Microsoft Announces Windows 7 Retail Prices Ahead of General Availability

[AsRock]

HOLLY CRAP.. I know a place were the sun don't shine and they can put it there.

 

[Kitkat]

this is the first os since 98se that ima actually buy ive been running the beta/rc client since they have been available and it has far succeeded my expectations.
in fact it i get better performance on my rig with W7 ultimate than i did in xp

same on my old and new machine i ddint need any cds for anything my printer it all worked. i didnt need to use a compatibilty or "xp mode either" vista started out great but they stoped listing half way threw. 7 showes they leared but M$ loves to forget so i hope they keep this up EVEN AFTER release. but its my primary on both machines now. Its great.

 

[newtekie1]

I'm still running Windows xp and I was going to buy Vista sp1 Home Prem. for $99, I decided to wait for Win7 Home Prem. But $199?!!!! I'm sure it is worth it. It is hard to save uo money so I think I will just get Vista sp2

Where did you find Vista SP1 Home Premium for $99?

I still say it wont truelly shine till sp1 or 2 but then i might be proven wrong on that lol.

SP1 and SP2 will likely improve it, but right now it is as good as Vista SP2. After all, Win7 is based on Vista SP2 with a few upgrades.

 

[timta2]

I'm thinking of moving to Redmond, the economy must be looking really good from there.

 

[Nick89]

what version do I need to get if I need to install it on three compter in my house? cause I'm not buying it 3 times....

Where did you find Vista SP1 Home Premium for $99?

$99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

.

 

[t77snapshot]

Nick89, I see you edited your post and beat me to it

Where did you find Vista SP1 Home Premium for $99?

$99.99 for the OEM version > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

 

[Triprift]

SP1 and SP2 will likely improve it, but right now it is as good as Vista SP2. After all, Win7 is based on Vista SP2 with a few upgrades.

wich is the way it should be looking forward to final release.

 

[Kitkat]

what version do I need to get if I need to install it on three compter in my house? cause I'm not buying it 3 times....
.

They sell them in 3 pack oems too or i think there is somethng where u can just buy a key. Im not really sure i just buy one.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

hopefully there will be a way how i can extend the activation of my Win7 7100.

 

[h3llb3nd4]

umm... $350 is quite cheap compared to prices here
Vista costed us around $450 once converted

 

[Cuzza]

How come no one likes shelling out money for something they use everyday and can't get through their important little computing lives without, the OS??

I blame China. If those pirating wankers would actually buy windows (95% of PCs in china have illegitimate windows, thats gotta be about 100million computers, lets say 1/4 or them decided to get win 7 at say $100 each, well thats big f*cken $$$$) then maybe MS wouldn't have to buttrape the rest of us as hard. oh not just china, but the rest of asia is pretty damn bad too. maybe. no hard facts here i'm basing this on my own little obscure perception.

 

[Ketxxx]

MS arserape you regardless. They always have. Just look at how much a copy of windows has always costed. Go back as far as you like, they were always expensive.

 

[newtekie1]

what version do I need to get if I need to install it on three compter in my house? cause I'm not buying it 3 times....

No version allows you to install it on 3 computers at once, legally...

$99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

.

Nick89, I see you edited your post and beat me to it


$99.99 for the OEM version > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Why are you comparing the OEM Vista prices to Retail Win7 prices? I do hope you know the difference between the OEM version and the Retail version, and realize there is a reason the OEM version is so much cheaper. I also hope you realize that the Win7 OEM prices will be as cheap, if not cheaper, since the Retail pricing for Home Premium is cheaper most assume the OEM pricing will be cheaper also.

 

[jessicafae]

I do hope you know the difference between the OEM version and the Retail version, and realize there is a reason the OEM version is so much cheaper.

Can someone explain why the OEM version is half the price of the retail? I assumed it was half because it comes without support (no retail support, no MS phone support).

The Vista OEM disclaimer (taken from newegg)

Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.

Maybe this also means one can not "upgrade" from the OEM version to another version. But since the upgrade price and OEM price are the same, this doesn't seem like a big deal.

