Windows Vista Pricing

[TheFamilyMan]

From "Daily Tech"
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4862

Microsoft wraps up development of Windows Vista

Microsoft announced today that Windows Vista has been released to manufacturing. Vista will mark the first big shift in Microsoft consumer operating systems in over 5 years.

With Vista, Microsoft promises increased security with an improved firewall and Windows Defender and User Account Control. Other fresh additions include integrated desktop search, Internet Explorer 7.0, Windows Sidebar, Windows Sideshow, built-in system diagnostics, improved gaming support, fully integrated Speech Recognition as well as support for Windows SuperFetch, Windows ReadyBoost and Windows ReadyDrive.

Windows Vista will be available in four distinct retail versions:

Windows Vista Home Basic, $199/$99.95 (full/upgrade)
Provides a basic platform for home users who want to keep tabs on email and Internet activity. Comes standard with Vista's new Search Explorer, Sidebar and Parental Controls.

Windows Vista Home Premium, $239/$159
Builds on Home Basic by adding the Windows Aero interface, Windows Media Center functionality, Windows Tablet PC technology and integrated DVD burning.

Windows Vista Business, $299/$199
Supports the Aero user interface, offers improved document managing and Windows Tablet PC functionality.

Windows Vista Ultimate, $399/$259
Vista Ultimate combines the functionality of Vista Home Premium and Vista Business.
According to Neowin, the RTM version of Vista will be available for MSDN subscribers sometime after November 10, while businesses should begin receiving their copies on or shortly after November 30. Vista will be launched into the retail sector on January 30, 2007.

[RabidDog]

I want my copy of Vista supplied on a 4gb usb stick so I can use the Readyboost.
But £199 for Basic (which is a lemon) I paraphrase "Are you 'aving a laff? , he's aving a Laff!"
I can buy a complete PC for that.
The box is really sexy tho and thats worth £100 of anybodys money!

[JohnnyMalaria]

But £199 for Basic...I can buy a complete PC for that!

Do you really mean £199? The retail price in the US is $199.

Also, the prices are retail - not OEM. A 'complete PC' will most likely ship with the OEM version which is tied to that particularly PC. You can't (usually) uninstall it and install it on other PC...

[RabidDog]

Yes,retail pricing, the dollar price always gets jacked up to the same price in pounds. And yes I CAN get a complete PC for £199, I'm talking about hardware only no operating system. Its a complete rip off guv'nor, and no mistake! msdos used to cost a fiver now they want £399 for the full flavor? I want a basic operating system with all utilities seperate . I don't want to subsidise all these kids playing on their ex-boxes.
Wheres the justification?? and yes I could go linux(free) or mac(£99)