Consumers Won't Pay $120 for Windows 7 Upgrade - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 10-18-2009, 03:05 PM

Interesting read.

Quote:

I've just upgraded my main notebook computer to Windows 7. The process took four hours, windows 7 microsoft upgradeand despites a few minor glitches, was pretty much painless.

So I'm using Win 7 now. It's a little faster and a little prettier than Vista. (Check out PC World's Windows 7 review for the specifics.) But as I explore Microsoft's latest operating system, I find myself wondering why Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade, the main version for consumers, costs $120.

Will home users pay that price? I'm betting they won't. True, some Microsoft diehards will line up on October 22 to grab the first copies of Win 7, but most consumers will spot the price tag and walk away.

As much as I like what Microsoft's done with Windows 7, the improvements don't warrant such a steep fee, particularly for home users upgrading from the much-maligned Vista. And XP users? Well, migrating to Win 7 is a complex chore that requires a clean install. You may have to upgrade your hardware too. Add up the cost of Windows 7, plus more RAM and maybe a new graphics card, and a new PC starts to seem a lot more affordable.

Isn't Software Free?

Consumers have grown accustomed to free apps. So many programs cost nothing these days, including Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome), security apps,
productivity suites (Google Docs, OpenOffice.org, MS Office 2010 Starter Edition), and photo editors (Google Picasa). I'm not suggesting that home users expect a free operating system too, but that $120 sounds awfully expensive in today's give-it-away software environment.

It's possible that Windows 7 Home Premium's sticker price is an illusion, much like the MSRP of a new car. It's the pseudo price that no savvy consumer would every pay. This doesn't mean that shoppers will be able to haggle with Best Buy clerks -- "I'll turn around and walk out now if you don't throw in a cordless mouse!" -- but that Microsoft will immediately discount Windows 7 to reflect its true value.

In fact, that's already started. Microsoft is offering a steep Windows 7 discount to students, who'll pay just $30 for the Home Premium version through January 3. And the $150 Windows 7 Family Pack, which lets you install Win 7 on up to three PCs, slashes the upgrade price to $50 per computer.

What would you pay for Windows 7?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/17386...7_upgrade.html

Si · 10-18-2009, 03:12 PM

Future Shop are giving everyone who buys a new PC a free upgrade when it comes out.

Can see why people wouldn't bother paying to upgrade though, doubt it will be much better than vista (I wouldn't know, but from a buyers point of view)

I'd rather wait til my PC gets fucked and buy a new one with whatever is the standard then, rather than upgrading to 7.

Has anyone tried it yet? I'd like to see what people think.

Also, RapidShare or some other filesharing site will be packed with this shit anyway lol bet there won't be many people that pay for the upgrade either way....

Barefootsies · 10-18-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si

Shop are giving everyone who buys a new PC a free upgrade when it comes out.

I bought a couple additional quad core PC's off the shelf from Best Buy a few months back (that I use for video rendering machines) and they told me at the time I bought them the upgrade was free when it comes out.

The clerk was a rave with Windows 7. I was like, "Time will tell".

Point being that they have been using that upgrade pitch for at least a few months if not longer at the chains. No added cost.

After Shock Media · 10-18-2009, 03:21 PM

MS never ever would say something is worth X, then let people or sell it themselves for Y, and say boo hoo we took a Z loss on this product per sale and perhaps take a small deduction or something.

kane · 10-18-2009, 03:41 PM

I have a friend that is an engineer at Intel and they have been doing a lot of work with Windows 7 over the last months. He can't stop saying good stuff about it. He also says that for a limited time Microsoft will be offering a multi-license upgrade pack. He says it looks like it will allow you to install it on 3 different computers and it will cost about $160-$180. that is a pretty good deal for those with more than one PC or people who want to go in with a friend and buy it.

NOTR · 10-18-2009, 04:32 PM

Rule of thumb, if it makes you money pay for it.

Upgraded mine a few months back, no flaws nothing but good things. Finished upgrading the office last week and will buy a corporate license.

