Microsoft hikes Win7 prices for Australia

By Renai LeMay on 26 June 2009

Australian buyers of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system will pay between AU$50 and AU$150 more in real terms than US residents for the software, the company revealed this morning.

The most popular version of Windows 7 is likely to be the full Home Premium version, which has an estimated retail price of US$199.99, or AU$248. But Australians will pay AU$299 for the software. Microsoft has cut that amount down by AU$50 compared to the same version of Windows Vista.

Australians will pay AU$199 to upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium, whereas Americans will only pay US$119.99, or approximately AU$149.

The Professional version of Windows 7 will come with an even higher cost.

Australian users will pay AU$449 for the full retail version of Windows 7 Professional, whereas Americans will pay US$299.99, or AU$372. And Australians will pay AU$399.99 to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, whereas Americans will pay US$199.99 or AU$248.

The ultimate version of Windows 7 will go for AU$469 in Australia, or AU$429 for an upgrade, compared to the respective US prices of US$319.99 (AU$397.03) and US$219.99 (AU$273.38). Microsoft has hiked the prices of Windows 7 Ultimate slightly compared to Vista Ultimate.

Broadly speaking, Australian prices for Windows 7 remain on par with their Vista equivalents, albeit with some small changes around the Home Premium and Ultimate versions.

"Our prices vary by region and are determined based on a variety of market specific factors including, but not limited to exchange rate, local taxes, duties, local market conditions and retailer pricing decisions," said a Microsoft spokesperson via email.

Microsoft is not the only software vendor to slug Australians with higher prices than their US counterparts for the same software; Adobe's estimated local prices for its Creative Suite 4 package follow the same model.

Microsoft globally has also announced a limited pre-order program for Windows 7, under which customers in the US, Canada and Japan will be able to get the software at more than 50 per cent discount; but no such program has yet been announced in Australia.

Microsoft has also announced that customers who purchase PCs with Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate versions from today will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 "for little or no cost" when it launches on 22 October. This upgrade option will run until 31 January 2010, with buyers being able to redeem it until the end of February, Microsoft said.

Hewlett-Packard announced this morning it would be participating in the offer, and would start offering Windows 7 on PCs starting from 22 October.

All prices listed are estimated retail prices.

Topics: hewlett-packard, hp, pricing, software, vista, windows 7

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Comments (30)

  • Racy2 commented on 03/12/2009 12:44

    "Greed is good" is a phrase coined in America I believe.
    But went out of fashion after the global financial meltdown.

    Wake up Bill!

  • Zobe commented on 27/11/2009 18:09

    Uncle Bill doesn't give a tinkers cuss about Ausies getting ripped off, he's got his billions and has retired to spend it (gives a bit away, negligable compared with his lot), and he wonders why some people use pirated software. Be fair Bill and I am sure more people will pay for your software.

  • pd commented on 23/10/2009 09:53

    just register an abn for free on the website and register as a reseller at your local wholesaler like Leader. get a copy OEM for $120, just buy a piece of hardware with it like a usb memory stick.

  • damo commented on 20/10/2009 22:07

    Well, I will now not be buying W7.

    I will stick to my old methods.

    M$ can kiss my backside, sticking it to us like this, fair for all, I'll play fair. Mistreated, I will do the same.

    Up yours M$.

  • PeterF1 commented on 20/08/2009 18:54

    Any difference between the UK version and the Australian. Can I get my father to buy the Uk version using his English credit card and have it sent to my Aunties house, then posted here. If so I surgest that everybody get in touch with their pommie mates. Otherwise I'll just stick with Xp for a while longer Boo hoo!!!

  • eSaver commented on 22/07/2009 13:29

    Since I am using the Win7RC 64Bit version I am quite happy with it, it even functioned better than the “native fully” version of vista.

    Everyday task such as loading up an Album folder into Win Media Player goes now far more quicker than before, nearly instantly.

    The good thing on Win7 is it support Vista drivers (because of the sharing same sources).
    I believe win7 will come and succeed in no time, because it is not like the change from XP to Vista, this time the change will be far more smooth.

    Speaking of Linux the environment, especially Ubuntu well it is a nice OS especially if u working or study in the IT field (of just be a geek), this OS might be from advantage and make certain things easier. But the standard user will get board very soon because of the lag of the entertainment, sure u can watch movies but when it come down to gaming it is not anymore that great, and I am not so sure if people like the idea about the terminal, well for some users is it fast and extreme handy but plz put in mind that not everyone out there how using a computer is a geek or dedicated IT person....

    Therefore Win7 gets my vote even if the price politics a kinda weird

  • fred commented on 20/07/2009 09:04

    Mininova torrent here I come microsoft prices are a rip off I also understand that microsoft is talking about the education refund another reason to bump up prices

  • simon@syd commented on 13/07/2009 10:37

    I just hope Ubuntu keeps getting better. Using Ubuntu Mint at the moment - nice.

  • RohanB commented on 12/07/2009 20:24

    Why is everyone complaining about the rip off price? Apart from the fact that this is a Microsoft product so I'll be steering clear of it, we all know and can acknowledge that Microsoft is a rip off.

    Besides, so what if we're closer to S.E. Asia, anyone with a basic knowledge of economics will be able to tell you that the more you buy, the cheaper you get it for. The U.S. has a population of 400million, Australia has 25million. Any savings on shipping costs to Australia would fast be negated by our inability to buy in the quantities US retailers use, hence why we draw the short straw for every product.

  • Sven commented on 11/07/2009 19:39

    This doesn't even take into account that Microsoft is offering pre-orders at 50% off in the US/Canada/Europe, but not Australia.

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