Microsoft plans Windows 7 Family Pack? - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 3rd Jul 2009, 13:35

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/20...-family-pack/1

Eagle-eyed Microsoft watchers have spotted wording in the EULA of a leaked Windows 7 build which makes reference to an unannounced Family Pack SKU.

lewchenko · 3rd Jul 2009, 14:11

Well you can buy a 5 pack 'Family Suite' of OSX for £126 (or £83 for one licence). I doubt Win7 will be as good a value as that !

Other than the pre-order pricing for Win7, I find the normal retail version pricing over the top. In OSX land you also do not have OEM (for obvious reasons!.... wonder if Psystar gets a discount though !! ) , so its a much simpler model. All versions are the same as well... none of this home/premium/starter/ultimate stuff.

And whilst Apple runs into criticism regarding 'yearly upgrade fees' for your OS (if you choose to buy them), it must be noted that Snow Leopard will only cost about £20 this time. Ive never actually bought an upgrade before though.. just run the same OS until I replace the machine usually.

I will be buying x1 licence of Win7 at pre-order pricing only for my desktop gaming PC. No more than that despite having a few PC's/laptops. They can carry on with XP/Vista etc until they die.

proxess · 3rd Jul 2009, 15:11

Who the hell buys 5 OS X? 1 is already rare enough.

dicobalt · 3rd Jul 2009, 18:36

Apple doesn't like people who don't buy their hardware, they say &^%* off to people who want to buy OSX. Why would I buy 5 of something I can't install?

ch424 · 3rd Jul 2009, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicobalt

Apple doesn't like people who don't buy their hardware, they say &^%* off to people who want to buy OSX. Why would I buy 5 of something I can't install?

You wouldn't. I'm sure a household/small business with 5 macs would though.

JrRRr · 3rd Jul 2009, 19:45

I definitely want one of those. I've already done so with Office (and PerfectDisk) Only hope this sill be an option in Norway.. (Isn't/Wasn't Vista sold with some kind of multiple licenses for private use in the US?)

leexgx · 3rd Jul 2009, 22:41

why would you buy 5 copys any way of osx when 1 will load on all of them any way

Sebbo · 4th Jul 2009, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewchenko

Well you can buy a 5 pack 'Family Suite' of OSX for £126 (or £83 for one licence). I doubt Win7 will be as good a value as that !

Other than the pre-order pricing for Win7, I find the normal retail version pricing over the top. In OSX land you also do not have OEM (for obvious reasons!.... wonder if Psystar gets a discount though !! ) , so its a much simpler model. All versions are the same as well... none of this home/premium/starter/ultimate stuff.

And whilst Apple runs into criticism regarding 'yearly upgrade fees' for your OS (if you choose to buy them), it must be noted that Snow Leopard will only cost about £20 this time. Ive never actually bought an upgrade before though.. just run the same OS until I replace the machine usually.

Apple has an advantage over Microsoft here in that Apple makes money from the sale of the computer itself, ie. Apple is both a hardware and software company. Microsoft, on the other hand, is a software company only (aside from a few peripherals). This is why Apple can charge substantially cheaper for OS, because they have already made most of the money from the sale of the computer and support plans (and also why they don't like PsyStar that much).

r4tch3t · 4th Jul 2009, 05:20

Retail versions? I thought they were just place holders in the shops. I don't know anyone who has ever bought a retail version of Windows.

If however the family pack comes out cheaper than 3 OEM versions I would consider getting it for our computers.

Sebbo · 4th Jul 2009, 08:54

should've mentioned this in my other post, not sure why i didn't...

i bought vista retail, mostly because retail copies have much better support and waranties from microsoft than OEM. and when 7 comes out, i'll be buying retail again. if there is indeed a family pack, then i'll be getting that, simply because i plan on having 3 or 4 computers sharing media, and i like the expanded media sharing that's been added with 7, especially as far as integration with the Zune and 360 goes. really hope we see this in australia

BioSniper · 4th Jul 2009, 11:19

The reason Retail has better support than OEM is because the inflated price IS the support fees. OEM is designed for system builders/installers that provide support to customers.

I usually buy OEM myself as I am more than happy with sorting my own issues out/can figure it out most of the time.

