Communication Breakdown
Communications from the world of, er, communications. And other stuff.
Tuesday 4 August 2009, 5:49 PM
Microsoft still at sea over UK Windows 7 Family Pack
The Family Pack version, scheduled for most of the world, will allow one copy of Windows 7 to be installed on three PCs. On Friday, Microsoft said it would not offer the version in the UK this year, because it is an "upgrade" version, and upgrade versions of the special browserless version of Windows 7 - Windows 7 E - will not appear until next year at the earliest.
On the same day, however, another branch of Microsoft announced that the "E" range of Windows 7 would be dropped, aligning Europe's Windows 7 versions with those offered to the rest of the world.
ZDNet UK has approached Microsoft several times to clarify the matter, and late on Tuesday received this reply: "With regard to Family Pack in the UK we are still working out the details and will have more to announce at a later date."
PreviousComments on this post
If I was a betting man:-Window 7 Family Pack (3 user licence) will likely debut on/around 1st December 2009. Expect a price initially of £89, rising to £119 after initial discount period. The £33-40 is the sweet price point per licence, where users won't quibble about parting with their cash, and can still justify purchasing where they only need two licences.
There is no way Microsoft will give up the Xmas Sales, and allow the chance for older PC's in the home to be installed with pirated copies of Windows 7. But they obviously don't want the announcement to prevent pre-orders of the single licence Home Premium.
MS expect this OS to be sold along with your weekly shop - and don't forget to pick up a good Antivirus package - Windows 7 still needs one! (it is still based on Vista code, even if it does a good job of hiding the fact, whether it does a better job of preventing viruses remains to be seen)
Along with the extended warranty - PCWorld will be happy - There is also the possible idea of offering the family licence oem ''upgrade option' with a new PC, to enable two older machines in the house to be upgraded at the same, as buying a new one.
