Windows 7’s October 22nd release date is quickly approaching and in luei of that Microsoft has decided to release the official pricing scheme for the new operating system.

To upgrade from either XP or Vista, consumers will have to pay $119.99, $199.99, or $219.99 for Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate respectively. However, those who don’t want to upgrade are looking at a price tag of $199.99, $299.99, or $319.99.

Furthermore, Microsoft is opening a limited number of upgrade pre-orders at a discounted price ($49.99 for Home Premium and $99.99 for Professional).

Tags: microsoft, operating system, pc, software, upgrade, vista, Windows 7, xp

Are you sitting down folks? Because this is going to be legendary! That’s right you heard me right the first time. Microsoft is going to sell its famous Windows XP all the way through 2011. The company doesn’t seem ready to discontinue it especially since so many netbooks are using the OS and probably some netbooks to come are going to also keep using it. Microsoft was going to discontinue XP after April 23, 2010 but it looks like that it’s all history. The Windows XP downgrade option will be available to everyone interested in it. That way Microsoft is making sure that besides Windows 7, which isn’t out yet, it will have a pretty dependable OS to offer. After all, nobody will want to get a Vista downgrade if they don’t like 7, will they?

Tags: 2011, 7, delay, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile Software, netbooks, vista, xp

You’re probably wondering how much will Microsoft dare to charge for their latest PC OS and after Vista’s success you should do that. Will Windows 7 prove to be another bad investment? From what we’ve seen in the beta so far, the new Windows looks better and it’s definitely more stable.

And here’s what Microsoft is going to charge for it:

• Windows 7 Starter: $199
• Windows 7 Home Premium: $259
• Windows 7 Professional: $299
• Windows 7 Ultimate: $319

Will we see any special prices? What about upgrade costs? Shouldn’t current Vista owners get a bargain price when upgrading to Windows 7?

via OSNews

Tags: microsoft, microsoft, Mobile Software, Price, vista, Windows 7

Let me start this one of by saying I am really surprised that Windows 7 didn’t win this test. I mean I shouldn’t be, should I? It’s still Microsoft we’re talking about. But lately Windows 7 has managed to pretty much come ahead of XP and Vista in a bunch of benchmark testing.

XP still rules at multicore performance. It beat both Windows 7 and Vista. Well there’s really no surprise with beating Vista is there? Or should I say that XP beat Vista and Vista 2 at multicore performance? It seems this test has proven that for now, Vista and Windows 7 have performed similarly. Even more surprising is that Vista and Windows 7 are both optimized for multicore performance while XP isn’t. Well what do you know folks, XP is doing good at something it shouldn’t! It sounds like a regular day at those Microsoft Windows plants.

There’s some good news with all that; Windows 7 will overtake XP when we’ll have 16 or 24 cores. Great! Talk to you about that in a few years!

via InfoWorld

Tags: microsoft, Mobile News, Performance, software, vista, Windows 7, xp

We haven’t tested Windows 7 on an SSD yet but from what we’ve seen so far, the OS is far more dependable than its predecessor. Sure it’s still a beta and things might improve and sure you will still get that blue screen of death from time to time, but over all, Windows 7 beta is doing better than Vista.

And speaking about that SSD performance it looks like Windows 7 runs better on SSD than Vista. You can expect better speed, better access times and lower CPU usage. And since Windows 7 and SSD are going to be surely part of your immediate future, it’s good to know that Microsoft is finally doing its job.\\

via TweakTown

Tags: Beta, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, SSD, vista, Windows 7

The Windows 7 beta is out in the open despite Microsoft’s wishes? Or are we to assume that build 7000 has been leaked on purpose by Microsoft itself? You know, just to have us test it and possibly say nice things about it?

Until now it looks like Windows 7 beta is doing just fine. The OS has managed to come in first in various tests against its older brothers, Vista and XP. By tests we mean common stuff like booting up, shutting down, installations and file maneuvering. The systems used were powered by the AMD Phenom 9700 and by the Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200 and in both cases Windows 7 was better. Are we to understand that the final version will do even better in tests?

