Free Windows 7 OEM Upgrades Announced, Businesses Get Strict Limits

From DailyTech: As the windup to Windows 7's pricing announcement came, many in the news industry suggested that Microsoft lower its prices to make up for bad public reception of Windows Vista. Some analysts, such as former Windows 2000 developer-turned blogger Michael Cherry of Directions on Microsoft suggested that Microsoft should give away Windows 7 for free to Vista users as an apology.

Now OEMs are stepping up to the plate and offering some free upgrades of Windows 7 -- but only to customers who purchase machines with Vista between the end of June and next January. Lenovo became the second to announce such a program, airing the news on Friday. Hewlett Packard, the top computer shipper in the U.S., had become the first to announce a Windows 7 upgrade program, releasing details on Thursday.

A concerned Microsoft reportedly has moved to limit free OEM Windows 7 upgrades to orders of 25 machines or less. This provision was first noticed by Gartner analyst Michael Silver, who posted a research note urging businesses to stand up and demand equal upgrade treatment. The provision is unlikely to affect the smallest businesses, but for larger firms it essentially puts free upgrades out of reach.

View: Article @ Source Site