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Vista Ultimate Priced at $450 on Microsoft.com Canada

xxdesmus   on 28 August 2006 - 13:04 · 147 comments & 165859 views

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Microsoft.com Canada has released pricing for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Ultimate is listed at $499 Canadian which translates into $450.36 in USD. Home Premium is listed at $299 or $269.86 USD, Vista Ultimate Upgrade is priced at $299 or $269.86 USD, while Home Premium Upgrade is $199 or $179.60 USD.

All Canadian to US conversions were done using the Bank of Canada website

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View: Pricing list
News source: Microsoft Canada

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(4 replies) #1 Neobond on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:13
Does Ultimate come with a computer?
#1.1 Lexcyn on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:55
LOL. For that price it should. :|
#1.2 Jugalator on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:12
It's possible to buy a new computer meeting the requirements of Vista here for half the price, assembly & test cost included. :-S
#1.3 ThePitt on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:28
I hope it comes with an XBOX 360
#1.4 lylesback2 on 28 Aug 2006 - 20:40
Quote - ThePitt said @ #1.3
I hope it comes with an XBOX 360

i hear that! at $499... screw that.. i can't afford that!
#2 Draje on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:19
Wow, not really worth it IMO unless your a gamer because there are no free alternatives for DirectX 10.
#3 Chicane-UK on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:21
Holy crapola.

I'll probably end up using Vista simply because i'm entitled to use it through work for free (just need to pay for a CD to copy it onto! - but really that is a pretty eye watering price.

And to think I was gob smacked when I saw that Prey cost £49.99 ($94.71) for the Xbox360 over here! Software is getting shockingly expensive these days.
(3 replies) #4 Joel on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:23
It's only $299 CAD for the upgrade disc.
#4.1 excalpius on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:03
only?
#4.2 Joel on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:08
Quote - excalpius said @ #4.1
only?

Compared to $499, yeah.
#4.3 rm20010 on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:55
I wonder if the upgrade disc will validate the original Windows XP CD - this time not by just checking files on the CD, but also forcing you to enter your old Windows XP CD key to ensure it's legit.
(2 replies) #5 Bobster on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:27
I'm just scared about what the prices will be in the UK...
#5.1 ShadowPHP on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:37
OEM Copies should be alot cheaper than the Retail Copies though...
#5.2 theyarecomingforyou on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:39
Yes but UK OEM copies really aren't cheap.
(2 replies) #6 Ron21 on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:30
Mac Mini with OSX or a Windows Vista CD?
#6.1 Daninku on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:34
Hahaha I may end up gettnig a Mac Mini with OSX and a pirated version of VISTA hahahaha
#6.2 ShadowPHP on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:35
Actually, I think you mean DVD
(4 replies) #7 TheGriffin on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:30
Hmm, I posted this the BPN and someone else takes credit for it.

...

Last edited by TheGriffin on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:37
#7.1 Joel on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:09
Do what they did next time, and use the news submission form instead of hoping that someone read BPN.
#7.2 xxdesmus on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:23
When did you post this on BPN? (And where? I can't find anything). I submitted this last night at about 10pm EST.
#7.3 TheGriffin on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:16
Quote - xxdesmus said @ #7.2
When did you post this on BPN? (And where? I can't find anything). I submitted this last night at about 10pm EST.


What's this? http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...=490162&hl=
#7.4 xxdesmus on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:46
Quote - TheGriffin said @ #7.3
Quote - xxdesmus said @ #7.2
When did you post this on BPN? (And where? I can't find anything). I submitted this last night at about 10pm EST.


What's this? http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...=490162&hl=


Touché, indeed. I did not even see that.
#8 ahhell on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:36
Holy crap. I guess I won't be buying that (i might still run it though ).

It's pretty sad when you can buy a PC WITH an OS for cheaper.
(1 reply) #9 xxdesmus on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:42
Well, I hope these prices are wrong to be honest...I like Vista, I was actually thinking of buying a legit copy of this, but for that kind of money....that will definitely not be happening.

Maybe these prices are wrong, I guess we can all hope.

