“Seattle online retailer Amazon.com is taking advance orders for the Redmond, Wash., software mega-behemoth’s next-generation — and pricey — operating system,” Frank Michael Russell reports for The Mercury News.
“How pricey? The full version — Windows Ultimate — will set you back $399, or $259 if you’re upgrading from an earlier version of Windows. An upgrade to Windows Home Basic is listed at $99.95, or $89.95 for additional copies,” Russell reports. “The basic version, though, is expected to lack many of the features that will be the reason to upgrade to Vista in the first place. The software maker is expecting most consumers will choose Vista Premium, which Amazon.com lists at $239, or $159 for an upgrade.”
Russell reports, “Amazon.com says it will be released Jan. 30, in line with earlier announcements from Microsoft. Executives at the software giant have warned, however, that Vista could be delayed if the operating system, now in beta testing, isn’t up to the company’s standards.”
Full article here.
Amazon’s prices for Microsoft Windows Vista:
• Windows Vista Home Basic Full: $199.00
• Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade: $99.95
• Windows Vista Home Basic Full (Additional License Only): $179.00
• Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade (Additional License Only): $89.95
• Windows Vista Home Premium Full: $239.00
• Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade: $159.00
• Windows Vista Home Premium Full (Additional License Only): $215.00
• Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade (Additional License Only): $143.00
• Windows Vista Business Full: $299.00
• Windows Vista Business Upgrade: $199.00
• Windows Vista Business Full (Additional License Only): $269.00
• Windows Vista Business Upgrade (Additional License Only): $179.00
• Windows Vista Ultimate Full: $399.00
• Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade: $259.00
• Windows Vista Ultimate Full (Additional License Only): $359.00
• Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade (Additional License Only): $233.00
MacDailyNews Take: For our Windows-only visitors via Google News and elsewhere: Are you really going to spend that kind of money on an operating system that is trying so desperately to be Apple’s Mac OS X? Most likely, you’re going to need a new computer to run Vista anyway. Why not use that money toward a new Mac instead? Install your current copy of Windows XP on it via Apple’s free Boot Camp or Parallels US$79.99 Desktop for Mac. From what we see, you won’t be missing out on much by ignoring Windows Vista (some call it “Windows XP SP3”) and you’ll be gaining so much more with Apple’s virus-free Mac OS X and iLife applications running on elegant and inexpensive Intel-powered Apple hardware.
See:
Development approaches of Mac OS X Leopard vs. Windows Vista yield very different results – August 15, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
Symantec researcher: At this time, there are no file-infecting viruses that can infect Mac OS X – July 13, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Analyst: Windows Vista may still impress many consumers because they have not seen Apple’s Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Now is the perfect time to consider trying something new (and you can still run your Windows applications, too)! At some point in your life, you’ve probably told someone, “You don’t know what you’re missing,” right? Well, we’re saying that to you today. Get a Mac! You deserve it. And the Mac community will be here to support your new adventure every step of the way. Why do we care what you use? Do it and you’ll find yourself telling people to “Get a Mac,” too. Switching from Windows PC to Mac really is a revelation.
Find out more about Mac OS X Tiger here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/
And Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard (coming spring 2007) here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/
Apple’s Intel-powered MacBook starts at just $1099. And, Apple’s Intel-powered iMac starts at only $999.
. Apple’s Mac mini starts at just $599
(For $200 more than a box of Vista Ultimate, you get a Mac, Mac OS X, iLife, and so much more)!
Don’t just take our word for it (we are MacDailyNews, after all). Check out the related articles below and see what independent reviewers have to say about the Mac and Mac OS X:
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple Mac mini desktop (6.5-inches square by 2-inches)
Apple Mac mini Core Duo: The fruit takes root in the living room – July 24, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s new Mac mini ‘a solid addition to any entertainment center’ – March 09, 2006
PC Magazine review gives Apple Mac mini 4 out of 5 stars – March 08, 2006
Chicago Tribune: Apple’s new Intel-based Mac mini might make you switch from Windows – March 07, 2006
Mac mini 6-button remote, Front Row typify Apple’s ‘sophisticated simplicity’ strategy – March 06, 2006
Reader report: 1080p 24fps playback on Mac mini Core Duo plays fine – March 03, 2006
Apple’s new Mac mini a HDTV media center in disguise? – March 01, 2006
Apple’s new Mac mini: perfect for HDTV – March 01, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac mini ‘a good first step into the living room’ – February 28, 2006
Apple introduces new Intel-based Mac mini – February 28, 2006
Apple iMac desktop
Digital Trends Review: Apple iMac 17-inch Core Duo ‘silent, beautiful, very fast and reliable’ – July 12, 2006
Seattle Times: Apple iMac is ‘so beautiful with its simple, yet elegant design’ – July 08, 2006
