Microsoft discounts Windows Vista

59 Comments

“Microsoft announced its intention to slash the price of its latest OS, unveiled in January 2007,” Max Brenn reports for eFluxMedia.

“Citing as a reason, its desire to urge the adoption of Windows Vista, Microsoft said that the price of its Windows Vista Ultimate, the fully-featured version of the OS, will be $319 instead of $399,” Brenn reports. “Also, those who already own a copy of Windows XP or a version of Windows Vista will pay to upgrade to Ultimate only $219 and not $259.”

“Microsoft will also cut prices for upgrade versions of Vista Home Premium, its mainstream product, to $129 from $159. The price cuts will apply in 73 countries, but they could vary from one country to another,” Brenn reports. “Also, the software giant will stop selling ‘upgrade’ versions of Vista in emerging markets and it will instead sell Vista Home Premium and Home Basic, a stripped-down version, at the upgrade prices.”

Brenn reports, “PC World, the guys behind the ‘top 100 high-tech products of the year,’ has labeled the OS as one of the biggest disappointments of 2007.”

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “amex” and “Brawndo Drinker” for the heads up.]

Related articles:
PC Magazine reviews Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard: ‘By far the best consumer OS available’ – February 21, 2008
Mercury News: There’s never been a better time to switch to Apple Mac – February 19, 2008
Chris Pirillo: 50 Reasons to switch from Microsoft Windows to Apple’s Mac OS X – February 18, 2008
InfoWorld: Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’ – February 18, 2008
PC Mag: Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard is strongest case yet for Windows PC users to switch to Mac – February 15, 2008
Microsoft already giving up on Windows Vista – February 02, 2008
Microsoft’s Windows Vista one year later: ‘the chrome has worn off the turd’ – January 30, 2008
Laptop Magazine offers online Windows to Mac Switcher’s Guide – January 30, 2008
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: Your Frustration. Our Fault. – January 30, 2008
ExtremeTech: Microsoft’s Windows Vista simply can’t compete with Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard – November 12, 2007
Computerworld: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard spanks Microsoft’s Windows Vista – November 07, 2007
Salon: It’s time to buy an Apple Mac; Macs cost less to own than PCs – November 06, 2007
Chicago Tribune reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: Further proof that computing needn’t be stressful – November 03, 2007
Fast Company: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard handily outshines all other computing interfaces – November 02, 2007
Houston Chronicle reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: A winner for Mac users and Windows switchers – November 01, 2007
MSNBC reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘An even better experience with an already excellent OS’ – November 01, 2007
PC Magazine reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘By far the best operating system ever written…’ – October 30, 2007
Apple sells two million copies of Mac OS X Leopard in first weekend – October 30, 2007
CNET’s Reisinger: Apple’s Leopard will open the Mac OS X floodgates and embarrass Microsoft – October 29, 2007
ZDNet’s Kingsley-Hughes: Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine ‘brilliant, fantastic, an absolute winner’ – October 29, 2007
Ars Technica reviews Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: ‘Absolutely packed with improvements’ – October 29, 2007
BBC: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine and Quick Look alone worth upgrading – October 29, 2007
CNET’s Reisinger: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine interface is perfect – October 27, 2007
IT Business: US$129 for Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is money well spent – October 27, 2007
Guardian Unlimited reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘a very solid platform for the future’ – October 26, 2007
CNET reviews Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: ‘Excellent’ – October 26, 2007
Dallas Morning News: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is a leap forward – October 26, 2007
Apple pulls wireless backup from initial Mac OS X Leopard release – October 26, 2007