Perhaps a Mod can update my news submission with this helpful (and easier to read) chart:

Prices in U.S.D as of 8/28/06

Vista Ultimate
-Upgrade: $269.931
-Full Retail: $450.581

Vista Home Premium
-Upgrade: $179.691
-Full Retail: $269.931

Vista Home Basic
-Upgrade: $116.483
-Full Retail: $233.862

Vista Business
-Upgrade: $224.832
-Full Retail: $342.215
#9.1 nekrosoft13 on 28 Aug 2006 - 20:32
so you can buy the business version?

i might just get that version, i don't care about media center

xp pro = vista business
(2 replies) #10 metalguy90 on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:43
I have a feeling that the price in USD will be $399.99.
the reason i say this is that even with the exchange rate between the US & CAN is only a difference of roughly 10%, but the prices for most products seem to be marked much higher regardless of the exchange rate.

Here is an example. I have been looking to purchase a new digital camera, and have noticed that the US price differs greatly from the CAN price. The camera is a Kodak V570. The US msrp is $399. The CAN msrp is $499.

there are tonnes of examples like this on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

EDIT:
Vista Price on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Vi...9322203?ie=UTF8

i was right about it being $399 USD

Last edited by metalguy90 on 29 Aug 2006 - 16:49
#10.1 excalpius on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:04
insane pricing...as everyone feared
#10.2 TheGriffin on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:24
That's why if someone read my post in the BPN then the 'true' prices would be posted instead of irrelevant conversions.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...=490162&hl=
#11 plastikaa on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:44
Yeh OEM will be cheaper, people have a go at some companies such as Alienware as they cost loads... but when you look at the fact you get the real windows discs with an Alienware makes the price seem better.
#12 coolstuff2003ca on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:45
That's pretty much the same price in CAD that XP was when it came out. There are still some stores around where I live that sell the retail version of XP for 499. When OEM versions come out it should be cheaper.
#13 Smigit on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:54
OEM will be the way to go, and I dont think this version is for the mainstream anyway but those that spend a bucketload on 2 GPU's for their systems ect. Anyway will this edition be subject to the upgrade prices too? I assume those listed were outright purchases.

Last edited by Smigit on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:06
(1 reply) #14 username(); on 28 Aug 2006 - 13:56
It should be noted that XP Pro on there is $450. There only the MSRP. And when you consider the fact that Vista has Media Center, and Tablet Editions built into it, that's worth it.
#14.1 Bamsebjørn on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:25
Worth it? If you use it... maybe.

For that price they should allow people to install on 1-5 machines (like Apple does with their system).
(8 replies) #15 Dacracka on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:02
Let's see;

Mac OS X Leopard, $129 with hundreds of new features

or

Windows Vista, $450 with 5 copied features, and a shiny UI

#15.1 Divide Overflow on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:04
Quote - Dacracka said @ #15
Let's see;

Mac OS X Leopard, $129 with hundreds of new features

or

Windows Vista, $450 with 5 copied features, and a shiny UI


What's really funny is the fact that you believe what you're saying.
#15.2 excalpius on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:05
yes, agreed here, da-cracka is da-idjit
#15.3 xxdesmus on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:19
Or in reality:

Mac OS X Leopard, $129 for Tiger SP1

or

Windows Vista, $450 for a completely rebuilt OS from the ground up, TONS of new features, even some Apple copied!
#15.4 James123 on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:36
Well done, just by "Windows Vista, $450 with 5 copied features, and a shiny UI" that comment alone you proved you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh, and enjoy paying for a new version of OS X every year.

Release Prices..

Windows XP - $250 -> Vista Home Premium (I didn't put Ultimate because lets be honest 9/10 people won't need that) $270
Total over 6-7 years: $520

Mac OSX 10.0 $129 -> 10.1 $129 -> 10.2 $129 -> 10.3 $129 -> 10.4 $129 -> soon to be 10.5 $129
Total over 6-7 years: $774 ($645 excluding Leopard)


So I don't think the price is too unreasonable.
#15.5 BigCheese on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:13
lol, I like the "hundreds of new features" part. There are hardly any new features in Leopard. Looking at the Leopard web page, it shows:
-Time Machine (Copied from Microosft)
-64 bit (not exactly something I'd call a feature. Micorosft has had this for nearly 2 years as well).
-Core animation

The rest are just small updates to existing applications and some new applications, which Microsoft would probably get sued by the EU if they tried to include.

Last edited by BigCheese on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:22
#15.6 MrA on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:33
Quote - James123 said @ #15.4
Well done, just by "Windows Vista, $450 with 5 copied features, and a shiny UI" that comment alone you proved you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh, and enjoy paying for a new version of OS X every year.

Release Prices..

