Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Full $169.95 at Staples.ca with coupon

[DACluett]

Staples.ca has the full version of Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade -- Full Version, not the OEM version -- for sale for $199.95, here's the link:

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=662736&affixedcode=WW

This is for the English version. The French version is also available for the same price at the following link:

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=662754&affixedcode=WW

This upgrade is generally offered at $299 at a variety of other online sites, such as FutureShop.ca, BestBuy.ca, NCIX.com, and Tigerdirect.ca, so this price is incredible...especially considering the following online-only coupon code for $30 off, link on RFD as follows:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/coupons/coupons_all/cat/Staples.ca/

For a Microsoft product that generally does not see a discount, this is a pretty incredible combo deal, with a cost of $169.95 + tax, and free shipping. I know there are a lot of Vista haters out there, but for those who don't want to spent $300 for Vista, this is very affordable.

[kool1]

I highly advise avoiding any Vista upgrade unless you want your computer all screwed up.

[psychoPat]

I highly advise avoiding any Vista upgrade unless you want your computer all screwed up.

Well, even if it's an "upgrade" disk, do a clean install and computer works like a charm... :twisted:

[ZenOps]

Hot!

Especially now that 4GB of memory has never been cheaper.

[kuqdew]

microsoft has to make "Windows XP SP3" in order to make money

[dmdsoftware2]

microsoft has to make "Windows XP SP3" in order to make money

Huh? Since when is Vista = Windows XP SP3? You do know there is a Windows XP SP3 candidate release that has been out since Dec 7th.

[cybr9]

This does not seem to be a special or limited time offer. Also the Home Premium Upgrade version has also gone down in price ($129 vs previously $179). Has the price of Vista gone down (finally) for good?

[Turge]

Although upgrades are usually not recommended, when upgrading to Vista, it will actually move the previous OS to a backup folder and install a clean version of Vista. The only difference is that it will also attempt to reinstall the applications from the previous OS as long as it meets the compatibility list, and of course, migrate your documents and settings.

ALso, I don't think you would actually be able to perform a full install with this DVD unless you used a key other than the one that came with it. I suspect that all installations (Upgrade and Full) of every version (Home, Permium, Ultimate) would also be available on this DVD (once again, requiring a different key)

If you do go the upgrade route and you know how to use a computer, I would recommend taking an image of your C: drive after performing the update since reinstalling Vista would require you to first install XP to then upgrade to Vista.

[drceo]

Although upgrades are usually not recommended, when upgrading to Vista, it will actually move the previous OS to a backup folder and install a clean version of Vista. The only difference is that it will also attempt to reinstall the applications from the previous OS as long as it meets the compatibility list, and of course, migrate your documents and settings.

ALso, I don't think you would actually be able to perform a full install with this DVD unless you used a key other than the one that came with it. I suspect that all installations (Upgrade and Full) of every version (Home, Permium, Ultimate) would also be available on this DVD (once again, requiring a different key)

If you do go the upgrade route and you know how to use a computer, I would recommend taking an image of your C: drive after performing the update since reinstalling Vista would require you to first install XP to then upgrade to Vista.

To do a clean install without having to deal with XP or something else for that matter, just install it first (without the key) so it sits in 30 day mode. Repeat again. The second time around, treat it as an upgrade. Voila. Clean install & upgrade.

[ACC-Major]

so we can do a clean install with this disc? It says upgrade version, or it doesn't matter?

[robskot]

SO...why is this better than a Mac?

FULL VERSION, 0S X Leopard - $129.99 (or less) anywhere!

Why are there so many variants of Vista?? And why is it so expensive for even the most basic version that have very little features?

This just seems soooooo COLD to me. Especially for something that barely works right.

[LegiT]

SO...why is this better than a Mac?

FULL VERSION, 0S X Leopard - $129.99 (or less) anywhere!

Why are there so many variants of Vista?? And why is it so expensive for even the most basic version that have very little features?

