Well, would you look at that? With the launch of Microsoft's next operating system merely
21 days away (give or take a few hours based on time zone), the Redmond giant seems to be proactively sending out
Win7 Launch Party packs already. The first "unboxing" we've seen comes to us from a most unusual spot, one that Microsoft wasn't actually equipped to ship to when the program first started. After a stern email or two sent over several bodies of water and through countless Stimulus-inspired road construction hang-ups, the bundle you see laid out above landed in the beautiful Cayman Islands. Within was a Steve Ballmer Signature Edition of Win7 (so, we're up to
seven versions now?), a pack of Win7 playing cards, a poster, some napkins (to wipe the drool from your friends' faces after they experience
Aero Shake for the first time) and even a puzzle. So, should we book a flight to Grand Cayman, Little Cayman or Cayman Brac? This is
one shindig we
definitely won't miss.
[Thanks, Jared]
posted October 1st 2009 2:08PM
I just got an email... saying they were sorry I didn't get selected.
I wanted some Windows 7 playing cards to go with my free copy of Windows. Ah well, I'll still give Microsoft my business. W7 is great :)
"Ah well, I'll still give Microsoft my business."
Wow, when they rejected me I did the logical thing and sold all of my PC gear and purchased a bunch of Macs and also switched careers.
Lol; yeah I guess that did sound kinda stupid.
Still want those cards, though...
Oh Yeah, my story got posted!!!
I just want to know
A. How many people did they get to RSVP? Because I have had two but I have talked to people in person to invite them so I didnt know if I had to get them to physically RSVP. I ask this with 3 emails saying I made it in.
B. You get an email before they send it? and how did they send it UPS, USPS, FedEx?
What's all this ruckus about "finally getting Windows 7" and "free"? Us students have had free copies of 7 for like a month already.
You aren't alone! Business users too don't get invited because they plan on
sticking with XP. That represents 75% of Windows users!
If I got one it would go straight to eBay, because everyone is dying to get their hands on the Steve Balmer addition.
Just got the Party kit, came in an awesome Microsoft box :)
Man, mine still has not arrived.
Hang tight. I got mine a few days ago, but was sent an email that it was on the way first. Windows 7 doesn't look much different from Vista at all. It loads things quicker and takes more advantage of the 4GB of ram in my laptop but may I'm missing something.
I will say that it just works which is saying a lot for a Microsoft operating system. This picture is missing the streamers and other stuff they give you.
You can checkout the picture I took of the party kit I received here: http://www.hdtvbeat.com/sidenote-i-just-got-my-windows-7-launch-party-kit/2009/09/
Maybe I'm a geek but I'm actually having a Windows 7 party. I'm going to fire up some movies and play them through the HDMI on my laptop and decorate the place. Times are tough so I don't mind doing a "sponsored" party.
@Chance Stevens
I'm throwing a Poker Party and will be playing music via Zune :)
@Chance:
Don't worry, you aren't missing anything. Win7 seems pretty solid, but Vista just wasn't as bad as many would have you believe. Sure there were poorly-handled teething issues with driver support, but the only lingering issue was speed, which by your own observation has been improved.
And no, I'm not some MS fanboy. In fact, I've been using various Linux distros primarily for about eight years.
same here, still waiting.
i'm a macbook user, but i'm not blind enough to not see the uses of windows (napster anyone?) and also, who here honestly can bitch about a free OS? if apple did this people would be cumming in their pants.
I think it's a great (albiet, awkward) advertisement scheme, it really can't cost that much to give all that stuff and in the end people get what they want, a free copy of windows 7 and they can have their friends over for poker night (as if i'd not play with those cards) a case or two of beer and you're all set. and i'd set up the party streamers just cuz i'm weird like that and the rest of my jock roommates can continue to make fun of me for missing a lift session to go get my iPhone.
oh the jock geek, our lives are so tough...
I have engadget to thank for my, not yet arrived, free copy of Windows 7. When I saw the post about congratulation e-mails, I immediately went to look it up and sign up! A few days later I got an e-mail telling me I was a finalist, a few clicks later and another e-mail arrived saying I was a confirmed host! Sadly though, applications were closed as soon as I got in, so I couldn't get the rest of my family to do the same. I guess their consolation is coming to my family get-together, with a hint of Windows 7 thrown in.
*checks e-mail* Nope, not yet...
*checks e-mail* Come on...
*checks e-mail* Oooh I could be a millionare by helping Nigerian Princes...
*checks e-mail* Ahh, I guess it will come sooner or later...
*whistles a tune*
*checks e-mail* Damn
Just got my shipping confirmation email today.
party pack, where's the al al al alcohol?
Nothing like a 7&7&7.
