Pricing for full retail versions of the software will be Windows Vista Ultimate, $399; Windows Vista Business, $299; Windows Vista Home Premium, $239; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $199.
Upgrades from Windows XP are priced at Windows Vista Ultimate, $259; Windows Vista Business, $199; Windows Vista Home Premium, $159; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $99.
As is typical of Microsoft pricing, expensive, more expensive and most expensive. Only a monopoly could price a software product at these prices.
We are getting close to release of Vista, so I thought an update would be in order.
If you are thinking of buying a new laptop before Vista ships you should seriously consider waiting. Although Microsoft is offering an upgrade path I would not count on upgrading being smooth, based upon past upgrades. Why take a chance? Wait until it ships the end of January 2007.
However, if there is some compeling reason to upgrade now … Vista requires Microsoft DirectX 9, different versions of Vista have differing hardware requirements, a stripped down version requires at least a P3-800MHz CPU and at least a 60GB HD. My rule of thumb with new software is to wait at least six months after it has been released to buy. So, if possible wait until the dust settles and don't be in a rush.
