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Windows 7 Family Pack for Australia is a “possibility”, concedes Microsoft

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David Flynn23 October 2009, 5:37 PM

Microsoft Australia’s Windows 7 chief responds to consumer anger over its decision not to offer the discount three-licence Windows 7 Family Pack available in other countries.

Microsoft is reconsidering its decision not to offer the Windows 7 Family Pack in Australia, and now says the cut-price home bundle could end up on local retail shelves.

“There is still the possibility of Australia getting the Family Pack at some point in the future” Jeff Putt, Windows Consumer Lead for Microsoft Australia, told APC.

Putt spoke to APC after yesterday’s launch of Windows 7, where the omission of the Family Pack – and the higher local pricing of Windows 7 in general – raised the ire of not only the media but members of the public taking part in the launch through live video and Twitter feeds.

The Windows 7 Family Pack allows users to upgrade up to three PCs to Windows 7 Home Premium edition, and sells in the US for US$149, compared to US$120 for a single PC upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium.

A copy of Windows 7 Home Premium in Australia costs $199, so to upgrade three PCs to Windows 7 would cost Microsoft’s local customers almost $600. The equivalent local cost of the Windows 7 Family Pack has been estimated at between $250-$300.

Microsoft’s official line is that the Family Pack is one of many special retail offers which the company is ‘test marketing’ in different countries around the world.

The Windows 7 Family Pack is the first time that Microsoft has embraced a multi-user consumer licence for Windows, although a similar arrangement has been in place with a Student & Teacher Edition of its Office suite.

If the trial of the Family Pack was judged a success then the offer could be rolled out into other counties.

Of course, this begs the question as to why anyone needs to ‘test’ the notion that offering better value will result in increased sales.

One would be forgiven for thinking that offering a trio of Windows 7 licences at half the cost of three stand-alone upgrades is pretty much a no-brainer.

Claiming that a licence bundle designed for homes with several PCs needs to be ‘test marketed’ is rather ironic when Microsoft trumpets Windows 7’s HomeGroup home networking feature as one of the operating system’s key innovations and a sign that Windows 7 is built for a world where families run a number of PCs on a network.

In the meantime, Microsoft’s Putt also told APC that “there will be a special offer on Windows 7” in November, although he would not reveal what this would be.

Putt also pointed out that Australia “has the special student pricing on Windows 7 that not all other countries are getting”.

That discount is available under Microsoft Australia’s It’s Not Cheating program, under which students enrolled in approved universities and TAFE colleges can buy the Windows 7 Professional upgrade package for $50.

A similar promotion is running in the US, but this closes on January 3rd 2010 and offers the less-capable Windows 7 Home Premium for US$30, so in this instance Aussie students get the better deal.

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techdribble (User):

Microsofts marketing and pricing for Windows 7 in Australia has been pathetic. From offering no low price pre order to BS like this someone in marketing in Australia clearly has no idea

23 October 2009, 6:37 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

petert (Senior member):

"There is still the possibility of Australia getting the Family Pack at some point in the future."

I think that it is more likely that Santa Claus is real than the possibility that MS will stop ripping-off Australians.

23 October 2009, 7:05 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

AlexF (User):

The above link to US$30 Win7 Home Premium is correct, but so is http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx which shows US students able to obtain !FULL! Win 7 Professional at same US$30, making Australia's AUS$50 !upgrade! seem even more like a big rip-off.

I just can't understand why Microsoft is treating Australians with so much disdain. Perhaps it's because Australians are too lazy to turn to alternatives, hence a captive market?

23 October 2009, 7:14 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

TheMechanic (New user):

You know what? I'm done with Windows.

Damn expensive price gouge on Aussies.

No backup facility on Home Premium. No mail program in the OS or in Office H&S. (MS want me on their cloud .. but I'm not going).

I've been looking at the Apple website since I heard there would be no Aussie Family Pack. There's some great stuff there.

