Vista to be (legally) available for download

[Splash]

So, maybe another way to shave a few quid off the cost of Vista (not sure about the ins and outs of it as yet, just spotted this on /.) but Microsoft are releasing Vista for download via WindowsMarketplace.com on 30th Jan. All prices there seem to be US, so you may be able to get it for the US price...


Anyways, I'm off to read TFA to see what I can make of it...


EDIT - TFA isn't too clear about how this will work, but I'll keep an eye on it - if I can effectively get a retail Vista license for £192.54 (based on current Amazon.com price and current exchange rate from xe.com) Just for downloading the ISO I may well do that. There's also the benefit of an anytime upgrade, so I may just pick up a retail business license (I need domain support) and then upgrade to Ultimate some time further down the line by paying the difference, which I think is a nice feature.

EDIT 2 - Quote for those too lazy to click the linkie

Not that most PC users are apt to try it. Mannion says downloading Vista and Office '07 will likely appeal primarily to what Microsoft's market researchers call "super-engaged" customers -- the 15% of PC users who think nothing of cracking open the computer case for an upgrade, trying new technology, and then blogging about it or telling friends. Those customers are "very evangelical," he adds.

Sounds ideal for the people round here who are struggling to justify the price of a UK retail license...

[kempez]

If only I didn't assume they'll add on VAT

Mind you even with VAT it's cheaper than UK prices by a leap

[Splash]

Precisely. Also the anytime upgrade is handy for people like me who only really need to be shelling out for Business, but would quite like Ultimate.

[kempez]

Precisely. Also the anytime upgrade is handy for people like me who only really need to be shelling out for Business, but would quite like Ultimate.

Yip, sounds exactly like me

[kalniel]

Sounds ideal for the people round here who are struggling to justify the price of a UK retail license...

Except it's only for US customers..

[Splash]

It is? Pants - never saw that in the article...

How will they enforce this? They don't need a delivery address, so would you not be able to run through a US proxy to download it?

EDIT -

#
Where can I find international versions of Windows Marketplace?
# Windows Marketplace is currently available in the United States and Canada. Versions of Windows Catalog, a Microsoft Web site listing Windows-compatible products, are available for Germany, Japan, Korea, and Russia.

/sob

[kempez]

I have access to the windowsmarketplace through the beta I took part in...hmmm

[fat jez]

I wonder then, if you could get a friend in the states to buy it and send you the key?

Cheers,
Stephen

[TheAnimus]

even if you could, your still dodging tax in the UK, you really should pay VAT on stuff like that.

Plus don't mess with the big brother, its sad that your more likely to goto prison if you refuse to pay council tax, than if you mug people