This just seems soooooo COLD to me. Especially for something that barely works right.

Must we go into a PC vs Mac discussion?
I don't get how you can assume people are paying "for something that barely works right."
I have a computer running Vista Ultimate to my left here and it's running just fine without any hiccups or problems by merely disabling some useless features. Now, if we were talking about Windows ME (Millenium Edition), then sure, bash all you want about that POS.

[cybr9]

SO...why is this better than a Mac?

FULL VERSION, 0S X Leopard - $129.99 (or less) anywhere!

Why are there so many variants of Vista?? And why is it so expensive for even the most basic version that have very little features?

This just seems soooooo COLD to me. Especially for something that barely works right.

I don't understand why all the Vista bashing - I have Vista and it's been running great - better than my previous XP system - definitely an "upgrade".

[Vinman]

This is actually not bad, considering I was looking to move to a multi-processor system (dual quads) once Skulltrail comes out, and it doesn't support XP and Home can't handle more than one physical CPU.

So you're really stuck with Vista Ultimate (or Business, which sucks for home use) or nothing.

[CH40Z_008]

noob question... is this DVD comes with 32bit and 64bit of vista?:D

[ibanker]

people bash vista because they 'heard' other people bash vista and prob havent use it themselves.

i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE vista. its much better looking then leopard.

leopard = vista basic in terms of features.

you cant even compare leopard vs vista premium

[ZenOps]

SO...why is this better than a Mac?

FULL VERSION, 0S X Leopard - $129.99 (or less) anywhere!

Why are there so many variants of Vista?? And why is it so expensive for even the most basic version that have very little features?

This just seems soooooo COLD to me. Especially for something that barely works right.

Its because its what the commercial business world uses.

Likewise if you want to become a network/systems engineer, you pretty well have to learn *nix and Cisco. No matter how painful it is to program a router without a display device (program via serial port- I used to know guys who could do it "blind" without a screen to help them out, rofl)

If you want to be a webdesigner, Apache is what you have to know.

[cheapbastage]

With ram prices the way they are M$ should be throwing in 2GB of ram to sell more copies! M$ really needs only three flavours of Vista; Home/Power user/Business. I guess this version would be the equivalent to XP-Pro? Or would that be business edition? :confused:

How do the mediacenter functions compare to MCE 2005? Is the extra DRM restrictive?

[ZenOps]

DRM is horrible on Vista. Some say worse than Sony rootkits & encryption.

If peeps want to wait, there is more than a good chance that there will be an official price drop in June - coinciding with the last chance to buy XP.

[BadDrafter]

DRM is horrible on Vista. Some say worse than Sony rootkits & encryption.


Will the DRM in vista destroy my 500 gig (and growing) FLAC collection?

If not, I don't really care about DRM.

How does DRM affect me?

I plan to buy vista when SP1 comes out.

[DoneDeal]

I'd recommend buying the OEM Ultimate for $199 instead at Memory Express,
just easier to install as time goes by,
but like others I'd not recommend Vista at all, despite having it on my PC.

[edifonzo]

Thanks OP! Just orderd.

Upgrade version comes with both 32 and 64 bit versions.

I would recommend this over the OEM version b/c the OEM version may not be able to be installed on your next computer. Plus its RFD and this version is $30 cheaper. It is not hard to clean instal this upgrade disk and it is approved to do by micosoft.

I have been running vista since jan 2007 with the activation hacked with a bios emulator. I have been looking for a cheap legit Vista Ultimate (had considered OEM version) b/c the upcomming SP1 will kill bios emulator activation hacks.

+10 to OP.

[sfx]

Thanks op, came out to about 190 after taxes. Good deal.

[waytech]

I installed the 64 bit vista. Several programs like divx were not working properly. So I switched to 32 bit vista. The OS only recognizes 3GB RAM though I have 4GB. I would recommend wait for sp1 b4 purchasing.