Wired names best media center: Apple 20-inch iMac with Front Row – June 08, 2006
Review: Apple’s new iMac Core Duo ‘an outstanding feat of engineering, a high-precision instrument’ – February 16, 2006
Apple iMac the finest, most reliable, stable, elegant and intuitive personal computer available – February 14, 2006
Review: Apple 20-inch iMac Core Duo 2.0GHz – February 06, 2006
BusinessWeek: Apple’s new iMac Core Duo is an iMac on Steroids – February 02, 2006
Thurrott: ‘I highly recommend Apple’s new Intel-based iMac’ – January 31, 2006
Thurrott: ‘Nothing on Windows approaches the quality of Apple’s iLife ’06’ – January 31, 2006
Computerworld: Apple’s MacBook Pro ‘fast, really fast – looks like a real winner’ – January 28, 2006
InfoWorld: Apple perfects the desktop personal computer with new iMac Core Duo – January 25, 2006
PC Magazine review gives Apple iMac Intel Core Duo 4.5 out of 5 stars – January 20, 2006
Mossberg: New Intel-based iMac the best consumer desktop with the best OS and best software bundle – January 18, 2006
Apple MacBook notebook
The Seattle Times: Apple Macbook is best computer for school – August 26, 2006
PC Advisor: Apple MacBook ‘a terrific piece of hardware, quite a product’ – July 31, 2006
Apple 13-Inch MacBook benchmarked: it’s fast – July 24, 2006
Washington Times: If you want a stylish, great, capable portable, buy an Apple MacBook – July 18, 2006
AP: Apple’s MacBook should give makers of Windows-only notebooks nightmares – July 07, 2006
Boston Herald: Apple MacBook superior to iBook predecessor in every way – July 03, 2006
MSNBC’s Krakow: Apple’s MacBook ‘the best notebook computer I’ve ever used’ – June 28, 2006
The Washington Times: Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook ‘is one powerful, affordable Mac portable’ – June 23, 2006
IT Business Net reviews Apple 13-inch MacBook: ‘Insanely great value, Strong Buy recommendation’ – June 13, 2006
Computeract!ve: Apple MacBook ‘the best of both worlds’ – 5 out of 5 stars – June 13, 2006
Washington Post: Apple MacBook leaves iBook in the dust – June 11, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s new MacBook surprisingly inexpensive, offers vastly superior Mac OS X – June 08, 2006
Time Magazine on Apple’s 13-inch MacBook: ‘Dell and HP should be very worried’ – June 07, 2006
Thurrott: Look at Apple’s MacBook and ‘you might just find your perfect notebook’ – May 31, 2006
Personal Computer World review: Apple MacBook – May 22, 2006
Amazon offers US$100 and $150 rebates on Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models – May 22, 2006
Ars Technica reviews Apple MacBook – May 19, 2006
iTWire’s Beer: My next notebook is an Apple MacBook – May 18, 2006
Analyst: MacBooks are best consumer notebooks Apple has created, sure to be big winners – May 18, 2006
Apple’s new MacBooks are mobile HDTV media centers – May 17, 2006
PC World: Hands on with Apple’s new black MacBook running Mac OS X and Windows – May 17, 2006
Apple MacBook Pro notebook
BusinessWeek: Apple MacBook Pro ‘one of the very best notebooks on the market’ – June 09, 2006
Windows expert weighs in on Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro – June 07, 2006
Washington Times: Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro the ‘who’s-your-daddy’ of notebooks – June 06, 2006
CNET review: Apple’s 17-inch MacBook Pro is a dream (CNET rating: 7.3 out of 10) – June 03, 2006
PC Magazine: Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro: ‘offers virtually everything a user needs’ – May 26, 2006
Detroit Free Press’ Wendland: Apple MacBook Pro ‘the finest portable computer I have ever owned’ – March 14, 2006
Fortune: Apple improves what were already two of best computers on planet with iMac, MacBook Pro – March 14, 2006
Seattle Times: Apple’s MacBook Pro ‘delivers the Mac experience with speed and potential to spare’ – March 11, 2006
AP: Apple shines with MacBook Pro – ‘fast with decent battery life’ – March 11, 2006
Apple’s MacBook Pro ‘leaps a generation beyond PowerBooks’ – March 08, 2006
Boston Herald: Apple MacBook Pro ‘contender for best notebook on market, comes with a superior OS’ – March 06, 2006
Time Magazine’s Gadget of the Week: Apple MacBook Pro – March 06, 2006
PC Magazine review gives Apple MacBook Pro 4 out of 5 stars – March 03, 2006
Ars Technica: Apple MacBook Pro ‘an extremely solid machine, an important step forward’ – March 02, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s MacBook Pro gives users a ‘much better OS with vastly better built-in software’ – March 02, 2006
New York Times’ Pogue: Apples MacBook Pro a ‘beautifully engineered, forward-thinking laptop’ – March 01, 2006
Apple MacBook Pro a ‘drop-dead gorgeous laptop’ – February 27, 2006
Computerworld: Apple’s MacBook Pro ‘fast, really fast – looks like a real winner’ – January 28, 2006
Apple Mac Pro desktop
MSNBC: Apple Mac Pro is the ultimate desktop computer – August 28, 2006
Apple Retail Stores can build-to-order customized Mac Pros on site – August 26, 2006
Computerworld hands on: Apple’s new Mac Pro is ‘one screamer’ – August 18, 2006
Dell cannot compete with Apple’s new Mac Pro price or feature set – August 15, 2006
Ars Technica reviews Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon 64-bit workstation – August 11, 2006
Apple Mac Pro with/ 20” Cinema Display less expensive than Dell Precision 690 sans monitor – August 10, 2006
Apple unveils new ‘Mac Pro’ featuring quad 64-bit Intel Xeon processors – August 07, 2006
[UPDATED: 8:22pm EDT: Added Mac mini info. Thanks, Chris.]
