Microsoft's OneCare, a steal at $19.99?
There are some significant discounts available for people looking to buy Microsoft's new consumer security and PC maintenance software.
Web retailer Amazon.com is selling Windows Live OneCare for $19.99, a big discount over the $49.95 list price. Best Buy lists the product on its Web site for $29.99.
Even at the official price, which Microsoft sells OneCare for online, the security software already beats the competition in price.
OneCare can be used on up to three PCs. Symantec and McAfee charge $119.99 and $129.99 for three-user editions of their existing security suites, respectively. However, those are full prices for the packages, which are often rebated as well.
OneCare combines antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software with backup features and several tune-up tools for Windows PCs. The product went on sale in the U.S. last week, international availability is slated for the coming 12 months.
Microsoft's entry is shaking up the security software market. Consumers could be the real winners as it should become cheaper and easier to protect Windows PCs, analysts have said.
Security software incumbents Symantec and McAfee have followed the launch of Microsoft's OneCare with announcements of all-in-one consumer packages of their own. AOL is also poised to enter the market.
