-----------------------------------

hbgator

Tue 05 Sep, 2006


micros0ft sets pricing for Windows Vista

-----------------------------------

Microsoft Corp.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> announced on Tuesday U.S.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> prices for Windows Vista,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> the long-awaited new version of the operating system that sits on more than 90 percent of the world's personal computers.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Microsoft,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> the world's biggest software maker,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> also reconfirmed its plan to target a general launch of the product in January after making it available to large-volume business customers in November.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
The software maker set the retail price for Vista at between <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$100 and <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$259 for users upgrading from older versions of Windows.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> The prices range from the basic version of Vista to the top-end <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"ultimate"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> edition.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
For consumers looking to buy Vista without an upgrade,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> the products will cost between <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$199 to <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$399,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Microsoft said.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Windows Vista,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> already five years in the making,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> has been postponed by Microsoft several times.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"Signs are good.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Signs are positive in terms of our schedule,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> but we're always going to be vigilant about the feedback we get,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> said Shanen Boettcher,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Microsoft's director of Windows product management.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Microsoft released on Friday a test version of Windows,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> dubbed Release Candidate 1,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> and made it available to more than 5 million customers worldwide.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund said the initial feedback on the test version of Vista is encouraging.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"While substantial progress has been made with Vista,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> the timing is still iffy in our view and feedback over the next few weeks will be critical,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> said Sherlund in a note to clients.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Boettcher said the company also plans to have a program in place,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> possibly using coupons or rebates,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> to allow consumers to upgrade to Vista at a discount if they buy a PC before the new operating system's release.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
He declined to offer any specific details.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
Microsoft has said it expects the Windows Vista Home Premium to be the mainstream product with more entertainment options,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> allowing users to record and watch high-definition television,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> burn and author DVDs and perform other multimedia functions.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
The Home Premium edition,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which will be sold as an upgrade for <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$159,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> is seen as a middle option for consumers,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> sandwiched between the Ultimate version with business-oriented functions and a bare bones Basic edition that comes without some of the system's flashy new interface features