on sale again for $99 (It's currently on sale for $250).

I apologize for sidetracking this thread with TechNet questions but this is really piquing my interest.

I can really get 10 license keys for pretty much every MS OS and app with the subscription?

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: chilifries

Originally posted by: ozone13

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: ozone13
Jeez, for that price, just get a technet subscription....you get EVERY OS and major Microsoft application, and you get 10 licenses of each for $350.

http://technet.microsoft.com/e...bscriptions/renew.aspx

Does this mean I could get 10 licenses of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Home Server, Office 2007, etc., for $350 per year?

its $350 period...the licenses don't expire. After one year, if you don't renew, you just can't redownload any new stuff, but all your existing downloads (and keys) still work just fine. Unfortunately, the Home Server is not on technet....I think that's because its technically OEM only, and not retail.

Technet does have WHS (Windows Home Server) now. They added it a few months ago.

My Technet subscription expired last month... debating now whether to pick up win7 for $49 or hope Technet goes on sale again for $99 (It's currently on sale for $250).

I apologize for sidetracking this thread with TechNet questions but this is really piquing my interest.

I can really get 10 license keys for pretty much every MS OS and app with the subscription?

I think the idea is to be able to test any of the OS's or apps. I don't think you're supposed to use any of the licenses in a production environment. I.e. use one Technet sub to license ten computers in a house or business for everyday use. I could have sworn that I read that in the license terms.

 

[maximumx8]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Originally posted by: etrin
MAN I have to post this and hope people also feel this way...I KNOW I DO

Stephen Baker, an analyst from NPD Group, has also panned Microsoft on Windows 7 pricing:

"Besides the fact that $119 is a price point that fits nowhere in these economic times, it is still way too much for the software. While I acknowledge that this is down from Vista pricing, that is damning with faint praise. It is in Microsoft?s best interests to erase all vestiges of Vista from consumers? homes, and by making the upgrade expensive (and a bit painful, more on that in a moment) Microsoft is creating a large disincentive for consumers to move to a far superior platform with a better user experience.

Baker went on to criticize Microsoft for not offering a family pack option for users who would like to purchase 3 or 5 copies for other PCs throughout their home. The inevitable comparison to Apple Snow Leopard was also made: "Although I don?t think it is exactly equivalent, Apple?s Snow Leopard pricing model ($29 for a one user license and $49 for a five user license) is much more appropriate to driving adoption and raising customer satisfaction levels. This is a direction I would have much preferred to see Microsoft head into."

Yep. People love to bitch.
I think $50 is fair......I see plenty of people walk into Best Buy and spend more than that yearly on junk virus software.

But, It is MS, so lets all complain!!

🙂

down with MS ......u know we all r going 2 get f#@ked on this deal some how??

 

[hondaf17]

Wow, good deal at Microcenter - I'll stop in there later today...

Comparing the verisons it seems there is no reason for me to get Professional. I like that Home Premium comes with Media Center.

I read this entire thread but still don't know what upgrade means.

I'm running Vista Ultimate 64-bit...does Vista need to be installed in order for me to install W7? Ideally I'd like to wipe Vista Ultimate clean, re-format and install W7 myself. I generally re-format once a year and don't want to have to install Vista Ultimate, then "upgrade" to W7 each time.

 

[plion]

I'm running Vista 64-bit...does Vista need to be installed in order for me to install W7? Ideally I'd like to wipe Vista clean, re-format and install W7 myself. I generally re-format once a year and don't want to have to install Vista, then "upgrade" to W7 each time.

I'd really like a clear answer on this too if anyone can chime in

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: CPA
[Wait a minute, so I will lose everything on my HD? f* that! I don't want to have to reinstall everything.

So you don't want to upgrade from XP to Windows 7. That's okay, no one is forcing you to do that. You could try buying a full retail version of Vista, which does support in-place upgrades from XP, then buy a Win7 upgrade.

It's up to you -- I know what I'm going to be doing for my parent's machines -- both of which are running XP Home.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: plion

I'm running Vista 64-bit...does Vista need to be installed in order for me to install W7? Ideally I'd like to wipe Vista clean, re-format and install W7 myself. I generally re-format once a year and don't want to have to install Vista, then "upgrade" to W7 each time.

I'd really like a clear answer on this too if anyone can chime in

My understanding is you can do a new install with an upgrade W7 as long as you have your Vista key.

You can upgrade in place as long as you are going 64bit Home to W7 64bit Home, for example.

