Microsoft says Vista buyers to get free Windows 7

renovation · 06-25-2009, 07:26 PM

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT) said Thursday that prices for the Windows 7 computer operating system are largely in line with those for Vista, and that consumers who buy PCs before the new system goes on sale in October will get free upgrades.

To drum up demand among people who aren't in the market for a new PC, Microsoft also said it is taking limited pre-orders for Windows 7, selling some for as little as $50.

Windows 7 is Microsoft's first new operating system in almost three years. With Vista, Microsoft made under-the-hood technical changes that left other software companies and device makers scrambling to make their products work with new computers. Many didn't work at Vista's January 2007 launch; people also complained the new system was sluggish.

Microsoft is promising a smoother launch for Windows 7, in part because it's not a radical departure from Vista.

People who have tested near-final versions say Windows 7 boots and runs faster and spends less time nagging the user with alerts and pop-up windows than Vista does. It also tries to make it easier for people to navigate to frequently used Web sites, documents and tasks.

For customers buying new machines, the cost of the Windows software is typically included in the purchase price. The prices announced Thursday are for people who buy Windows separately or upgrade from older versions.

Consumers who buy Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate computers starting Friday can contact the PC manufacturer for a free upgrade when Windows 7 becomes available on Oct. 22. Windows Vista Home Basic is not eligible for upgrade. The offer will run through January 2010.

Microsoft will record only about half the revenue it receives from selling those copies of Windows Vista before Windows 7 launches. The rest, about $200 million to $300 million in sales, will be recognized in later quarters, once the upgrades have been distributed or the program ends, whichever comes first.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker said it will cost people $120 to upgrade their existing machines to the Windows 7 Home Premium version, $10 less than the comparable Windows Vista upgrade software. Upgrades to the Professional and Ultimate versions will cost $200 and $220 respectively, the same as Vista.

By comparison, Apple Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL) said in early June that upgrades to its newest operating system, called Mac OS X Snow Leopard, will cost $30.

The cost is identical regardless of whether the upgraded machine was running Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Versions meant to be installed from scratch on a computer will cost $200, $300 and $320 for Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate.

Home Premium includes the updated look and feel first introduced with Vista, a new system for home networking, the ability to create DVDs and other features. Professional, the next level up, adds features to support people who might have to work from home or use their computer for work on the road. Ultimate is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink edition with added data security and other features more commonly requested by big businesses.

Microsoft is pushing those versions, but it makes three more: Starter, Home Basic and Enterprise. Starter doesn't include the updated look of Vista or Windows 7 and is only available pre-installed by PC makers on certain types of hardware, such as netbooks. Home Basic is only available in developing countries. Enterprise is sold through volume license agreements to big corporate customers.

Vista's weak reception has prompted Microsoft to extend the life of Windows XP, an older system that is less profitable for the software maker.

This time, to goose early sales and build buzz, Microsoft is cutting the Windows 7 price by about half for people who pre-order upgrade software for Home Premium ($50) and Professional ($100).

The sale will start Friday in the U.S., Canada and Japan, and on July 15 in the U.K., France and Germany. It will last for about two weeks, or as long as allotted copies of the software last.

People can buy the software on Microsoft's download site or at retailers including Best Buy Co. (BBY) Inc., which said it is limiting sales to three per customer.

Microsoft would not say how much it will cost to upgrade from a lesser version of Windows 7 to a more robust one. The company also declined to say what effect Windows 7 prices will have on netbooks, a popular category of small, inexpensive laptops. The low prices are possible in part because they run the older, cheaper Windows XP.

Microsoft said this month it is making a version of Windows for Europe that does not come with Internet Explorer, its Web browser, in an attempt to ward off sanctions from antitrust regulators there.

Brad Brooks, a corporate vice president for Windows marketing, said Microsoft hasn't had time to polish upgrade software for Europe, so it plans to sell the full version of Windows 7 to European Union consumers at upgrade prices at least through December. http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D991RCB80.html i'll preorder the windows 7 Professional for myself to save $100.00

johnnymk · 06-26-2009, 09:09 AM

So how many of you are planning to upgrade?

