Smooth Move Ex-Lax: Microsoft Ends Windows 7 Family Pack
Microsoft, facing stiff competition from Apple on its launch of Windows 7, let its Windows 7 Family Pack offer expire just when it would be to its advantage to continue the offer.
From the outset, the Family Pack was offered as a limited time discount allowing a household to upgrade 3 PC’s to Windows 7 for only $150. Each PC would regularly cost $129-200 each without the discount.
Apple markets an upgrade to its OS X for only $29 and many analysts suggested that Microsoft follow suit with lower pricing to attack Apple’s competitive position, especially since the Vista OS was such a disappointment in the PC market.
Microsoft Hosts Shareholder Meeting; Windows Sales “Fantastic”
Speaking Thursday at the company's annual meeting, Ballmer said Windows 7 sales are "fantastic," but provided no numbers to support his claim.
Dell, HP Customers Upset With Windows 7 Delays
Computerworld reports that Dell & HP customers are angry due to delays in the shipping of Windows 7 media as promised under the Windows 7 Upgrade Option program. The program is supposed to ship replacement media to customers on or about October 22nd, the date of the Windows 7 launch. Customers are being notified that their orders are on backorder and could take many more weeks.
The Upgrade Option Program is designed to help PC manufacturers address possible slowdowns in sales due to the introduction of a new Microsoft Operating system. Introduced with the launch of Windows XP and replicated for Vista and Windows 7, consumers are able to purchase a PC within some number of months of the Operating System launch and receive the free (or discounted) upgrade to Windows 7.
Will Netbook Customers Be Disappointed By Windows 7 Starter?
Microsoft, in order to encourage notebook purchases, has made a point of removing certain features crippling from Windows 7 to create the ‘Starter Edition’. This version which is only available on Netbooks and Nettops (MSFT has specific requirements and limitations which vary over time) is missing many features of Windows 7. Even if you purchase a DVD player, the OS does not include DVD playback software. Other features are probably less important including Windows Media Center, The “Aero” (processor hogging) interface, and Windows XP mode.
Originally, Starter Edition was only going to allow 3 concurrently running applications, in the guise of protecting users from systems slowing down (netbooks usually have lower processor and memory capabilities). That option was removed at the request of PC manufacturers.
Question is, will this impact the experience for netbook customers and lead to dissatisfaction? We here at Observer Publishing aren’t so sure. Netbook customers hopefully understand that these systems have inherent limitations. The missing features shouldn’t impact usability and might even help ensure that they have adequate processing power.
Windows 7 Self Healing?
We came across an interesting article today over at Information Week.
They suggest that Windows 7 has the ability to heal itself through a feature called the “Windows Action Center”.
I’ve been using Win 7 for over 4 months now and have found that the software will often install the correct, updated drivers over the internet without requiring the manufacturer’s drivers disk. However, if the customer manually installs an incorrect driver for speakers or a printer, “the Windows Action Center can alert you, diagnose the problem and point you to the correct fix , of fix the problem itself,” said Brownwell.”These troubleshooters can diagnose and solve the most common problems reported by Windows users, including set-up and compatibility issues, hardware defects, and the like” said Microsof’ts Lori Brownwell, in a blog post.
Microsoft formally launched Windows 7 last week. The full version of Windows 7 Professional is $299, with upgrades going for $199. Windows 7 Ultimate is priced at $319, with the upgrade version at $219. The full version of Windows 7 Home Premium is priced at $199, with an upgrade from Vista or XP costing $119.
Windows 7 Launches October 22nd – What You Should Know
Finally, the folks at Microsoft get to put the debacle known as “Windows Vista” to rest with its successor product Windows 7. I’ve been running it at work and at home for many months now and have to say its the best Microsoft OS ever. That’s not a backhanded compliment, despite what all the Apple Macintosh fanboys will say. Its easy to use and rock solid – never crashes or other application or device issues.
For all the folks out there thinking of upgrading or purchasing a new system, here’s a collection of great articles to bring you up to speed. Happy Shopping (tomorrow, all PCs will now come with Windows 7 Pre-installed)!
New York Times: The People Spoke. In Windows 7, Microsoft Says It Listened.
Wired: 7 Things You Should Know About Upgrading to Windows 7
PC World: Windows 7: A Complete Survival Guide