If you are trying to switch between 32/64bit then you need a new install. If you're downgrading say from Vista Ultimate, to W7 Pro/Home, then you will need a new install.

Nothing I've read says you need to install Vista first then upgrade in order to get W7 going as a "new" install with an upgrade disc.

 

[hondaf17]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: plion

I'm running Vista 64-bit...does Vista need to be installed in order for me to install W7? Ideally I'd like to wipe Vista clean, re-format and install W7 myself. I generally re-format once a year and don't want to have to install Vista, then "upgrade" to W7 each time.

I'd really like a clear answer on this too if anyone can chime in

My understanding is you can do a new install with an upgrade W7 as long as you have your Vista key.

You can upgrade in place as long as you are going 64bit Home to W7 64bit Home, for example.

If you are trying to switch between 32/64bit then you need a new install. If you're downgrading say from Vista Ultimate, to W7 Pro/Home, then you will need a new install.

Nothing I've read says you need to install Vista first then upgrade in order to get W7 going as a "new" install with an upgrade disc.

Can anyone else confirm?

I just called MicroCenter and that sales rep said Vista would have to be physically installed and then upgrade to W7. But who knows how knowledgable he was. If that's true it defeats the entire purpose for me...

 

[California Roll]

From what I understand about the upgrade is that Vista/XP needs to be already installed on your computer. You launch the Win7 installer, it checks if you have a valid install, and then it does a COMPLETE WIPE of your drive and installs itself.

It's basically a new install (which I prefer) but you need to have a previous OS installed already. It does not upgrade XP/Vista -> 7 and keeps your apps/data intact. I know some people will hate this but I prefer this way. It's usually a cleaner install.

I could be totally wrong but this is what I've been reading from multiple sources.

edit: For those of you that like to do yearly re-installs (which includes me), ghost/image your drive after the first install.

 

[polypterus]

Originally posted by: California Roll
From what I understand about the upgrade is that Vista/XP needs to be already installed on your computer. You launch the Win7 installer, it checks if you have a valid install, and then it does a COMPLETE WIPE of your drive and installs itself.

It's basically a new install (which I prefer) but you need to have a previous OS installed already. It does not upgrade XP/Vista -> 7 and keeps your apps/data intact. I know some people will hate this but I prefer this way. It's usually a cleaner install this way.

I could be totally wrong but this is what I've been reading from multiple sources.

This source seems to disagree: "You can perform a clean install of Windows 7 with the Upgrade media, as you could with Windows Vista."

 

[California Roll]

The installer will verify that XP is genuine and Windows 7 will have to be installed on the same partition as the XP installation. The good news is that Microsoft is allowing XP users to buy the cheaper upgrade version if they want to (Microsoft typically lets owners of the two previous releases of Windows to do this, in this case XP and Vista).

Windows Vista users can follow multiple upgrade paths to Windows 7. As was the case when upgrading from XP to Vista, you will only need to perform a clean install if you are going to a version that is lower on the food chain. For example, if you are going from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium, you would do a clean install. If you are going from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate, you do not need to do a clean install. When you switch to a higher version, you're adding on the existing functionality, but when you're going to a lesser version, you're taking away functionality, thus the need for a clean install.

Clean installs will also have to be performed when upgrading from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version, regardless of edition. Unless the user chooses to repartition or format the current partition, Vista's files from C:\WINDOWS will be preserved under C:\WINDOWS.OLD, just as when upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

http://arstechnica.com/microso...cheaper-than-vista.ars

I think the install on top of existing OS may be for XP only, and not Vista? Yeah, I'm confused now.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Originally posted by: etrin
MAN I have to post this and hope people also feel this way...I KNOW I DO

Stephen Baker, an analyst from NPD Group, has also panned Microsoft on Windows 7 pricing:

"Besides the fact that $119 is a price point that fits nowhere in these economic times, it is still way too much for the software. While I acknowledge that this is down from Vista pricing, that is damning with faint praise. It is in Microsoft?s best interests to erase all vestiges of Vista from consumers? homes, and by making the upgrade expensive (and a bit painful, more on that in a moment) Microsoft is creating a large disincentive for consumers to move to a far superior platform with a better user experience.

Baker went on to criticize Microsoft for not offering a family pack option for users who would like to purchase 3 or 5 copies for other PCs throughout their home. The inevitable comparison to Apple Snow Leopard was also made: "Although I don?t think it is exactly equivalent, Apple?s Snow Leopard pricing model ($29 for a one user license and $49 for a five user license) is much more appropriate to driving adoption and raising customer satisfaction levels. This is a direction I would have much preferred to see Microsoft head into."

