Microsoft apps--only suckers pay retail
I don't know why Microsoft attaches retail prices to it mainstream software products, Windows and Office. You have to be a loser to pay them. Even beyond the specials and promotions you may already know about, there are other, restrictive programs for acquiring these apps. Chances are the licenses won't let you use the software the way you want, but given that enforcement on these licenses may be lax, they're certainly tempting.
Correction: This story has been modified from the original. It now correctly states that Windows and Office software obtained through the Microsoft Action Pack may be used for business use, while the BizSpark software may only be used for development and testing.
Windows
Has Microsoft got a deal for you...
(Credit: Microsoft)Windows 7 Home Premium, the full retail version, lists for $199.99. Unless you are building a computer yourself, from scratch, you don't need it. Windows comes on computers, and if you buy a machine today with Vista, you get a free license to upgrade to Windows 7.
For computers you already own, you can get an upgrade edition for $119.99, which, if you have an existing Windows machine, is functionally the same (it does a clean install); it only needs to verify that you already have XP or Vista before doing its thing.
But don't get it. Because you can get three upgrade licenses all together for just $149 in the Family Pack upgrade. You think Microsoft is going to check to see if everyone using the license is related to you?
Prices for Windows 7 Pro are higher, but the pricing programs are the same. For the full "Ultimate" version of Windows 7 (which seems to be a pointless product for 99.9 percent of consumers), prices are even higher, and there are fewer discount programs.
Office
For Office 2010, the prices and packages have not been set yet, but we can assume they will be close to Office 2007, which retails for $299.99, or $182.49 for the upgrade version (on Amazon). You can do better.
You probably know that you can get the Home and Student edition for a lot less (Office 2007 Home and Student is $81.99 on Amazon). This version omits Outlook from Office; the e-mail and calendar app is $79.99 by itself. Better yet is the three-user family pack for Office 2007 Home and Student. It's about the same price as the single-user version, $79.99 on Newegg.
If you can convince Microsoft that you're a college-level student--if you have a .edu e-mail from an accredited institution--you can get the Ultimate Steal version of Office, with Outlook, for just $59.95.
I assume the programs for the next version of Office will be similar, or perhaps slightly less expensive. So I project that a three-computer household will be able to upgrade its computers to Windows 7 and the latest version of Office (without Outlook) for about $76 per machine, or roughly twice that with Outlook (assuming family packs of Windows, a Home and Student edition of Office 2010 that's priced similarly to the current version, and the same a la cart deal for Outlook). That's more than Apple charges for upgrades, but it's not a wholly terrible expense.
Special subscriptions
So far I've covered the consumer versions of Windows and Office. If you're in business or if you manage more than a few computers for a large family, there are other programs you should also know about. Microsoft will put versions of Windows, Office, and other apps in your hands for a lot less than the retail prices, if you qualify for them. Or pretend to.
For example, there's the Microsoft Action Pack, a $299 yearly subscription that gives you 10 functional licenses to every business app Microsoft makes, including Windows, Office (the full enterprise edition), other apps, and even server programs like Exchange. There are restrictions, of course: It's only for Microsoft "partners"--companies that re-sell Microsoft products one way or the other. You have to complete an online certification course, which may include simply passing an online quiz based on a Microsoft marketing presentation. I can't recommend that anyone break a license agreement, but Microsoft has so many resellers I seriously doubt enforcement for the Partner program is rigorous.
If you work at a software start-up, you can subscribe to the BizSpark program for up to three years at a cost of only $100 when you leave the program. This gets you access to Windows, Office, Visual Studio, Microsoft's hosted apps, and even hosting of your own apps on Azure, when it's available. Eligibility: your business must be less than three years old, in the software business, and make less than $1 million a year in revenue. The licenses specify that the software is only for development and test, but this is still a great deal.
There are two other main programs that get you a steady stream of Microsoft software, but they're not as attractive to the general user or business as the previous programs:
IT pros can sign up for a TechNet subscription, which provides unrestricted evaluation versions (in other words, not licensed for production applications) of commercial products like Windows, Office, and several other apps. The download-only version of TechNet is $349 per user for the first year, $249 a year thereafter. You pay more if you want DVDs shipped to you. TechNet gives IT people and system admins access to anything, for the purposes of supporting other users.
TechNet subscribers also get pre-release code of some products (like Windows) so they can work with them before they have to start supporting the products on client computers.
Microsoft's most expensive subscription service for companies in the computer business is MSDN, but it's also the program that will get you access to pretty much every bit of code in the Microsoft arsenal, current and previous versions included. MSDN also gives subscribers access to Microsoft's developer tools and resources. Subscription prices range from $999 to $10,939 per user for the first year (renewal years are less) depending on what you get and the level of support offered. Like TechNet and Action Pack, MSDN code is not licensed for use in the real world--only for development.
