If I am Microsoft, I bundle the OS with another service that I want to gain share in. I could see them bundling a Windows 7 license with every Zune they sell, or perhaps with every 360. Perhaps with every windows mobile unit, pack in download instructions with a key valid for a single machine?
I'm just thinking out of the box, but I could see that being really successful for them. Want to increase your Zune store share, bundle a Windows 7 key with every Zune sold. Want to really push Sony out of the console business for good, buy a 360, get a windows 7 key.
Lets face it, the big issue MS has is product diversification. They have it, but if anything were to happen to their cash cow OS, and Office software empire, they would be dead in the water.
Linux is getting better, Apple has slowly gained share, Sun Open Office is a nice free alternative to their overpriced office package. Windows Live Search will never compete with Google, so what to do? Diversify now while they still can.
Cliff, most users are not knowledgeable enough to install an OS. Most get an OS upgrade by buying a new PC. I think bundling a win7 key with another device would be counter productive. MY poor uncle has been trying to figure out how to burn a DVD for 3 years lol... He doesn't get the difference between divix file and VOB files etc..
I never thought about how they will price this thing I have come to love so much the past couple months. The method could hold me back for a while, at the least till my RC license ends.
Semi unrelated topic, but was it not part of the old MS pricing argument that prices were what they were in part to re coup some losses on all the piracy they knew was happening. In other words, a jerk would buy a copy of office 97 and install it on 37 systems.
Flash forward to 2009, with the activation schemes and keys, its much harder to pirate the software, of course its possible, but I don't think its too bold to say they have a far better grip on that then they used too. Also, the number of computers, the volume they are gaining, and the fact that 7, really is Vista 2.0, I think of MS can afford to charge under $99 for a copy. They will probably demand more and get it.
I still think they have a golden opportunity to think about how they come to market. Its their most desire able product, why not package it with something they have been looking to gain share on? Maybe not exclusively, but I could see it peaking the interest of guys like us, and maybe converting some of us from Ipod to Zune users, or perhaps getting us into our first windows mobile device.
Also, for the love of god, Please let me download and burn my own .iso anytime I want a new license for a build I am doing. Set up a site, take my credit card number, let me buy a single use OEM licnece, burn the disk and sell that puppy. I doubt this is going to happen, but I would love instant access to a key from my internet connection rather than having to mail order a disk from Newegg all the time. Let me keep it on a USB thumb drive, install from there and activate an OEM license online anytime I need one with my credit card. Optical disks are so Windows XP :*)
The disadvantages of Windows 7 are its high price and poor driver support. Windows 7 is not cheap. Pricing varies depend on the version you select, but you will be shelling out at least $120 to upgrade from XP or Vista. And if you do not already have a copy of a Windows OS, you have to pay the full price of at least $200 for Windows 7. I think they should lower the price a bit for retail and OEM versions.
Poor driver support? Are you kidding? Windows 7 has a larger driver library than Windows Vista and Windows XP combined. Secondly, a full OEM copy of 7 Home Premium is $109.
The disadvantages of Windows 7 are its high price and poor driver support.
POOR DRIVER SUPPORT. I installed Win 7 32bit RTM on my antique P4 2.8ghz sitting on a 6 year old Foxconn MB without having to search for a driver disk for any of my peripherals. Printer, scanner, video card, on-board NIC, sound, etc. The only thing that I can't get working is my Linksys print server and that's only because Linksys hasn't released a driver for it yet.
One way around the price, especially if you have multiple systems, is to get a Technet subscription. At $350.00 it isn't cheap but you have access to Win 7, XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008, and Office 2003, & 2007. Or if you play with some really antique software, you can get copies of DOS 6.22 & Win 3.11.
Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit or 64 bit OEM is $99 pre order till Oct 20. Newegg
But,Don't forget to use the Icrontic support link for newegg on the forums main page.
Looks like this thread got necro'd and was written before the $50 HP and $100 Pro Upgrade deals were offered, but I'm sure most that were interested in Win 7 after running Beta or RC got in on those deals. Both options should work perfectly with this trick:
If you need more than 3 keys, the best option after that is a Microsoft TechNet subscription, which is $350 normally but as low as $250-270 with various coupons/codes that float about.
With an average price of ~$50 for 1, 3 or 5+ licenses I don't think Win 7 pricing is that bad honestly, and certainly much better than Vista if you took advantage of the deals that are out there.
Look i paid 10 bucks to upgrade from lepard to Snow Leopard I am running Win 7 RC now and paid 50 for the upgrade, So I paid 10 to upgrade OSX basically and its about the same as it was and paid 50 for a completely Bad ass New Operating system. It's worth it !
