The official release date is now Nov. 30th for business users and Jan. 30th 2007 for Home editions. The only pricing I’ve seen released by Microsoft is in AUD so let’s convert using x-rates.com:
- Windows Vista Home Basic – AUD$385 = $298.029 USD
- Windows Vista Home Premium – AUD$455 = $352.216 USD
- Windows Vista Business – AUD$565 = $437.367 USD
- Windows Vista Ultimate – AUD$751 = $581.350
I’ve been using Vista Beta for weeks and I don’t see myself needing anything in a $300 operating system that I can’t get out of a free or darn near free one. In fact, I unloaded my copy of Office 2000 last week and installed the latest version of OpenOffice never to look back. I might need to use Office 2007 in business at some point but I honestly feel that this may be the release of the first Microsoft OS/application group that will not become ingrained as a “standard” suite to which everyone must insure compatibility.
With so many open source options available now I can’t imagine that too many businesses will run straight to this OS or App suite simply because Microsoft says come and get it. There’s far less hype surrounding this release than any previous Microsoft product. It will probably enter with a whimper and go down with a bang. Note to self: move MS stock to Apple.