We asked our readers yesterday if they'd be pre-ordering Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system to take advantage of promotional pricing, and the answer was largely a resounding yes.
The high level of demand is seemingly unprecedented, leaving Microsoft's own UK store unaccessible throughout the day. A message at its storefront simply states "we’re experiencing a higher level of demand on our website than usual. This means you can’t access the site right now and we’re sorry about that."
Other big-name etailers such as Amazon.co.uk are seemingly replenishing stock by the hour, with availability fluctuating wildly. So why exactly is there a rush of people wanting to place an order for on an operating system that isn't actually released until October 22nd?
The reasoning, we reckon, is very clever marketing on Microsoft's behalf. Having announced its confusing pricing plans back in June, Microsoft revealed that Windows 7 would launch with price tags similar to that of its predecessor, Windows Vista.
The widespread hopes of a cut-price operating system tailored to suit the global recession were seemingly dashed. But Microsoft, cleverly, provided a glimmer of hope in the form of its Windows 7 Pre-order Promotion. As part of the deal, which began today, customers can pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium E or Windows 7 Professional and bag themselves savings of up to £130.
Hoping to lure customers in with the promise of such discounts, certain retailers are even warning of impending price hikes. Electrical retailer Comet, for example, is advising customers that Windows 7 Home Premium E can be pre-ordered at a cost of £44.99 from today up until August 9th. Wait any longer, and you'll pay the price. The retailer states that pricing from August 10th 2009 to January 1st 2010 will rise to £79.99. Come the new year, and the software will cost almost double - with Comet estimating a price tag of £149.99.
We're not accustomed to seeing software prices rise with time, but in the case of Windows 7, lowered pre-order pricing has certainly ramped up demand.
Question is, in approximately 170 days, will Microsoft be confident enough to charge £149.99 for software that can today be ordered for £44.99? We're not so sure.
