Just read that Microsoft will be allowing us here in the UK to pre-order Windows 7. The Home Premium Edition and Professional Edition will be available to pre-order from tomorrow (14th July 2009) and will be offered at a discounted price of £49.99 ($81.60 at 14/07/09) and £99.99 ($163.22 at 14/07/09) respectively. Not too much of a shock, however the Ultimate edition which isn't available at a discount will retail at around £200 ($326.48 at 14/07/09) which for me is a bit of a rip off. Apparently, according to a leak, the price was set after Microsoft decided to try and recoup their losses with the failed Vista operating system, which for me, is probably just another reason not to warm to Vista and at that price I think it highly unlikely I'll be warming to Windows 7 either.

It's also rumored that 'family packs' will be available offering one license for the legal installation of W7 on 3 home computers, although as yet nothing has been confirmed and prices not mentioned.

XP also had it's day of premium pricing although XP was considered a major leap in the right direction and people paid it willingly to gain the functionality and versatility it offered although I'm really not confident W7 will receive similar enthusiasm, particularly as many of us feel the effects of the global economy. I only hope Microsoft don't ill-time their release of what appears to be a great improvement on Vista to a skint consumer market thus possibly sealing the fate of their new and improved operating system for reasons which could easily be avoided!.

Excellent points Marko. After the distinct failure of Vista you would expect M$ to be pulling out all stops to make Windows 7 as palatable to the average user as possible, including the all important pricing structure.

Apparently, at M$, the quest for better and better profits overrides the desire for more sales ....err...hang on...don't they go hand in hand!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Precisely Jim, Vista failed because I believe they rushed things and anticipated everyone and everything would fall into line with them, though to their cost they learned that wasn't to be the case, however having created what looks like to be a promising OS I can't understand their reasoning for messing it up again by inflating the prices to an unacceptable level. They are obviously attempting to get a quick cash-in by offering the discounts to consumers which, yes, is a great idea and benefit to us although I don't honestly see people rushing to take up the offer particularly when it also appears the majority, if not all, of the issues previously experienced with Vista have been fixed, therefore people don't really have a reason, need or desire to upgrade and won't part with their cash at the moment even though a discount for upgrade may be on the cards, some will but I think most won't.