Poll results: How much are you willing to pay for Windows 7?

$49 max if you already own any version of Vista.

How much would I pay for Windows 7 ??

ZERO until the word is out on what kind of OS it turns out to actually be.

Microsoft has a lot to make up for with windows 7. If they pump out a re badged version of vista then they better be ready to lose a huge segment of the business computer world to Linux. Consumers will eventually be herded into it (win7) but small medium and large business will revolt in massive numbers mostly out of disgust with Microsoft.

I really to think they should go back to the windows NT type of system built just for business users. Something stripped down and efferent that business can buy install and have faith in.

I however predict that Microsoft will out of shear arrogance bungle this and try to force an over bloated slightly cleaned up version of vista out the door and call it win7 thus sealing their fate and losing a huge amount of market share. I think Microsoft gets it that business wants something simple fast and easy to manage. Unfortunately for all concerned Microsoft will give us what it thinks it can get away with using an attitude bent on abusing its monopoly position in the market.

Computers are reaching a level where they can be expected to perform for 3 to 5 years not 12 - 18 months as in the past. Upgrades to hardware and OS are not going to be performed as often any more and this is a huge problem for hardware makers and Microsoft. Witness the product cycle skipping of vista by vast numbers of business large and small.

This will be the new rule for business and the market should expect to see this with home computers as well. Far fewer people will be looking to upgrade and another OS flop from Gates and Ballmer will drive huge numbers of people to consider Mac and Linux for simple data processing and web surfing use.

Will the end of Vista signal the end for Microsoft? Well, not exactly the end but maybe a lot of damage for sure. Thing is if they play it wrong the time it takes to make up ground will perhaps be much longer then they will be able to stand.

The whole "Vista sucked, MS owes us a free copy of 7" line of thinking is absurd. That being said, a cheaper "upgrade" option for Vista customers might not be a bad idea.

When doing this survey, I believe it is better to drop those legally questionable options.

While I recognize that software piracy may be prevalent on the Internet, I hope that by including the "$0 download" option, it does not send the wrong message to the public that software piracy is condoned or acceptable.

And the $0 free upgrade may not be a feasible or realistic one for Microsoft. After all, Windows is not an open source operating system like Linux that is built for free by volunteers.

I would instead prefer 2 more options like Up to $25 and Up to $50 kinds of options.

Great topic Mathieu!

Well, I think a lot of those people who are "unwilling" to spend money on Windows 7 will end up paying whatever Microsoft is going to sell it for. Why?

1. I think it will be like what Vista was always promising to be, and that will entice a lot of people to shell out money for an upgrade.

2. It will be the only option for corporations once they finally cut support of XP.

3. It will come bundled on new computers...so you'll be paying for it indirectly.

I personally think it would a horrible business decision for Microsoft to give away Windows 7. They would devalue their products doing that. Microsoft is not an open source software company, it's a business, with shareholders who wouldn't stand for their company to start giving away operating systems.

I personally think that it should be a free upgrade from Vista. I will admit that I personally have not had that many issues with Vista, but I know some people that have. I plan on building a new PC this summer, I will easily pay for Win7 for my new PC, but would want a free upgrade for my Vista laptop.

@Trix: That is your opinion.

My opinion is that Vista is not so bad by itself. My opinion is that Microsoft failed to deliver what was promised for Vista.

Not mention that it was plagued with bugs and lack of drivers when it was launched, not something you would expect from a product when you pay $99 to over $200.

Then there was the Vista-ready/compatible problem.

All that together gave the public a very bad opinion of Vista. The product today is not that bad, although it remains a resource hog. The problem is the image and reputation that Vista gave to Microsoft.

The majority of Windows users think that Vista was a failure, from a product point of view but mainly from a marketing point of view.

I think that Microsoft should let Vista users upgrade for free or at least for a lower cost. That's for another post however ;)

Vista simply does not suck. Microsoft need not apologize.