As a part of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program announced by Microsoft, Windows vista buyers will receive a free license for an equivalent Windows 7 version, once the product is officially relased in October this year. Under the program, which is effective from June 26 2009, personal computers installed with Vista Ultimate, Vista Business or Vista Home Premium versions will qualify for the free upgrade.Though the offer is a free one, there may be some shipping costs payable to the computer manufacturer / retailer.
PC buyers can contact their dealers after the General Availability (GA) release on 22 October 2009 to avail the offer on any PC purchases made from a participating retailer between June 26 2009 and January 31, 2010. The offer is also valid on packaged Vista software purchased during the same time frame. Windows Vista Home Premium buyers will be eligible for Windows 7 Home premium free upgrade, while the Windows Vista Business buyers will receive a free license for Windows 7 Professional, and the Windows Vista Ultimate qualifies for a free Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade.
Outside this offer, the Windows 7 upgrades will cost about $120, $200 and $220 for the Home, Professional and Ultimate versions, while the corresponding full-installation packages are priced at $200, $300 and $320 in the United States. Window 7 prices are close to that of Vista, with only a $40 difference between their respective full Home Premium versions. Upgrade costs however remain the same irrespective of whether you upgrade from Vista or XP. Microsoft is yet to reveal the costs associated with upgrading from an earlier Windows 7 version to the latest one.
Microsoft has also announced the acceptance of limited pre-orders for Windows 7 upgrades which are priced at $50 for the Home Premium version and $100 for the Professional version. Pre-order validity period and pricing vary across geographies.
For PC buyers, however, the new Windows 7 software cost is factored into the final price of the PC. The impact of the new OS price on low-end PC prices remains to be seen.
In the meanwhile, those who are looking to upgrade or replace old hardware may well buy a new PC within the offer period. Though your PC will have Vista pre-installed, you will eventually receive a free equivalent Windows 7 upgrade at a negligible cost.
PC buyers can contact their dealers after the General Availability (GA) release on 22 October 2009 to avail the offer on any PC purchases made from a participating retailer between June 26 2009 and January 31, 2010. The offer is also valid on packaged Vista software purchased during the same time frame. Windows Vista Home Premium buyers will be eligible for Windows 7 Home premium free upgrade, while the Windows Vista Business buyers will receive a free license for Windows 7 Professional, and the Windows Vista Ultimate qualifies for a free Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade.
Outside this offer, the Windows 7 upgrades will cost about $120, $200 and $220 for the Home, Professional and Ultimate versions, while the corresponding full-installation packages are priced at $200, $300 and $320 in the United States. Window 7 prices are close to that of Vista, with only a $40 difference between their respective full Home Premium versions. Upgrade costs however remain the same irrespective of whether you upgrade from Vista or XP. Microsoft is yet to reveal the costs associated with upgrading from an earlier Windows 7 version to the latest one.
Microsoft has also announced the acceptance of limited pre-orders for Windows 7 upgrades which are priced at $50 for the Home Premium version and $100 for the Professional version. Pre-order validity period and pricing vary across geographies.
For PC buyers, however, the new Windows 7 software cost is factored into the final price of the PC. The impact of the new OS price on low-end PC prices remains to be seen.
In the meanwhile, those who are looking to upgrade or replace old hardware may well buy a new PC within the offer period. Though your PC will have Vista pre-installed, you will eventually receive a free equivalent Windows 7 upgrade at a negligible cost.
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