23 October 2009, 7:44 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tony23 (User):

I ditched Windows 6 months ago, fed up with Vista's performance. I now use Ubuntu and highly recommend it. It's a far superior operating system, and OpenOffice is good for 90% of people, I suspect. As long as you don't need something special like an advanced version of quicken it's all good. if you are an avid Windows gamer, then yes, you are stuck with Windows. Linux has some good games (all free) but seriously, Windows games are better if you are willing to pony up the dosh. I wasn't and don't miss them...but I would have when I was younger.Bottom line, before you switch to Apple, try putting Ubuntu on your hardware and see what you think. You might like it and be able to experience cheap and powerful computing into the future. A new version of Ubuntu is expected to come out within the next 30 days (yes, it will be free!)

23 October 2009, 9:04 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

AlexF (User):

Everything except surf'n'email (and GIMP) is a compromise on Linux, even pretty one like Ubuntu (or Xubuntu that I use) and soon GoogleOS is gonna kill it too.
The only competion is Apple's OSX but Apple's stuck with hardware+software model that'll always make it runner-up.

23 October 2009, 9:53 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting AlexF:
Everything except surf'n'email (and GIMP) is a compromise on Linux

Care to explain why? Or did you just try Linux for 10 minutes once and have a bit of trouble?

Quoting AlexF:
soon GoogleOS is gonna kill it too

Uh, do you know what Google's intention with that is? It's meant to do very limited things. I doubt it will even compete in the same markets as Win, Lin or Mac.

24 October 2009, 12:04 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

AlexF (User):

Quoting Tin:
Care to explain why? Or did you just try Linux for 10 minutes once and have a bit of trouble?

It ain't my aim to debate Linux vs Windows. That debate implicitly ends when one sees Windows' penetration %.

But yeah, Linux is mostly unsupported or lags in support by (for all intent and purpose) all providers in consumer PC market. For example: latest Nvidia Windows driver is v191.07 whilst Linux it's v185.18.36.

If hardware's not your thing, software? ATO only provide eTax for Windows.

Even worse for Linux is that except for companies catering to enterprises, no-one has any obligation to support any Linux user.

I am not saying anything about ability of any OS here, just looking at it from average computer user's perspective. You know, simple thing like "what do I gain by going to OS xyz?" versus "what do I lose by going to OS xyz?" scenario.

Regarding GoogleOS - my point is that anyone looking for surf'n'mail will go to GoogleOS not Linux. That means no new consumers for Linux. Obviously, GoogleOS is on Linux, but that fact will be well hidden.

Intentions of GoogleOS is simple - get people off dependency on hardware and OS (and yes, that includes Ubuntu) and into the Google services in the cloud where they'll can make more money off them.

BTW. I work on Solaris, Veritas (Cluster, FileSystem, Volume), Oracle all day, I don't want bash anywhere near me when I get home.

24 October 2009, 10:10 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tony23 (User):

Quoting AlexF:
Everything except surf'n'email (and GIMP) is a compromise on Linux

I'm reasonably comfortable with your statement, despite being a linux fanboy. For most desktop users coming from windows there will be a feeling of compromise. After a while there is a realisation that there are benefits, beyond just not getting screwed financially. Certainly in terms of games and compatibility issues, it's a compromise. In terms of office apps, it is becoming less of an issue, but if it's vital to you, stick with windows. On the other hand there are things where Linux excels, it's rock solid, is not bloated, isn't a resource hog and I find has some really interesting applications which I tend not to see on windows. Primarily because of the open source ethos and just plain different markets. Let's be frank: most people do stick with Apple and Windows. But for those who don't need to, they might find that a Linux variant that meets their needs. That choice is to be celebrated, it enriches all of our computing experiences, even if we do stick to a mainstream platform; windows or apple. It's good to have the option, and to keep the pressure up on Microsoft and Apple to continue innovating in new and interesting ways.