Windows XP - $250 -> Vista Home Premium (I didn't put Ultimate because lets be honest 9/10 people won't need that) $270
Total over 6-7 years: $520

Mac OSX 10.0 $129 -> 10.1 $129 -> 10.2 $129 -> 10.3 $129 -> 10.4 $129 -> soon to be 10.5 $129
Total over 6-7 years: $774 ($645 excluding Leopard)

So I don't think the price is too unreasonable.

The Mac pricing should be $645 ($516 excluding Leopard) since 10.1 was a free upgrade.
Also, you should be comparing it with Vista Ultimate+XP Pro since OSX comes in one version with all the features (discarding the server version which you're not comparing anyways).
#15.7 jstillion on 28 Aug 2006 - 22:43
Apple and MS copy of each other..

and the both Steve/Bill copied the modern computers from XEROX when they failed to actually use the stuff they were showing off from the think tank a very long time ago.

Of course I love reading the Apple vs MS and laugh at both

Here's a pardox, I like Mac's and OSX and I happen to love Windows XP SP2 Pro.
#15.8 HawkMan on 29 Aug 2006 - 06:22
Quote - MrA said @ #15.6
Quote - James123 said @ #15.4
Well done, just by "Windows Vista, $450 with 5 copied features, and a shiny UI" that comment alone you proved you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh, and enjoy paying for a new version of OS X every year.

Release Prices..

Windows XP - $250 -> Vista Home Premium (I didn't put Ultimate because lets be honest 9/10 people won't need that) $270
Total over 6-7 years: $520

Mac OSX 10.0 $129 -> 10.1 $129 -> 10.2 $129 -> 10.3 $129 -> 10.4 $129 -> soon to be 10.5 $129
Total over 6-7 years: $774 ($645 excluding Leopard)

So I don't think the price is too unreasonable.

The Mac pricing should be $645 ($516 excluding Leopard) since 10.1 was a free upgrade.
Also, you should be comparing it with Vista Ultimate+XP Pro since OSX comes in one version with all the features (discarding the server version which you're not comparing anyways).


why should he be comparign with ultimate ?

does OSX come with OSX tablet edition and OSX Media Center edition ?
#16 RangerLG on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:05
Almost $180 for an upgrade is too rich for me. Won't be buying this until I abosultely have to.
#17 excalpius on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:06
I'll be buying one seat of vista only, and only then as bundleware with a new machine. Sorry, Microsoft, but I won't be upgrading ANY of my other dozen machines past XP until you get a clue.
(4 replies) #18 excalpius on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:07
Nothing compelling, rushed to market, vastly overpriced. Smooth moves MS.
#18.1 xavalon on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:21
Quote - excalpius said @ #18
Nothing compelling, rushed to market, vastly overpriced. Smooth moves MS.


I cannot agree more. So many features are stripped, it don't see much more than a new userinterface. Common, it is just an OS where you hit the 'start' button to start your apps and games and occasionally use windows explorer to organize and search your files.

#18.2 John Ericson on 28 Aug 2006 - 19:35
Quote - xavalon said @ #18.1
it don't see much more than a new userinterface.

Who is the it?

If it don't see much more than a new GUI that might be because it mostly has watched the screenshots. Here is a list of things you can't see in a screenshot.
#18.3 werejag on 28 Aug 2006 - 23:56
Quote - John Ericson said @ #18.2
Quote - xavalon said @ #18.1
it don't see much more than a new userinterface.

Who is the it?

If it don't see much more than a new GUI that might be because it mostly has watched the screenshots. Here is a list of things you can't see in a screenshot.


lol nice job microsoft employee
#18.4 PCyr on 29 Aug 2006 - 03:49
Nice personal attacks werejag. Playground not enough for you?
#19 carmatic on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:10
when it comes out i'll type "oem Vista COA" in the ebay search and see what i get...
#20 naap51stang on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:18
"most" people (save for the fanboys who will camp out for days, weeks before it hits the stores) will
either get it via a new computer, OEM, or (shhhhhhhhhhhhh) WAREZ.......(yeah we know it will be cracked
no matter what MS says)
#21 noping on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:18
Damn 450 dollars for an OS???

Is this the same company that is bashing Sony for selling PS3 for 499/599 ? MR. "We want to give customers value?"