By the book
Want to play it straight and buy multiple fully licensed production versions of Microsoft products? You'll pay. I asked the Microsoft Volume Licensing Web page to give me a quote on 10 licenses of Microsoft Office Standard, and it quoted me $588 per user. I got the same price for 100 licenses. If you ever wondered why Microsoft is such a rich company, this explains it. So the smaller company might want to skip the official business versions of the apps and go with standard retail products. There is also, obviously, a big temptation for very small companies to push things a bit and try to qualify for Microsoft's special or home programs that yield huge discounts on the company's software.
Rafe Needleman writes about start-ups, new technologies, and Web 2.0 products, as editor of CNET's Webware. E-mail Rafe. 
Just about every trick recommended outside of the subscription section is fraud. CNET pays the author to recommend committing fraud?
Rafe is simply doing the math, adding up the totals, and stating the best ways to get the most out of your money. If you want to go and pay full price for everything, then go right ahead. This is the cold hard truth... There are ways of getting things cheaper than they were intended, that's just how it works. And if those holes are left open, you sure as hell bet people will use them.
Being tired, I will not continue, though I really could.
Rafe, great post.
I do not condone the actions stated in the article above either. I use Office and I pay full price for it, just as I do all of my software. Considering the profit I make from using this software, I feel the pricing is fair. The only software I consider to be overpriced are games and certain OS software, but then again I have no use for either in a business that requires absolute stability and uninterrupted workflow.
I like Office, and will continue to use it, as long as the price remains fair.
Both the writer of the article and anyone who follows his advice are the type of people who drive up prices of software, not the companies who produce it.
Quit whining and fork over the dough if you want quality software.
it should have been this: Only suckers pay for Anti-Virus software to clean their junk Windows PC's.
Your absolutely right
Why pay when so many companies offer it for free.
You know for a person who is self titled "The Happy Switcher," I have never seen a person more grumpy and cynical on CNET than you. You have a Mac that you love. Why do you feel the need to belittle everything about Microsoft? Seems to me you are not as happy as you may seem to think you are if you are spending so much time on a subject you don't like.
You are way overdue for a history lesson on how Windows became the dominate OS. Price and usability had nothing to do with it.
IMO, Apple provides way more value for the money. I still use my 7 year old powerbook. I couldn't imagine any of my old Window powered computers lasting that long.
but of course that's merely my opinion.
If iLife, iWork, and OpenOffice are so good, why the hell on earth Microsoft Office "occupies" in every buildings? Or maybe you're just basic user who need something to type or you don't have anyone to share files with? Notepad or WordPad should be able to help!
by the way, I'm running Office 2001 and it's so damn good. It's compatible with OpenOffice too.
"IMO, the high cost of Apple is the hardware."
That is the silliest thing every said on cnet. Have you every look at the hardware for apple.
Warning apple tax.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW387ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=NjcxMjczOQ
EVGA GeForce GTX 285 price $449.99
Same card newegg for pc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480
EVGA GeForce GTX 285 price 339.99.
A 110. buck difference for the same card, same specs, same hardware. Yes the hardware cost more, because apple charges more.
It is the same with every piece of hardware.
1tb harddrive mac 300 bucks
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB984ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Nw&mco=NzA4NjU4Mg
1tb harddrive pc 94 bucks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
yep that is 205 dollar mac tax.
So you get to have crap ware for 60-100 bucks for an upgrade. I can upgrade my 3x for ever one you do.
Feel free to take this out of context and warp it for your MS praise, but I would take the function/s of OSX & iWork over whatever MS has.
Linux does no evil, it just spouts a little command line prompt... Oh wait, that was 5 years ago!
Seriously, for the average user, who surfs the net, does a couple papers, spreadsheets and presentations, and prints to networked Winblows PCs with printers without requiring tough driver searches, it works.
The author of this article, Mr. Needleman, is advocating violating the license agreement on various Microsoft products?
Un-be-frickin'-leivable. Does Mr. Needleman get to click the "Publish" button without editorial review? Or does Cnet officially advocate illegal behavior?
For those who didn't read the whole thing, here are some quotes:
"Chances are the licenses won't let you use the software the way you want, but given that enforcement on these licenses may be lax, they're certainly tempting." (Wink wink -- why pay any attention to the license -- you won't get caught.)
"But don't get it. Because you can get three upgrade licenses all together for just $149 in the Family Pack upgrade. You think Microsoft is going to check to see if everyone using the license is related to you?" (Honoring usage restrictions is for suckers.)
"I can't recommend that anyone break a license agreement, but Microsoft has so many resellers I seriously doubt enforcement for the Partner program is rigorous." (Anything's okay as long as you don't get caught.)
