Pricing
Microsoft's international pricing of Vista has been criticized by many as too expensive. The differences in pricing from one country to another vary significantly, especially considering that copies of Vista can be ordered and shipped worldwide from the United States; this could save between $42 (€26) and $314 (€200). In many cases, the difference in price is significantly greater than was the case for Windows XP. In Malaysia, the pricing for Vista is at around RM799 ($244/€155). At the current exchange rate, United Kingdom consumers could be paying almost double their United States counterparts for the same software.
| “ | Microsoft has come under fire from British consumers about the price it is charging for Vista, the latest version of Windows.
British (and French) customers will pay double the US price. The upgrade from Windows XP to Vista Home Basic will cost £100 (€126), while American users will pay only £51($100, €64). |
” |
|
—Computer Active |
||
Since the release of Windows Vista in January 2007 Microsoft has reduced the retail and upgrade price point of Vista. Originally Vista Ultimate was priced at $399. and Home Premium Vista at $239. These prices have since been reduced to $319 and $199 respectively.
Read more about this topic: Criticism Of Windows Vista