I do think the family pack is a great idea though. I've been wanting them to do this for ages but as I have TechNet currently I won't be needing it. If I ever do stop my TechNet sub though I will definitely think about this deal, price depending.

Psytek · 4th Jul 2009, 14:29

If the price isn't reasonable I won't be paying for multiple copies.

I plan on buying w7 pro when it releases, and I could see the need for maybe 2 copies... but I'm not ready to part with that much money for windows just yet.

LAGMonkey · 4th Jul 2009, 17:23

from my point of view, it would be a boon.

with all the computers kicking about in my house i definatly need at least 2 copys of windows 7 (after SP1 is released - personal preference not to get an OS untill the first SP is out). The third could be used for the spare laptop that the woman has (unless shes sold it) or i could give it to my sister.
Having a paying job these days im slowly moving towards actually owning my software instead of "borrowing" it off the internet like i did when i was younger.

Cupboard · 4th Jul 2009, 18:43

They had this with Vista as well didn't they?

kenco_uk · 4th Jul 2009, 23:37

It'd be ideal for me, although I'd need four so I hope as you buy more, the price per licence drops a little.

Spreadie · 6th Jul 2009, 09:17

If the cost per licence is lower then I'll go for it, but what is going to stop unscrupulous system builders buying family packs, and having three customers sharing a license?

3rd Jul 2009, 13:35	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,940	Microsoft plans Windows 7 Family Pack? http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/20...-family-pack/1 Eagle-eyed Microsoft watchers have spotted wording in the EULA of a leaked Windows 7 build which makes reference to an unannounced Family Pack SKU. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

3rd Jul 2009, 15:11	#3
proxess Victim of AdvancedModernCapitalism Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The town of Love, Funchal Posts: 597	Who the hell buys 5 OS X? 1 is already rare enough. __________________ Netbook: Asus eeePC 901; 12Gb SDD; Custom Ubuntu 9.04 Minimal Compiz Standalone. Laptop: Intel Centrino Duo T5500 1.66ghz; 2048mb RAM; ATI Mobility Radeon x2300; Hitachi 120gb iPod Classic 120GB; Maxtor 160GB External; Ubuntu 9.10 x64 and Windows 7 x64.

3rd Jul 2009, 19:45	#6
JrRRr Minimodder Join Date: May 2003 Location: Stord in Norway Posts: 29	I definitely want one of those. I've already done so with Office (and PerfectDisk) Only hope this sill be an option in Norway.. (Isn't/Wasn't Vista sold with some kind of multiple licenses for private use in the US?) __________________ My Blog: New HTPC summer 2008 JrRRr

3rd Jul 2009, 22:41	#7
leexgx CPC hang out zone (i Fix pcs i do ) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: uk Posts: 568	why would you buy 5 copys any way of osx when 1 will load on all of them any way __________________ Qx6850 (OC 3.3Ghz) <> 120 extreme<> rampage forumla <> 9800GX2 <> 8gb 4x2gb (2x gell / 2x adata)<> SSD powered Corsair S128 / WD Black 1TB <> Crative X-fi FalTy FPS <> TK 1000w Toughpower <win7 x64> Click me for folding stats greenfrog.biz / 35947

4th Jul 2009, 05:20	#9
r4tch3t hmmmm.... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,882	Retail versions? I thought they were just place holders in the shops. I don't know anyone who has ever bought a retail version of Windows. If however the family pack comes out cheaper than 3 OEM versions I would consider getting it for our computers. __________________ Fight my Brute The quantum limit of reality might be scaled up because we're all holograms. Obviously. Once more we see that sufficiently advanced physics is indistinguishable from getting really stoned. From here

3rd Jul 2009, 14:11	#2
lewchenko Supermodder Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 322	Well you can buy a 5 pack 'Family Suite' of OSX for £126 (or £83 for one licence). I doubt Win7 will be as good a value as that ! Other than the pre-order pricing for Win7, I find the normal retail version pricing over the top. In OSX land you also do not have OEM (for obvious reasons!.... wonder if Psystar gets a discount though !! ) , so its a much simpler model. All versions are the same as well... none of this home/premium/starter/ultimate stuff. And whilst Apple runs into criticism regarding 'yearly upgrade fees' for your OS (if you choose to buy them), it must be noted that Snow Leopard will only cost about £20 this time. Ive never actually bought an upgrade before though.. just run the same OS until I replace the machine usually. I will be buying x1 licence of Win7 at pre-order pricing only for my desktop gaming PC. No more than that despite having a few PC's/laptops. They can carry on with XP/Vista etc until they die.

