Windows 7 Upgrade: Why Pay Twice For the Same OS?

From PC World: In another blow to customers, Microsoft says free Windows 7 upgrades--for companies that purchase new hardware between now and the Oct. 22 release date of the new OS--will be limited to 25 machines.

As of last Friday, individual customers who purchase Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate will be able to get a corresponding version of Windows 7 at little or no cost, according to a blog post by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc.

What the post does not say, and has not been widely publicized, is the 25-unit limitation on upgrades for business customers.

The policy has been criticized in a research note by Gartner analyst Michael Silver.

I am not sure if the plan here is to convince customers not to buy new hardware until late October, but it will certainly have that effect on some companies. Why pay now and pay later?

Especially when many feel that Microsoft should not be charging Vista customers a cent to upgrade from that troubled OS.

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