Tags: Beta, microsoft, microsoft, vista, Windows 7, xp

Windows XP was supposed to retreat to where OSes go to die. January 31st 2009 was supposed to be the day when Microsoft was shutting down Windows XP sales. Don’t get me wrong people, the deadline still stands but that’s the final day for distributors to order Windows XP OEM licenses. That means any distributor can still order plenty of licenses. Orders will be filled by May 30th.

I guess Microsoft is pretty upset it had to decide not to cancel XP already. Vista won’t be the only Microsoft OS option when purchasing a new PC next year. On the other hand Microsoft will keep making money off the good old XP. They’d have to make at least $300 million in my opinion. That’s how much money they wasted on a crappy campaign that failed to deliver the needed results.

via CNN

Tags: microsoft, OS, software, vista, xp

In case you are thinking about getting Windows XP PC from Dell, you will have to pay more for it starting today. An older model Windows XP PC will sell for $150 more than it used to sell for. Does this mean you have to give Vista a try? Well why pay $150 more as Vista 2 is around the corner. Might as well get used to Vista and adapt your budget for the future Windows 7.
(more…)

Tags: 7, Dell, microsoft, microsoft, software, vista, windows, xp

Lots of people, including Apple, made fun of Microsoft’s $300 million advertising budget for Vista. Little do we know that Apple actually spends a whole lot more than Microsoft on advertising and product promotion. But unlike Microsoft, Apple’s ideas actually work and they get plenty of visibility.

It looks like Apple’s advertising budget for the 2008 fiscal year that ended in September was no less than $486 million. A year ago Apple spent $467 and in 2006 it spent $338. Microsoft spent $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.2 billion for the same period but these sums covered advertising costs for all of Microsoft’s business which includes Windows, Office and Xbox. But since the Vista campaign costs $300 million it would seem that Apple spends more on its MacBook advertising. So why make fun of Microsoft then?

via TechCrunch

Tags: advertising, Apple, MacBook, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, vista

Not that we necessarily care to worry about Windows 7 right now, but we might as well peak into the inevitable future. The video above is quite old but still funny. It’s a banned commercial which showed us yet again the fatality that awaits any Windows user, the blue screen of death.

Getting back to Windows 7 here, and hoping that it won’t bring us any future blue screens of death, we found out that the new Microsoft OS is faster than Vista or XP.

Tested on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 3.16GHz, with 4GB of RAM the three Windows versions pulled of the following numbers:

• Test Set 1: From Boot Choice to Fully-loaded User Desktop
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Preview, PDC edition, 32-bit): 32 seconds
  • Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit, SP1): 33 seconds
  • Windows XP Professional (SP3):40 seconds
• Test Set 2: From Boot Choice to User Login Screen
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (Preview, PDC edition, 32-bit): 23 seconds
  • Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit, SP1): 24 seconds
  • Windows XP Professional (SP3): 29 seconds

So it looks like Windows 7 is faster than Vista and XP. Oddly enough, I am looking forward to checking Windows 7 myself.

via lifehacker

Tags: Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, microsoft, vista, Windows 7, xp

Feel the need of getting a new 23 inch LCD monitor? Dell has one which is almost ready to be sold. The 23 inch SP2309 model has been leaked and here’s what’s waiting for you:

• 2,048 x 1,152 resolution
• 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 98% color gamut
• 2ms response time
• Built-in 2 megapixel camera
• Integrated microphone
• VGA/DVI/HDMI input ports

No matter if this model will be Vista 2 ready (yes we mean Windows 7) it would be sure fun to play with a new Dell LCD.

Tags: 23 inch, Dell, Desktop PCs, Laptops, lcd, vista

Besides iPhone firmware 2.2 beta 2, we heard that the Windows Vista SP2 is coming to town. Is it going to fix any problems? Well, did the last SP1 fix any significant problems?

We don’t know when the new update is actually set to arrive and we don’t know all of its features but we have a general idea. The SP2 is said to add Windows Search 4.0, Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, ability to record data on Blu-ray medua and Windows Connect Now for simpler WiFi configuration. Wow!

Tags: microsoft, Mobile News, software, software, SP2, vista, windows

Apple didn’t fail to respond to Microsoft latest commercials by bringing in their own “I’m a Mac” campaign. Entitled “Bean Counter” (above) and “V Word” (below) the new videos are way funnier than what Gates and Seinfeld tried to pull off. Apple takes aim at Microsoft 300 million add campaign suggesting that that money could have been invested in fixing Vista. During last Tuesday’s keynote, Apple’s officials counted the failure of Vista as one of the elements that helped them increase MacBooks sales.

