ARN

Free Vista coupon expected in Australia

Local builders have confirmed foreign reports that Microsoft is on the verge of announcing a free Windows Vista upgrade plan for Windows XP-based PCs sold between this month and March 2007.

Expected to be called the Express Upgrade program, the coupon would apply to PCs shipping Windows XP Professional and Windows Media Center only, industry sources said under condition of anonymity.

"XP Home users miss out on the program, but it's no big deal because, in our experience, the home users aren't concerned about upgrades to new operating systems anyway," one source claimed.

Microsoft Australia has yet to finalise how the upgrades would be offered, but was examining either a coupon or a website-based program, sources said. Builders could know as early as next week how the plan would be delivered. The software giant's last upgrade offer was delivered via a note inserted into the OEM [Windows XP] product.

Local sources indicated their belief that the upgrade to Vista would be free, aside from a shipping fee. This contradicts foreign reports the upgrades could cost a small fee in their own right, currently tipped to be between $US49 and $U79.

Director of Windows Client Business Group at Microsoft Australia, Jeff Putt, confirmed it was talking to all partners about an offer, but decline to provide further information.

Come socialise with us! Facebook | LinkedIn

More about: Microsoft, VIA

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
ASI Solutions , Bluechip Infotech , Compucon Computers , Dicker Data , Express Data , Express Online , Impact Systems Technology , Ingram Micro Australia , Leader Computers , Leading Pacific Australia , NewLease , Simms International (For Simms International please see Express Online) , Synnex Australia , Topstar Computer International , Westan , XiT Distribution , Xpress I.T.
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/synnex/425_lenovo-february-and-march-hot-deal-3
Synnex

Lenovo February and March Hot Deal 3

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.