Family Pack license in the works?

[Richard Urban]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=201

Going the way of Apple?

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Robert Blacher]

I don't know Apple's licensing policies. But, fwiw, here's what Mary has to
say, quoting in part:


"In order to qualify for the so-called "Family Pack" promotion, customers
will first need to purchase at retail a copy of Vista Ultimate, which
carries an estimated retail price of $399 U.S. The deal will not be offered
to those who purchase Ultimate preloaded on a new PC, sources said; it will
be for customers buying and/or upgrading via retail channels only.

Sources close to Microsoft were sketchy about some of the particulars. The
exact price of the additional copies isn't clear: Some believe it will be
$49.95 per copy; others, $99.95. Vista Home Premium's current estimated
retail price is $239 per copy."

Mary Jo Foley seems often to be used by MSFT to float trial balloons, so
.....

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I remember this suggestion being pushed by some of the regular contributors
to this ng during the TechBeta program. The pricing is in the ballpark for
our proposals. If I remember right that discussion took place right after
the announcement of Leopard and was triggered by Apple's announcement of
their $179 family pack. Given that Windows service packs are free but Apple
updates OS/X every 15 to 18 months (and charges) the pricing looks very
comparable. This will be the first major move from MS on the retail OS
pricing in a very long time.

While I have no argument against anyone who feels that this seals the deal
for buying Ultimate, I wish MS had offered a similar deal for Home Premium
so that the two flagship editions were in sync.

 

[Rock]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=201

Going the way of Apple?

It's good news if this does happen.

 

[Dale]

Well, it won't cost you anything, will it?

Dale

I don't know Apple's licensing policies. But, fwiw, here's what Mary has
to say, quoting in part:


"In order to qualify for the so-called "Family Pack" promotion, customers
will first need to purchase at retail a copy of Vista Ultimate, which
carries an estimated retail price of $399 U.S. The deal will not be
offered to those who purchase Ultimate preloaded on a new PC, sources
said; it will be for customers buying and/or upgrading via retail channels
only.

Sources close to Microsoft were sketchy about some of the particulars. The
exact price of the additional copies isn't clear: Some believe it will be
$49.95 per copy; others, $99.95. Vista Home Premium's current estimated
retail price is $239 per copy."

Mary Jo Foley seems often to be used by MSFT to float trial balloons, so
....

 

[Robert Blacher]

Er, I did that math. Tell me where I went wrong:

$399 Vista Ultimate Full
$50 Vista Home Premium Family License (assuming the lower price Mary
mentioned)
$50 ditto

$499 for a 3-computer household.

VERSUS (current upgrade prices)

$259 Vista Ultimate UPGRADE
$159 Vista Home Premie UPG
#159 ditto

$559 for a 3-computer household.

Use Mary's upper end of $100 per family license and this deal COSTS you $50
versus buying 3 upgrades.

HUH?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Apple's family plan is five licenses for $179. Single licenses are $129.
If you have two or more Mac's its a no-brainer.

 

[Dale]

Someone posted a link to the family prices on Amazon a few days ago. There
was a 20 dollar savings per license.

Dale

 

[Robert Blacher]

Clearly, MSFT isn't going to license 5 copies of Vista Ultimate to us
"regular" folk for $179. But, $500-600 for a 3-computer family, and 2 only
get Home Premium?

Don't think that's going to cause many positive "wows!"

 

[Robert Blacher]

Hardly the point. Gee, you are a pain.

 

[Dale]

And you know what you are.

Dale

Hardly the point. Gee, you are a pain.

 

[Dale]

Explain to me how a person who admittedly stole Windows Vista and the
ability to install 10 copies has any right to discuss legitimate Vista
pricing?

Dale

 

[Robert Blacher]

You are really a hoot. By paying $349 for a TechNet Plus Direct
subscription and not meeting *your* criteria as a proper "evaluator" (but MS
has had no complaints), I am a thief. LOL

 

[mlai]

I wouldn't be surpised. Do we even remembered that MS offered the same
thing for XP where if you buy a copy retail, you are entitled to purchase
several (forgot whether it is 3 or 5) for a very small discount (like $20
off....) But in that case all the discounted licenses were either XP Home
or XP Pro, depending on whether you bought the home or pro version. So it
really is not something new. And the discount was nothing to write home
about so not many people bothered.........

 

[William]

The math still favors Apple, especially, as you pointed out, Apple's family plan is for 5 licenses.
Apple's family plan is five licenses for $179. Single licenses are $129.
If you have two or more Mac's its a no-brainer.

 

[Dale]

That is exactly inline with the advertised "Family" pricing on Amazon.
$20.00 off for each license after one. Whoopie! The restrictions put on
that second license make it not worth it.

Dale

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yes, it is new. Read the article more closely. This is not $20 off, but
$300 or more off.

 

[Dale]

Ignore the article - it's speculation, look at the real advertised prices at
amazon.

Dale

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

We shall see, But I have reason to believe the article is correct.
Perhaps it is better you ignore what you think you see at Amazon.
Do not confuse the additional license which is listed with the family pack
(not the actual name, but close enough) which is not listed.
Amazon does not have the family pack yet since the details have not yet been
finalized by Microsoft.

 

[Dale]

Well, that would be great if they offer a big discount - except not for me
I will probably only have one Vista PC for a long time.

Dale