~$100 is a drop in the bucket if it saves your employees 1 days worth of productivity over the year.

naughtylaura · 10-18-2009, 10:22 PM

I'm running on Windows 7 on both pcs and laptop now and love it

xx

jollyperv · 10-18-2009, 10:28 PM

I've been spending a few hours a day with ubuntu, loving it so far. Fuck windows.

rowan · 10-18-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

I bought a couple additional quad core PC's off the shelf from Best Buy a few months back (that I use for video rendering machines) and they told me at the time I bought them the upgrade was free when it comes out.

The clerk was a rave with Windows 7. I was like, "Time will tell".

Point being that they have been using that upgrade pitch for at least a few months if not longer at the chains. No added cost.

That's probably built into the licensing arrangement - you're getting an obsolete version of Windows for now, with the "real" version promised once it's released. Same thing happened when Vista's release was imminent and builders were still shipping XP.

If you bought Windows in a software box, or some time ago, then it probably needs to be a paid upgrade.

munki · 10-18-2009, 10:55 PM

The latest Apple OS update was 25 bones... and was just as effective as a Vista/ Win 7 swap.

TheDoc · 10-18-2009, 11:00 PM

I wouldn't pay for Windows 7, but I would use it if it was free

http://www.ubuntu.com/

JustDaveXxx · 10-18-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by munki

The latest Apple OS update was 25 bones... and was just as effective as a Vista/ Win 7 swap.

YUP. The new Mac OS was actually good and sped things up and shaved of a bunch of gigs off of my hard drive that were not needed.

MS seems to be dropping the ball.

Elli · 10-19-2009, 12:02 AM

For those who are liking W7, what exactly is better about it? Say, over Vista? Other than the little Aero engine tweaks we've heard about.

10-19-2009, 01:04 AM

I'll be running W7 and the upgrade seems to be worth the cost. My opinion from the beta - looks and feels updated like Vista did but runs on XP simplicity and speed. Not to mention that they brought back a few features that they dumped with Vista (the person in charge of that development should be (was probably) fired).

iMind · 10-19-2009, 01:11 AM

funny, to upgrade my mac to the latest OS last month, cost me a WHOPPING $29!

and I was happy to pay for it

That said, even as a mac fan boy, Windows 7 does look pretty good and has peaked my interest, but like fuck I'm paying $120 for my alternate OS

onwebcam · 10-19-2009, 01:26 AM

Free and legal enterprise edition from a friend.

Haven't installed it yet though.

munki · 10-19-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elli

For those who are liking W7, what exactly is better about it? Say, over Vista? Other than the little Aero engine tweaks we've heard about.

I have been enjoying Win7 over Vista, but the pricepoint is a hanger, especially with as I pointed out above OS updates coming out for Apple at 25.

Win 7 sped things up considerably as far as day to day operation. The OS itself uses less RAM to stay up on basic functions, and handles most programs more efficiently (from my experience on 64 bit)

Antonio · 10-19-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elli

For those who are liking W7, what exactly is better about it? Say, over Vista? Other than the little Aero engine tweaks we've heard about.

I wrote quite a few blog posts on WIn 7 and spent the time to read feedbacks, etc. .... I'm not going into boring details, but I believe that it is well worth the money and it is also way better than Vista, I for one will be buying it for sure!!!

master_design · 10-19-2009, 02:32 AM

Looking to try this out soon

Sarah_Jayne · 10-19-2009, 03:32 AM

Anybody else remember the huge rush when '95 came out? Now, I just can't be bothered to upgrade until I have no choice.

Va2k · 10-19-2009, 03:45 AM

I lost two hard drives so on my 3rd one I tried win7 I loved it but.. when it was time to do real work on it, I was freaking lost! The ease of windows xp compared to win7 is much better! I couldn't get photo shop to work, and a few other programs! Oh and trying to network with my other 4 PC's was a Joke! Nope I paid $150.00 for windows Xp Pro so wont be going anywhere anytime soon!

seeandsee · 10-19-2009, 03:56 AM

cash fuckers

Bojangles · 10-19-2009, 04:35 AM

Windows 7 is bad ass.