Jeffbx · 06-26-2009, 10:47 AM

I'll make this upgrade. I never switched any of my systems to Vista - everything is still on XP Pro. But I've been running the Windows 7 beta for a while now, and it looks like they've gotten rid of a lot of the things that annoyed me about Vista.

Once Windows 7 is released I'll start using it.

mojo · 06-26-2009, 01:24 PM

i always get free linux upgrades

clutchy · 06-29-2009, 02:54 PM

i'm pretty excited about win 7. It'll be my first OS purchase ever.

InfiniteNothing · 06-29-2009, 10:35 PM

There's no killer features I'm dying for. Not really worth the trouble of install.

ray · 06-29-2009, 11:28 PM

i'm still happy with Windows XP. more of a hassle for me to upgrade.

Markel · 06-30-2009, 08:06 AM

I figure that Microsoft can't afford letting Windows 7 be another Vista or ME. I've been happy with XP, but 5 years from now I'll probably be wanting something more updated, so I decided to pop for a couple of the $50 upgrades. Kind of reminds me how I jumped on 3 of the Windows XP Pro offers that Microsoft (via some helpful forum members) made available to developers for $40 when XP first came out.

ramazank2 · 07-01-2009, 06:55 PM

I am quite happy with vista home premium SP2. but microcenter had a deal to preorder 7 for only $40, so I picked up a voucher. It will be the first time I bought an operating system (not bundled with a new computer). Hopefully they will have some pretty cool launch parties again. I got XP pro for free when it came out.

Prngr44 · 07-06-2009, 09:42 AM

I'll likely use Windows 7 as the catalyst to buy my next computer. I'm still running XP Pro on one of those old Dell SC400 servers.

06-25-2009, 07:26 PM	#1
renovation Vice Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: by a lake in michigan Posts: 4,271	Microsoft says Vista buyers to get free Windows 7 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT) said Thursday that prices for the Windows 7 computer operating system are largely in line with those for Vista, and that consumers who buy PCs before the new system goes on sale in October will get free upgrades. To drum up demand among people who aren't in the market for a new PC, Microsoft also said it is taking limited pre-orders for Windows 7, selling some for as little as $50. Windows 7 is Microsoft's first new operating system in almost three years. With Vista, Microsoft made under-the-hood technical changes that left other software companies and device makers scrambling to make their products work with new computers. Many didn't work at Vista's January 2007 launch; people also complained the new system was sluggish. Microsoft is promising a smoother launch for Windows 7, in part because it's not a radical departure from Vista. People who have tested near-final versions say Windows 7 boots and runs faster and spends less time nagging the user with alerts and pop-up windows than Vista does. It also tries to make it easier for people to navigate to frequently used Web sites, documents and tasks. For customers buying new machines, the cost of the Windows software is typically included in the purchase price. The prices announced Thursday are for people who buy Windows separately or upgrade from older versions. Consumers who buy Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate computers starting Friday can contact the PC manufacturer for a free upgrade when Windows 7 becomes available on Oct. 22. Windows Vista Home Basic is not eligible for upgrade. The offer will run through January 2010. Microsoft will record only about half the revenue it receives from selling those copies of Windows Vista before Windows 7 launches. The rest, about $200 million to $300 million in sales, will be recognized in later quarters, once the upgrades have been distributed or the program ends, whichever comes first. The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker said it will cost people $120 to upgrade their existing machines to the Windows 7 Home Premium version, $10 less than the comparable Windows Vista upgrade software. Upgrades to the Professional and Ultimate versions will cost $200 and $220 respectively, the same as Vista. By comparison, Apple Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL) said in early June that upgrades to its newest operating system, called Mac OS X Snow Leopard, will cost $30. The cost is identical regardless of whether the upgraded machine was running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Versions meant to be installed from scratch on a computer will cost $200, $300 and $320 for Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. Home Premium includes the updated look and feel first introduced with Vista, a new system for home networking, the ability to create DVDs and other features. Professional, the next level up, adds features to support people who might have to work from home or use their computer for work on the road. Ultimate is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink edition with added data security and other features more commonly requested by big businesses. Microsoft is pushing those versions, but it makes three more: Starter, Home Basic and Enterprise. Starter doesn't include the updated look of Vista or Windows 7 and is only available pre-installed by PC makers on certain types of hardware, such as netbooks. Home Basic is only available in developing countries. Enterprise is sold through volume license agreements to big corporate customers. Vista's weak reception has prompted Microsoft to extend the life of Windows XP, an older system that is less profitable for the software maker. This time, to goose early sales and build buzz, Microsoft is cutting the Windows 7 price by about half for people who pre-order upgrade software for Home Premium ($50) and Professional ($100). The sale will start Friday in the U.S., Canada and Japan, and on July 15 in the U.K., France and Germany. It will last for about two weeks, or as long as allotted copies of the software last. People can buy the software on Microsoft's download site or at retailers including Best Buy Co. (BBY) Inc., which said it is limiting sales to three per customer. Microsoft would not say how much it will cost to upgrade from a lesser version of Windows 7 to a more robust one. The company also declined to say what effect Windows 7 prices will have on netbooks, a popular category of small, inexpensive laptops. The low prices are possible in part because they run the older, cheaper Windows XP. Microsoft said this month it is making a version of Windows for Europe that does not come with Internet Explorer, its Web browser, in an attempt to ward off sanctions from antitrust regulators there. Brad Brooks, a corporate vice president for Windows marketing, said Microsoft hasn't had time to polish upgrade software for Europe, so it plans to sell the full version of Windows 7 to European Union consumers at upgrade prices at least through December. http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D991RCB80.html i'll preorder the windows 7 Professional for myself to save $100.00 __________________ be careful of what you wish for . you may get a ton of junk e-mail ! smile or f-off