If Win7 OEM is <$99 I will be very happy to pick up a copy once my RC1 expires.

 

[Braveheart]

im pre ordering pro version now.

 

[Champ]

Yep. I've never paid for a copy of Windows -- and now I never will.

(I'll never forgive them for the death of my boy.)

I can so understand where your coming from. I won't lie, I pirated my first Vista and it had more bugs than a dog kennel. I broke down and brought Vista 64. I hated I did that knowing they are trying to scrape it. I need to find me a better pirater.

 

[Cold Storm]

ahh I was typing it and someone beat me.. lol... Amazon has the same deal along with Tigerdirect, Fry's, Office Depot, Microsoft Store, & Best Buy.

 

[lemonadesoda]

The English version will launch on October 22. PC OEM vendors will be able to start shipping PCs pre-installed with the OS on the same day. Apart from the English version, Windows 7 in Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Chinese (Hong Kong), will be available on the same day.

Err, the Russian version will be available BEFORE 22 October, for sure

 

[Easo]

Too much for me...

 

[newtekie1]

Can someone explain why the OEM version is half the price of the retail? I assumed it was half because it comes without support (no retail support, no MS phone support).

The Vista OEM disclaimer (taken from newegg)

Maybe this also means one can not "upgrade" from the OEM version to another version. But since the upgrade price and OEM price are the same, this doesn't seem like a big deal.

If Win7 OEM is <$99 I will be very happy to pick up a copy once my RC1 expires.

Essentially, you got it right. The OEM version is so much cheaper for several reasons:

1.) Microsoft does not have to provide support. It is the OEM's responsibility to provide support for OEM copies. If you buy an OEM copy of Windows for yourself, then it is your responsibility to support the OS yourself. If you do have to call Microsoft for support, Microsoft will charge you for the support call.

2.) The OEM copy can not be transferred from one computer to another. Once it is installed and activated on a computer, it can not be installed and activated on another. So if you buy the OEM copy and install it on your current computer, then buy a new computer later, you have to buy another copy. The retail version allows you to transfer the licence to another computer as long as you remove it from the previous computer first.

3.) It does't come with all the fancy packaging. You get the disc in a CD sleeve, licence sticker, and the quick start guide, that is it. The retail version comes in a fancy box, with a real instruction manual.

You can upgrade to a new version from the OEM version. However, you are still limitted by the OEM licence. So, say you have an OEM version of Vista, and you buy the upgrade version of Win7, and install it on your current computer. When you buy a new computer, because you can not transfer the Vista OEM licence to the new computer, you won't be able to install your Win7 Upgrade.

 

[mdm-adph]

2.) The OEM copy can not be transferred from one computer to another. Once it is installed and activated on a computer, it can not be installed and activated on another. So if you buy the OEM copy and install it on your current computer, then buy a new computer later, you have to buy another copy. The retail version allows you to transfer the licence to another computer as long as you remove it from the previous computer first.

Pretty sure they have to transfer the license if the mainboard in the first computer "breaks," and you have to buy a replacement.

 

[CDdude55]

Dam those are expensive.

 

[Nick89]

They sell them in 3 pack oems too or i think there is somethng where u can just buy a key. Im not really sure i just buy one.

A 3 pack OEM is like 1000$... I just want to buy one CD/DVD and install it on 3 computers. I did that with XP and had no problems....

 

[farlex85]

I guess they aren't really trying to compete w/ mac. I think I'll skip this unless I can get it for free. Not only does 7 offer nothing compelling over vista (yet), it is now overpriced (b/c I now consider mac competition, and you can get a $29 OS upgrade over there).

Damn you MS *shakes fist defiantly*

 

[LaidLawJones]

A couple of people have said it is a "lousy" upgrade disc. Would someone please explain why the upgrade disc is worse than the full version disc. I am running Vista 64 Ultimate but would like to upgrade to the Pro 7. Does anyone know if the Ultimate version is worth the extra moola. Thanx.