"Want to play it straight and buy multiple fully licensed production versions of Microsoft products? You'll pay." (Sucker!)
"If you ever wondered why Microsoft is such a rich company, this explains it." (The class-warfare card. Gotta love it.)
If you steal a computer from Best Buy but don't make any money from it, is it still OK?
Splashes is making the point that CNET, if they want to be seen as a respectable entity, should not implicitly endorse illegal activity. His point isn't related to Microsoft directly, it's about a public company acting responsibly.
Let's switch this around, what if CNET was posting similar articles urging people to install Mac OS X on 'Hackintosh' computers. (Note to the naive: that's not a dig against Apple, I'm referring to home-made computers that are not official Mac products.)
I don't care if you love/hate MS, this article is pure BS because Rafe is hinting that illegal activity is OK.
Unlike stealing a dell, when you steal software there is no true loss. They didn't lose product that they can no longer sell. They just didn't get money from you for something you got a copy of from somone else. And despite what they may want you to believe. A pirated copy is not necessarily a lost sale. Just because I have 5,000 mp3s, doesn't mean I have a 5,000$ music budget. I'm not saying it's not ethically questionable, but it is comppletely different from stealing physical goods.
People take agreements as laws, and that's simply naive and foolish.
For example, if you look at the disclaimer, you would know they want you to grant them complete immunity from lawsuits. Is that ever reasonable?
And, who is to define what's right and what's wrong? Agreement? I can make up one agreement for you, filled with complete nonsense. Just because it's written does not mean it's completely legal.
Grow up, ok?
Tell that to the 5,000 people who were laid off at MS. Similarly for thousands of other engineers (and related professions) at other software companies. To call it victimless is to be ignorant (or possibly just the right mixture of inexperience, idealistic and arrogance).
@magicmaster - "People take agreements as laws, and that's simply naive and foolish."
Wrong, plain and simple. Legal agreements can be upheld in court. Remember, it's only a legally binding agreement if you consent to it. If you don't like the terms of an agreement, don't consent to it.
Also, take a rudimentary civics or legal class so you don't sound so illiterate on the topic.
>Wrong, plain and simple. Legal agreements can be upheld in court. Remember, it's only a legally binding agreement if you consent to it. If you don't like the terms of an agreement, don't consent to it.
You probably have never read through the entire EULA.
For example, in Washington State (US), you can't dlsclaim implied warrnties, but that's against the agreements! Go ahead, tell the judge that your own agreements are above the laws.
Only, I have to offer my condolence for those agreement-worshipper. Sorry to interrupt the rituals.
Let's not devolve into personal attacks and quips. If you really have a passion on the topic, I'd suggest you go re-read the qualifications provided in the limitation and disclaimer sections that express exceptions as local law requires. I hardly think the MS legal team of who-knows-how-many-lawyers would have glossed over such a thing.
Point being that these legal agreements were specifically crafted to weather such regional differences---just like you see in any agreement (car rentals, credit card applications, even things like Netflix!) This is nothing specific to EULAs or MS.
How do you know that MSFT will sell the products for full list price?
Perhaps they'll offer them at deep discounts to encourage people to go to the store. Have you considered that option?
What problems are those again, you mean virus infestation and propagation? or Wait the faulty crashes all the time kind maybe? Or no wait I know is the Windows validation system which shuts you out after you upgrade your graphics card or any component in your system? No none of these affect Linux or OSX in anyway, if your talking about the flash thing that affected OSX well it just means that Apple programmers need to get their stuff together. Linux vulnerabilities do occur but pretty much next day or so is fixed. Can't say the same for Windows not even if God himself came down and ordered Steve Ballmer to do so. Please spare us your ignorance. If you had a point, I'd bee the first one to agree 100% regardless if I disliked what you were saying but the facts are facts and Linux is not plagued with those very famous windows issue.
So please stick to your OS market share garbage because is the only thing you can throw at it. And even this is questionable because people buy PCs and quickly Format HD and install Linux, the problem with this is that there is no sure accurate way to measure it unlike windows sales. DING DING DING, you definitely get a purple suzie!
Microsoft got to where they are illegally, so there's some Karma from reading an article that condones illegal behavior. And of course, all the fabian socialist apologists for software thieves with no clue about the law, come out of the woodwork with the same old arguments about theft. It's getting pathetic how poorly their arguments have fossilized into the same old drek trotted out any time someone stands up for IP owners. (Legitimate ones.)
I don't like Microsoft, as a rule, though I do like Office for Mac, and a few other apps they make. But as a professional who deals with intellectual property every day at work, I find the very idea of this article questionable, let along unethical.