In case you missed my comment before:
Just an FYI to everybody out there that may not know this. Microsoft is selling Windows 7 Upgrades AND Retail versions of the Home Premium and Professional versions to STUDENTS ONLY for only $30. This can only be done via telephone by calling 1-877-MY-MS-STORE. All you need is a valid school email (.edu) and a credit card/debit card for ordering over the phone. This is an AMAZING deal and let me repeat, it DOES include the FULL RETAIL ($200/$300) 32-bit and 64-bit of the Home Premium and Professional versions of Windows 7. The Ultimate version is not included for whatever reason. I ordered mine today and it will be shipped out on October 22nd.
CSE/Engineering students in my university get Win 7 free through MSDN
Yeah i have been running Windows 7 that i got from my school's MSDN for like a month now.
Me too. Free W7 Pro RTM for the WIN, gratzi of MSDNAA!
There's a webstore too:
http://www.win741.com/
on the page when you select 32 or 64 bit (sfter verifying a .edu email), look for the "need to access your schools network" yellow bar at the bottom, click it, and you'll get Win 7 Professional instead - same price!!
for MSDNAA ppl - try logging in again to your msdnaa school's site with your full credentials ("usrname"@school.edu) as well as just your "username". Might need to use diff browsers, but i got second keys for my Win 7's :)
Well this is for people that aren't apart of MSDN...and also, that website http://www.win741.com/ is only good for the Upgrade version. If you want the full retail you have to call that number
It says right in the FAQ on the site that they're full retail versions.
Are these products Academic license(s)/version(s)?
No, these are retail versions, which provide all the benefits you would receive if you bought it at the store.
Still more questions? Back to Main Help Page
I took the lazy, but still cheap and legal, way out and found a (relatively) cheap MSDN subscription on eBay...
@Thunderbuck
Unless they have changed the rules MSDN subscriptions can only be used for development purposes, not day to day operations/general business use. Now Action Pack, that's where its at and its cheaper. Granted you don't get everything that MSDN has available, but who really needs DOS 6.22?
I hope I get mine soon, yah!
This was originally posted at Ars Technica. Shame on you Engadget for not mentioning this (unless of course you randomly stumbled on the blog post yourselves, in which case I retract my statement): http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/10/irate-reader-gets-free-windows-7-after-complaint-to-ballmer.ars
"An Ars Technica reader from the Cayman Islands was annoyed enough that he couldn't throw his own official Windows 7 Party that he e-mailed Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to complain. The result? A free Windows 7 Party Pack before anyone else gets theirs."
DO WANT those cards.
Wow. A DVD and a bunch of crap. MS sure knows how to thow a thoroughly underwhelming party.
As opposed to the other major OS maker who holds parties where the major goal is so that people can worship a narcists?
Well, when the result is adding copy paste, party like its 1983....
@NohOne
Well, hopefully you don't worship the clown.
@Land
I use and like MS products. I use and (contrary to what some think from my posts) find Apple products such as my iPhone, iTouch, Nano, and Mac Mini useful - they are not great like many put forth here on Engadget. I admire Bill Gates for the good that he has done through his charaties. I think that Ballmer (whom I assume you mean by the "clown") is doing a good job, he started slow, but look at what he has accomplished in the past year - Win7, Zune HD, etc. But I do not worship anybody.
There is a difference between looking at somebody as another human beeing that does good things, and worshipping them. And you are falling into the group of pathetic people. I have no ill will against Jobs, I think he does some things that are bad (he still parks his Benz in handicapped spots because he thinks he is special, for example), and I think he does things that are good for the industry, but I am not going to write things calling him childish names, etc. You, however, calling Ballmer a "clown" shows a lot.
But also don't dismiss the fact that there are people out there who treat Jobs like their god. Case in point, I was sitting next to a guy at a bar a couple nights ago. He had his MacBook out, and set as his desktop background was a picture of Jobs.
The main reason people wanted to "throw" this party was the free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. You can get a fair amount for it on eBay after all.
That's it?
This has got to be some kind of weird joke by Microsoft. Otherwise.....what the hell?
Look at all the buzz it's creating. Seriously, this is fine guerrilla marketing. Laugh all you want, but everyone who's geeky is talking about it.
My package is on its way.
I'm throwing a Windows 7 Poker Party. Guess I can just use their cards now ;)
Goes & checks mail.
Nope, mine hasn't arrived yet either :(
Hey! They left out the barf bag and toilet paper.
So does this mean 21 days until another round of pathetic Apple ads that don't quite make sense?
If by "pathetic Apple ads that don't quite make sense?" you mean ADS THAT DON'T HAVE RICH NERDS SHAKING THEIR GROOVE THANG!
Then yes.
I like the Apple ads even though I myself am a Windows and Linux only user. They make me laugh because the are made by uneducated Mac users.
Can't wait till mine shows up :)
Very excited.
Why cards? Will it crash if I try to play solitaire?
due to new EU regulations, Microsoft can no longer include just about anything in Win 7, such as solitare and minesweeper, and due to shipping regulations they can't send out actual mines so...
Seriously, stop complaining about the versions for the love of God! In stores: Home Premium, Professional. Same as XP! Creating drama where there is none makes you look like a Bluth.
Also, sweet! I kind of wish I was having one of these parties now...