QOTD: Do You Think Windows 7 Prices Are Fair?

With the cat officially launched from the bag today by Microsoft, we now know the pricing of Windows 7 as it applies to consumers looking to purchase the operating separately.

As we covered earlier today here, the estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

  • Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
  • Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

  • Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
  • Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

Of course, those who act quickly and are sure of their purchases can take advantage of a pre-order deal that will knock more than 50 percent off the price of the Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional SKUs. (Click here to find out more about that.)

We know that many of you are still awaiting details on OEM pricing, but that’s not something Microsoft typically announces, especially not this early before release. We’ll also be kept in the dark just how much Microsoft will be charging large OEMs for licenses of Windows 7, which will be particularly interesting at the low-end with Starter Edition.

Still, both the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and Full versions are cheaper than the Windows Vista equivalent, and things get even more affordable with the pre-order discount.

We want to hear what you think about Windows 7’s pricing.

The question of the day is: Do you think Windows 7 prices are fair?

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.
  • ubernoobie
    I don't think it's fair because for the upgrades, it costs 100 dollars less than the full
    Reply
  • thedragn1
    I have vista ultimate and the upgrade to 7 ultimate costs more than I paid for vista!
    Reply
  • paranoidmage
    It's a rip off to people who have vista but like to do clean installs.
    Reply
  • ed steve dhika
    Xp is the best for me
    Reply
  • aspireonelover
    nah, if microsoft lowered the price a bit. Especially with the Professional and the Ultimate editions.
    But I don't know if it's fair for me YET. I need to know the price of the OEM license.
    Reply
  • matchboxmatt
    Better than Vista was, that's for sure.

    I'd say it's worth it.
    Reply
  • Geibys
    I think there should be a special price for those who participated in the Beta and RC, but only for a limited time.
    Reply
  • dumberthandumb
    The half price deal sounds good. Upgrade is all you need, it does clean installs, why buy full??
    Reply
  • jhansonxi
    It's not just the price, it's the features you get at that price which matter. You have to take that into account when comparing to Vista or XP.
    Reply
  • So to get Valid Copies of my operating system for my family (Myself, Wife, And 2 kids computers)it would be $500 minimum.... (4 copies of Home Premium Upgrade) Yeah, it isn't going to happen.
    Reply