elgato
Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 17235
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject: Microsoft sticker shock:Anytime Upgrade, Family Pack details |
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With its upcoming launch of Windows 7, Microsoft is trying to walk a fine line on pricing. Maintaining a high average selling price for Windows is crucial to the company’s bottom line, but in a deep recession, PC buyers are more concerned with their own bottom line. That’s especially true of consumers, who are likely to be put off by the high price of upgrading multiple PCs from XP or Vista.
Earlier today, Microsoft announced pricing and delivery details for a pair of eagerly awaited products in the Windows 7 family. If you were hoping for upgrade bargains or a long-term commitment to multi-PC upgrade pricing, prepare to be disappointed.
I first reported on Microsoft’s plans to release a Windows 7 Family Pack about a month ago and saw hints of pricing and packaging a week later. Those details are now confirmed. Estimated retail price in the United States will be $150 for a package that includes Windows 7 Home Premium installation media and a license key that can be activated on three PCs in a single household. The price in Canada will be $200. Expect to see retailers offering discounts of roughly 10% on these prices. There’s no official word on availability of the Family Pack offer in other markets.
The unpleasant surprise in the Family Pack announcement is the detail that it will be available beginning October 22 “while supplies last.” In a briefing yesterday, Microsoft Product Manager Michelle Haven confirmed that the Family Pack is “intended to be a limited-quantity offer” but added that Microsoft plans to listen to customer feedback to “find out if customers love it.” (If you want the Family Pack to be a permanent part of the Windows 7 lineup, you can leave me your feedback in the Talkback section below and I’ll pass it along.)
more.. link to news article |
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