Windows 7 - UK pricing revealed

Silverhaze · **Joined:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:22 am **Posts:** 3383

Quote:

Windows 7 UK pricing revealed

So long Vista, all is forgiven... now

Microsoft has announced the prices for Windows 7 in the UK. The new OS is currently being put through the beta paces and the final release is due on October 22nd – the "fastest global launch of a Windows Operating System ever,” according to John Curran, Microsoft's Windows Business Lead in the UK.

So how much will it set you back? Well if you start from nothing but a barebones machine and no previous version of Windows to upgrade, it’s £229.99 for the Ultimate edition. Business users can get the Professional edition for £219.99. Home Premium will cost £149.99 – that’s a full 12% discount on the Windows Vista equivalent as Microsoft is mindful of the economic slowdown on tech spending.

Read the full story here:
http://www.t3.com/news/windows-7-uk-pricing-revealed?=39339

I do believe I'll be getting this. About time I paid for an OS. :-"

mikeymike · **Joined:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:05 pm **Posts:** 2027

You'll pay for a retail version, are you insane? The only reason to go with a retail version that I can think of is that you can completely legitimately transfer it to a new PC build without Microsoft asking tricky questions about board replacements.

Otherwise, OEM versions have no problems being activated on a different board, so I've heard

(if anyone asks me any questions on this topic, I shall deny everything!)

I could understand buying a retail licence a bit more for an OS that you know you're going to stick with for a long time, but for all you know, Win7 might not even work very well on your setup, or Win8 finally fixes the Vista legacy properly and outperforms WinXP on equal ground.

Even though the retail versions are extremely over-priced (compare with Apple OS licences for example), at least Microsoft don't seem to be engaging in the usual behaviour for creating UK prices by substituting the dollar sign for a pound sign.

Silverhaze · **Joined:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:22 am **Posts:** 3383

The problem is with the versions you get. As I understand it you dont get the option to choose between 32 and 64bit OS with VistaOEM and I'd like to have that option. You also dont get free support...not that I'd need it but its nice to know its there.

I looked online and tbh I couldnt really find a massive difference in the prices between oem and full versions. Please feel free to prove me wrong though!

I think I'll get the RC copy of W7 and run that until I can buy it.

mikeymike · **Joined:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:05 pm **Posts:** 2027

Silverhaze wrote:

The problem is with the versions you get. As I understand it you dont get the option to choose between 32 and 64bit OS with VistaOEM and I'd like to have that option. You also dont get free support...not that I'd need it but its nice to know its there.

I've bought the 64-bit version of Vista OEM (any version is available) for customers.

Quote:

I looked online and tbh I couldnt really find a massive difference in the prices between oem and full versions. Please feel free to prove me wrong though!

I think I'll get the RC copy of W7 and run that until I can buy it.

With CCL computers, they don't have all the versions available on retail, but here's the best comparison:

Vista OEM:
http://www.cclonline.com/product-catego ... ory_id=404

Vista Retail:
http://www.cclonline.com/product-catego ... ory_id=445

£40 price difference for Home Basic, £50 price difference for Business. I assume the retail version allows one to install in 32 or 64 bit. Admittedly that's a lot better than the retail prices used to be, I remember when XP Pro retail was £270 when the OEM version was just under £100. The upgrade prices are still pretty bad though:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-catego ... ory_id=321

Windows 7 - UK pricing revealed

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