I'd like to see Linux's market share increase - but that is a privilege earned through producing a better product, or, squandered by producing a crap product, or over pricing an OK product if you are MS or Apple. In any event, a more balanced market share would make for lower prices and a greater focus on what the customer requires from all vendors.

One of the good things about this forum is that in the main people are not so myopic to bang on about just one OS, or if they do realise there are alternative and be able to discuss the options intelligently. So when you say going to Linux is a "compromise" that's an intelligent statement...go on other forums and all you'll get is "Like, I tried Linux, and, Like, it's just &^%$ed (MOFO)! Windows ROCKS 4 eva!!!!!"

24 October 2009, 8:23 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

gankul (Cornerstone member):

They removed the mail program so not to incure the rath of the European commision.

If your willing to spend thousands upgrading to a mac, how can you say windows 7 is too expensive?

26 October 2009, 11:16 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Jayce (New user):

For what its worth I bought a copy of win7 pro from the student site mentioned. After I ran the downloaded file it extracted what appeared to be the DVD install files. At that point I quit setup, and using instructions from the web created a bootable install USB key and put the files on it. I booted from it, selected custom install, told it to format my system drive and everything went fine. It didn't appear to check for an existing version or require a previous versions key. Of course, it could have had a look at the system drive before it was formatted. The previous OS on the drive was the RC of win 7.

23 October 2009, 11:00 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

phillw (New user):

I've just popped the headline & link onto an american forum - Should have them scratching their heads :-\

I wonder how my friend, an Australian at University in America, will go on with purchasing Win7 .... Oh, I forgot - he has a 'Mac' - lol

I'm even more happy to be in free & be free world of Ubuntu (Linux) than I was before :-)

Phill.

24 October 2009, 8:21 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Halcon (Advanced member):

So Microsoft wants a guinea pig of a country like Australia to test if the idea of 3 user license with the Home Premium version can be rolled out to the rest of the world?
WHY NOT TRY WITH THE ULTIMATE VERSION INSTEAD AND 5 LICENSES!!!!!????
Sure Microsoft is afraid to do that just because it wants to squeeze the users wallets to the last cent.
This is the sick mindset of a company thinking its golden eggs are in peril, or does think all the common users make money out of their computers?
Linux is free, yet for companies that depend on it there is a version with certain amount of licenses which these companies gladly pay for.
Ubuntu is being praised as friendly version, I tried several times to install and use it with not avail, it does not recognise my wireless keyboard and mouse combo from Logitech; Fedora Linux works without even worrying about this issue.
Apple is being talked as a better alternative to Windows, but the high price for software and hardware is not incentive to switch for the better.
If this page is linked so that the American people see what we Australians think then is time to see the abuse of a company that only wants money and nothing else!

24 October 2009, 9:08 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Darth Guybrush (New user):

Gotta love my free Signature Ultimate Edition - cost me nothing - but the pricing has forced me to tell friends if happy with XP or Vista stick with it.

24 October 2009, 10:21 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Sven Nijs (New user):

What are Jeff's contact details? I'd like to send him a message...

24 October 2009, 10:24 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Mousedroid (New user):

Way to go Microsoft....I guess you have now told people to stop buying your product until you pull your head out of your arse and actually offer value for money on par with the international market.

I can hold off until the end of 2010 if you are going to delay WIN7 HP Family Pack until then....and spend the money on some Apple products in the mean time.

24 October 2009, 11:12 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Sven Nijs (New user):

Hmmm, I wonder if an upgrade pack sourced from another region (UK/US) will install here OK?

The options appear to be:
don't bother with an upgrade at all = no sale for MS Australia
purchase an upgrade pack overseas = no sale for MS Australia

24 October 2009, 11:51 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Anonymous_3965468486051569 (User):

the RRP of Windows 7 is so expensive... i found that at Golden Tech at Wentworthville, Sydney they sell Home Premium Upgrade for only $145, which is $54 cheaper than the $199 RRP!