06-26-2009, 01:24 PM	#4
mojo Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: about 2 min away Posts: 8,063	i always get free linux upgrades __________________ say "hi" to lumbergh for me

06-29-2009, 02:54 PM	#5
clutchy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 2,717	i'm pretty excited about win 7. It'll be my first OS purchase ever. __________________ LK was treated unfairly thanks X

06-29-2009, 10:35 PM	#6
InfiniteNothing Fleet Admiral Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 9,997	There's no killer features I'm dying for. Not really worth the trouble of install. __________________ As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

06-29-2009, 11:28 PM	#7
ray captain awesome Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,961	i'm still happy with Windows XP. more of a hassle for me to upgrade. __________________ new uploader

06-26-2009, 09:09 AM	#2
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,619	So how many of you are planning to upgrade?

06-26-2009, 10:47 AM	#3
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,065	I'll make this upgrade. I never switched any of my systems to Vista - everything is still on XP Pro. But I've been running the Windows 7 beta for a while now, and it looks like they've gotten rid of a lot of the things that annoyed me about Vista. Once Windows 7 is released I'll start using it.

06-30-2009, 08:06 AM	#8
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,270	I figure that Microsoft can't afford letting Windows 7 be another Vista or ME. I've been happy with XP, but 5 years from now I'll probably be wanting something more updated, so I decided to pop for a couple of the $50 upgrades. Kind of reminds me how I jumped on 3 of the Windows XP Pro offers that Microsoft (via some helpful forum members) made available to developers for $40 when XP first came out. __________________ stay low... keep moving...

07-01-2009, 06:55 PM	#9
ramazank2 Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,269	I am quite happy with vista home premium SP2. but microcenter had a deal to preorder 7 for only $40, so I picked up a voucher. It will be the first time I bought an operating system (not bundled with a new computer). Hopefully they will have some pretty cool launch parties again. I got XP pro for free when it came out.

07-06-2009, 09:42 AM	#10
Prngr44 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,232	I'll likely use Windows 7 as the catalyst to buy my next computer. I'm still running XP Pro on one of those old Dell SC400 servers. __________________ http://otthouse.blogspot.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

User Name
Password
Remember Me?