Yep. People love to bitch.
I think $50 is fair......I see plenty of people walk into Best Buy and spend more than that yearly on junk virus software.

But, It is MS, so lets all complain!!

🙂

It may be ok, if it was a multiple pc install liscense, this $50 offer is not.

 

[gigahertz20]

The same way you can do a clean install of Vista using a Vista upgrade disc should still work with a Windows 7 upgrade disc according to some places. Process is down below:


The process is very simple, except you will have to install Vista twice. This process has worked for many, although I have never personally tested this.

1. Boot your computer using the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD:
To do this, make sure you have your DVD in your PC before your computer moves on to the 2nd screen at bootup. You may have to configure your BIOS so your DVD drive is recognized as a boot device.

2. Install normally but DO NOT enter your product key:
Make sure you follow this step. By not entering your product key, you will install Vista as a 30-day trial.

3. Select the version of Windows Vista purchased:

4. Re-install Vista within Vista:
Once you are finished installing Vista, go to My Computer, and install Windows Vista.

5. Install and type in your Product Key:
When prompted, enter your Product Key.

6. Perform a Custom (advanced) Install:
You will come to a point where you have to choose between an Upgrade and Custom Install. Make sure to choose Custom. Windows should now perform a clean install of Vista on your PC. Don?t forget to restart.

 

[bullbert]

Originally posted by: Elixer
Leave it to MS to screw everything up, yet again.

First off, they should offer people with vista, a *very* steep discount for being guinea pigs. It should be the cost of the media, and that is it.
Then they should offer everyone with a older version of windows, (XP+) a good discount. As it is now, they force you to wipe your drive, and reinstall everything, so unless you upgrade XP to vista to win7, then good luck finding all your old keys to reinstall everthing...which isn't much of a "upgrade" considering all the time you must spend to get your new machine to behave like your old machine.
Not to mention, all the 3rd party apps that you have on your current install, all of the sudden, they require a 'update' themselves. (Think AV/firewall/whatever programs...)
In the end, you will most likely be spending another $50-100 (or more) on those.
They should also offer both 32 & 64 bit versions of the OS on the same DVD(s).

Heck, I also bet that most places will offer better deals than what MS offers. Nobody pays MSRP for anything, these days, unless it is a spur of the moment purchase.

/end rant 🙂

You are still missing the mark. First off (AND lastly), they should offer EVERYONE, the price of $15 USD for a FULL install Ultimate version. No upgrade versions, no OEM versions, no crippled Home Basic versions, just ONE version to support. Their internal memos already state that MS could do this and still make a healthy profit.

 

[TemjinGold]

Originally posted by: bullbert

Originally posted by: Elixer
Leave it to MS to screw everything up, yet again.

First off, they should offer people with vista, a *very* steep discount for being guinea pigs. It should be the cost of the media, and that is it.
Then they should offer everyone with a older version of windows, (XP+) a good discount. As it is now, they force you to wipe your drive, and reinstall everything, so unless you upgrade XP to vista to win7, then good luck finding all your old keys to reinstall everthing...which isn't much of a "upgrade" considering all the time you must spend to get your new machine to behave like your old machine.
Not to mention, all the 3rd party apps that you have on your current install, all of the sudden, they require a 'update' themselves. (Think AV/firewall/whatever programs...)
In the end, you will most likely be spending another $50-100 (or more) on those.
They should also offer both 32 & 64 bit versions of the OS on the same DVD(s).

Heck, I also bet that most places will offer better deals than what MS offers. Nobody pays MSRP for anything, these days, unless it is a spur of the moment purchase.

/end rant 🙂

You are still missing the mark. First off (AND lastly), they should offer EVERYONE, the price of $15 USD for a FULL install Ultimate version. No upgrade versions, no OEM versions, no crippled Home Basic versions, just ONE version to support. Their internal memos already state that MS could do this and still make a healthy profit.

You must be dreaming if you think MS is going to sell everyone a FULL Ultimate for $15 USD.

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: chilifries

Originally posted by: ozone13

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: ozone13
Jeez, for that price, just get a technet subscription....you get EVERY OS and major Microsoft application, and you get 10 licenses of each for $350.

http://technet.microsoft.com/e...bscriptions/renew.aspx

Does this mean I could get 10 licenses of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Home Server, Office 2007, etc., for $350 per year?

its $350 period...the licenses don't expire. After one year, if you don't renew, you just can't redownload any new stuff, but all your existing downloads (and keys) still work just fine. Unfortunately, the Home Server is not on technet....I think that's because its technically OEM only, and not retail.

