Microsoft Announces Windows 7 Pricing - including exiting 50% pre-order discount!
By: Arie Slob
Today Microsoft announced the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program & Windows 7 Pricing, as well as the General Availability (GA) of Windows 7. According to Microsoft's Corporate VP for Windows Consumer Marketing, Brad Brooks, Microsoft put a lot of effort on getting Windows 7 out to as many people around the world as quickly as possible. OEMs will start shipping PCs with Windows 7 in all language versions beginning on GA Day, Oct. 22.
In contrast to previous Windows releases, Microsoft made significant changes in terms of timing. Gone are the days when it could take months for all language versions to be available. In fact - Windows 7 will be available in all languages in just over ONE week!
On October 22nd, Windows 7 will be available in the following 14 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Chinese (Hong Kong).
Then on October 31st, the remaining 21 languages will become available: Turkish, Czech, Portuguese, Hungarian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, Ukrainian, Romanian, Arabic, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Slovenian, Hebrew, Thai, Croatian, Serbian Latin, and Latvian.
But, you don't have to wait until GA to get a new Windows PC. Many people need that new PC sooner - for back to school specifically. For people who need a new PC now but still want to get Windows 7 Microsoft started the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, which kicks off tomorrow, June 26th! Anyone who buys a PC from a participating OEM or retailer with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate on it will all receive an upgrade to the corresponding version of Windows 7 at little or no cost. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program will be available until January 31, 2010 - and is global! For more information on taking advantage of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, visit Microsoft's Windows Upgrade Offer Web site (starting June 26th).
Windows 7 Pricing
Estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S.
- Windows 7 Home Premium: $119.99
- Windows 7 Professional: $199.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate: $219.99
Estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S.
- Windows 7 Home Premium: $199.99
- Windows 7 Professional: $299.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate: $319.99
50% pre-order discount
Finally, as a way of saying thank you to loyal Windows customers, Microsoft are introducing a special time limited offer giving people in select markets the opportunity to pre-order Windows 7 at a more than 50% discount. In the US, this will mean you can pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium for USD $49.99 or Windows 7 Professional for USD $99.99. You can take advantage of this special offer online via select retail partners such as Best Buy or Amazon, or the online Microsoft Store (in participating markets).
This program begins tomorrow in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The offer ends July 11th in the U.S. and Canada and on July 5th for Japan or while supplies last. Customers in the UK, France and Germany, can pre-order their copy of Windows 7 starting July 15th and will run until August 14th (or supplies last).
Note: The special low pre-order price will vary per country.
For more information on this special pre-order offer, visit Microsoft's Web site.
 Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade |
 Windows 7 Professional upgrade |
 Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade |