Major update..Microsoft to offer free Vista upgrade coupons?

[riskit]

Microsoft to offer free Vista upgrade coupons?

When Microsoft announced that the consumer release of Windows Vista would miss the crucial 2006 Christmas shopping season, many PC retailers and OEMs saw visions of sugarplums dancing merrily away from their wallets. It was rumored that Microsoft might help lessen the pain slightly by offering free Vista upgrade coupons for people who buy PCs at the end of the year, and now these rumors have been confirmed, thanks to leaks from certain Taiwanese PC manufacturers.

The coupon offer will begin in October, and is a result of a joint effort between Microsoft and a group of leading PC vendors worldwide. According to the anonymous sources, Microsoft actually reached an agreement with these PC companies back in July, but decided not to reveal their plans so as to protect PC sales in the third quarter.

Now that the information has leaked out, it will be interesting to see if PC sales dip noticeably between now and October. Traditionally, PC sales have been strongest in the fourth quarter, then dipped down in Q1 and Q2 of the following calendar year, before rising up again in Q3 for the back-to-school season and reaching new heights in the following Q4. PC sales have followed this cycle fairly consistently over the last few years, with a few exceptions:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060810-7467.html

I think that I will gave Dell a Call and see whats up since I am still in within their 30 days satisfaction return policy.

[Evil Baby]

Pretty decent plan for a OS that keeps getting delayed

[LNahid2000]

That sucks. I just bought a laptop so I guess I don't get Vista even though it should have been out by now.

[divx]

That sucks. I just bought a laptop so I guess I don't get Vista even though it should have been out by now.

vista was announced to be released in early 2007 months ago

[LNahid2000]

vista was announced to be released in early 2007 months ago

Yeah, I know. I'm talking about originally.

[jz1n]

it's a good idea tho

[kocoman]

Does anyone have experience with this from "when Windows XP came out, eMachines Inc. offered consumers a coupon for a free upgrade to the OS if they bought a compatible desktop ahead of the launch. That was in 2001." ?
http://www.pcworld.ca/news/article/0...80947a/pg1.htm

So there are fake/counter theft coupons floating around soon.
http://www.says-it.com/concertticket/index.php
I wonder if its an OEM version or a retail version that can be sold later on.? Activate once and make ghost copy and sell it/refund it, the other person calls in and say "I upgraded my computer" and reactive again..?

[willy]

I really hope these coupons won't expire ... coz I have no plan to try Vista until SP1

[divx]

I really hope these coupons won't expire ... coz I have no plan to try Vista until SP1

if they make a perfect OS then there won't be SP1

[Evil Baby]

I was trying the free version of Vista and a few things were really pissing me off. So much so that I'm pretty sure I formatted the machine. I much rather enjoy XP and I'll probably stick with it as long as possible. I guess that pretty much means until Half Life 3 comes out and a new update for CS and DOD. Then I'll have to upgrade to DX10 and Vista

[spinbot]

Anyone seen any press releases from manufactures (HP, Dell, Acer, etc ) confirming they will be offering the upgrade coupon with Windows MCE PC's as of Oct.1st?

[riskit]

.

Buy a new PC this holiday season, get a free piece of paper


While Windows Vista expected to be released to manufacturers around October 25, retail PC pre-loaded with the new operating system won’t be available until the New Year. Microsoft and its partners are doing their best to get the new operating system into consumer hands this holiday season, even if it may come in the form of a piece of paper.

Microsoft is planning an upgrade program for those who purchase new PCs this holiday season. According to Information Week, the upgrade coupons will either be free or provide discounted pricing:

Customers who buy systems running Windows XP Home Edition can upgrade to Vista Home Basic Edition for a flat $49 fee and to the higher-end Windows Vista Home Premium Edition for a cost of $79.

The Windows Vista Technology Upgrade Program runs from Oct. 26, 2006, through March 15, 2007. Distributors are expected to have the new SKUs in house for system builders by Oct. 15.

Microsoft has not officially announced the coupon program, but has commented that it is currently working with its partners on a plan for such an offer.

Those who wish to preview a Windows Vista might want to clear their schedules for

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4452

[milhaus]

if they make a perfect OS then there won't be SP1

Well, Paul Thurrot has already stated that they have a SP1 planned for next year, this time, so I think MS knows they won't be making a perfect anything anytime soon.

[apvm]

Well, Paul Thurrot has already stated that they have a SP1 planned for next year, this time, so I think MS knows they won't be making a perfect anything anytime soon.

Why should they make it perfect, they can roll out a new OS every few years and it'll like printing money.

[freddyprinze]

Does this mean that they are offerring the upgrade coupon until March 15th, 2007 or does it mean that one must use the coupon by March 15th?

I don't think I want to upgrade to Vista too quickly and want to wait out some of the inevitable early bugs. ..