Wired: Mac OS X Leopard may be Apple’s most revolutionary product release of 2007 – October 25, 2007
Technology Review: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is ‘visually stunning, fast and stable’ – October 25, 2007
USA Today: With Leopard, Apple’s already superior Mac OS X widens lead over Microsoft’s Windows – October 25, 2007
New York Times’ Pogue reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘Powerful and polished’ – October 25, 2007
Mossberg reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘better and faster than Windows Vista’ – October 25, 2007
Mac OS X Leopard’s new Time Machine – October 12, 2007
Microsoft must abandon the Windows Vista albatross – September 26, 2007
Forbes: Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Office ‘Blunder 2007’ will drive a lot of users to Apple – September 17, 2007
NPD: Windows Vista retail sales down down 60-percent vs. XP – September 11, 2007
Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard shames Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 31, 2007
Pioneer Press reviews Apple iMac: ‘An ideal family computer; Mac OS X puts Vista to shame’ – August 17, 2007
2008 Olympic Games dump unstable, unreliable Windows Vista – August 16, 2007
Vista Nightmare: The ‘Oww!’ Starts Now – July 28, 2007
Ballmer: ‘Vista doesn’t get done by three people in a garage in three days’ – July 27, 2007
Acer chief slams Microsoft: ‘The entire industry is disappointed by Windows Vista’ – July 23, 2007
Mercury News: Mac OS X already beats Windows Vista, Leopard will widen the gap – June 12, 2007
Apple ought to send Microsoft flowers and nice ‘Thank You’ note for Windows Vista – May 21, 2007
U.S. News & World Report: Apple Macs are attractive, stable, secure, and more fun than Windows – May 16, 2007
The full horror of Windows Vista – May 14, 2007
Apple need not rush Mac OS X Leopard to market; Tiger already superior to Windows Vista – May 03, 2007
IDC: Apple Mac shows market share gains despite launch of Windows Vista – April 30, 2007
Windows Vista: Emperor Microsoft’s new clothes – April 29, 2007
Forget VIsta: Beleaguered Dell brings back Windows XP, people also asking for Mac OS X – April 19, 2007
Windows user spends 30 Days with Windows Vista: ‘It’s a lemon, an unstable operating system’ – April 04, 2007
Network World: Need a new PC for Vista? Switching to Mac may cost less and give you more – March 16, 2007
Analyst: Microsoft’s Windows Vista is very good for Apple Mac – March 13, 2007
The Register reviews Microsoft’s Windows Vista: ‘Don’t buy it’ – February 20, 2007
Forbes: ‘Windows Vista utterly unimaginative, internally discordant and woefully out of tune’ – February 09, 2007
Windows sufferer spends six hours trying to ‘upgrade’ to Vista, says: ‘I should’ve bought a Mac’ – February 07, 2007
Windows Vista woes push BBC News editor to regret never having ‘defected’ to Apple Mac – February 06, 2007
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: Five years for a chrome-plated turd – January 30, 2007
Digit: ‘Microsoft’s Windows Vista may be the best reason yet to buy an Apple Mac’ – January 29, 2007
Pioneer Press: Windows Vista shows ‘Apple is an innovation engine; Microsoft, not so much’ – January 29, 2007
Windows Vista disappoints, so get a Mac – January 29, 2007
Analyst: Microsoft’s Windows Vista could be an opportunity for Apple – January 26, 2007
CNET Reviews Windows Vista: Is that all? Clunky and not very intuitive vs. Mac OS X; warmed-over XP – January 24, 2007
InformationWeek Review: Apple’s Mac OS X shines in comparison with Microsoft’s Windows Vista – January 06, 2007
Computerworld: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard’s ‘Time Machine’ is truly remarkable – October 05, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista: If you can’t innovate… try to impersonate Apple’s Mac OS X – August 10, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
eWeek: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard with 3-D Time Machine is amazing – August 08, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Moving train wreck that is Windows Vista to leave the station in late 2006/early 2007 – June 01, 2006
How to delete a shortcut in Windows Vista in just 7 steps – June 01, 2006
Pirillo critiques Windows Vista with long lists of mistakes – May 30, 2006
Video of Microsoft’s Windows Vista beta 2 release in action – May 23, 2006
