QOTD: Did You Preorder Windows 7?

By Marcus Yam
published

Windows 7 upgrades were on cheap for a limited time only. Did you get yours?

Last Saturday was the closing day for Microsoft's Windows 7 preorder program, representing what could be the last chance to grab a Home Premium or Professional license at half price or less.

Last month, when Microsoft announced retail pricing for Windows 7, it also rolled out a preorder program that offered a significant discount that would  run from June 26 to July 11. The special offer from Microsoft prices the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade at $49.99 – a huge savings from the usual price of $119.99. Those looking for the Professional version can get for half price at $99.99 as part of the deal.

Microsoft said that quantities would be limited, and that it'd be limited to around the same number of Windows Vista licenses sold at retail in its first year. That means that Microsoft is aiming to break the previous generation’s sales record before Windows 7 is even released.

While some stores sold out of the discounted upgrades, the virtual stock wasn't completely depleted, meaning that Microsoft hasn't broken any sales records yet. (Though, once it does, expect Microsoft to make a big deal about it.)

Nevertheless, we imagine that for most of you the chance to buy a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade license for $49.99 when the regular price is $119.99 is one that's hard to pass up.

So without further ado, our QOTD is: did you preorder Windows 7? If so, which SKU? And if you didn't preorder, tell us why!

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
171 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Ogdin
    Nope,going to stick with Vista 64,didn't see anything worth upgrading when i used the Win7 rc.
    Reply
  • Danielw719
    No.
    Reply
  • I did pre-order Win 7 after trying out the RC and found it worked well with nearly all my components. I chose Win 7 Pro to replace my XP Pro.
    Reply
  • dzeric
    No, it was really sad. I was looking forward to it, at that price, but the RC locked up every 30 min or so due to horrible Creative sound drivers. I gotta have my surround sound :( . Staying with Vista x64
    Reply
  • tester24
    I ended up getting the Windows 7 Professional, didn't feel like paying for the Ultimate because as nice as bitlocker would be to have, I can't see spending an extra 100 or so for it, especially with a lot of freeware tools that do the same job.

    Been using the RC and can say I can't wait for the full version.
    Reply
  • Ogdin
    Really? I had no issues with my x-fi drivers.In fact i had no issues to speak of at all.
    Reply
  • dingumf
    What happens to my Vista after the upgrade? Can I still let my friend install while I have Windows 7?

    Reply
  • acecombat
    Waiting for an OEM release...
    Reply
  • neon neophyte
    NO. upgrades are a pain in the ASS.

    seems if i want a full version, im going to have to pay (too much.) Windows 7 will be pirated, just like all my windows operating systems before it.

    Microsoft doesnt mind anyway. They COULD very well release the OS for less, and have consumers more willing to purchase it. But they dont, because they will make more off the OEM sales with higher prices. Oh well. Whatever. YAR me matey.
    Reply
  • Nope, waiting for the pirated final, probably next week ;)
    Reply