Microsoft chops Vista retail prices

[Capper]

In what may be an unprecedented decision, Microsoft said Thursday that it plans to lower the retail prices for several flavors of Windows Vista.
For those in the U.S., Microsoft is cutting prices only on the higher-end versions of Vista, and only for the upgrade version used to move from an earlier copy of Vista. The suggested price for Vista Ultimate drops to $219 from $299, while Home Premium falls to $129, from $159.
Other developed markets will also see price cuts, while in emerging markets, Microsoft is eliminating the distinction between full and upgrade versions of Home Basic and Home Premium as it attempts to convince more users there to use genuine software.
Analysts were surprised by Microsoft's move.
"I can't remember a big price cut like this," said analyst Chris Swenson, who tracks retail software sales for NPD Group. "It's very unheard of."
Microsoft finalized Windows Vista in late 2006, but held back its retail launch of the product until January 2007. It has sold more than 100 million copies, largely on the back of a strong overall PC market, but retail sales have significantly trailed those of XP in its early days and Vista has received a number of critical reviews.

Microsoft chops Vista retail prices

[polobunny]

It's better to have people pay a smaller amount than pirate it, I say. :P

[Zambini]

Originally Posted by polobunny

It's better to have people pay a smaller amount than pirate it, I say. :P

I still won't even pirate it.

so.......... yea....... >.>

[azianai]

I still don't think Vista warrants all the hate it gets, at least x64 Vista's a hell of a lot more stable than x64 XP. All i want to know is does this mean the OEM versions are gonna drop too? need to pick up another Home Premium for my buddy's build

[oldman_gamer]

It would be sweet to see the Ultimate x64 OEM come down a wee bit.Although it runs about $189.99 ....$159.99 would be better

[screwballl]

and what better way to drive another nail in the XP coffin and try to get more people to switch to Vista on machines that are not capable...

I myself want to see WHS drop below $120

[onebxr]

Sucks for those people who bought the retail version yesterday, last week, or last month.
-1

[gvblake22]

Funny things happen when your only competition is yourself and criminals!

[drew and not u]

Originally Posted by Zambini

I still won't even pirate it.

so.......... yea....... >.>

hehe, precisely.

[Thomtom]

I think price drop for Vista is bad as people keep putting vista on machines that do not have the hardware to cope with it especially laptops!!

Pirate A OS is always a bad idea i think.

Its the single most important thing on you HDD and you dont even know where it originated from?