I plan on getting tablet pc, so will wait until this comes out, other then that, I will find alternatives...
#22 shawn on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:21
Upgrade is from XP->Vista righto?
#23 Xerxes on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:30
ouch! there goes getting Vista then, I can't afford that!
#24 cwhast on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:37
Quote - Xerxes said @ #23
ouch! there goes getting Vista then, I can't afford that!

you can still get it, just don't pay for it

omfg in Aussie dollars the full retail of Ultimate is $593 !!! and they wonder why people have illegal versions!?
think i'll buy a Mac. sayonara MS
#25 Dessimat0r on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:45
I hate these excessive prices.
(6 replies) #26 kl33per on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:47
A few things you people seem to be completely forgetting/ignoring.

1. Unless you work in the IT industry, you don't need the Ultimate Edition. Even computer geeks don't need it and will get plenty out of the significantly cheaper Home Premium Edition.
2. Windows XP (which debuted at roughly the same price) has lasted for five years. That means that if you bought your copy of XP on or soon after the public release, and are still using it today, you most certainly got your money's worth. This is not to say Vista will be around for five years, it probably won't, but you're still probably going to get good value for money out of the OS, providing you use it for 3-4 years.
3. You all have computers you want to run Vista on now - buy the damn upgrade version. It is significantly cheaper than the full version and you can still do a fresh install or an upgrade.
#26.1 Philip Hristov on 28 Aug 2006 - 14:57
Yes! I am wondering why everyone is bitching about the full price of the product! We all have computers and XP, why we have to buy the full retail one!? Still..I think $200 to upgrade to Home Premium is too much...
#26.2 Xavien on 28 Aug 2006 - 19:17
Upgrading OS's is a horrible thing. Things get shoved in god-knows-where and cause a much less efficent system.

If you are gonna upgrade i would advise buying a full version, backing up and formatting the HDD and the installing Vista from scratch.

Or... simply dual boot, but i still dont like that every windows has to take over the MBR when its installed (especially vista with that awful boot contraption, why couldn't they have stuck with the simple boot.ini?).
#26.3 Philip Hristov on 28 Aug 2006 - 20:42
Hello!? You can install upgrade version of Windows without to install the old first! You just need the CD to vertifying!
#26.4 werejag on 29 Aug 2006 - 00:01
im sorry but Windows XP (which debuted at roughly the same price) has lasted for five years which was barely even worth that price we paid. prices for windows oses should have a bell curve in price going down every year.

now they over charge more than they did for xp and we get spamed by microsoft employees like kl33per becuase we wont suport that price.
#26.5 kl33per on 30 Aug 2006 - 02:01
Quote - Xavien said @ #26.2
Upgrading OS's is a horrible thing. Things get shoved in god-knows-where and cause a much less efficent system.

If you are gonna upgrade i would advise buying a full version, backing up and formatting the HDD and the installing Vista from scratch.

Or... simply dual boot, but i still dont like that every windows has to take over the MBR when its installed (especially vista with that awful boot contraption, why couldn't they have stuck with the simple boot.ini?).

Did you even read what I wrote or understand how Microsoft OS installation works. If you buy the upgrade edition, you can still do a clean install. What happened to people using their brains; knowing how to read and comprehend is a fairly important skill.

Furthermore, the upgrade system in the Vista installer has been completely revammped. When XP performed an upgrade, it manually replaced every file on the drive that was updated by Windows XP, leaving a lot of junk behind. In Vista's installer, the setup process scans your previous installation's documents, settings and programs. It then precedes to back these up and install a fresh copy of Vista. Finally, it adds back in all your documents, settings and applications, leaving any other junk behind.
#26.6 adjustedrace on 01 Sep 2006 - 02:36
Quote - kl33per said @ #1
A few things you people seem to be completely forgetting/ignoring.

1. Unless you work in the IT industry, you don't need the Ultimate Edition. Even computer geeks don't need it and will get plenty out of the significantly cheaper Home Premium Edition.
2. Windows XP (which debuted at roughly the same price) has lasted for five years. That means that if you bought your copy of XP on or soon after the public release, and are still using it today, you most certainly got your money's worth. This is not to say Vista will be around for five years, it probably won't, but you're still probably going to get good value for money out of the OS, providing you use it for 3-4 years.
3. You all have computers you want to run Vista on now - buy the damn upgrade version. It is significantly cheaper than the full version and you can still do a fresh install or an upgrade.


I disagree the Home Premium version does not include a lot of features that were included in Windows Xp Professional which could mess up your computers. I think people should just wait for a price drop and then buy Vista. Although I think the licensing in Windows Vista is disgraceful.
#27 eilegz on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:18
too expensive =/ and need more hardware upgrades i guess XP its alright
(3 replies) #28 Xenomorph on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:28
Windows XP Home is $200, and XP Pro is $300.

