In case you were worried there weren't enough versions of Windows 7, there's one more to add to the collection.
It's the Steve Ballmer "signature edition." Under the hood it's Windows 7 Ultimate, but on the outside it's got a snazzy look plus the autograph of Microsoft's chief executive. It's not unlike what Microsoft did with Vista, though in that case it was Bill Gates adding his John Hancock to the packaging.
Microsoft is giving those who host a Windows 7 house party a Steve Ballmer edition of Windows 7, not unlike this Bill Gates version of Windows Vista Ultimate.
(Credit: Amazon.com)For now, the Ballmer edition is going to those who host one of the Windows 7 house parties.
Microsoft won't say where else, if anywhere, it plans to offer the Ballmer-autographed version. The Gates version of Vista was sold on Amazon, although I later spotted one at CompUSA when it was going out of business.
The Ballmer edition came to light after one Windows enthusiast got their party kit early after complaining to Ballmer that they weren't eligible to participate because of their location. Eventually, they were sent a party kit anyway, including the Ballmer version of Windows.
Windows 7, at least in all its other versions, goes on sale October 22. Stay tuned on whether you will be able to get the Ballmer version.
Update 4:30 p.m PT: Here's a photo of the Ballmer pack, courtesy of Microsoft's M3 Sweatt.
(Credit:
M3 Sweatt)
Microsoft appears likely to offer a "Family Pack" version of Windows 7, according to language in a leaked test version of the operating system.
This week enthusiasts started buzzing over wording in the license agreement in the test build that suggests Microsoft will have an option to buy a license for Windows 7 that covers up to three PCs in the same household.
Wording in a leaked test version of Windows 7 suggests that a long-anticipated Family Pack option may become reality.
(Credit: Microsoft)According to blogger Kristan Kenney, the license agreement included with the recently leaked version states that "if you are a 'Qualified Family Pack User', you may install one copy of the software marked as 'Family Pack' on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there."
Microsoft would neither confirm nor deny that it plans to offer the family pack.
"We will continue to work with our partners and expect to have other great offers in the future as we lead up to and beyond general availability," a representative said. "We have nothing to announce at this time."
Since 2002, Apple has offered a Mac OS X family pack that covers up to five Macs in the same house. Microsoft briefly offered a deal with Windows Vista that allowed Vista Ultimate buyers to purchase discounted copies of Vista Home Premium for additional PCs, but discontinued that offer after just a few months.
Vista Ultimate users are already upset that Microsoft's first discount offer for Windows 7 allows for discounted upgrades to Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional, but offers no upgrade options for them. Microsoft said it may have more offers, but users will have to gamble if they want to skip the current pre-order program.
That option allows $49 upgrades to Windows 7 Home Premium and $99 upgrades to Windows 7 Professional. Microsoft said that those deals will be offered only until July 11.
Windows 7 is slated to arrive on store shelves and new PCs on Oct. 22.
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