[82]

Home Premium is Basic + Media Center (equivalent to XP XCE)
Business is Basic + AD + VSS + IIS + RMS and other business features (equivalent to XP Pro)
Enterprise is Business + Bitlocker, UNIX support and some rarely use business features
Ultimate is Business + Home Premium + Bitlocker + most features in Enterprise.

These are just Microsoft ways to grab as much money as possible from business sector, meanwhile keeping the basic version cheap.

With ram prices the way they are M$ should be throwing in 2GB of ram to sell more copies! M$ really needs only three flavours of Vista; Home/Power user/Business. I guess this version would be the equivalent to XP-Pro? Or would that be business edition? :confused:

How do the mediacenter functions compare to MCE 2005? Is the extra DRM restrictive?

[cheapmother]

I downloaded a pirated version of Vista Ultimate x64 just to check it out, and have been running for a couple of months and am very impressed.

I'd like to come clean and buy a copy.

I know this is probably a ludicrous question, but I can use this to upgrade from a pirated version?

[hiredmuscle]

yes, you can even install the upgrade version as a trial, and then upgrade that trial and get it to work that way.

[rwlp]

Can I ask the Vista expert a question? If you upgrade vista as a trail and then do a clean install, will your perivous installed programs still there or they would be wiped out because of the clean intall.

[Mir]

I installed the 64 bit vista. Several programs like divx were not working properly. So I switched to 32 bit vista. The OS only recognizes 3GB RAM though I have 4GB. I would recommend wait for sp1 b4 purchasing.

Did you try running in XP SP2 comptablity mode ?
32 OS can only see Max of 3 Gig if you have better BIOS may be 3.5 Gig
Its like old 640K -1 Meg issue with DOS

[robskot]

people bash vista because they 'heard' other people bash vista and prob havent use it themselves.

i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE vista. its much better looking then leopard.

leopard = vista basic in terms of features.

you cant even compare leopard vs vista premium

Please go into detail. How is Vista Premium is better? What features does Premium offer over OSX? How is it better looking? The packaging? If you are that versed in Leopard, what about it is it you don't like? Try giving some detail to your claim...

For those thinking I was bashing, not so...I am just looking for some reasonable explanations as to why paying $300 for premium or $400 for Ultimate is so great compared to $129.

And my only reason for saying something BARELY WORKS is just because most of the first page is people asking how to get is working properly. And, as one of the reply to my post stated, why would you need to disable anything in it for it to function right? Shudn't it just run?

And ZEN, I am just asking for myself. I am not concerned about the COMMERCIAL BUSINESS WORLD. That's a whole other discussion.

[skanwar]

Please go into detail. How is Vista Premium is better? What features does Premium offer over OSX? How is it better looking? The packaging? If you are that versed in Leopard, what about it is it you don't like? Try giving some detail to your claim...

For those thinking I was bashing, not so...I am just looking for some reasonable explanations as to why paying $300 for premium or $400 for Ultimate is so great compared to $129.

And my only reason for saying something BARELY WORKS is just because most of the first page is people asking how to get is working properly. And, as one of the reply to my post stated, why would you need to disable anything in it for it to function right? Shudn't it just run?

And ZEN, I am just asking for myself. I am not concerned about the COMMERCIAL BUSINESS WORLD. That's a whole other discussion.

*Yawn* @ above

Otherwise, warm deal - good find. Vista works fine.

[rambokid]

I highly advise avoiding any Vista upgrade unless you want your computer all screwed up.I have 3 Vista comps, no problems; didn't crash yet :lol:

[gordholio]

I went back to XP. Faster and no black taskbar (depressing). Faster boot time.

[effie]

For all those who say their VISTA is working perfectly....have you ever had Explorer crash with the error message, "Explorer has stopped working" and then restart itself? This happens quite often on my DELL 521. Any advice on how to fix this would be welcome. If it's a common problem, then it might impact on its desirability.

[Volvotech]

Thanks OP

just ordered a copy.