Look i paid 10 bucks to upgrade from lepard to Snow Leopard I am running Win 7 RC now and paid 50 for the upgrade, So I paid 10 to upgrade OSX basically and its about the same as it was and paid 50 for a completely Bad ass New Operating system. It's worth it !
Except in the Windows space, a Snow Leopard-level update would have been sent out as a service pack for no charge.
Except Windows service packs don't completely change and rewrite the core os/gui. Know your shit if you are going to hate.
Not hating, just pointing out that SL was not such a huge update like everyone was touting it to be. Sure, they made some pretty good-sized changes (which I agree with and support wholeheartedly), but definitely not XP to Vista levels for sure. The biggest change in SL from Leopard was removing the legacy PPC code, which doesn't affect functionality at all (but does give back a nice chunk of HDD, which is great).
Also, Windows Service Packs typically carry with them pretty hefty loads of Kernel-level updates, so it's pretty similar stuff.
Thrax
🐌Austin, TX Icrontian
Comments
I'm just thinking out of the box, but I could see that being really successful for them. Want to increase your Zune store share, bundle a Windows 7 key with every Zune sold. Want to really push Sony out of the console business for good, buy a 360, get a windows 7 key.
Lets face it, the big issue MS has is product diversification. They have it, but if anything were to happen to their cash cow OS, and Office software empire, they would be dead in the water.
Linux is getting better, Apple has slowly gained share, Sun Open Office is a nice free alternative to their overpriced office package. Windows Live Search will never compete with Google, so what to do? Diversify now while they still can.
I feel like Microsoft has done everything it can to combat piracy other than cut prices.
MS is windows, the rest is just gravy.
Flash forward to 2009, with the activation schemes and keys, its much harder to pirate the software, of course its possible, but I don't think its too bold to say they have a far better grip on that then they used too. Also, the number of computers, the volume they are gaining, and the fact that 7, really is Vista 2.0, I think of MS can afford to charge under $99 for a copy. They will probably demand more and get it.
I still think they have a golden opportunity to think about how they come to market. Its their most desire able product, why not package it with something they have been looking to gain share on? Maybe not exclusively, but I could see it peaking the interest of guys like us, and maybe converting some of us from Ipod to Zune users, or perhaps getting us into our first windows mobile device.
Also, for the love of god, Please let me download and burn my own .iso anytime I want a new license for a build I am doing. Set up a site, take my credit card number, let me buy a single use OEM licnece, burn the disk and sell that puppy. I doubt this is going to happen, but I would love instant access to a key from my internet connection rather than having to mail order a disk from Newegg all the time. Let me keep it on a USB thumb drive, install from there and activate an OEM license online anytime I need one with my credit card. Optical disks are so Windows XP :*)
-drasnor
-drasnor
if I had a mac I would boot to windows to play TF2 yes.
POOR DRIVER SUPPORT. I installed Win 7 32bit RTM on my antique P4 2.8ghz sitting on a 6 year old Foxconn MB without having to search for a driver disk for any of my peripherals. Printer, scanner, video card, on-board NIC, sound, etc. The only thing that I can't get working is my Linksys print server and that's only because Linksys hasn't released a driver for it yet.
One way around the price, especially if you have multiple systems, is to get a Technet subscription. At $350.00 it isn't cheap but you have access to Win 7, XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008, and Office 2003, & 2007. Or if you play with some really antique software, you can get copies of DOS 6.22 & Win 3.11.
But,Don't forget to use the Icrontic support link for newegg on the forums main page.
http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86088
Another cheap option is the Windows 7 Family Pack, which provides 3 Home Premium Upgrade licenses for $150 and is available even now:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Premium-Family-3-User/dp/B002MV2MG0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1255884835&sr=8-9
If you need more than 3 keys, the best option after that is a Microsoft TechNet subscription, which is $350 normally but as low as $250-270 with various coupons/codes that float about.
With an average price of ~$50 for 1, 3 or 5+ licenses I don't think Win 7 pricing is that bad honestly, and certainly much better than Vista if you took advantage of the deals that are out there.
Except in the Windows space, a Snow Leopard-level update would have been sent out as a service pack for no charge.
Not hating, just pointing out that SL was not such a huge update like everyone was touting it to be. Sure, they made some pretty good-sized changes (which I agree with and support wholeheartedly), but definitely not XP to Vista levels for sure. The biggest change in SL from Leopard was removing the legacy PPC code, which doesn't affect functionality at all (but does give back a nice chunk of HDD, which is great).
Also, Windows Service Packs typically carry with them pretty hefty loads of Kernel-level updates, so it's pretty similar stuff.
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