Report: Microsoft Windows Vista could drive users even more nuts than usual – May 16, 2006
Yankee Group: Windows Vista to alienate business with disruptive security features – May 09, 2006
Windows Vista to be Microsoft’s last operating system? – April 21, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft collapsing under its own weight, Gates has driven Windows Vista into the ground – April 20, 2006
Microsoft employees call for heads to roll over continual Vista slips – March 27, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Albatross, er Vista could slip even more – March 27, 2006
Microsoft Vista fumble could lead to score for Apple Mac; Mac OS X Leopard may beat Vista to market – March 23, 2006
What’s the difference between Mac OS X and Vista? Microsoft employees are excited about Mac OS X – March 22, 2006
Microsoft delays Windows Vista again – this time until January 2007 – March 21, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft going to get eaten alive over Windows Vista’s resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – March 09, 2006
Episode 2 of Microsoft Windows Vista, Bill Gates CES keynote video spoof now online – January 07, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista, Bill Gates keynote video spoof debuts online – January 06, 2006
NY Times’ Pogue on Gates’ CES demo: Most of Vista features unadulterated ripoffs from Apple Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Analyst: Windows Vista may still impress many consumers because they have not seen Apple’s Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista compared to Apple Mac OS X – December 05, 2005
Gartner: Ignore Microsoft Windows Vista until 2008 (why not just get Apple Mac OS X Tiger today?) – November 12, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Vista strives to deliver what Apple’s Mac OS X already offers – October 10, 2005
Thurrott: Microsoft’s Windows Vista Beta 1 vs. Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger – August 29, 2005
Apple to unleash Leopard on Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn; Mac OS X 10.5 due late 2006 – early 2007 – June 07, 2005
Thurrott: many of Windows Vista’s upcoming features appeared first in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 26, 2005
Microsoft’s Ballmer: It’s true, some of Windows Vista’s features are ‘kissing cousins’ to Mac OS X – September 19, 2005
Microsoft suffers from malaise, key defections, Windows Vista struggles, lack of towels – September 16, 2005
PC World: Microsoft innovation – an oxymoron – September 15, 2005
Microsoft debuts Dashboard Widgets, er, ‘Microsoft Gadgets’ – September 13, 2005
Apple to unleash Leopard on Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn; Mac OS X 10.5 due late 2006 – early 2007 – June 07, 2005
Windows tech writer Thurrott: ‘In many ways, Mac OS X Tiger is simply better than Windows’ – May 07, 2005
Thurrott: ‘Longhorn is in complete disarray and in danger of collapsing under its own weight’ – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn ‘has the makings of a train wreck’ – April 26, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn demos ‘unimpressive, fall short of graphical excellence found today in Mac OS X’ – April 26, 2005
Microsoft employees leaving due to (and blogging about) malaise smothering company – April 25, 2005
eWEEK Editor Coursey: Longhorn so far ‘looks shockingly like a Macintosh’ – April 25, 2005
Due in late 2006, many of Windows Longhorn’s features have been in Mac OS X since 2001 – April 25, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn will bear more than just a passing resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – April 15, 2005
The Age: ‘Apple’s Mac OS X at least a generation ahead of Windows XP, iMac G5 clearly the best’ – December 15, 2004
Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Mac OS X Tiger ‘is going to drive the copycats crazy – June 28, 2004
Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs previews Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ to ship in the first half of 2005 – June 28, 2004
Apple takes dead aim at Microsoft, ‘Longhorn’ with WWDC Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ ads – June 28, 2004
PC Magazine: Microsoft ‘Longhorn’ preview shows ‘an Apple look’ – May 06, 2004
Windows ‘Longhorn’ to add translucent windows that ripple and shrink by 2005 – May 19, 2003
Apple leads; Wintel follows as usual – November 11, 2002