$399.00? Do you get a free computer with that?
Don’t forget to add in the cost of a new PC that is able to handle the better versions. I don’t think a cheap PC is capable of running anything except the Basic edition. You might have to add RAM, too.
Man, if the “Macs are more expensive than PCs.” myth isn’t finally shot out of the sky with this news I don’t know what will kill it.
They are making it very expensive for Mac users to buy a license to run Windows on their Mac.
The bulk of their operating system sales are the ones bundled on every Dell, HP, [insert crappy PC manufacturer here], etc…So the people who build their own computers, and Mac users are the main people that will feel the effects of this outrageous price for a mediocre OS.
I’m cranky because something happened to me.
On another site, somebody said that they’d wait until SP1 (duh!) if they were going to buy Vista.
That’s probably fair enough, because if you go to the Vista site at Mediocresoft and check out the various editions, SP1 will be out by the time you work out which version you want and/or need (delete as applicable depending on gullibility).
I wouldn’t say it’s the most confusing product matrix I’ve ever see, but it’s shooting pretty darn close.
Quit hawking my name
Hmmm…
$399 Vista + a subscription to Norton Anti-Virus or a whole new Mac Mini for $599. Better off throwing the old PC on eBay and keeping the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Buy XP while you still can!
Wow, you can get a refurbed G4 mini for $429, with Tiger at the Apple Store.
” . . .Vista could be delayed if the operating system, now in beta testing, isn’t up to the company’s standards.”
That’s meaningless. They make up their own standards as it suits them and then forces them down everyone’s throat. IE only websites?
The padding in the Vista price is to make up for the loss of tens of thousands of shattered office chairs.
“…Vista could be delayed if the operating system, now in beta testing, isn’t up to the company’s standards.”
So why isn’t it out now?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Man, that list is almost as long as the standard MDN Related Articles links!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
PP
What happened to you?
Ampar:
Don’t forget all of the money on towels and laudering services.
Amazon, you have a lot of faith in Microsoft. I suppose it’s OK, since you won’t be charging credit cards until the product actually ships.
As everyone can clearly see, the $129 price that Apple charges for new Mac OS X releases in-the-shrink-wrapped-box, is considered an “upgrade” price. Why does that make sense… since every Mac comes with a version of the OS, everyone who is buying a “box” is upgrading their Mac’s OS.
Maybe this will force Apple to offer a Mac OS X Tiger upgrade for $99.95.
I’d be curious to see the differences between “Home Basic” and “Home Premium” to see which one is more akin to Tiger…
Hey all you PeeCee users:
Here is the list of OS X system versions for you to choose from:
OS X Single User $129.00
OS X Family Pack $199.00
(same but…errr. more copies)
OS X Server (10 User) $499.00
OS X Server (Unlimited) $999.00
(same but…errr. unlimited users)
Also keep in mind that Apple does not require you to pay seat licenses for each user connected to the server.
Did I forget to mention that OS X comes with Apache, MySQL, Ruby, Rails, and many other features that Windows does not and will not have when Vista ships?
http://www.apple.com/getamac/
What a nightmare of confusion coming to the Windows platform. Everyone was complaining about a measely $129.00 for OSX. $399.00 is three times that. I guess they have to make up for six years lost and it could be seven from what I’m hearing as the beta 2 isn’t stable yet nor can it even run antivirus software yet. I think that is a major problem if they can’t get antivirus software running on Vista. To many choices and to expensive is what I see. Then there is the point of the existing hardware which won’t be up to the task of running it with any decent performance. I just can’t see anyone jumping on the VIsta band wagon when it is going to cost so much to do so. New operating system plus new computer that can’t just be your basic cheap PC anymore because Vista won’t run it if is.
I like Apple’s systems more and more.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Torrentz time!
I had expectations. And they weren’t met once! So, I won’t buy Apple products again. It’s all their fault.
It’s all their fault!!!!
It’s time to play Spot the Numbskull kiddies! No doubt, Amazon will find ’em. :rolleyes:
And they won’t offer an upgrade, even though it’s really important to me!
AAAAAAAAHHHHH!
Finally!
Our best efforts to copy Mac OS X will finally payoff and Apple will begin it’s slide into oblivion. (yea right)
Thank you Apple for giving us a great OS to copy, like we always have.
BECAUSE WE AT MICROSOFT ARE JUST DUMB COPYCATS.
Look at our new trademark, think our copy will work?
Fails4Sure™
And then there is the hardware ugrades what going to be needed – at a min a good video card and more, much more ram! Sure makes a Mac look better by the hour.