Windows 7 Pricing Announced: Cheaper than Vista

[Rahul964]

Microsoft today announced Windows 7 retail pricing, upgrade information, launch details, and a preorder deal. The software giant has reduced the price on its most popular retail Windows product, the Home Premium upgrade version, by approximately 10 percent (this varies based on the market). In the US, this means a drop from $130 to $120, a savings of $10. For the Home Premium full version, the price drops from $240 to $200. Those are the only differences when comparing Windows Vista prices to Windows 7 prices after Microsoft made cuts in In February 2008 (compared to the ones announced in September 2006).

Read more at Arstechnica and Microsofts Windows Blog.

[HappyAndyK]

The Windows Blog states:

"...as a way of saying thank you to our loyal Windows customers, we are excited to introduce a special time limited offer! We will offer people in select markets the opportunity to pre-order Windows 7 at a more than 50% discount..."

Why only select markets? Why not all !?

[Corrine]

Pre-order information:

In the US, this will mean you can pre-order:

• Windows 7 Home Premium for USD $49.99
• Windows 7 Professional for USD $99.99.

This special offer will be available online via select retail partners such as Best Buy or Amazon, or the online Microsoft Store (in participating markets).

The pre-order timeline is as follows:

• U.S., Canada -- June 26, 2009 through July 11, 2009.
• Japan -- June 26, 2009 through July 5, 2009.
• UK, France and Germany -- July 15, 2009 through AUgust 14, 2009

Note: The special low pre-order price will vary per country. See Windows: Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer

As explained at the Windows Blog, by Microsoft Corporate Vice President Brad Brooks, the situation in Europe is a bit different:

"We wanted to make sure that all of our customers got Windows 7 at the same time. And because of what needed to occur around testing of Windows 7E, it became very clear that we would not be able to offer a retail upgrade version of that piece of software on October 22nd.

So, we had a choice to make. Either we delayed the launch of Windows 7 in Europe or that we brought it all together and did something different. So, what we decided to do is do something different.

And so in Europe we’re going to basically offer Windows 7E full version at upgrade prices."

[seti]

@Corrine nothing showing for the UK at the moment on the link that you posted. So perhaps it will come when it is due to go live

[rkonit]

Windows 7 is faster than Windows Vista
Windows 7 is more reliable than Windows Vista
Windows 7 is cheaper than Windows Vista
and I'm sure...
Windows 7'll be popular than Windows Vista and earlier versions.