24 October 2009, 3:16 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

The Big Baboo (User):

3-license,5-license !!! Hells Bells :(All I want is a one license system that's not going to cost me the earth and is easy to run. Unfortunately,not having up-dated to Vista I think I wouldn't be able to upgrade to Win7 if that was my plan ( which it isn't by the way )
So I guess I'm going to flog WinXP till it dies and then move permanently to Linux

24 October 2009, 3:25 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Halcon (Advanced member):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
3-license,5-license !!! Hells Bells :(All I want is a one license system that's not going to cost me the earth and is easy to run

Well think about this for a moment, some people or families have more than one computer, most people are familiarised with Windows and they don't want to use Linux due to the lack of user friendliness, so for more to try to convince them to switch to any variant of Linux OS these people will not do that on the thinking "Windows works much better than anything else".
Despite the fact most Linux distributions are available free of charge, with the freedom of choice to install on as many computers without restrictions, Linux is not even near to match Windows in so many aspects.
That's why Microsoft is taking advantage of the ignorance of so many people to abuse of the situation and dictate the unfavourable conditions to the end user.
One family member has 5 computers running Windows, a combination of Desktop and laptop computers, these are Pentium 4 machines, still working, so it would be a pity to throw away them when it could be used with the latest version of the software.
its futile to try them to switch to something that is free, because "better is the devil you know".
I wish this scenario could change for the better, free or a more reasonable license scheme is more desirable than one license that will do nothing.

24 October 2009, 11:32 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Halcon:
One family member has 5 computers running Windows, a combination of Desktop and laptop computers, these are Pentium 4 machines, still working, so it would be a pity to throw away them when it could be used with the latest version of the software.

Fair enough "Halcon" but my kids grew up and moved away years ago :) My wife left me about ten. (She said I spent more time on the bike than with her,which was probably true ) And I've only got the one desktop in this house,which I'm trying Linux out on.
I might consider getting a lap-topin the future but more to try different versions of Linux then for anything else. Therefore a multi-license does absolutely nothing for me and I should have the option if I want to just purchase a single license.I'm almost a pensioner y'know :)

26 October 2009, 9:05 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Halcon (Advanced member):

Even pensioners dream of a dignified computing, Imagine Grandpa with his grandchildren having five computers at home, they wish to use Windows because is the most talked "must have" to end in tears when the budget is tight and no way to get what they want.
In your case, you are living "solo" (alone) do not confuse it with the brand of a soft drink; your situation is reminiscent of an Spaniard friend of mine, living alone in a flat, using his computer and related gadgets to spend the time with the only thing that fill up his loneliness.
He said to me "Microsoft se va ir a la mierda" (Microsoft will F--- off) because is a pirate with license.
This will happen one day!

26 October 2009, 10:38 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Halcon:
n your case, you are living "solo" (alone) do not confuse it with the brand of a soft drink; your situation is reminiscent of an Spaniard friend of mine, living alone in a flat, using his computer and related gadgets to spend the time with the only thing that fill up his loneliness.
Tch Tch "Halcon" I expected more :)My life is not lonely,only the bits I want to reserve for myself.I usually go out most nights of the week because "The Old City of Churches" is usually dead till after 8pm.
As for your Spanish friend,I'm really surprised at that attitude of his because most Spanish people I've met have been fun loving and filled with joy regardless of their circumstances.In fact they'd probably give you the roof of their "hacienda".
It's just that after 10 years of using Windows and yes it was enough for me during that time,I've decided there must be something a bit better out there and I intend to find it even if it takes me another 10 yrs to get the hang of it and hopefully by that time,I'll probably be deaf,dumb and blind and the only thing I'll need is the odd bottle of bourbon and a Jack Russell terrier to keep those blasted cats out of my yard. PS: Are you going to see AC/DC in March :) That'll rock yer sox off. :)

26 October 2009, 3:05 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Halcon:
"Microsoft se va ir a la mierda"

PS: O by the way :) The actual translation of the above passage is "Microsoft will find itself in the crap one day" but you probably knew that ;)

26 October 2009, 3:10 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

DandamanV (User):

This is as I predicted!!! Seriously, I saw this coming froma MILE away! This is awesome, "You will be assimilated!". I'm going to get my whole family on the Windows 7 bandwagon (as I am the elected "tech-support-guy" for my family.