59 Comments

  6. I like how they use the word “slash” in most articles about this when it’s a measly 20% price cut. When Apple cuts prices, the media says they “lowered” the price even though in many cases they practically cut the price in half. When Microsoft gives you what amounts to your sales tax back on an already overpriced product … it’s “slashing.” ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  7. And in other interesting Redmond news…this found on MacFixit:

    “When selected in the font menu Powerpoint 2008 displays them with a substitute/generic font that looks nothing like the selected font. This occurs without any warning or dialog box that a substitution has occurred.”

    “Upon calling Redmond for help, Microsoft’s Mac Tech Support laughably told me after emailing them a bunch of sample files and enduring several long periods on hold that ‘the engineers writing the program decided no 3rd-party fonts were being supported in Office 2008 and that I could only use Microsoft fonts.'”

    This has to be a joke…I hope

    Reply

  10. “I think it’s probably important for me to tell our partners that, rest assured, we will never have a gap between Windows releases as long as the one between XP and Windows Vista,” Ballmer told thousands at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Boston.

    “Vista will be out next year. Vista has never been delayed. I mean, we had earlier conceptualizations, but the thing that is Vista is on its track.” – Ballmer

    Pants on fire.

    Reply

  12. Where is the screaming about this ‘massive’ price cut from the horde of consumers who purchased a shrink-wrapped copy of Vista since its release…err…the dozens of Vista buyers, that is. I don’t see M$ giving out rebates to its early adopters who, by the way, got reamed (unlike the early iPhone buyers, who received the promised quality product).

    I spoke with some more colleagues in the aerospace industry yesterday, and it is clear that the word of Mac is spreading. Many people who gradually migrated to Windows in the mid-1990’s, most of whom were pressured or forced to switch by IT departments and company with Windows and IE-centric policies, are showing interest once again.

    Reply

  14. As always Microsoft is looking out for the little guy—in this case graciously lowering prices and all you MAC sheep can do is bitch. The price of entry for the world’s most advanced, secure and easy-to-use OS is less expensive than before. We should all be grateful. Thank you, Microsoft!

    History tells me not to expect Apple to have a good answer to this development as Cupertino has reacted poorly to Microsoft’s shrewd, customer-focused marketing decisions and brilliant innovations in the past. Buh-bye Apple.

    Your potential. Our passion.™

    Reply

  15. If you want a real laugher about Vista, browse through the e-mails that were just released on the Vista capable program fiasco.

    Dell begging MSFT to not go ahead then detailing the post mortem disaster.

    A Microsoft exec getting burned– complaining he’d bought a $2,100 Sony e-mail machine–cause it wouldn’t run Vista!

    Reply

  16. The upgrade to Leopard, superior to Windoze edition, costs less than $200 (people in the know just call it Leopard). I think M$ is getting the hint that people are not willing to take out a second mortgage just for an OS. They already got the hint when they relabled the Education version of Office to Home and Student version which allows for up to 3 installs.

    Just my $0.02

    Reply

  21. Zune Tang might have a point there about lowering the price. I already got Windows Ultimate for free, because I was a beta tester. If they make it freeware, they might blow Apple out of the water.

    Or not.

    My Dell XPS is sitting in a corner unused. Every time I turn it on, Vista wants to update, scan for this, defragment that, and so forth. By the time it’s ready, I’ve finished my work on the Mac. It’s getting so I’m terrified to turn it on.

    Vista made me a Mac user. So lowering the price works right into Apple’s hands.

    Reply

  23. “If they make it freeware, they might blow Apple out of the water.”

    That would be a serious abuse of MS’s monopoly status.
    Not that the U.S. D.O.J. would do anything about it. I’m surprised they aren’t allowed to just go ahead and print their own currency. Ballmer Bucks. Or would it be a points system?

    Reply

  24. “As always Microsoft is looking out for the little guy”
    So that’s how Redmond refers to its brainwashed heathens.

    “—in this case graciously lowering prices and all you MAC sheep can do is bitch. The price of entry for the world’s most advanced, secure and easy-to-use OS is less expensive than before.”
    But-but-but you said that money is an outmoded form of applicable payment, and we should be using points instead! So how many points does it cost to purchase Vista Training Bra edition?

    “We should all be grateful. Thank you, Microsoft!”
    Yes, Gates and Ballmer, thank you for the continous years of laughter and tears (mostly tears).

    “History tells me not to expect Apple to have a good answer to this development as Cupertino has reacted poorly to Microsoft’s shrewd, customer-focused marketing decisions and brilliant innovations in the past.”

    Sorry to interrupt your diatribe Zune Tang, but your boss just called, and you need to get to work to start your afternoon shift at Chuck-E-Cheese.
    As far as Apple’s response to this obviously brilliant, Napoleon-like strategy (with bonus Napoleon Complex), they’re a little busy right now called Making Money and Caring About the Consumer.

    Think Different.

    Reply

Reader Feedback

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.