As the press has already announced…
We have Windows 7 knocking to our doors. Some of my readers have been asking why I being such a fan of Microsoft technologies have not yet written technical articles about Windows 7 in my blog.
Well, call it a matter of time (I’ve been really busy with projects lately), but also I think there is very much good information in blogs already about it and anybody can just search (in Bing, of course) and will find it easily.
But the biggest hype around Windows 7 is maybe the matter of when will we have it and what will be the price to get it. And, if you followed some of my pre-blog publications, you’ll already know what the easiest way is… if you didn’t read me before, you’ll learn here:
The easiest way: Software Assurance.
Software Assurance is a program of Microsoft for companies that buy their software licenses by volume (5 or more), I’m not getting in this article in deep but let’s say any kind of company (but the smallest) can get a discount when they buy 5 or more licenses of any Microsoft product. One of the things that you can buy along with licenses is called Software Assurance and basically is the assurance by Microsoft that you’ll get the newest version of the software you bought without paying anymore in the moment of the launch (that will cover you against buying new versions during a period of several years after your original purchase and will give you some other benefits…. I promise I will provide a link to those benefits later)
So, if you buy now Windows (Vista) licenses and put Software Assurance on top of it you’ll be granted you get the right to run Windows 7 on it’s general availability (worldwide) on October 22, 2009.
The traditional: The promo for new PCs.
As with every Windows version so far I can remember, when the new version is about to be launched, Microsoft announces some kind of “upgrade right” for people that buys a new PC with Windows some weeks before the launch.
As the launch is still due, they cannot get the new version preinstalled, but if they get the offer, they will have the right to install the new software in the moment Microsoft launches it. So that moment is coming VERY soon.
Microsoft announced TODAY (some hours before I write this) details about this offer in the Windows product group blog (http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/06/25/announcing-the-windows-7-upgrade-option-program-amp-windows-7-pricing-bring-on-ga.aspx). Most of the cool information I’m putting in this post will come from that blog but I think I can get the picture clearer for my readers if I write it in my style instead of just putting the link.
OK, starting TOMORROW (June 26, 2009) you can buy a new PC with Windows (normally you will get Windows Vista on top of that) and that will get you the right to upgrade it to Windows 7 starting on October 22nd. This time Microsoft has put it even clearer than in previous launches as the announcement clearly states that it is valid for SOME OEMs (computer manufacturers) and SOME qualified models. This is presumably because not every computer is able to run Windows 7 or the manufacturer can decide not to support it’s hardware on Windows 7.
So… if you need a new PC… you can buy now (well, not now… but tomorrow) and you’ll enjoy Windows 7 starting October 22nd (you’ll get Windows 7 FOR FREE on that date). This can be done until January 31st, 2010.
The discount: New pricing for Windows licenses
In the same announcement, Microsoft has revealed the prices for the new Windows 7 editions, which are slightly lower than the current prices for Vista. (Prices revealed are for U.S. retail prices, so they are not so important in a worldwide blog, but they are a nice indication).
The discounts are around $10 and $40 over the current professional and home premium editions respectively. The corporate editions prices will remain the same.
The smartest: Buy and save big
Well, starting TOMORROW (June 26, 2009) in the U.S., Canada and Japan, people will be able to buy a license (actually, up to three per person) at a discount of more than 50% over the price that it will hit the stores in October 22nd. This offer will run in the first two countries until July 11th and in Japan until July 5th.
The same offer will run in some european countries (U.K., France and Germany) starting July 15th and will end in August 14th.
Click here for more information about this
Under this promotion, Home Premium edition in the U.S. will sell for only $49.99 and Professional edition for $99.99.
There’s still no announcement about this promotion for other countries and markets.
The free trial: Use the Release Candidate
The Release Candidate version of Windows 7 (the test version just before the final) is free to download in the Microsoft web page. You can use it until mid-2010. So, what are you expecting? TRY IT! ENJOY IT!.
So now, you’re warned… don’t miss this one!
I can now ask you…
And you still don’t run Windows 7? What’s your excuse?
Currently a consultant for Core IO technologies for Microsoft Services in Spain, Mauricio is certified in various Microsoft areas and titles covering messaging technologies, security products and operating systems, but also products and areas such as MSF, MOF, ITIL and project management.
Born in Medellín, Colombia in 1972.
Since very young, very interested in computing, science fiction and high technology.
Studied Systems Engineer at EAFIT University where also made a specialization in International Businesses and an MBA.
Moved later to Madrid, Spain, where studied for a master in Telematics Engineering, at the Carlos III University.
Inmersed in Microsoft technologies since 1994 (Microsoft Mail and Windows for Workgroups) in various scenarios of deployment, support, design, implementation, et al.