25 October 2009, 8:26 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Mousedroid (New user):

Well I have my copy of WIN& HP Family Pack on order form the USA by way of PriceUSA.com . All up 3 PC upgrade is AU$210 including deliver...Oh, and it just makes sense to support one platform in a networked enviroment, than XP, VISTA, WIN7. Thanks Troll :)

26 October 2009, 12:46 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Sven Nijs (New user):

Quoting Mousedroid:
Well I have my copy of WIN& HP Family Pack on order form the USA by way of PriceUSA.com . All up 3 PC upgrade is AU$210 including delivery

I presume you have confirmed the US upgrade will work on an AU install?

26 October 2009, 4:34 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Mousedroid (New user):

Whay wouldn't it??? I didnt thnk MS region locked their activiation? If so then this would be a great case for the Department of Fair Trading in 'Restricted Trading'...and I will gladly submit the paperwork.

I don't care if I don't get support for MS-AU for a product I didn't buy form them...but limiting importing of a product is anti-competitive.

26 October 2009, 4:52 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Mousedroid:
I don't care if I don't get support for MS-AU for a product I didn't buy form them...but limiting importing of a product is anti-competitive.

Yep :) Let us know how you get on but somehow I think you won't be able to activate it :(

26 October 2009, 5:46 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

DandamanV (User):

I think somehow Microsoft can afford to not offer a multi-license Win 7 Pack in Australia. A friend of mine told me that Microsoft (in their own defence) said something along the lines of "The Australian market isn't big enough to offer a Multi-user pack and for the idea be considered a smart marketing move", or something like that...

26 October 2009, 6:00 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Mousedroid (New user):

There is an entire forum discussing WIN& on Whirlpool...and debate on this exact point.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1307214&p=8

26 October 2009, 7:04 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Kev R (New user):

I would like to know if I had a friend in the US purchasr the Family Pack for me, and send it to me, would it work on my PCs in Australia?

27 October 2009, 11:40 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Yes. Just don't call MS Australia for support ;-)

27 October 2009, 11:51 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Kev R (New user):

Calling MS Au for support would be the furtherest thing from my mind, if results of previous attempts for support from that useless mob are any indication. #200 Au for 3 instals compared to almost $600 with Australian releases is worth the risk. Just as long as they instal.

27 October 2009, 12:03 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

RandomTech (New user):

This is really annoying - I would totally buy the family pack TODAY if it were available. I have 3 pcs I need to upgrade.

27 October 2009, 2:54 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Monkey_instnicts (New user):

I have used 2 US keys that worked fine. I installed the rtm from technet, rearmed the pcs twice, getting a 60 day trial and then simply entered the electronically purchased keys from the US and they worked like a charm.

30 October 2009, 11:57 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Monkey_instnicts (New user):

Order from priceusa.com.au, licences from the US work fine. I have two so far.

30 October 2009, 11:57 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Monkey_instnicts (New user):

ggg

30 October 2009, 11:57 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Monkey_instnicts (New user):

http://www.priceusa.com.au/order/index.php?mod=order&item=24

30 October 2009, 12:07 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Rodimus74 (New user):

I know we really need a Family upgrade pack in our house. We've got four PCs and are considering a media PC too.

Are there any online petitions available or does anyone have details of who at Microsoft we need to send an email to, to continue lobbing MS for Australia Family pack?

07 November 2009, 9:09 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend