So despite my battery failings with the Liveblog of the Windows 7 launch this morning, there were a few interesting tidbits to come up in the Q&A session at the end. Number one, courtesy of APC’s Dan Warne, was why isn’t Australia getting the Family Pack?
The answer, it seems, is that Microsoft is trying out different bundles in different markets and monitoring their response. At the moment it’s considered a trial product and there are no plans to release it in Australia yet. Having said that though, if it’s a successful trial in other markets, there is a chance MS will release it here.
So does that mean you should hold off buying the single retail version to see if they release a better bundled deal later? Possibly, depending on how desperate you are for Windows 7, I guess…
Richard
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 1:55 PMWhat a joke.
In USA, they got the opportunity to pre-buy W7 at a very discounted price. And they get the Family Pack.
In the UK, they get the family pack plus ‘buy a new PC and get a W7 upgrade for half price’.
In Australia, we get NO special offers/bundles, and pricing that is a dead-set gouge compared to USA.
I’m keen to get W7, but Microsoft won’t be getting my money in a hurry — at least not in Australia. Internet order from USA (of Family Pack) looks like the go.
Indefinite Implosion
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 2:25 PMI completely agree.
I don’t see ANY reason to buy it now, Microsoft hasn’t given us any incentive and the RC that I’m running still works and will work fully until March of next year so that leaves us in a situation where until they release the family pack it’s going to be a rip off.
chumplunt
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 2:32 PM+1
Mick
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 3:40 PM+1 from me as well
The Australian market always gets the pineapple in these deals
BM
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 8:59 AM+1
Our family was ready to purchse 2x family packs (there’s 6 of us!), but will now make do with Vista for another few years, no way are we going to go out and buy 6x individual W7s at full retail.
Jay Sanders
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:35 PMQuote
“Richard
October 22, 2009 at 1:55 PM
In Australia, we get NO special offers/bundles, and pricing that is a dead-set gouge compared to USA.”
In Australia if you buy a new laptop Microsoft will send a “free” upgrade (you have to pay the $20 USD for shipping) so long as the laptop is one of the qualifying ones….(most laptops from the major vendors qualify)
This to me at least sounds like a much better deal than the UK got (buy a new PC and get it at half price)…..$20 is much cheaper than half price….
So while a family pack would have been nice – we didn’t get totally done over.
Jay
Allister Roger
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 3:15 PMhaven’t you heard, Australia readily accepts getting ripped off for any consumer product, why would this be any different? If you have multiple pc’s and fancy some other MS products for “testing” buy yourself a technet direct subscription, you can even get it for $384 with a coupon till the end of the month
Ivan
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:21 PMThanks for the excellent tip Allister.
David Anderton
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 8:39 PMMe no buy, until me gets da family pack!
Brad
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:33 PMdon’t forget that US Students can but a Full version of Win 7 Home Premium for $30USD, Australian students don’t get as good a deal.
$49.95 for a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade.
Warwick
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:28 PMGive ‘em a break: how did they know their currency would drop like a pair of Kings-Cross knickers while they were preparing their marketing campaign…
Mick Selas
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:47 PM2 laptops and 1 desktop in my house…No upgrade for me until we get the W7 Family pack for under $300. OR MY NEXT US TRIP IN 2010.
Warwick
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:23 PMWhy do they think markets are independent?
Simple solution: anyone with more than 1 home computer (i.e. nearly every bugger here), don’t give a rat’s arse (“boycott”) Windows 7 until they release the Family Upgrade pack here. Sure, you have to suffer Vista a while longer, but surely you only bought ONE of those before leaving the rest at XP, no? Nothing wrong with XP – my wife is happy using that until Microsoft works out that there is a fibre (“fiber”) connection between Australia and the US “markets”.
Tony
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 8:00 PMI had decided to get the family pack tomorrow, it never even occurred to me it wouldn’t be for sale and I googled to find the best price.
And I find this…
Who, who in their right mind at Microsoft thinks this is a good idea? Seriously, what nitwit thinks we don’t have access to the net and know of the existence of the family pack. So very 1980′s corporate treatment of its customers.
Not only dont they get my coin till the family pack does come out, they have squandered the goodwill of those who do own three PCs and are considered tech savvy by others who seek us for advice. Gross stupidity on their part.
Greg
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 9:40 PMSo with the AUD/USD at a 1 yr high, just buy the family pack from the US if you want it.
Really, is the concept of overseas online shopping that difficult to grasp in the 21st century?
Sheesh, giz.
Christopher O'Neill
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 12:24 PMI am no computer expert but I am really pissed about the family pack. And I cannot even import the thing as there is a restriction on international sales. 8 differing companies I have located the family pack on in the US and though some have international shipping, this item cannot be including Amazon. If someone finds a company that will great let me know. I have sent my complaint to Microsoft Oz but as we all know they do not give a s… Someone in Oz is making good money out of this either wholesale or retail.
Leonard Zech
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 2:08 PMSo you purchase the W7 Family pack from the US, then try to use it here in australia. Will the software not baulk at the fact you are in our ‘region’ or not care at all?
roowho
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 9:34 AMIMHO this is another soulless decision and black mark by MS.
I was burnt by Vista and went Mac.
I was to buy a w7 family pack and move all (inc mac) to w7, or at least give it a go. By the time MS wake up to this Apple will release something else enticing me to stay.
djc
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 12:02 PMWell, I was going to upgrade 2 pcs (xp, vista) to win 7 to match the soon-to-be-ordered third notebook, but I’ll now wait … and wait … and wait … maybe until windows 8.