By Gemma Simpson, 25 October 2006 14:50
NEWS
Microsoft is offering an 'early Christmas present' to consumers who purchase new Windows Vista-capable PCs now: cheap upgrades to Vista and Office 2007.
From tomorrow through to 15 March next year, consumers and small businesses buying computers loaded with Windows XP or 2003 Office software will be eligible for the "express upgrade" to Vista and Office 2007.
Consumers purchasing PCs carrying the Windows Vista Capable logo will receive a coupon for an upgrade, with a similar programme in place for Office 2007 - something the software behemoth describes as "early holiday gifts".
Microsoft confirmed manufacturers including Dell, HP and Sony are participating in the upgrade deal, although offers will vary among PC makers.
The Windows Vista upgrade could be free or offered at a discounted price, depending on region and manufacturer, with no specific prices immediately available.
Vista will be Microsoft's first major Windows upgrade in five years. Vista and Office 2007 are scheduled to launch to business customers at the end of this year and general availability will be early 2007.
Comments
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1. Andy
Way to go Microsoft! You've made Christmas for me this year!! Would-be bundled software for a 'discounted price'.
Don't listen to those nasty cynics who dare say you might be trying to cash in despite not being able to release your product in time.
2. Graham Coles
Reminds me of Office '95 -- the wonderful deal which allowed you to but either Office Standard or Office Professional.
Office 95 professional, despite the hefty price difference, was just standard Office 95 on CD with a crappy voucher inside telling you that they hadn't actually completed writting Access '95 yet, but when they did you could send in the voucher to get the actual Office Pro copy that you have already paid for in advance.
After sending in the voucher and waiting for weeks you then had to phone them up and ask them where the Office Pro CD was they promised to send you only to receive over a dozen floppy disks (not even a CD!) with Access 95 on it.
Microsoft, rather like the proverbial leopard, seem not to have changed their spots much over the years ...