Windows 7 pricing fails to impress

Observers are irritated by Microsoft's pricing approach to Windows 7. Microsoft is making Windows 7 upgrades available for pre-order now, for the low, low (but not quite as low as Snow Leopard) price of $50. But after two weeks, it will cost you $120. Blogger Mitch Ashley says the hefty $120 price tag isn't aggressive enough, even with the limited-time offer. Without aggressive pricing, you're likely to see mixed Windows environments for some time to come, he says. Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group, said he is "very disappointed in the upgrade pricing," according to Computerworld. He says the world needs something to wash the bad taste of Vista out of its mouth, and those prices won't do it. And InfoWorld writes that Microsoft's upgrade campaign will yield less savings than you might think. Still, pre-orders of Windows 7 shot to the top of Amazon's bestseller list today, as people rushed to take advantage of the $50 deal. - Jeff Caruso