Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
Simple question: Are we likely to see a (short term) increase in component prices (especially CPU, RAM, GPU, MoBo) in October as a result of people buying parts to build new rigs to coincide with the release of Windows 7?
Has this been observed in the past, such as when Vista was released?
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
I would guess not. Even if the markets were to react to something like that, the beta and RC1 have been around long enough for those that care enough about that kind of thing to have made most upgrades they were going to make.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
No I think not.
We've seen enough in the last 18 months due to the economic situation :(
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
Interesting thought, but I don't think it will.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
I'm sure that some companies will rebadge their products as "Win 7 compatible" and put a premium on them, but I don't see it driving up prices.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
I also suspect not but mainly because W7 should be lighter on most systems. In the past to fully enjoy a new MS OS you'd need at least some form of hardware upgrade.
The only area I can think of right now might be DirectX11 gfx cards but TBH that's more likely to be game dependant.
EDIT:
1 possible exception - peripherals. Peeps will be encouraged to move to 64-bit and many many many peripherals will cease to function. There are manufacturers who have been lazy and not moved their driver sets forward despite 64-bit OSes being available for years. However now W7 will ship with both 32 and 64-bit variants hopefully this will finally change.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
Thanks for your opinions.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
most peripherals come with both 32 & 64 bit drivers, vista saw to that, only older models don't
Then it's more to manufactors having discontinued a product in the first place.
My other half had to dual boot with win98 for ages simply because the very good scanner she had didn't have any xp drivers.
There will be some hardware stifts in the next couple of months but that's more down to new hard ware releases than the new OS
When Vista first came out we saw a major drop in graphics cards, well the pre-vista DX9 cards, not that the then new dx10 cards were much better (except for the very top end cards)
Combo effect of new hardware and new OS, older stuff dropped in price.
New generation of hardware releases is often the best time to pick up the last generation cheap
eg, when the DX10 cards came out an 8600gt was £130ish but the 7900gs could be got for under £90 and was no slower than the newer 8600gt.
Re: Component prices in the run-up to Windows 7 release date
So far we've had to replace one 5yr old monitor, will have to replace a 3yr old scanner and Samsung still havn't got their phone software sorted properly so 3 family mobiles are hamstrung until they sort it.
You're right most have done the work. It's just a shame Iiyama, Canon and Samsung are taking their time over it :angst: