Windows Vista Pricing Leaked

[ryanx27]

I wonder what MS is doing in Vista to prevent piracy? At that price I'm sure a lot of people will be tempted to pirate it.

The same thing they've been doing for years --- suing anyone they can catch

 

[ryanx27]

So which Vista version would be the equivalent of XP Pro??

 

[IJ Reilly]

Well it is hidden and it is different. I guarantee you that Dell doesn't pay the same price you do when they purchase a resale license for Vista from MS.

Also OSX is included with every Mac but it is the same situation. Apple has to mark up the hardware by some increment for the cost of the OS. I have no idea what Apple's internal pricing is for OS X but it has some value.

It has value, but Apple doesn't buy OSX from itself. The point being, you get OSX when you buy a Mac, just as you get Windows when you buy an OEM PC. Some people seem to be finding a virtue in the latter but not the former, and a problem the fact that Apple has managed to significantly improve the OS five time in same span of years when Microsoft has managed it only once.

 

[thewhitehart]

Wow, all of these vista versions, which one do I pick? I think I'm going to end up going with the Windows Really Good Edition™.

(Yes, I know it's been posted before, but I had to do it.)

 

[Eraserhead]

As I've heard from those who've actually used Vista, Aero is the only reason to install it (thus far at least). Home Basic does not include Aero.

Assuming my Windows-using companions are correct, Home Basic thusly has nothing to offer. Hence, it is crap.

Q.E.D.

-Clive

But doesn't home basic include Direct X 10? which is the only reason I can see that I would want to buy a copy of Windows. To be perfectly honest Aero Glass looks like a POS, I would rather run the windows classic theme, it's much more attractive.

Wow, all of these vista versions, which one do I pick? I think I'm going to end up going with the Windows Really Good Edition™.

LOL that one's hilarious!

 

[jaxstate]

That's the image Apple is trying to put out there.

You've got to admit, you kind of deserve that response, if you going to cite a commercial to back up your argument.

And you and people like you represent how much of the population?

I shall (briefly) ponder the wisdom of your words when I'm putting in a 10-hour day tomorrow on the Mac.

Kudos to you. I could care less.

I had a response all typed up and decided your original statement says more than I ever could to support my side of the argument.

I'm pretty sure it was recent when Dell announced they would preload Linux on some of their computers.

i think that that used to be the case, but no longer. back when w2k and xp was released, linux wasn't ?ready?. for experts, yes, but not normal folks. over the last two years that changed dramatically.. and over the last few years i have seen linux pop up in oddest places, like in an internet -terminals in hotels. previously they ran windows.

looking at features, windows is way behind linux, vista included. and looking at apps, windows doesn't offer anything that linux doesn't, for free. well, maybe games.

For all the features that Linux may have, it doesn't have the software support to be a major player right now. There are some nice programs, that I use everyday on my Linux box, but not nearly enough to replace my XP box at work.

Well I think the phrase significantly improved is a opinion.

It has value, but Apple doesn't buy OSX from itself. The point being, you get OSX when you buy a Mac, just as you get Windows when you buy an OEM PC. Some people seem to be finding a virtue in the latter but not the former, and a problem the fact that Apple has managed to significantly improve the OS five time in same span of years when Microsoft has managed it only once.

 

[Evangelion]

For all the features that Linux may have, it doesn't have the software support to be a major player right now. There are some nice programs, that I use everyday on my Linux box, but not nearly enough to replace my XP box at work.

you could say the same for os x . seriously, on some areas linux propably has the best apps there is. same goes for os x. it depends on what you do with the machine.

 

[jaxstate]

I agree. Linux has the best server software out there. MS use to use their server software. But when you combine the sums of the parts, those numbers start to get very very small.

you could say the same for os x . seriously, on some areas linux propably has the best apps there is. same goes for os x. it depends on what you do with the machine.

 

[morespce54]

I think you're also forgetting that the current version of OSX is included with every Mac.

I agree but it's still not a "retail" version of OS X...

 

[OdduWon]

Wow, all of these vista versions, which one do I pick? I think I'm going to end up going with the Windows Really Good Edition™.

