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Dell rep indicates that Windows 7 could cost more than Vista, XP
Microsoft has yet to announce the pricing for Windows 7, which is on track to launch before the holiday season. But according to a Dell official, the new operating system could be more expensive than earlier versions of Windows including Vista and XP.In an interview with CNet, the Dell marketing executive said the average selling price of Windows 7 will be higher, which could affect adoption rates of the new operating system. But I'm not putting too much stock in that statement for two reasons.
First, the average selling price includes the higher end versions of Windows 7 including Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions, while most consumers will likely be interested in Windows 7 Home Premium. And second, there are always a ton of rumors floating around before the launch of new operating systems. Some turn out to be true. Other don't. It's possible that what this particular Dell executive got his information wrong, or that it's based on one possible scenario and that Microsoft hasn't actually set the pricing for the operating system yet.
There's one thing that is clear though. Installing Windows 7 on a machine that's already running Windows Vista or XP will cost more money than leaving your existing operating system in place. So there's pretty much zero chance that you'll be able to pick up Windows 7 without incurring some costs. Whether that's going to slow adoption in any way remains to be seen.
[via Laptop Magazine]
Comments
9
Subscribe to commentslysaofMay 19th 2009 11:29AM
The smart ones already have 7 ultimate and did not pay a dime for it. I know its only good until June of 2010 or March if you wanna avoid the 2 hour shutdown. I still feel like in a year WE will be using our brainwaves to control computers. Unless of course you use a tinfoil hat.
r3loadedMay 19th 2009 10:39AM
"Installing Windows 7 on a machine that's already running Windows Vista or XP will cost more money than leaving your existing operating system in place" - thanks Captain Obvious!
gerrybuttonMay 19th 2009 11:29AM
I plan on buying Windows 7, but hearing that it could cost more than the previous installments kind makes me rethink that. People don't want to pay more for more, they want to pay less for more. Although Apples computers are a tad more expensive than the competition, at least to buy there OS is cheap.
alex1jamMay 19th 2009 11:34AM
Might as well get Linux Ubuntu or any other :)
BertMay 19th 2009 12:51PM
Does this mean that there will not be a "get a free Windows 7 upgrade when you buy this PC with Windows Vista" offer?
RUGRLNMay 19th 2009 1:19PM
If M$ does that, well it's bad enough they shot themselves in the foot with Vista, this would be like committing suicide. First a flop, then a highly priced solution....huh...sounds typical of M$, but then again [ME Fail....XP Win....Vista Fail...7 Win....] Can't deny that, plus number 7, I think W7 is the answer to M$'s problems.
NeoprimalMay 19th 2009 5:33PM
I'll gladly pay more for Windows 7 if they allow me to legally install it on more than 1 computer concurrently. 1 computer for 200+ dollars is RIDICULOUS in this day and age. A day and age when there's a viable albeit 'verbose' free OS and where the competitor while extravagantly expensive in the hardware department, is selling their OS for $150 for 5 users.
PeterMay 19th 2009 9:05PM
Sure you can get 5 OS licenses for $150 but don't forget how much more you paid for that hardware. And don't forget MS gives you updates and service packs with new functionality for free for the life of the OS. The competitor of which you speak releases few updates and makes you buy the full version all over again every 12-18 months to get new functionality. They also never backport new features to older versions.
PeterMay 19th 2009 9:05PM
It's not completely clear if he is talking about the retail product or the fact that Dell would charge more for a new machine with Windows 7 than they do now for Vista.
If he is talking about retail licenses, who cares? Virtually no one buys a retail copies of Windows. Pretty much everyone gets their new OS when they buy a new machine. Since the price of the OS is heavily subsidized by Dell and other OEMs, I don't think consumers have too much to worry about.