Technet does have WHS (Windows Home Server) now. They added it a few months ago.

My Technet subscription expired last month... debating now whether to pick up win7 for $49 or hope Technet goes on sale again for $99 (It's currently on sale for $250).

I stand corrected....just checked, and it IS there. It wasn't there for the first 10-12 months of WHS's release, so after that I just quit checking.

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: chilifries

Originally posted by: ozone13

Originally posted by: California Roll

Originally posted by: ozone13
Jeez, for that price, just get a technet subscription....you get EVERY OS and major Microsoft application, and you get 10 licenses of each for $350.

http://technet.microsoft.com/e...bscriptions/renew.aspx

Does this mean I could get 10 licenses of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Home Server, Office 2007, etc., for $350 per year?

its $350 period...the licenses don't expire. After one year, if you don't renew, you just can't redownload any new stuff, but all your existing downloads (and keys) still work just fine. Unfortunately, the Home Server is not on technet....I think that's because its technically OEM only, and not retail.

Technet does have WHS (Windows Home Server) now. They added it a few months ago.

My Technet subscription expired last month... debating now whether to pick up win7 for $49 or hope Technet goes on sale again for $99 (It's currently on sale for $250).

I apologize for sidetracking this thread with TechNet questions but this is really piquing my interest.

I can really get 10 license keys for pretty much every MS OS and app with the subscription?

Correct. And some of the keys on Technet are different for 32 bit vs 64 bit, and Office professional vs office ultimate....this means you get 10 keys PER type (so 10 32 bit, and 10 64 bit). I think some of MS's recent releases, however, combine it so a 32 bit key works on 64 bit, and vice versa (so in that case, you'd only get 10 keys total).

The basic function of technet is for testing (and stipulated in the license agreement as such), HOWEVER, the software you get is fully functional the same as retail....just don't be surprised if you get limited support from MS if you call them, however. If you have technet you are assumed to have a certain level of technical knowledge anyways to be able to troubleshoot and fix issues.

 

[California Roll]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback on Technet. I'm in.

 

[Elixer]

Originally posted by: bullbert
You are still missing the mark. First off (AND lastly), they should offer EVERYONE, the price of $15 USD for a FULL install Ultimate version. No upgrade versions, no OEM versions, no crippled Home Basic versions, just ONE version to support. Their internal memos already state that MS could do this and still make a healthy profit.

I can't really argue about only offering one version of the OS, instead of 6 SKUs, and then 32 & 64bit versions of each, is rather silly.

Would have been nice to only have to worry about 1 SKU. 🙂

Heck, since MS makes the most $$$ off volume sales, and not retail, they are not really worried about the average person, since most of them will just get a new machine whenever a new OS comes out. They almost always get a better deal that way.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: CPA
[Wait a minute, so I will lose everything on my HD? f* that! I don't want to have to reinstall everything.

So you don't want to upgrade from XP to Windows 7. That's okay, no one is forcing you to do that. You could try buying a full retail version of Vista, which does support in-place upgrades from XP, then buy a Win7 upgrade.

It's up to you -- I know what I'm going to be doing for my parent's machines -- both of which are running XP Home.

My problem is that in this day and age it should not be difficult to do an upgrade without having to wipe off everything on my harddrive. It is recockulous.

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Originally posted by: TemjinGold

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Originally posted by: etrin
one last question is this a one time install or can we reinstall with new hardware?

x2



Kinda funny, but I ordered from MS last night and pd 58.55 with shipping/tax. Like any worthwhile HDer, I cancelled and went with Newegg and free shipping - 3% bing. NOW, I might have to cancel again and go TigerDirect and 15% bing. Uggg!

You know you wanna... :evil:

Ya, but I'm not buying "filler" so I'll have to buy 3 copies then!! :disgust:

OK, canceled the Newegg order, and went with 3 copies at TigerDirect and - 15% bing!

AND....it is funny a bunch of Anand geeks are so afraid of a fresh install.......weak!

 

[Staples]

Down for two.

Can't beat these upgrade prices.

 

[edm]

Stupid question, but I am currently running XP pro. Once I upgrade to Win 7, can I still use the xp key if I choose to uninstall Win7 and reinstall XP? or does upgrading void the XP key all together?

 

[boomhower]

i'm in for Home Premium from Amazon. $50 is very fair IMHO.

 

[NasdaqTrader889]

Same here, in for one at amazon. I remember getting WinXP Pro at this price a few years back.