Barefootsies · 10-19-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowan

That's probably built into the licensing arrangement - you're getting an obsolete version of Windows for now, with the "real" version promised once it's released. Same thing happened when Vista's release was imminent and builders were still shipping XP.

If you bought Windows in a software box, or some time ago, then it probably needs to be a paid upgrade.

Well if that is the case, I have yet to have an issue with it on these machines.

I doubt I will do the upgrade unless there is some major advantage I hear of later. I replace machines every 12-18 months as it is. So everything will be upgraded in my office in a short period of time as is.

These new computers are used to just render videos anyway. So unless it is going to change that in some significant way, which I doubt, then it's not worth the grief.

Barefootsies · 10-19-2009, 06:26 AM

Also to be said..... it cracks me up how many webmasters and program owners are hung up on a mere $100-150 for the software upgrade.

I can only imagine what kind of loaf they drop in their panties if they have to actually pay for a Photo Shop, Premiere, Sorenson (among others) license.

Fletch XXX · 10-19-2009, 06:26 AM

what an idiot:

Quote:

Isn't Software Free?

Consumers have grown accustomed to free apps. So many programs cost nothing these days, including Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome).

No software isnt free... browsers trying to break into an already free market (browsers) cant charge so of course Firefox and Chrome are free.

idiot.

CaptainHowdy · 10-19-2009, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeandsee

cash fuckers

Aren't we all?

stickyfingerz · 10-19-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungus

I lost two hard drives so on my 3rd one I tried win7 I loved it but.. when it was time to do real work on it, I was freaking lost! The ease of windows xp compared to win7 is much better! I couldn't get photo shop to work, and a few other programs! Oh and trying to network with my other 4 PC's was a Joke! Nope I paid $150.00 for windows Xp Pro so wont be going anywhere anytime soon!

Thats weird man. Win 7 for me worked flawlessly with everything, and networking took like 2 mins to get going.

NOTR · 10-19-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMind

funny, to upgrade my mac to the latest OS last month, cost me a WHOPPING $29!

and I was happy to pay for it

That said, even as a mac fan boy, Windows 7 does look pretty good and has peaked my interest, but like fuck I'm paying $120 for my alternate OS

The other $100 was subsidized via apples hardware profits. MS doesn't make money on hardware.

KillerK · 10-19-2009, 09:00 AM

I'll be buying it the first day it comes out. Didn't know they had a family pack, that will save some cashola. I need it for a few computers.

Been using Windows 7 for about 6 months now and it's what Vista should have been.

Btw for the Mac guys, the last 2 updates haven't added shit.

10-18-2009, 03:12 PM	#2
Si Such Fun! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13,900	Future Shop are giving everyone who buys a new PC a free upgrade when it comes out. Can see why people wouldn't bother paying to upgrade though, doubt it will be much better than vista (I wouldn't know, but from a buyers point of view) I'd rather wait til my PC gets fucked and buy a new one with whatever is the standard then, rather than upgrading to 7. Has anyone tried it yet? I'd like to see what people think. Also, RapidShare or some other filesharing site will be packed with this shit anyway lol bet there won't be many people that pay for the upgrade either way.... Last edited by Si; 10-18-2009 at 03:13 PM..

10-18-2009, 03:21 PM	#4
After Shock Media It's coming look busy Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn". Posts: 35,299	MS never ever would say something is worth X, then let people or sell it themselves for Y, and say boo hoo we took a Z loss on this product per sale and perhaps take a small deduction or something. __________________ [email protected] ICQ:135982156 AIM: Aftershockmed1a MSN: [email protected]

10-18-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
naughtylaura Naughty Laura Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,198	I'm running on Windows 7 on both pcs and laptop now and love it xx __________________ Custom Butt Plugs & Kink items!

