Heard of Windows 8? Learn all about Windows 8 and what Microsoft's plans are for the next version of Windows due in 2012. Click the Windows 8 orb above!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
(View Legal Code)
Windows 7 Enterprise Upgrade to Cost $77 via Microsoft Software Assurance
(Follow me on Twitter: msftkitchen)
If you’ve purchased a PC with Windows Vista Business on it on or after April 1, 2008, then you can receive Windows 7 as an included upgrade if you purchase Microsoft Software Assurance. This deal will more than likely only interest business owners with multiple computers, but if you’re interested in purchasing Microsoft Software Assurance, you’ll save 15% if purchased by June 1, 2009 (7 days from now, so hurry if interested).
From Microsoft: “If you’re buying a new PC or have bought one in the past 6 months with Windows Vista Business, you’ll want to be sure to purchase Microsoft Software Assurance along with it. Why? Because along with the support, services, training, and tools that Software Assurance provides, you’ll also get Windows 7 as an included upgrade, which is on track to be released by early 2010*.
You won’t get this deal if you wait until Windows 7 is shipping. And, to make your decision even easier, we’re currently offering a 15% discount on Software Assurance purchases. There’s no better time to buy!”
*Stipulations/Circumstances: “If your qualifying PCs are covered by Software Assurance when Windows 7 is released, then you automatically get the rights to deploy Windows 7 Enterprise to those PCs without an additional license fee (media fulfillment fees may apply). Discount offer extends to any new PC purchased with Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Professional between 9/1/08 and 6/1/09. Maximum 125 PCs per customer. Purchase of Microsoft Software Assurance requires a pre-paid 2-year agreement.”
So, apparently, this discount has been going on since at least September of last year and I don’t recall ever hearing even a whisper about this promotion. Regardless, at least this gives those of you interested a week to decide if you want to take advantage of the 15% discount for Microsoft Software Assurance. I’m still not quite putting 2 and 2 together in regards to how they came up with the $77 figure, but that’s how they’re marketing it, so that’s what I went with (hey, it probably got YOUR attention, didn’t it (it certainly got mine when I ran across it, lol))! Also not clear is when this offer will expire (we know when the discount will expire, but not the Windows 7 SA offer, outside of when it ships).
Reference: Windows 7 for $77 (Link is now dead! See screenshot below)
Microsoft Software Assurance Program: Click Here
UPDATE: Microsoft has apparently taken down the portion of their site that had this deal initially. Thank goodness for Google cache! Click on the image below for a screenshot of the original offer page:
-Stephen
This promotion has been posted on http://www.microsoftincentives.com for several months, and it's still there, as of June 10, 2009. Expires June 30. That's the end of the fiscal year, so most promotions end then. Also, without the promotion, customers can still get SA, through the Open License program (requires 5 licenses) for $108, as long as they buy SA through a volume program within 90 days of the computer purchase. They must purchase it with Windows Vista Business, by the way. Note: this promotion and others that involve use of SA get you all the way to Windows 7 Enterprise Edition, with Bitlocker, DirectAccess, four VMs at no additional cost, etc., so it's much better than just upgrading to Windows 7 pro. You'd have to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate to get most of those features and you still wouldn't get the four VMs.