(Yes, I know it's been posted before, but I had to do it.)

wow! someone finally took all the fun of clicking and blue screens and put it into a fun little game. now all we need is the vista beta 2.1.1.2.3.4 version and we can have fun with the 3d blue screen of doom.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I agree but it's still not a "retail" version of OS X...

And neither is the version of Windows you get with a PC. Restore only. But again, this is not the point.

 

[zero2dash]

It's really amazing to see here people justifying the price of Windows Vista, when not even corporations think about migrating to the "new" OS in 2-years time...Vista is just a rehashed NT, and no company will need it in the short term.

Agreed wholeheartedly; I worked for FedEx Kinkos for 5 years. On a corporate level - they stay at least 1 version behind on all their software. We were still running Windows 95b when I started there in 2000 (long after Windows 2000 had already been released). I'm surprised our monitors didn't have blue screen burn in; my god Win95 is the utterest of garbage in an OS. I'd rather run OS2/Warp or something. Anyhow, it wasn't until roughly 2003 that they finally upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional on all their computers (and updated the Macs to 10.2 (Jaguar?) from OS 9). I no longer work for that (now) horrendous company, but I'm sure they'll upgrade to XP Pro within the next 2 years and wait for all the BS to surface from Vista before even bothering with it.

Most corporations are this way, so (again) I absolutely agree with you. For at least the first year of its existence - no companies will be running Vista, only home users.

Second, has anyone else here used the public beta? I haven't seen any comments on it in the first 3 pages, but let me tell you...it sucks! I had to take it off my PC that I am using until my MacPro arrives and went back to XP.

From my experience, Vista Beta is full of bugs and issues. Yes, I know it is still a Beta, but if it is slated for a Jan 30 release, they have a lot of work to do.

I mentioned it on page 3. I've used several betas and they all suck. Bugs and crashes that come from using a beta OS aside - the system requirements are absurd. At this point I can't tell if the beta sucks because of bugs or because I no longer have bleeding edge hardware. Mind you though, none of my computers have ever pitched a fit at running *nix, Windows 2k or XP, or even OSX86.

I still don't know why the average person would change from XP to Vista--it doesn't look that different and doesn't offer much more to the average websurfer/emailer.

The major change is UAP, User Account Protection, which is basically a ripped off version of (Administrator) Authentication with a User access account that *nix and OSX have had for years now.

IMO Vista will undoubtedly add more Genuine Advantage, DRM, and Activation BS that I'll steer clear of that mess and keep running the old versions of Windows that already work trouble-free for me. When they stop supporting Win2k (after the 7-year (or whatever it is) product 'cycle'), I'll keep running it because IMO it's the best version of Windows that has ever (and most likely *will ever*) be released.

 

[IJ Reilly]

That's the image Apple is trying to put out there.

That the Mac is for fun and PC is for working? I don't think so. I'd rate that as nothing more than an opinion, and a rather prejudicial opinion at that.

Count me as another part of "the population" who uses a Mac for business. All of it. In fact, my Windows box is relegated strictly to games. What you don't seem to recognize is that not everyone in business is a cubicle-dweller beholden to an IT department. We non cubicle-dwellers get to decide for ourselves what technology we use to run our businesses.

 

[Blue Velvet]

And you and people like you represent how much of the population?

What's that got to do with your absurd and paper-thin point? That Macs weren't for work? I represent no-one except myself and never claimed to...

Besides, since when did a majority choice signify anything of value? More people drink Coke instead of Champagne. More drive Fords than BMWs. More like 50 Cent than Mozart...

When billion-dollar publishing and media concerns depend on their Macs, in my view that trumps anybody at home playing Solitaire on their Windows boxes.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Well I think the phrase significantly improved is a opinion.

Whether OSX been improved "significantly" or not (I notice you fail to offer an opinion of your own), any improvement is better than none, which is precisely how much improvement Windows users have been granted by Microsoft over the last five years. Again, we're being led to be believe that this is somehow a superior state of affairs. I don't know who buys this argument, but I sure as hell don't.

 

[moose.boy]

Your windows installation will not hurt your OSX installation.
They don't see eeach other, and windows is on a seperate partition.