10-18-2009, 10:55 PM	#10
munki Do Fun Shit. Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OC Posts: 13,393	The latest Apple OS update was 25 bones... and was just as effective as a Vista/ Win 7 swap. __________________ “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” -Oscar Wilde

10-18-2009, 11:00 PM	#11
TheDoc Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Currently Incognito Posts: 13,827	I wouldn't pay for Windows 7, but I would use it if it was free http://www.ubuntu.com/ __________________ ~TheDoc - ICQ7765825 It's all disambiguation

10-18-2009, 03:41 PM	#5
kane Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: portland, OR Posts: 20,684	I have a friend that is an engineer at Intel and they have been doing a lot of work with Windows 7 over the last months. He can't stop saying good stuff about it. He also says that for a limited time Microsoft will be offering a multi-license upgrade pack. He says it looks like it will allow you to install it on 3 different computers and it will cost about $160-$180. that is a pretty good deal for those with more than one PC or people who want to go in with a friend and buy it.

10-18-2009, 04:32 PM	#6
NOTR Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MTL Posts: 380	Rule of thumb, if it makes you money pay for it. Upgraded mine a few months back, no flaws nothing but good things. Finished upgrading the office last week and will buy a corporate license. ~$100 is a drop in the bucket if it saves your employees 1 days worth of productivity over the year.

10-18-2009, 10:28 PM	#8
jollyperv Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 3,927	I've been spending a few hours a day with ubuntu, loving it so far. Fuck windows.

10-19-2009, 12:02 AM	#13
Elli Reach for those stars! Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 17,991	For those who are liking W7, what exactly is better about it? Say, over Vista? Other than the little Aero engine tweaks we've heard about. __________________ Make More Money with Cams and Dating at FFN.com! email: [email protected]

10-19-2009, 01:04 AM	#14
magpan Guest Posts: n/a	I'll be running W7 and the upgrade seems to be worth the cost. My opinion from the beta - looks and feels updated like Vista did but runs on XP simplicity and speed. Not to mention that they brought back a few features that they dumped with Vista (the person in charge of that development should be (was probably) fired).

10-19-2009, 01:11 AM	#15
iMind Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 937	funny, to upgrade my mac to the latest OS last month, cost me a WHOPPING $29! and I was happy to pay for it That said, even as a mac fan boy, Windows 7 does look pretty good and has peaked my interest, but like fuck I'm paying $120 for my alternate OS

10-19-2009, 01:26 AM	#16
onwebcam Fake Nick 1.0 Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rent free, your head Posts: 27,652	Free and legal enterprise edition from a friend. Haven't installed it yet though. __________________ PLEASE WAIT WHILE BIDEN ADMIN UNINSTALLS ITSELF..... ██████████████████▒ 99.5% complete.

10-19-2009, 02:32 AM	#19
master_design Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 772	Looking to try this out soon

10-19-2009, 03:32 AM	#20
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	Anybody else remember the huge rush when '95 came out? Now, I just can't be bothered to upgrade until I have no choice.

10-19-2009, 03:45 AM	#21
Va2k I’m still alive barley. Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Va Posts: 10,060	I lost two hard drives so on my 3rd one I tried win7 I loved it but.. when it was time to do real work on it, I was freaking lost! The ease of windows xp compared to win7 is much better! I couldn't get photo shop to work, and a few other programs! Oh and trying to network with my other 4 PC's was a Joke! Nope I paid $150.00 for windows Xp Pro so wont be going anywhere anytime soon! __________________

10-19-2009, 03:56 AM	#22
seeandsee Check SIG! Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europe (Skype: gojkoas) Posts: 50,945	cash fuckers __________________ BUY MY SIG - 50$/Year Contact here

10-19-2009, 04:35 AM	#23
Bojangles Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,419	Windows 7 is bad ass.

10-19-2009, 06:26 AM	#25
Barefootsies Choice is an Illusion Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Land of Obama Posts: 42,635	Also to be said..... it cracks me up how many webmasters and program owners are hung up on a mere $100-150 for the software upgrade. I can only imagine what kind of loaf they drop in their panties if they have to actually pay for a Photo Shop, Premiere, Sorenson (among others) license. __________________ Should You Email Your Members? Link1 \| Link2 \| Link3 Enough Said. "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

10-19-2009, 09:00 AM	#30
KillerK Confirmed User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,406	I'll be buying it the first day it comes out. Didn't know they had a family pack, that will save some cashola. I need it for a few computers. Been using Windows 7 for about 6 months now and it's what Vista should have been. Btw for the Mac guys, the last 2 updates haven't added shit.