Microsoft Windows 7: Upgrade or just buy a pizza?

BusinessWeek is running a piece on Microsoft's latest attempts to fight back against Apple and Linux and its secret strategy to force unwitting Windows users to upgrade to various flavors of Windows 7.

Because of the smaller size of Windows 7, three versions of the program will come loaded even on lower-end machines. If a consumer on a cheaper PC running the "Standard" version tries to use a high-definition monitor or run more than three software programs at once, he'll discover that neither is possible. Then he'll be prompted to upgrade to the pricier "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" version.

Microsoft says the process will be simple. Customers enter their credit-card information, then a 25-character code, make a few keystrokes, then reboot. (Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Consumer-Product Marketing Brad Brooks) says pricing hasn't been determined, but upgrading "will cost less than a night out for four at a pizza restaurant."

[rebirthofcaos]

as a tech support for pc i will go for the pizza

[PirateThom]

So, Standard basically means your PC is locked out?

[Kakkoii]

No, it just means it's for extremely casual users. Such as mothers and old people. Who don't really use their computer for much either than surfing the net and doing the odd thing.

[RememberThe357]

Your explanation doesn't change the fact that this is bullsh*t.

[ThanatosDMC]

Whoa whoa whoa... why would i type up my credit card info without knowing the price?!

[Megaton]

I'll take the pizza and use XP, thanks.

[bob saget remix]

When Vista has only been out for like 2 years! Sorry Microsoft I think your shooting yourself in the foot. XP is going to remain on top for a very long time.

[Kakkoii]

Most people didn't buy Vista because they knew Windows 7 was coming and just decided to wait it out. People will be buying or pirating Win 7 to either A.) Escape the clutches of Vista. B.) Finally move on from XP, and onto DirectX11 gaming also!

[Warbletot]

Extra cheesy crust with a garlic bread please...

[RememberThe357]

I'm not even hungry and that sound good.

[360Hater]

Its so annoying! If you download you dont have to deal with it.. Microsoft is just a greedy company and they never frigin learn.

Hope its cracked the day it releases im not buying it. I rather run linux or xp at this point.

[Chaos Striker]

Although Microsoft's approach to the situation may appear a bit complicated and unfair in some respects (nickle and diming people for extra features from a base price), I will have to admit that their viral campaign is actually quite good. Youtube has three of Microsoft's new viral campaign, which involves giving people free money to purchase a laptop with all the features they are looking for under a specific price that they've specified. Of course, the laptops they find are Windows based, but the search and comparison that the people did was quite interesting when they were trying to limit themselves to a specific budget. One of the videos is especially interesting because Microsoft actually paid someone when they selected a Vaio as a purchase. (God forbid MS is actually helping Sony :o)

[Consoldtobots]

bwahahahaha, and the morons at M$ jump from the frying pan into the fire.

I predict in 5 years M$ will either be gone or on its way out. They have proven by this point that they definitely don't know what they are doing as a company and basically rose to prominence by being the only affordable game in town for the last 20 years.

[Lumbo]

And i thought Vista was bad with the countless versions.

So now there will be even more versions to screw the customers.

"Hello, here is your friendly Windows7 wga adviser, you tried to playback a music file that is longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. This is only possible with Windows7 longplay+ edition. Please hand over your credit card information so we can charge you the low amount of $100 to allow you to listen to your own music."

[BigBad316]

the fact that they started making a new os just show how poor vista is most PC owner are still run XP and quite alot of them prefered 98 over that is microsoft going backwards. Doesn't matter how much they try to copy apples os they will always fall short

[RememberThe357]

Who the hell prefers Windows 98 over XP?

[Elven6]

Microsoft always has what many dub a "beta OS", where they basically tease good aspects of a "horrible OS" only to have the next one blow you away.

Millennium/2000 = XP
Vista = 7

[jay2]

WTF you BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP's.

[Vip3r]

"If a consumer on a cheaper PC running the "Standard" version tries to use a high-definition monitor or run more than three software programs at once, he'll discover that neither is possible. Then he'll be prompted to upgrade to the pricier "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" version."

Serious, that's a joke. I'm sticking to XP from now on.

[jerethdagryphon]

so thats a messenger a browser and a media player...

and to run scatterchat as well i have to 'upgrade'

um no no and most emphatically no
the most retarded thing ive heard

when companys start preducing mostly windows 7 only software well see a mass migratition to 7 but not until

[fire23]

I'm sure that their will be a lawsuit over the "Standard." They would have to be crystal clear to all consumers in every country who has access to it.

[bob saget remix]

Microsoft is going to be losing a lot of money on windows 7. Probably more then they did with Vista.

[Viper7]

Ill probably upgrade next year, but by this I mean the upgrade to next LTS version of ubuntu.

:3

[Kyur4ThePain]

This is just a way to record double sales for Win7...one to the PC manufacturer, and another to the user.

[PS360PCROCKS]

wtf? that's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard!