Students Can Get Windows 7 as a Digital Download for $29.99

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.notebooks.com/2009/09/17/microsoft-offers-windows-7-to-students-for-29-99/' target='_blank'>http://www.notebooks.com/2009/09/17...ents-for-29-99/</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1253224396.usr1.png" style="border: 0; float: left;" /><em>"Microsoft is cutting students a big break on Windows 7. Anyone with .EDU email address can order Windows 7 Home Premium for just $29.99 through January 3, 2010. Here's the interesting part- This deal is being run through Digital River, a company that sells DOWNLOADABLE software. That's right. It appears you can download a final production copy of Windows 7 right now."</em></p><p>Wow - and I thought the 50% off pre-order price for Windows 7 was cheap. Not a bad deal at all if you're a student. I've been using Windows 7 more heavily now, having installed it on my main laptop, and it's a solid OS. I cringe when I have to use XP now...OK, well, I cringed using XP when Vista was out. ;-)</p>

[doogald]

Oooh! I'm going to have to get my daughter to order me one of those!

[Reid Kistler]

I thought that the $50 Pre-order price was good - and still do. $30 for students / academic seems about right then, and could be a good way to introduce more users to Win 7.

Also liked the concept of the "Family Pack" that was in discussion a bit ago - something like 3 copies for $150. Realize that that is not chump change, but at $50 / copy don't really think that there is much to complain about.

More software - particularly Security (AV, Firewall) - seems to be coming with 3 User Licenses, and applaud the trend. Also thought well of those apps that permitted "non concurrent usage" - ie, one copy on your desktop, one on your notebook.

Yes, many people have over 3 systems in their homes - we certainly do - but that is NOT the publishers fault: if you can afford more systems, you should be able to afford additional licenses and / or be savvy enough to run alternatives on some of your systems.

(Somewhat off topic: upgraded wife's desktop machine to Win 7 RC in advance of receiving official upgrade. While it ran VERY WELL at first, it has more recently become prey to severe slowdowns / total CPU usage. Am inclined to blame newly installed copy of ZoneAlarm - supposedly updated to work with Win 7 - as had similar problems with ZA when first tried Vista on personal desktop.
Just returned from weeks trip to attend a conference, and hope to experiment with her system this week....)