Vista Home is ~$230 (~$115 upgrade), and Vista Business is ~$340 (~$220 upgrade).

Is that *really* such a big jump?


#28.1 RangerLG on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:18
Quote - Xenomorph said @ #29
Windows XP Home is $200, and XP Pro is $300.

Vista Home is ~$230 (~$115 upgrade), and Vista Business is ~$340 (~$220 upgrade).

Is that *really* such a big jump?


XP Home OEM is 84.99+tax
XP Pro OEM is 136.99+tax

So yes, it is a big jump.
#28.2 xxdesmus on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:49
Quote - RangerLG said @ #29.1
Quote - Xenomorph said @ #29
Windows XP Home is $200, and XP Pro is $300.

Vista Home is ~$230 (~$115 upgrade), and Vista Business is ~$340 (~$220 upgrade).

Is that *really* such a big jump?


XP Home OEM is 84.99+tax
XP Pro OEM is 136.99+tax

So yes, it is a big jump.
right, and the above prices are not OEM, they are store prices...OEM will probably be a bit closer to the XP OEM prices.
#28.3 RangerLG on 28 Aug 2006 - 18:37
I am aware of that, but OEM versions are not readily for sale when a product is released. Also, there are going to be five versions of Vista, will all be offered OEM?
(4 replies) #29 neostyle on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:37
hey they spent billions of dollars to develop vista ...... :p

alternative :
ubuntu $0
cd shipping costs $0
and it really can do the same things as vista ..... :p
#29.1 Chugworth on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:52
Except run most of your software.
#29.2 PCyr on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:56
Ah, so what are the WCF and WGF equivilents in ubuntu?
#29.3 Mathiasdm on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:19
I personally think people should just use what they want, be it Linux, Windows, OS X, BSD or OS/2

However, I would like to reply:
Quote - PCyr said @ #29.2
Ah, so what are the WCF and WGF equivilents in ubuntu?

WGF: you mean DirectX 10 and its features?
Well, I hope OpenGL allows for the same possibilities. They're probably about even.
And utilising Compiz and XGL/AIGLX, advanced graphical effects like those in Vista are possible.
However, I might be incorrect, feel free to say so.

WCF: I have no idea about anything equivalent to it. However, most of the information about WCF I find seems to be a bunch of buzzwords. So please: tell me more about it.
#29.4 PCyr on 29 Aug 2006 - 03:52
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Commu...tion_Foundation

Some the MS demos of the technologies are pretty interesting. How the technology can be implimented into everything from education to emergency services.
#30 virtualmadden on 28 Aug 2006 - 15:39
It's a lot of money, but there is only a small percentage of people who'll be buying a full (non-upgrade) version. In fact, I bet that 7/10 people will still be using XP or later for many years to come. 9/10 copies of Vista will be sold with a new PC. Still, the prices aren't bad.
#31 Toastyone on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:06
Eh that is pretty high, but if you think about it, XP was pretty high when it first came out as well, I mean Best Buy still sells the retail version of XP for $200!!! And it has been out several years :p
#32 Galley on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:24
Let me guess, an upgrade won't work on an upgraded XP installation.
#33 ThePitt on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:26
Quote -
$450.36

lmao. Thats cheap. Isnt?
#34 DaViD_BRaNDoN on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:27
What the fish...
(2 replies) #35 SniperX on 28 Aug 2006 - 16:34
I'm running out of space on my "reasons not to use Vista" list!
#35.1 Buttus on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:02
Quote - SniperX said @ #35
I'm running out of space on my "reasons not to use Vista" list!


Yea, looks like XP is staying on my machine... I think the only reason they're asking so much is because of DX10... there's really no other reason for me to upgrade...
#35.2 SniperX on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:18
Quote - Buttus said @ #35.1
Yea, looks like XP is staying on my machine...
You and me both. I pretty much decided a while back that I have yet to see the compelling reasons why I should upgrade from XP to Vista, when my XP is working day in and day out without any issues. Add to that, the now almost laughable pricing structure and it's reaffirmed my decision that the next upgrade I make will be to a Mac. If Vista is a good indicator of the vision that MS has for the PC then I don't want to share it with them I'm afraid. With each successive release of an MS Operating System, I feel that I own my own computer less and less.

Last edited by SniperX on 28 Aug 2006 - 17:25