Windows 7 Family Pack Deal Making a Comeback

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Upgrade licenses again? Make it full licenses and then we're talking.
I never dug into it before, but can you use an upgrade license for XP to 7? I know it has to be a fresh install but I never researched to see if the license (and install disc) was good for an upgrade from XP.
 
It really isn't a bad deal. I use both Windows and Linux, and while the masses still aren't moving the Linux on the desktop in droves, lots of them are using it on their Android phone, even if they don't realize it. MS needs to keep the price down to keep ahead. (I know the post isn't about Linux, but it is relevant since it is a viable competing OS that puts price pressure on MS)
 
[citation][nom]puscifer919[/nom]People still pay for Windows?[/citation]
Uhh, duh! And most people actually DO.

Paying for Windows is worth it's weight in gold, really. And, if you don't believe me, you are ignorant.

It's called; I grew up, went to school and got a job.

No activation headaches, WGA, system stability with Windows Updates, downloading software off the Windows website that requires WGA (legal copy pre-WGA) and the overall sense of feeling that you are using a piece of software that you purchased with no update headaches is not worth $150 to you?

I am by no means trying to put you completely down, as I was using a pirated copy of Windows when XP came out, but I was 15 at the time. Too many headaches with pirated software, it's not worth it to me anymore. It's called support the company of the products you are using, ESPECIALLY your operating system.
 
$150 for 3 (making it $50 per), or $120 for one? Unlike most, my first reaction isn't "wow that's a good deal for 3", but rather it's "wow that's a ripoff for one". $50 isn't unreasonable to ask. I think that should be the standard price for an OS. $120 is just overboard.
 
Paying for Windows is worth it's weight in gold, really. And, if you don't believe me, you are ignorant
Click to expand...
I believe differently. For a home PC, yes, you need some sort of OS. But from a Business point-of-view, Windows, or any other OS, is quite worthless. All it allows you to do is have a desktop, whose only purpose is to launch other applications, which have either operating files or data in a remote location. All we really care about is the applications. Windows itself is just used to get us there. The day that Windows can be taken out and we can go straight to the applications we care about will be a day of great savings. Why pay for Windows when a Bookmarks List and web browser can give you the same functionality?
(especially with the trend towards everything being web-based. All you need is a browser. No need for Windows at all)
I realize that for now, we need Windows just because everything is based on it still, but conceptually, it would be wonderful (and eventually possible) to get rid of it nearly entirely.
 
[citation][nom]Anomalyx[/nom]I believe differently. For a home PC, yes, you need some sort of OS. But from a Business point-of-view, Windows, or any other OS, is quite worthless. All it allows you to do is have a desktop, whose only purpose is to launch other applications, which have either operating files or data in a remote location. All we really care about is the applications. Windows itself is just used to get us there. The day that Windows can be taken out and we can go straight to the applications we care about will be a day of great savings. Why pay for Windows when a Bookmarks List and web browser can give you the same functionality?(especially with the trend towards everything being web-based. All you need is a browser. No need for Windows at all)I realize that for now, we need Windows just because everything is based on it still, but conceptually, it would be wonderful (and eventually possible) to get rid of it nearly entirely.[/citation]
From a business point of view windows is the very backbone of many corporate computer arrays. It is the gui & code that allows you to use & run the programs which you believe to be so important. Without it, or another os, programs are meaningless. Might as well get a bluelined tablet & pen. Also to put prices into perspective, some software can easily reach several hundred to thousands of dollars per license in a professional environment. $150-200 or so for an operating system is nothing.

[citation][nom]Anomalyx[/nom]$150 for 3 (making it $50 per), or $120 for one? Unlike most, my first reaction isn't "wow that's a good deal for 3", but rather it's "wow that's a ripoff for one". $50 isn't unreasonable to ask. I think that should be the standard price for an OS. $120 is just overboard.[/citation]
As stated earlier, the cost of the OS is nothing when you compare the sheer amount of use. Let us say that you upgrade every 3 years at a cost of $150. Let us also say that you use your computer every day for 1 hour (which is quite low useage really). This comes out to $0.05/day.




 
[citation][nom]cookoy[/nom]"For that reason, we were left wondering why Microsoft decided to discontinue the Windows 7 Family Pack so soon..."Your loyalty is appreciated but we need more money. Business is business.[/citation]

That is pretty much it. The Family pack was released for a VERY short time, and only to a very small number of retailers. It was intended to promote it and get people hooked. They discontinued making it right the first day, limited edition run. It just took a short while to filter through the channel.

9 times out of 10, if you couldn't get that version, you would eventually buy one copy for the home later. That version was just to get people excited and in the door.
 
[citation][nom]Anomalyx[/nom]I believe differently. For a home PC, yes, you need some sort of OS. But from a Business point-of-view, Windows, or any other OS, is quite worthless. All it allows you to do is have a desktop, whose only purpose is to launch other applications, which have either operating files or data in a remote location.[/citation]

And what do you think those applications run on? Magical Fairy Dust? At the heart of any application is basic calls to the windows API. Things like security, permissions, access parameters, support standards, communication, hardware standards, hardware resource access abstraction. Yep, you're right. Teams of thousands of programmers had nothing to do but provide bookmarks.
 
[citation][nom]ssddx[/nom]Also to put prices into perspective, some software can easily reach several hundred to thousands of dollars per license in a professional environment. $150-200 or so for an operating system is nothing.
As stated earlier, the cost of the OS is nothing when you compare the sheer amount of use. Let us say that you upgrade every 3 years at a cost of $150. Let us also say that you use your computer every day for 1 hour (which is quite low useage really). This comes out to $0.05/day.[/citation]


Quite right. We used to sell software that could be up to $10,000/seat. We were almost amused one day when someone from India called and asked for support for an "Indian language edition of [our product name]" We knew they hacked our software.
 
[citation][nom]Anomalyx[/nom]$150 for 3 (making it $50 per), or $120 for one? Unlike most, my first reaction isn't "wow that's a good deal for 3", but rather it's "wow that's a ripoff for one". $50 isn't unreasonable to ask. I think that should be the standard price for an OS. $120 is just overboard.[/citation]
I agree. If an OS cost $50 it wouldn't be a big deal. They'd probably get back a lot of the business they lose by people trying to reuse licenses, using beta versions, etc...
 
I just think that Microsoft was smart. They made everyone pay 120$ per license, and now switched to there cheaper, more popular alternative.
 
To those wondering about the upgrade, yes you can upgrade from XP. You do have to do a clean install, but the "transfer wizard" actually works pretty well at moving your files and settings over. I've done a few XP to 7 installs and haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood)
 
well you know, windows 7 is getting to the end of its life cycle, so release the family pack to pick up a few billion before moving on.
 
uhhh... no it's not george. Windows 7 is barely 10 months old. Standard lifecycle for a version of Windows is 5 years before entering the Extended Support phase. Mainstream support for Windows 7 will end on January 13th, 2015.
 
I'm glad the family pack is back. I'll be buying one.

Although it is more than I wish to spend, I do not regard $120 as too much money for an OS. I remember paying $150 for CP/M about 35 years ago.
 
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