WilksNet

I was compelled to write a new blog post based on this recent article on Lifehacker.  It outlines some evidence from CNET and Dell that indicates Windows 7 retail pricing might be even higher than Vista or XP.  To be fair, Microsoft hasn’t said anything about Win 7 pricing yet, but this is what we have to go on.

If this turns out to be true, I will probably start a riot.  Here’s why:

• Windows 7 is what Windows Vista should have been.  Therefore, it should be given away for free or at least at a very low cost.
• In fact, I think Snow Leopard ( OS X 10.6) should be given away for free or at low cost as well.  These minor upgrades to our OSs do not justify hundreds of dollars in upgrade costs.
• In this economy, people are not going to want to spend money on an Operating System that costs more than OS X at $130 or Linux $0.
• I thought the pricing of Vista was too high, and if 7 is even higher, that will be cause for a riot.
• If Microsoft moves forward on this pricing plan, they will most certainly seal their fate as the big, bad, evil corporation everyone thinks they are.

So there you have it.  Just a few thoughts on this atrocity that has yet to come true.  I used to get really, really excited about new releases of Windows, but now it’s just sad.  Even Paul Thurrott thinks MS should dramatically reduce their prices.

Now that I know the power and flexibility of OS X and Linux, I can’t image paying a ton of money for Windows 7.  And Microsoft wonders why people hate them so much.  Why does a company with so many billions in profits need to overcharge consumers for an OS that has been losing its hold on the market for years.