Long awaited windows 7 pricing was finally announced by Microsoft. In addition with Windows 7 retail pricing, there were also upgrade information, launch details, and a preorder deals in the announcement.
Not sure if it’s heat from competitor Apple’s $29 price point for OS X Snow Leopard (coming in September, 2009) or the vista damage control initiative force Microsoft to slash the price of its most popular Home Premium to $119.99 (both upgrades and full copies). Vista premium original pricing were around $40 higher. Same slashed priced applied for Windows 7 ultimate edition as well, though business edition pricing still hanging onto same line like vista.
From June 26, 2009 to July 11, 2009 while supplies last Microsoft will offer special preorder pricing. It will be offering in the U.S. Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 and Windows 7 Professional for $99.99, a savings of $70 and $100 respectively (In the U.S. preorders are for upgrade versions). Canada and Japan enjoy similar deals. Microsoft showing some real love for EU buyers- Germany and France consumer will receive Windows 7 Home Premium (€49.99) and Windows 7 Professional (€109.99) preorder prices. The UK will get Windows 7 Home Premium (£49.99) and Windows 7 Professional (£99.99) preorder prices. The EU preorders will be for full versions, and will likely be the cheapest available route to purchase a full retail version.
Now a year or two ago this pricing would have looked impressive juicy deal, but now as world recession beating consumers wallet run dry certainly pose a different scenario. $119 for an OS upgrade will not only look outlandish at this moment but as well as heart breaking, since consumers of Vista were certainly expecting certain sort of consideration. Another ugly scar I can see is the huge difference between 2 weeks preorder and original pricing. The biggest blow is it seems Microsoft’s adversary Apple well understand current economic timeline and set Snow Leopard pricing model ($29 for a one user license and $49 for a five user license)which is much more appropriate.
Now question whether that pricing really justified, despite the fact that Microsoft’s last Major OS Vista user deserving some kind of compensation/at least some sympathy from MS.