Windows 7

arrallas

Several companies begin the pre-order process for Windows 7 today. This is Microsoft's new operating system which is the successor to the unloved (by some) Windows Vista. Order now for £49.99 for delivery at the end of October when the RRP will be £149.99, and you get the full version (not even just an upgrade version!). Other flavours of Windows 7 are available for pre-order too, but Home Premium is recommeded for the vast majority of home users.
If you are still using Windows XP (or Vista), this is a great time to upgrade to this quick, clean and much-improved OS.
Play.com (free postage), Amazon etc will be swamped with orders and "supply is limited", so if you need it, go for it!
Edit: Engadget this morning posted the following:
"If you're hoping to get in on discounted pre-order pricing for Windows 7 in the UK then you'd best get to clicking, son. We're hearing that copies of the £50 Windows 7 Home Premium E are already sold-out on Amazon but still available at Play.com, for example. Stocks of Windows 7 Professional E look plentiful at £100, for the time being anyway. While the offer is scheduled to go until August 9th, it's limited to some magical quantity known only to Microsoft and its retailers. If you're still on the fence remember, Japan completely sold-out in just a few days."

mr_fishbulb

Got it from Amazon this morning - Home Premium for £44.97:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-PC/dp/B002DUCMT2/ref=amb_link_84278153_2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1C5VJ572JSRW65VB7QPN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470370353&pf_rd_i=468294

Can get it with free super saver delivery too.

Edit - looks like it's sold out on Amazon already!

[Deleted User]

Good bargains. I reckon at those prices a lot of the usual illegitimate users will buy it to save hassle over the years, which can only be a good thing.

KeepYourChinUp_2

Theres no upgrade version for europeans. It also has no browser. Its supposed to be 79.99 and the offer is till the end of december. I guess this board is going to be busy soon with ' i have upgraded and have no browser' and various microsoft rip off type threads.

arrallas

KeepYourChinUp wrote: »

Theres no upgrade version for europeans. It also has no browser. Its supposed to be 79.99 and the offer is till the end of december. I guess this board is going to be busy soon with ' i have upgraded and have no browser' and various microsoft rip off type threads.

After the EU sued Microsoft for millions (for bundling IE with Windows), it's not surprising that they are a bit sniffy! It will be important to download Firefox (or IE8 if you must!) and have it on a USB stick or CD BEFORE you install Windows 7

Knub

arrallas wrote: »

After the EU sued Microsoft for BILLIONS (for bundling IE with Windows), it's not surprising that they are a bit sniffy! It will be important to download Firefox (or IE8 if you must!) and have it on a USB stick or CD BEFORE you install Windows 7

Fixed and not really...You just go into the Update centre in windows 7 and you have the ability to download IE from there. It's worth having the browser on your machine regardless if you use it or not. Considering it has 50% of the worlds browser useage, it is wise to have it on your system just in case you ever come across compatibility issues (Rare I know, but it happens).

I pre-ordered Win7 Professional today, £89 off amazon. Bargain! Although slightly dissapointed I thought it was going to be £79. Must have been some dodgy American pricing I was privvy too.

Cheapest I found it was on Amazon. A friend found it for £99 on play.com but he soon cancelled and saved a tenner when I told him.

Looking forward to October now, although I am going to be downloading the RTM 7600 soon.

m00head

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order.aspx

Windows 7 Home Premium can be pre-ordered for £49.99 until August 9th 2009, at which point it will revert to the usual price of £149.99.

It is due to be released on October 22nd 2009.

dogmaryxx

Wise men say only fools rush in

arrallas

Knub wrote: »

Fixed and not really...You just go into the Update centre in windows 7 and you have the ability to download IE from there. It's worth having the browser on your machine regardless if you use it or not. Considering it has 50% of the worlds browser useage, it is wise to have it on your system just in case you ever come across compatibility issues (Rare I know, but it happens).

I pre-ordered Win7 Professional today, £89 off amazon. Bargain! Although slightly dissapointed I thought it was going to be £79. Must have been some dodgy American pricing I was privvy too.

Cheapest I found it was on Amazon. A friend found it for £99 on play.com but he soon cancelled and saved a tenner when I told him.

Looking forward to October now, although I am going to be downloading the RTM 7600 soon.

I repeat though, for the vast majority of users, the professional version is unnecessary. What you get over and above Home Premium are:
Domain Join - enables simple and secure server networking.
Encrypting File System - protects data with advanced network backup.
Location Aware Printing - helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home.
Remote Desktop Host
If you know that you will never have a use for these extras, don't bother and save the money!

danmanchester

Does anyone know are these discs shipping with both 32 and 64 bit versions? As the system requirement specs state: 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, I'm assuming yes?? As previously they've always given the option to choose.

Knub

arrallas wrote: »

I repeat though, for the vast majority of users, the professional version is unnecessary. What you get over and above Home Premium are:
Domain Join - enables simple and secure server networking.
Encrypting File System - protects data with advanced network backup.
Location Aware Printing - helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home.
Remote Desktop Host
If you know that you will never have a use for these extras, don't bother and save the money!

Thanks for the advice, very relevant to most people on here.

Being an IT Professional, however, I'm more than aware of what I need and don't need