Wow... you're information is about five years out of date. You may want to catch up with the rest of the class. :)
Windows locking you out because of a hardware upgrade? That's been shot down a long time ago as a non-issue... unless you're the sort that changes video cards several times a month, and even then you make one 5 min call and you're back up and running.
Good job at spreading misinformation, but it's out of date info.
I've been using windows since 3x (and DOS before that). I've been on the net since 300 baud modems. In all that time, I've only had one issue with a virus and that's because I used an unpatched OS, unpatched browser, no antivirus, and went to a known warez site (ie- my own stupidity). I'd say that's pretty respectable security on Microsoft's behalf considering most of the malware out there is targeted at windows.
Thank you for the geography information. However, it doesn't apply as the information given is simply out of date and no longer applies.
It's called keeping up to date.
CNET Blogger whereabouts unknown after being forced at geekpoint into vehicle. Description of the vehicle unknown...except for the four-color flag attached to its antenna.
Seriously, I thought long and hard about running this story. I cannot condone breaking a contract, but my not writing this story wouldn't have made these licensing programs -- or the people who exploit them -- disappear.
I love your reasoning. OK, I'll play along. Not writing this story would certainly not have a positive impact on piracy and misuse.
That said, by you writing and posting this story, you are encouraging piracy and misuse and therefore these activities are likely to stay the same or (most likely) increase by some measure.
Good job, Robin Hood. I look forward to your next article on how to ripoff VMWare, Apple or whatever target you choose next. Perhaps a summer torrent guide? ;)
Remember when that moron from FoxNews.com got fired for telling people how to download X-Men and then reviewing something he shouldn't have seen? Watch your back, Rafe. CBS is just as uptight.
Likely nothing, but who knows. I like Rafe- he's great on Buzz Out Loud, but even an article like this made in jest can have unexpected results. I just hope it doesn't bite him in the end.
And for that reason, I hope it *does* bite him in the end.
At first I assumed this article must have approved by an editor, but now I'm not so sure. I'd prefer to believe Cnet erred in giving Mr. Needleman the privilege of posting without editorial review, rather than believe an editor gave this article the once-over and said, "Sweet! Just what we needed! Upload it! Now, how soon can you write up those tips for getting Windows on Bittorrent?"
It shouldn't surprise me that all the M$ paid for shills have come out of the bushes to prostitute for their master, but for some odd reason it still caught me off guard.
Do you feel the same way if the author was telling everyone how to scam Apple by buying only the upgrade price package for your Hackintosh? Or how to intentionally violate the EULA that companies put in their products?
The author did tell you how to get a student discount when you're not a student... he endorses the end user to falsify and lie to Microsoft in order to get a discount.
I'm sorry, but that sort of ethical behavior is not one I can condone. I'm rather surprised you are okay with it. That says a lot about person right there.
US should look at exporting electric vehicles for public transport systems and cheaper air conditioners to emerging markets. Infrastructure is huge business in India and China.
IT industry in US should look at building public cloud infrastructure for emerging markets. Companies like Workday, Sales Force, Net Suite need funding to release applications for various verticals. They might have to look at open source software community for stack.
Will be writing on Cnet. Will be opening a blog at blogspot.
- Balamurugan Rajagopal rb s
It's that sort of encouragement to game the system that makes the actions a bit questionable.
Mr. Needleman's arguments can be used to justify cheating on tests, taxes, spouse -- pretty much anything, as long as there's a benefit and you think you won't get caught. Consequentialism, in other words. Machiavelli would be so proud, "Rafe".
Realistically, there are many people that use these methods all the time. MS knows it.
Next time maybe the author should re-think about how to save money and write an article about how spend more money than you need to.
Thanks for the article. There are workaround to every license agreement.
I don't know who goes to best buy and purchases a retail box of windows. The OEM version is half the cost and anyone can buy it.
Folks, regardless of your opinion, software licenses are legal documents and carry significant penalties for violations. While some vendors might not take complete advantage of all of the available legal options, you can bet that Microsoft does. A single copyright violation, for example, is punishable by a criminal penalty of up to $150,000 per violation plus 5 years in federal prison. Then the person you stole from can sue you for civil penalties, too.
Breaking the law because you don't like it isn't the way it works. Cnet should be ashamed of promoting this type of behavior.
- by notnecessarily August 3, 2009 8:16 PM PDT
- You're advising us to lie and cheat to get a discount? Shame. Thought CNET was classier than that.
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- by captain_numerica August 3, 2009 9:08 PM PDT
- Tune in next week to learn how Rafe gets free cable at home.
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- by CliveOwns August 4, 2009 8:37 PM PDT
- Should have known by now they were not that classy. Some of them are just as bad as reya,classless,intolerant little $%^& that have nothing better to do then ***** about other peope and attack anyone that doesn't have an Apple up their Butt . What a Douc%^
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