Stop calling people a moron if you don't know what you are talking about.

Boot camp basically eliminated the need to ever buy a PC.
It was an incredibly smart move.

Windows may not be able to read or write to the mac partition, but it will still be there. There is nothing stopping a _really_ malicious virus from messing around with the partition table to bring the whole thing crashing down.

IIRC It was because of the problem with viruses corrupting boot records that microsoft cludged their disk partitioning software FDISK to include the /MBR switch to allow it to wipe previously inaccessible boot records.

However, for those people who just need windows for one or two programs, and who have the awareness to patch and lock it down correctly, then bootcamp is a good idea.

 

[GFLPraxis]

I don't know what people are fussing about. If these price points are true, Windows Vista is pretty cheap.

Are you joking? The basic $200 one lacks DVD burning, XBox 360 connectivity, media center, the whole new GUI, and searching! Each one has disadvantages, purposely crippled by Microsoft- only the $300 business edition has encryption and backup, remote desktop and multi-processor support (that's right, you need the business for multiple processors- since the lower end models can use multiple cores and are multithreaded, this means Microsoft DELIBERATELY disabled the functionality in the other models), only the $240 Premium edition has DVD burning, slideshows, media center, etc...

They're trying to force you into buying the Ultimate edition.

Frankly, you shouldn't have to spend $400 to get what Apple includes in the BASIC OS.

 

[whatever]

First, you need a lesson on how to have a conversation. Second, Apple is a hardware company. If allowing people to install Windows on their computers will allow them to sell more, then so be it. My company has started letting us purchase Mac now, since it can run some of our Windows only programs. I think bootcamp was a great move. You still have to buy a Mac to use it, so what's the problem.

A lot of resellers are already preinstalling XP on Intel Macs.

Resellers who are pre-installing XP on Intel Macs are charging for XP or they're willing to take a loss, because they are paying for it.

Apple does allow people to install Windows on their computer, it's just that people need to buy it, seperately.

I've been running Windows applications on Apple computers for over 15 years. So except for those gamers that need Direct X support, there really aren't any Windows apps that don't work on an Apple computer.

Calling Apple a hardware company is like calling McDonalds a hamburger stand.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Calling Apple a hardware company is like calling McDonalds a hamburger stand.

And that would be an insult to all of the other hamburger stands!

Incidentally, Apple dealers aren't selling Macs with XP "pre-installed," they are doing it as an after-market add-on. To pre-install, they'd have to be Microsoft OEMs. I don't think we want Apple to become one of those.

 

[Thanatoast]

Pardon me for not reading all six pages, but can anyone describe (generally) the 47 different versions of Windows upcoming?

Will Basic only play minesweeper? What does it *not* do that Ultimate-Double-Secret-Robot-Super-Monkey-Force-Go! edition does?

 

[bigandy]

Will Basic only play minesweeper?

That and crash, yes.

 

[zero2dash]

Pardon me for not reading all six pages, but can anyone describe (generally) the 47 different versions of Windows upcoming?

Will Basic only play minesweeper? What does it *not* do that Ultimate-Double-Secret-Robot-Super-Monkey-Force-Go! edition does?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista#Editions_and_pricing

Editions and pricing

On February 26, 2006, Microsoft announced that Windows Vista will ship in six editions.[40] All versions will be available in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) architectures, except Windows Vista Starter which will only be available for 32-bit architectures. A partial table of the features planned for each edition is also available at Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows[41].

Windows Vista Starter
Much like the Windows XP Starter Edition, this edition will be limited to emerging markets, mainly to offer a legal alternative to using unauthorized copies. It will be severely limited, for example only allowing a user to launch at most three applications with a user interface at once, will not accept incoming network connections, and physical memory is limited to 2 GB.[42] Additionally, only Celeron and Pentium III processors from Intel, and AMD's Duron, Sempron and Geode processors are supported.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, Home Basic is intended for budget users not requiring advanced media support for home use. The Windows Aero theme with translucent effects will not be included with this edition. Home Basic will support up to 8 GB of physical memory.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Containing all features from Home Basic, this edition will additionally support more advanced features aimed for the home market segment, such as HDTV support and DVD authoring. Extra games, mobile and tablet computer support, file system encryption, and a photo management application are also included. This edition is comparable to Windows XP Media Center Edition and Tablet PC Edition. Home Premium will support up to 16 GB of physical memory.