3rd Jul 2009, 18:36	#4
dicobalt Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 76	Apple doesn't like people who don't buy their hardware, they say &^%* off to people who want to buy OSX. Why would I buy 5 of something I can't install?

4th Jul 2009, 08:54	#10
Sebbo Multimodder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Brissy, Australia Posts: 177	should've mentioned this in my other post, not sure why i didn't... i bought vista retail, mostly because retail copies have much better support and waranties from microsoft than OEM. and when 7 comes out, i'll be buying retail again. if there is indeed a family pack, then i'll be getting that, simply because i plan on having 3 or 4 computers sharing media, and i like the expanded media sharing that's been added with 7, especially as far as integration with the Zune and 360 goes. really hope we see this in australia __________________ If you and dead people know hex, how many people know hex? Obligitory PC spec's: Intel Core i7 920, ASUS P6T Deluxe, 12GB Corsair Dominator PC-12800, Sapphire HD5870, WD Velociraptor 300GB HLFS, Samsung Spinpoint 1TB, Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro, Logitech G15 and G9, Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakers, Dell 2408WFP 24" monitor

4th Jul 2009, 11:19	#11
BioSniper I Mod, Therefore I Own Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere in the south Posts: 3,454	The reason Retail has better support than OEM is because the inflated price IS the support fees. OEM is designed for system builders/installers that provide support to customers. I usually buy OEM myself as I am more than happy with sorting my own issues out/can figure it out most of the time. I do think the family pack is a great idea though. I've been wanting them to do this for ages but as I have TechNet currently I won't be needing it. If I ever do stop my TechNet sub though I will definitely think about this deal, price depending. __________________ My Flickr :: Bit-tech Flickr Wii: 1792 1527 2926 7945 :: Xbox Live: BioSnipr :: PSN: Biosnipr

4th Jul 2009, 14:29	#12
Psytek Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 90	If the price isn't reasonable I won't be paying for multiple copies. I plan on buying w7 pro when it releases, and I could see the need for maybe 2 copies... but I'm not ready to part with that much money for windows just yet.

4th Jul 2009, 17:23	#13
LAGMonkey Group 7 error Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada/Saudi Posts: 1,449	from my point of view, it would be a boon. with all the computers kicking about in my house i definatly need at least 2 copys of windows 7 (after SP1 is released - personal preference not to get an OS untill the first SP is out). The third could be used for the spare laptop that the woman has (unless shes sold it) or i could give it to my sister. Having a paying job these days im slowly moving towards actually owning my software instead of "borrowing" it off the internet like i did when i was younger. __________________ ---------------LAG out!--------------- http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com 100% Brainless]

4th Jul 2009, 18:43	#14
Cupboard I'm not a modder. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bury St Edmunds/Durham Uni Posts: 1,840	They had this with Vista as well didn't they? __________________ i7 920, 8800GTS 512, 6GB Corsair all in an Intel DX58SO; 3*320GB RAID5; CM Stacker Samsung Q45.

4th Jul 2009, 23:37	#15
kenco_uk glourious bacon? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bourne, Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 6,292	It'd be ideal for me, although I'd need four so I hope as you buy more, the price per licence drops a little. __________________ MSI X58M - i7 920 4Ghz - 6GB Corsair - GTX260 648/2520 ::: Vote for bit-tech T - theevilelephant - "it sounded like bouncing around on a pogo stick, screaming in chinese while occasionally throwing a cat at a door."

6th Jul 2009, 09:17	#16
Spreadie CustomPC Refugee Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sunny Doncaster Posts: 1,489	If the cost per licence is lower then I'll go for it, but what is going to stop unscrupulous system builders buying family packs, and having three customers sharing a license? __________________ QX9650 @ 4GHz ~ 4GB Geil Black Dragon ~ GA-X38-DS5 ~ 128GB M225 ~ 2 x Spinpoint F1 ~ Antec P182 HD 4870 1GB ~ Samsung SM226BW ~ Swiftech H2O 220 Compact ~ X-Fi Extreme ~ CM m700W