Top Of The Range Vista O/S To Cost Nearly Double

[GhostShip]

Hmm I am still wondering how they intend to market this "consumer money pit" to folks 

http://www.betanews.com/article/HighEnd_Vista_Comes_at_a_High_Price/1156795401

A glitch on the Microsoft Canada Web site has apparently let slip Microsoft's planned prices for Windows Vista, indicating the Redmond company intends to charge as much as $299 CDN for its top-of-the-line upgrade to Ultimate Edition, and $499 CDN if users wish to purchase the full version.
Canadian prices are typically higher than their American equivalents. Thus, it can be expected that Windows Vista pricing in the United States would be lower. However, it does show that Microsoft stands to make considerably more money if it can convince computer users that upgrading to higher-end versions is worthwhile.

Besides the Ultimate Edition, the site listed Windows Vista Business, the equivalent of Windows XP Professional, at $249 CDN for the upgrade and $379 CDN for the full version.
Windows Vista Home Premium, equivalent in functionality to Windows XP Media Center Edition, was priced at $199 and $299 CDN for upgrade and full version, respectively; and Windows VIsta Home Basic was listed at $129 CDN for the upgrade and $259 CDN for the full version.

Why anyone would want to purchase this is beyond me but hey I,m just here to keep you all informed 
Be wary of aUtomatic updates that introduce new bugs to drive you onto the new O/S folks, we saw the same trick with ME after a solid Win98SE threatened their cash flow.

[KM]

there was no mention of a time limit on the beta version they released for free... so if the final one is no more stable (why do i think it'll be worse) then just stick with the free beta? or better yet stay well clear of vista if the beta was anything to go by (anything that classes its own installer as a security risk needs avoiding if you ask me)

[Noam Kaze]

Betas with a leaked serial die after 14 days because they can't be activated.
Betas with a legit serial will die on June 1st, 2007

I really don't see why this comes as a surprise though.

[KM]

leaked? erm, any reason anyone would go anywhere apart from the microsoft website to get one?

so, until 2007... well, it's long enough to test basic compatibility with until linux takes over anyway