http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Now lets next time they just make one version rather than 10!]]>Aug 19th 2009 6:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
These features have already been developed and do not cost Microsoft any more money in upkeep. Designating specific features for specific "versions" of the OS is an entirely arbitrary limitation meant to fleece pockets. Not to sound like a zealot, but OS X handles this in an enviable way.]]>Aug 19th 2009 7:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
-A free upgrade for all Windows Vista Ultimate users to 7

And

-Reduced pricing for all Beta testers across the board up to launch.]]>Aug 19th 2009 7:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
MS developers put in a great deal of time to add those extra features that 90% of the public won't even use or miss, but you just expect them to give it away for free?

Remind me not to put you in charge of my sales division any time soon, as you have no realistic concept of how product pricing and software development works, only an idealistic one, and merely a consumers perspective at that.]]>Aug 19th 2009 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
If as a developer you are putting a great deal of time into features 90% of your market won't even use or miss, then you have failed business 101; especially since that is drawing away resources that you could be using to really boost the quality of your core product. Better is to have excellent open API's so that specialist 3rd party firms can make rock solid extensions that service the 1-10% of the market by using your core product.

Remind me not to put you in charge of my product development department. I'll end up with a Wheelbarrow that has side mirrors, a spare wheel, drink holder and comes with a large selection of stickers for personalisation, costs twice as much but leaks, tends to break and gives the operator splinters.]]>Aug 19th 2009 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
Actually you'll end up with a range of wheelbarrows. Some will be basic 'carry shit around' models. Some will be 'carry shit around in a load distributed manner' models and some will be 'carry shit around in a load distributed manner whilst filtering the shit into different consistencies' models. You then get to choose the one you need. For most people it'll be the moving shit around model but others might want more, that's choice you see.

Of course other providers only make the 'carry shit around in a load distributed manner whilst filtering the shit into different consistencies' models and sell them at low prices. What they don't tell you is that it only works in one garden and you need to buy that too.]]>Aug 19th 2009 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
Remember that Microsoft doesn't sell hardware. To Apple, the sale of OSX is incidental. That's why they have it so cheap and only have one version. (Actually, they have two, server edition, but let's not go there). Since the only way you will legitimately be using OSX is if you have already purchased their computers, they can afford to give you Snow Leopard for $30 or Leopard for $100. They don't need to make multiple options.

Microsoft, on the other hand, makes no money from hardware sales. They can't afford to make their software cheap, since they are a software-only company. They offer multiple SKUs to provide the consumer with the best option. Remember, you'll only see two on your shelves at the local store: Home Premium and Pro. Ultimate will have limited availability in some enthusiast shops. The rest are all OEM, except for Enterprise, which isn't available to consumers anyway. So you get to decide, do I want something geared at media, or something geared at business productivity. Or, if you wish, you can always upgrade to ultimate later.

So in a way, OSX is simpler, because 1 < 2. But it's not as bad as people make it out to be.]]>Aug 19th 2009 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
Of course, if I was being cynical I might suggest that dropping the European price is a cunning ploy to reduce the value of sales in the EC without dropping the number of units sold; the idea would be to limit the size of whatever fine the EU dreams up for MS the next time they're short on cash.
But I'm not cynical. Oh no.]]>Aug 19th 2009 6:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
VAT is back to 17.5 % after X-mas.]]>Aug 19th 2009 7:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 8:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
If not watch out for the fllying pigs droppings. If you thought pigeon droppings were bad....]]>Aug 19th 2009 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
If you see OUR prices 50% less, then you can complain. But by and large, we're paying every bit as much as you.]]>Aug 19th 2009 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/

]]>Aug 19th 2009 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Not necessarily true.

Consider the new slim PS3 that will be sold for 300 USD and 300 EUR. At the moment, the euro price converts to 426.36 USD. Adding in a generous 11% sales tax to the US price = 333 USD.

So, even after sales tax, and assuming that the 300 EUR already includes VAT (which I don't believe it does) the euros are still paying close to 100 USD more than we are.]]>Aug 19th 2009 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
We've been (the EU) screwed over so many times by US SW companies that this almost looks like BS, but I sure hope it is not!

YAY! Hopefully they'll spread this pricing policy across the entire EU! Can't wait!]]>Aug 19th 2009 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 20th 2009 12:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
If its true then it must be freezing in hell today!]]>Aug 19th 2009 6:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 8:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
As an ex-pat Aussie if I have one more block headed American ask me what part of England am I from.................]]>Aug 19th 2009 5:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Nice SP reference...]]>Aug 19th 2009 6:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
noobs.]]>Aug 19th 2009 6:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
P.s not everyone in the UK speaks with even a vaguely similar accent.]]>Aug 19th 2009 7:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
]]>Aug 19th 2009 8:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 8:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/
Windows 7 will cost half as much in the UK as in the US, bollocks!]]>Aug 19th 2009 8:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 8:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 3:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 6:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/19/windows-7-will-cost-half-as-much-in-the-uk-as-in-the-us/Aug 19th 2009 7:00AM