Welcome to VistaSector. Please read through our news, articles and tutorials for all the information you need about Windows Vista. Visit our sister site MSForums for discussion, and if you fancy a bit of eye candy, check out our screenshot galleries for images of Vista's pleasing aesthetics.Vista Pricing is Official + RC1 CPP
Following the release of Windows Vista RC1 last week, Microsoft announced plans to make RC1 available for broad customer and partner testing. The final recommended prices for Vista in the USA have also been announced:
Windows Vista Business $300 ($200 upgrade)
Windows Vista Home Premium $240 ($160 upgrade)
Windows Vista Home Basic $200 ($100 upgrade)
Windows Vista Ultimate $400 ($260 upgrade)
The Windows Vista Enterprise edition is only available to Microsoft Volume License customers, it is not available for retail purchase.
Microsoft is reawakening the Windows Vista CPP (Customer Preview Program), which began with Vista Beta 2. The CPP enables developers and IT professionals who do not have access to Windows Vista RC1 through other channels to obtain the software and begin testing.
Current CPP participants are scheduled to have access to the RC1 code beginning this week, and Microsoft will be opening the CPP program to new participants in the following days. RC1 will be posted to the MSDN and TechNet websites for subscriber download, and Microsoft is working with publishers in various markets around the world to distribute RC1 DVDs to readers of a number of technology publications.
In total, Microsoft estimates that 5 million users around the world will have access to Windows Vista RC1 across all distribution channels.
These are two of the last few steps to make Vista available over the next few months. It will go on sale to volume license customers in November 2006 and to the general public in January 2007.
LINK: Vista Editions + Pricing
LINK: Press Release
Windows Vista Business $300 ($200 upgrade)
Windows Vista Home Premium $240 ($160 upgrade)
Windows Vista Home Basic $200 ($100 upgrade)
Windows Vista Ultimate $400 ($260 upgrade)
The Windows Vista Enterprise edition is only available to Microsoft Volume License customers, it is not available for retail purchase.
Microsoft is reawakening the Windows Vista CPP (Customer Preview Program), which began with Vista Beta 2. The CPP enables developers and IT professionals who do not have access to Windows Vista RC1 through other channels to obtain the software and begin testing.
Current CPP participants are scheduled to have access to the RC1 code beginning this week, and Microsoft will be opening the CPP program to new participants in the following days. RC1 will be posted to the MSDN and TechNet websites for subscriber download, and Microsoft is working with publishers in various markets around the world to distribute RC1 DVDs to readers of a number of technology publications.
In total, Microsoft estimates that 5 million users around the world will have access to Windows Vista RC1 across all distribution channels.
These are two of the last few steps to make Vista available over the next few months. It will go on sale to volume license customers in November 2006 and to the general public in January 2007.
LINK: Vista Editions + Pricing
LINK: Press Release
With Windows Vista RC1, Microsoft has made improvements to the overall product stability and reliability, and has enhanced performance and the overall customer experience. Microsoft is strongly encouraging partners to test and certify applications on Windows Vista RC1 in preparation for final product availability. In addition, Microsoft is delivering tools to enable partners to earn and display the “Certified for Windows Vista” Software Quality Logo. The “Certified for Windows Vista” logo ensures the highest-quality Windows Vista experience for customers and enables Microsoft partners to take advantage of program benefits designed to help promote and market their applications and devices. Microsoft also continues to encourage the software industry to test current-generation (Windows XP) applications to earn and display the “Works with Windows Vista” logo. Partners can access these tools by visiting the Innovate on Windows Vista Web site.
Many partners have already signed up with the programs; participants include industry-leading software companies and innovative PC and device and component manufacturers.