Windows 7 Starter Rumored at $200... Really?

[JonnyDough]

I also think that Microsoft is trying to keep PC prices high. Prices are falling on PC components (i.e. smaller manufacturing processes and competition causing memory and chip prices to fall). As a result, computers are selling for less money. Microsoft sees an opportunity to make more money. Sell the OS for more, keep computer prices where they are, and people will continue to purchase them. Once Windows 7 saturates, it's time for a new repacked OS. I mean honestly...Microsoft makes BILLIONS off an Operating System, and it's just a bit of collaborative networking to get drivers and software into place, and then planning and writing the code. It does not even take a billion dollars to write the OS, get it supported by software developers, and distribution. Heck, MARKETING the OS is probably more than half the cost.

 

[Guest]

I think you are all getting this wrong! I think they are listing the price of the lowest level of OS so high, to make sure nobody goes out there and purchases is instead of any of the other versions.
They will then give OEMs a huge break to put it on low cost hardware.
That way Microsoft has no worries of that market segment eating away at the next higher market segment. Smoke and mirrors.

 

[Guest]

@ tayb

Running vista and xp in multi boot enviroment using hyperos, have 5 vista installations and 2 xp, have downloaded the beta and tested it through and through, I build computers for a living so as such need to be ahead of all the operating systems out there as i have to support them, so get your facts straight before going on the flame!!!

And for the record #7 is not a bad operating system, neither is vista, but the upgrade to #7 is not feasible especially if you are running dx10.1 hardware. dx 11 will be the best thing of #7 but this will still take years to become mainstream just like dx 1o

 

[smalltime0]

[citation][nom]fuser[/nom]"Someone" told you that the starter price for an OS that isn't coming out this year is going to cost $200 and you decided to write a story about it. LOL[/citation]
Ive got some newer info... Microsoft allows payments in candy!
Quick to the interwebs!

No seriously, wait for the official list and even then for the OEM list price.

 

[Guest]

$200 is way too high. Here in the Philippines, Windows Vista Starter is sold here around $42 only. That's retail.

 

[tayb]

[citation][nom]moricon[/nom]@ taybRunning vista and xp in multi boot enviroment using hyperos, have 5 vista installations and 2 xp, have downloaded the beta and tested it through and through, I build computers for a living so as such need to be ahead of all the operating systems out there as i have to support them, so get your facts straight before going on the flame!!!And for the record #7 is not a bad operating system, neither is vista, but the upgrade to #7 is not feasible especially if you are running dx10.1 hardware. dx 11 will be the best thing of #7 but this will still take years to become mainstream just like dx 1o[/citation]

I called you an idiot because you called 7 a spray-painted version of Vista. If you actually knew anything about computers you would be able to recognize the substantial changes under the hood and to the GUI. If you want to label 7 as Vista SP2 then you are infact an idiot, sorry.

 

[matt_b]

[citation][nom]ProDigit80[/nom]I hope Win7 will be customizable to a Win2000/98 look!I absolutely loathe having a slower system (less responsive) due to too many graphical changes.Even my desktop background is plain black, in order to save memory.The inability to view live thumbnails is plain stupid!I think the option should be there to enable or disable as one likes, though one should be able to disable all the icons for say adobe reader, or txt files.That's taking up memory and system speed!I rather have a set of 20 custom icons, than having 100's of icons for every program,and every program installed only adds to the load.Netbooks should respond quick!I don't think pricing Win7 starters $200 is right, if it does less than XP.[/citation]

There is no changing the way Microsoft traditionally trends upwards with the more resource-intensive Windows. If you are so concerned about running on low system requirements, there are alternatives - like many of the free Linux distros aimed at low hardware requirements. Just because you don't like it and it doesn't seem to fit your needs, doesn't mean you have to stick with it and complain with words that Microsoft doesn't appear to hear. Time to get out there and try some new things/alternatives!

 

[JumpKickJoe]

[citation][nom]MrBradley[/nom]Just charge like a $50 fee for existing Vista users (at Premium and above or something.) to just upgrade. That will at least make the existing users with the frustrating operating system a little happier considering we have spent the last 2 years dealing with vista's bull%$^@.[/citation]
[citation][nom]jsloan[/nom]i agree with you 100%, they should just have priced it at $50 for existing vista users, even that is too much for what is not much more than a service pack with tweaks to mitigate vista weaknesses.[/citation]
It sounds like a sweet idea, but I'm sure M$ is considering how much money they could get out of Windows 7. Releasing it as a $50 Vista upgrade will just put them on the losing side, cause we all know how much this thing will be hacked and cracked like a Friday 13th film. They know what they be doing!

 

[A Stoner]

Looks like I may keep windows XP for another couple years. Although, the price differential between Home basic and Ultimate is not extreme, the starting price of basic ends up moving all of the choices too high for me make a switch. Microsoft is entitled to make a profit, but I seriously think the price for the product is out of line. XP will suit me just fine until the price for Ultimate comes down.

 

[RyGuy]

I think Microsoft if losing sight of the people that got them to where they are today. $200 for basic and 4 different versions!!! Why??? I recently switched to Mac (15 years + pc Experience and MCSE in NT, 2000, and 2003) for the majority of my computing needs. They are pricing a family licence pack which is good for 5 PCs of the latest OS, iLife 09, and iWork 09 for $239. All features included, Office compatible, and at a price that is reasonible for nearly all families. With this box you get everything you need and the system can run lots of apps without crashing.

Come on Microsoft! Wake up and see what the consumers want! Clearly you don't understand. Why do you think so many people are still running XP and most large manufacturers are still offering dual boot systems. Price and performance SUCK for your products!

 

[ThePatriot]

Not in 200 years!

 

[eccentric909]

lol @ people jumping to conclusions about the price.. none of it's confirmed, yet people are already screaming about how bad MS is for pricing Windows 7 at this rate... when there is no actual official price. >< People love to jump on MS, even for BS they had no part of.

 

[Guest]

Not happenning. Starter is going to be OEM only, and OEM licenses are never that expensive. These websites should at least check their info for stupidity before posting it (not referring to TH).

 

[antilycus]

no wonder home users copy the living hell out of it. First of all Home ANYTHING is a waste, second of all 4-7 teirs is a JOKE, 3rd Microsoft must enjoy imploding on themselves for the 2nd release in a row.

 

[johnlove]

If you have 3 PCs or more: Long live Linux!
If you have 2 PCs or less: Pay Microsoft