Question/Thoughts Other Vista Discussions Discuss Question/Thoughts in the Windows Vista forums; Good info Snuffy. I suspect that regardless where you get Vista; it will still be the same process as you explained. So in reality if I purchase Vista Home Premium, ...

[felix8406]

Good info Snuffy. I suspect that regardless where you get Vista; it will still be the same process as you explained. So in reality if I purchase Vista Home Premium, I can install it in my laptop and then purchase an Ultimate key and use the same DVD to install that version in my desktop.

[Snuffy]

That is the way it was explained to me...
All versions are on the same DVD.. and the only difference is the "KEY" used.
MS is getting smarter, (IMHO).. Office 2007 (my understanding) is the same.

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

That is the way it was explained to me...
All versions are on the same DVD.. and the only difference is the "KEY" used.
MS is getting smarter, (IMHO).. Office 2007 (my understanding) is the same.

You are correct, Office 2007 will be distributed in the same manner as Vista. A smart move by MS!

[Znod]

So, apparently you guys thing that full versions and upgrade versions also will be on the same disk. What about 64 bit (upgrade and full) bit and 32 bit? I guess MS could get all of this stuff on one disk, depending on how things are done.

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by Znod

So, apparently you guys thing that full versions and upgrade versions also will be on the same disk. What about 64 bit (upgrade and full) bit and 32 bit? I guess MS could get all of this stuff on one disk, depending on how things are done.

I think the upgrade is the same as the full version, the difference is in the product key. The way the numbers are arranged or written will tell the operating system whenther your have an upgrade or a full license. At least that's what I think.

[crabby]

You are correct felix It makes sense to do it this way, decreases manufacturing costs... and may even INCREASE their income stream :P

I do wonder if upgrading will cost less over time, as the products decrease in price at retail.

crabby

[felix8406]

It makes a lot of sense to control the upgrade with the product key; like you mentioned, it will bring down the overhead costs.

Concerning your question about the upgrade costing less in the long run, can you expand on that a little. In curious about the point you are trying to make. Thanks.

[crabby]

The way I see it, XP has slowly decreased in price over the years... which is simple economics. And so I was wondering if we think the in vista online upgrade will decrease in line with retail costs.

Personally, I will get Home Premium, but when I get a better PC I will probably want to upgrade to Ultimate. So I presume f I bought Premium on release and upgraded the same day it would cost more than 18 months down the line?

Obviously it will be more expensive to buy a lower edition and upgrade than to just purchase the better edition.

But if MS display their upgrade prices, wont that mean 'competition' is negated as there will be a set price?

Also how would this work internationally, I for one would love to purchase Vista in dollars rather than pounds!

I can't see MS keeping the upgrade cost the same 5 years down the line... but if they were to decrease it, they would literally be controlling the market

crabby

[felix8406]

I see what you are saying, after a year or so, demand for Vista will be lower than when it debuts so the price will have to come down. It is possible, and probable.

One thing that I want to point out is that I never paid full price for Win XP. I used to build PCs, mostly for my own use, but also for friends and relatives. When I needed a copy of Win XP, I would buy it together with a piece of hardware that I needed and get the OEM version of XP at a lower price.
The advantage of doing that is that it’s legal, saves money and the copy of XP can be registered with Microsoft.

[mojavekroc]

I was at an all day Microsoft event yesterday to learn more about Vista.

Here is one thing that could be a problem with upgrading. Most PC manufacturers no longer ship a OS disk with your PC. In order to upgrade with a different purchased key, you must have the DVD to do it.

For most of us, that would hardly be a problem since many have an RTM disk. However, someone purchasing a PC after the general release had better hope that the the PC manufacturers (i.e. Dell, Compaq, HP, emachines, etc.) provides the disk in the box. The last two PCs that I acquired ( one of them won and one that I bought) didn't come with a disk. I had to call Compaq to give me one. And this was for XP Pro.

Anyway, something to think about....