One question about Windows 7

Magic_x_uk · 30 Oct 2009 at 23:36

Can someone tell me. in simple terms. Why Windows 7 or any OS for that matter is so expensive?

I mean. What is it? It is a program for using your computer. But then you still have to go out and buy other programs anyhow.

I realise a OS is like a steering wheel to a car, for want of a better analogy. Without a OS the computer does nothing. But OS are expensive for what it is. (yes I do know about Linux etc and other free OS) I am just talking about MS here.

Maybe it is just me. But I just wanted to gain some knowledge from some people in the know on this subject.

Like Windows 7. Why so many versions at quite high prices?

Also, What doe windows 7 (any version) give the user that XP didn't, or vista didn't etc?

Thanks. Just was curious about some things.

dr4g0nf1y · 30 Oct 2009 at 23:38

dx11 for one and it's no where as expensive of what vista was when that came out.

MagicBoy · 30 Oct 2009 at 23:47

It's taken years of development. Microsoft ain't a charity - they have to pay their staffing and R&D costs somehow!

Compared to Vista it's very good value, especially if you pre-ordered.

Dark_Angel · 30 Oct 2009 at 23:59

? How is it expensive, really?

The thing *RUNS YOUR PC* it isn't a game, it isn't a media player.

It literally is the thing that makes it possible to surf the net, watch a movie, play a game and everything in between.

The amount of code, small programs and other applications that are needed to just do something as simple as you browsing this forum are massive. You can buy the software (HP) from OCUK for 70 pounds.

It goes up to 150 even, that's still only 50 a year for its shelf life. 1 Pounds a week... Not that much considering security updates, patches, free stuff they give you and much more.

SpaghettiOs · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:11

£70, roughly the going rate for Windows 7 Home Premium, is an incredible price for a piece of software that you use everyday, for upwards of 3 years. It's probably about 3 times the price of a PC game, which you would normally get 20 hours out of at most.

Not to mention, ongoing support, free updates, massive compatability. Think about the hardware variations it has to run on and the lack of complaints given the massive number of users.

While I don't necessarily agree the with massive price hike from Home Premium to Ultimate, you can easily understand why they charge what they do.

Broken Hope · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:23

gamer_boy said:
While I don't necessarily agree the with massive price hike from Home Premium to Ultimate, you can easily understand why they charge what they do.

They can price Ultimate higher because it isn't targeted for the home user. Yes I know a lot of people on here run Ultimate for the e-peen but I doubt there is a single feature of Ultimate that a home user would need.

laffs83 · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:30

Dark_Angel said:
? How is it expensive, really?

The thing *RUNS YOUR PC* it isn't a game, it isn't a media player.

It literally is the thing that makes it possible to surf the net, watch a movie, play a game and everything in between.

The amount of code, small programs and other applications that are needed to just do something as simple as you browsing this forum are massive. You can buy the software (HP) from OCUK for 70 pounds.

It goes up to 150 even, that's still only 50 a year for its shelf life. 1 Pounds a week... Not that much considering security updates, patches, free stuff they give you and much more.

+2

I used XP from a few weeks after the official release until yesterday. I can't remember how much i paid but it outlasted 3 different pc builds, a tv, car and fridge in that time. If thats not value for money that im not sure what is. Paying £50 for Resident Evil 5 on PS3 it is not....

Meatball · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:31

I am quite happy paying up to £150 for an O/S considering it's the most important piece of software! £44 for Windows 7 was a fantastic deal, should have got in quick!

joey1211 · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:33

It's not knocked up in notepad in an afternoon.

Dolph · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:34

Windows is probably the most complex piece of software you ever run on your PC. It's a fantastic deal compared to most other software.

unwashed potato! · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:37

the way i see it is i paid £66~ for a piece of software that is worth billions (iirc thats how much money went into vista).

laffs83 · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:43

and you can now 'snap' and 'shake'

madindehead · 31 Oct 2009 at 00:55

It is isn't just one program. It's an entire suite of programs. Hell, the free games and paint you get with Windows 7 are worth the £70 for Home Premium alone!

One a more serious note: Think how much time and effort has been put into that OS however. The testing, the infrastructure to support the OS, the electricity to power the building where it is coded, the pressing, the lot. Thousands of man hours, all these people need to be paid. That's why they are the price they are. I think they are pretty cheap for what they are really. Especially Windows 7 now. No one needs Ultimate for home use unless you need to connect to a domain (in which case get Pro), just get Home Premium.

something daft already!! · 31 Oct 2009 at 01:02

The only reason I run ultimate at home is because Microsoft sent me two free copies. Or I would have gone for Pro. XP home upgrade at release was £90. This was 2001 now in 2009 we get W7 HP which is far more feature rich than vanilla XP was and is (in real terms) a fraction of the price.