What do you think about the new commercials?

Tags: Apple, Commercial, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, software, vista

LG has a 12.1 inch laptop ready. It’s the S-210 and I’d chose it over any netbook available today. Too bad I don’t know any pricing details yet but we’ll uncover them later on.

As for specs, the S-210 has a 2.43GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, eSATA/USB, Ethernet, a NVIDIA graphics set, audio in/out, VGA port, HDMI and Windows Vista. If you are in Seoul you can try one at the KES 2008.

Tags: 12.1 inch, KES, LG, Mobile News, netbook, vista

We have more news from the Microsoft world. It looks like Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Vista and Server 2008 is already being used by some software and hardware manufacturers. Is Microsoft ready to launch the SP2 for both OS before Windows 7? Windows 7 is supposed to arrive on June 3rd of next year but we’re going to play with beta versions until then. No details have been leaked about the any of the Service Packs, but we’re anxiously waiting for them.

Tags: microsoft, Server 2008, Service Pack 2, software, vista, Windows 7

In an amazing turn of events we have come into possession of some serious information which will shock you to the core. If you’re not sitting down please do so. What you are about to find out might make you faint.

Steve Ballmer said he isn’t responsible for any problems caused by Windows Vista or the “Vista Capable” computers. He did so under oath in the trial that concerns exactly those capable computers. (more…)

Tags: microsoft, microsoft, software, Steve Ballmer, vista

Windows XP was supposed to be officially discontinued starting with January 31, 2009. According to a leaked email from a PC OEM, Microsoft has decided to postpone the XP retirement. The new rumored date is July 31, 2009. That gives us a whole six extra months to buy XP instead of Vista. After that you will probably be more likely to choose the future Windows 7 instead of Vista. That’s a nice trick Microsoft is pulling. Especially since they are working hard on promoting Vista.

Tags: Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, microsoft, software, vista, Windows XP, xp

Microsoft has released its new commercial and it’s a whole new deal. It’s fast paced, it’s mildly funny, it is short and to the point. And it has a point.

PC has an identity and it works. That seems to be the message so many people proudly deliver. Too bad that in theory that sounds great but in practice PC does fall behind the mighty Mac. Bill Gates is in it, so he wasn’t sacked yet but there’s no Jerry as far as I can tell.

Below you’ll find another video called “I Wear a Suit”. I think it was supposed to be “I Wear a Suit but it’s Vista!”.

Still Microsoft, good job on these videos. If I were Apple I would counter them just to make this winter funnier!

Tags: Bill Gates, Commercial, microsoft, microsoft, vista

I was actually kind of waiting for the third clip starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. I didn’t like the previous two but I was still wondering how far Microsoft will go. But it looks like they are now awake more than ever and they must be listening to what people have to say. And people didn’t understand Microsoft’s message so far. (more…)

Tags: Bill Gates, Commercial, Jerry Seinfeld, microsoft, microsoft, vista

I bet HP doesn’t like the new Microsoft commercials especially if they will end up promoting Vista as the perfect OS. From confirmed and unconfirmed sources it appears that HP has some of its money invested in two directions, both meant to cut Vista out of their current line and possible compete to a closer than ever Apple.

Let’s start with Vista. It sucks! That was easy! HP knows this and it is moving to Linux, or even better, it is building a replacement OS based on Linux. All that is being denied so far. The other rumor is that HP is developing a software which will modify Vista to bring out the best in it.

The chief technology officer of HP’s PC division, a Phil McKinny, is absolutely denying such nonsense. But he admits to such conversations which might have taken place below senior management levels. You know, in the dungeons of HP, where the true leaders are.

HP feels Apple breathing down their neck and knows for sure that as soon as Apple smartens to a point where it will lower PC and laptops prices, the Cupertino-based out of the box company will take a huge share of the market. Everyone would get a Mac if they were cheap enough right? Beware HP, that might actually happen in a little over a month from now.

Tags: Apple, Desktop PCs, HP, Laptops, Linux, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile Software, price cut, vista