Windows Vista Business
Comparable to Windows XP Professional, and aimed at the business market. Does not include the Media Center features of Home Premium, but does include the IIS web server, fax support, offline files, dual physical processor support, Remote Desktop, ad-hoc P2P collaboration capabilities, and support for 128 GB of memory. Product activation is not present in this edition.

Windows Vista Enterprise
This edition is aimed at the enterprise segment of the market, and is a superset of the Business edition. Additional features include a single-session version of Virtual PC, multilingual user interface support, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. This edition will not be available through retail or OEM channels, but through Microsoft Software Assurance.[43]

Windows Vista Ultimate
This edition combines all the features of Home Premium and Enterprise editions, and additionally comes with podcast creation support, a game performance tweaker (WinSAT), DVD ripping capabilities, and special online services for downloadable media, as well as additional customer service options. The Ultimate edition is aimed to be the most impressive edition of Vista, aimed at high-end PC users, gamers, multimedia professionals, and PC enthusiasts.

"Home Basic N" and "Business N" editions of Windows Vista will additionally be available in the European Union. These editions will ship without Windows Media Player, as required by sanctions brought against Microsoft for violating anti-trust laws.[44]

The three retail editions (Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate) of Windows Vista will ship on the same DVD. The features of the Home Premium and Ultimate editions may be "unlocked" at any time by purchasing a one-time upgrade license through a Control Panel tool called Windows Anytime Upgrade. The Business edition will also be upgradable to Ultimate. Such licenses will be sold by Microsoft's partners and OEMs, but not directly by Microsoft.

On August 28, 2006, Microsoft Canada accidentally revealed the planned retail prices for Vista on their website, these were retracted within hours.[45] However, on the same day, Amazon.com started taking pre-orders for retail editions of Windows Vista, with a projected release date of January 30, 2007, and pricing as follows.
Regular Price Additional License Upgrade Price Additional License
Ultimate $399.00 $359.00 $259.00 $233.00
Business $299.00 $269.00 $199.95 $179.00
Home Premium $239.00 $215.00 $159.00 $143.00
Home Basic $199.00 $179.00 $99.95 $89.95

I'm sure Ultimate will be the one that gets pirated first.

 

[Multimedia]

Perfect • Not Only Is Vista Frickin' Buggy Inferior • It Cost $110 More Too

Perfect • Not Only Is Vista Frickin' Buggy Inferior • It Cost $110 More Too

Leopard will eat Vista for breakfast.

 

[D-rock]

And you and people like you represent how much of the population?

I'm curious as to what exactly you're trying to say? There is plenty of "work" that can be, and is, done on a Mac.

The next time you're watching TV, listening to music, reading a magazine, etc etc etc, you had better remember that there are those of us who have to "work" to get those things to consumers like you, and out of that workforce, Mac users represent a sizeable chunk.

EDIT- or were you just being sarcastic when you said macs were for "play"?

 

[Demoman]

I don't know what people are fussing about. If these price points are true, Windows Vista is pretty cheap.

Remember, if you buy Vista, it'll most likely last at least 4-5 years before the next paid upgrade, unlike with OS X where if you want the latest and greatest, you're looking at an upgrade almost every year.

Vista looks to be a big jump from WinXP too, and seems a lot more mac-like. Complain all you want, but more competition puts Cupertino into a sweat and drives Apple into innovating even more. Support for Direct X 10 is going to be felt in about 1-2 years when people start getting DX10 graphics cards and more games take advantage of it.

At least with Apple you DO get the 'greatest'. Not so with Brand X I am afraid. How long has it taken MS to get a new OS out? Years! And if MS could charge for their Service Packs, by calling them something new, they would. But, their product is so full of bad code they cannot do it. Also, your view that MS's innovation "..puts Cupertino into a sweat and drives Apple into innovating even more." is a laugh. It might stop some of the bleeding in Redmond. Vista better be a success. Otherwise, the market share is going to shrink even further.