“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.]
Well, I’m wondering what happens to all those mindless individuals who give their money to Amazon, and then (hopefully) Vista never comes out!
I have been an Apple user long before some of you were dirty thoughts in your dad’s mind, and what I STILL do not understand is why I’m reading about so many of you MAC users wanting to even fuck around with Windows of any kind on your MAC. What part of “dumb” do you NOT understand?
I have now returned my soapbox to the closet.
Heck, you could almost buy a Mac for the price of Windows Vista
This is a beautiful chess game with apple as the grandmaster and microsoft as a pawn chucker. Apple is slowly edging into position with a new line up of iPods, upgrades across the range, Leopard to launch in November, big Google alliance, iTunes radical changes, remove all the reasons to buy any other box and advertise. All of this is poss. without the iPhone and big vid pod. When things get confusing it is the easiest solution that wins. Steve has the final play all worked out . . . . checkmate.
True, rasterbator. Also, Ballmer’s quick lube service that has nothing to do with cars.
LOL! I ditched Windows over 7 years ago! ROTFLMAO!!!!!
I LOVE IT!
Bend over Windows users!!!!!
LOL!!!!!!
Mac OS X v10.0 (Cheetah)
Mac OS X v10.1 (Puma)
Mac OS X v10.2 (Jaguar)
Mac OS X v10.3 (Panther)
Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger)
Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard)
Lets see $129 x 6 = $774
hummm… Vista’s price tag isn’t looking so bad
Hey if you are gonna put the crappeist consumer OS in the world on your system you might as well blow the wad.
This is what we are talking about; Paying the highest price for the crappiest OS available to consumers. SOLARIS is better than WIndoze. AIX is better than WINDOZE…etc.
If you insist on owning a Windoze ready machine and you do mission critical work, the least you can do is get a free version of Linux and a boot/partition manager.
Correction…Puma was a free up grade to Cheetah… so 5 x 129=$645
Trolls are funny, sad little people. They remind me of circus freaks.
Let’s see:
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows Me
Windows 2000
WIndows XP Home
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Media Edition
Windows Vista this
Windows Vista that
WIndows Vista whatever
Windows Vista who gives a shit
hummm… get a Mac
I’ve been a die hard mac user since ’96 (as I am sending this on my Brand new Mac Book Pro 2 Ghz Intel Core Duo that APPLE GAVE ME FREE LAST MONTH) I Love my mac… but shelling out $129 every year or so isn’t cheep.
True, it isn’t cheap. But the difference between Mac and Windows OS upgrades are that with Windows, you’re getting the same pre-packaged, ripped off shit that Microsoft has been pushing around for years, only with a nicer (if you’d call it that) GUI.
With each iteration of OS X, you’re practically getting a new system altogether. New features that actually work, more stability, smoother GUI, and not to mention speedier hardware.
The upgrade is worth it. And besides, you aren’t forced to upgrade to stay in the game either.
Hey tj, at least you have the OPTION of upgrading your system every 12-18 months with Apple. It’s your choice.
But heck, you could have bought any computer that shipped with 10.0, upgraded for free to 10.1, and then upgraded to Tiger for $129. Total cost: computer plus Tiger.
With Windows, you can only sit, twiddle your thumbs, and hope for the neverending beta to end. And try out a service pack every couple years. :p
Total cost: endless frustration…
This pricing actually seems like a way for Micro$oft to buy more time.
If they price it too high most people won’t upgrade, then it gives them more time to work out the shitty code and then offer it for less 6 months down the road, without too many people bitchin’ about how much it sucks!
Good gracious. What a colossal waste of money! And why in the heck must they have so many versions?!?!?! I’d like to have a #3 Windows combo please. WTF?!! K.I.S.S.
Comme mes amis quebecois disent, “Les gens qui achetent Windows, ils sont foques dans leur tetes!”
“Vista could be delayed if the operating system, now in beta testing, isn’t up to the company’s standards.”
IOW, if Vista gets delayed again, that means it’s worse than Windows ME (a shipped OS that apparently met “the company’s standards”).
Makes ya really wonder how bad things at MS will need to get before people finally notice.
Seems like most people would be better off switching to linux on their PCs and running their stuff in WINE or finding a FOSS equivalent or just getting a Mac. Of all the videos Ive seen of Vista and the complaints from beta users I am not interested in what windows has to offer for the future. Consumers need to stand up and start being more vocal about what they want their software to do and stop allowing MS to dictate what they should be used to. But I think Apple is in the same boat to an extent. There are lots of features that we their users want to be added and yet we continue to wait or for those of us that understand programming or at least know how to compile code from online repositories we find other sources for our needs.
Seems to me rather than list each version of Vista (and it’s four sub-(standard) versions)), they should make it easier for PC users to choose which version to go for and do a list of PC processor types/installed RAM configurations, and recommend what version of Vista people should get.
Like:
Core Duo/lots of RAM – Vista Business/Ultimate
Pentium 4/enough RAM to run anti-malware programs – Vista Home Basic/Premium
Anything else – get a Mac!
TJfoam:
Interesting, tallying the price of each version of OS X over time. Now, do the same with each NT-based Windows OS beginning with Windows NT (circa 1993). Also, please convert OS X and NT-based Windows prices to current U.S. dollars accounting for inflation. This would provide a more accurate and less biased comparison. Thanks.
What a mess. Who wants to figure out which purchase they should make. Does it really need to be this complicated?
I am curious to see if Leopard will use the ‘Honor System’ for licensing as Mac OS always has. I have not heard that it won’t so that is always something that blows away prospective Mac users. They cannot believe that you don’t need a serial number to run the OS.
“delayed if the software is not up to Microsoft standards”? There are no standards at Microsoft. They release anything and everything, then try to patch the hell out of it to fix the bugs!!
Get a Mac!
TjFoam spewed “Mac OS X v10.0 (Cheetah)
Mac OS X v10.1 (Puma)
Mac OS X v10.2 (Jaguar)
Mac OS X v10.3 (Panther)
Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger)
Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard)
Lets see $129 x 6 = $774
hummm… Vista’s price tag isn’t looking so bad”
I bought Windows Vista Home Basic Full for my iMac for $199.95. Oops! Not the right one! I then bought Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade for $159.00. Oops! Still not the right one! I then bought Windows Vista Business Upgrade for $199.00. Man, still not the right one! Then I bought Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade for $259.00. I’m getting closer. I then bought Leopard for $129. Hey, it actually works!
hmmmm….
In the quote,
“When will your copy of Windows Vista be ready? 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.”
There is a major typo. The phrase “company’s standards” should be in quotes, then followed by long periods of laughter.
oh apple is awesome, the stock is going to go higher,