Friday, June 26, 2009:
Following a poor critical reception to Windows Vista, Microsoft is now trying to lure customers to upgrade to its newest operating system Windows 7. Microsoft has announced that consumers and small businesses who buy Vista-equipped PCs between 26 June and 22 October 2009 (the release date of Windows 7) will get a free copy of the new operating system when it hits the stores in October. Microsoft adopted a similar approach in the run-up to Windows Vista's arrival three years ago.
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Is Microsoft hoping to erase bad memories of the ill-starred Windows Vista OS in the minds of consumers?
In addition, Microsoft says consumers who pre-order a copy of Windows 7 will receive discounts of 50 per cent or more for a limited time starting Friday.
"There is a lot of excitement for Windows 7 in the marketplace today. However, many consumers need a new Windows PC for school, work or home before 22 October 2009," said Brad Brooks, corporate vice president, Windows consumer marketing, Microsoft. "So starting 26 June 2009, any customer who buys a PC from a participating computer maker or retailer with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate will also receive an upgrade to the corresponding version of Window 7 at little or no cost."
On 22 October 2009, Windows 7 will be available in 14 languages -- English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Chinese (Hong Kong). It will be available on 31 October 2009 in 21 other languages. Because of a European Commission anti-trust inquiry, the Windows 7 version going on sale in Europe will not include Internet Explorer, Microsoft's Web browser. Microsoft announced earlier this month that it had decided to remove the Web browser because of the regulatory wrangling, according to The Economic Times.
For the fourth quarter fiscal year 2009, Microsoft will defer an estimated $200 to $300 million of revenue. The deferral only impacts the timing of revenue recognition and will not impact cash flows from operations, Microsoft explains. The company made a similar revenue deferral for the Windows Vista Technology Guarantee programme during the 2007 fiscal year.
Once made available, the full version of Windows 7 Home Premium will be priced at $199, with an upgrade from Vista or XP costing $119. The full version of Windows 7 Professional will cost you $299, with upgrades going for $199. Windows 7 Ultimate will be priced at $319, with the upgrade version at $219.
The catch is the programme only works with participating manufacturers or retailers. Also, some manufacturers may charge a small fee for costs such as shipping and handling. Microsoft said it would provide free upgrades for people who buy computers loaded with Windows Vista until 31 January 2010.
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