Digital Trends

Internet retailer Amazon.com has revealed the retail prices for Microsoft forthcoming Windows Vista operating system - and they're accepting pre-orders now.

Giant Internet retailer Amazon.com has lifted the fog of speculation about the retail prices for Windows Vista, Microsoft's next iteration of its Windows operation system. And, to no one's surprise, the price surprise no one.

Windows Vista Business will cost $299, while Windows Vista Home Basic will cost $199—price points which put the new editions right in line with Microsoft current Windows XP Professional and XP Home offerings. Windows Vista Premium—the bells-and-whistles edition of Vista comparable to Windows XP Media Center Edition—is priced at $239, while Windows Vista Ultimate—which includes everything and the kitchen sink for both home and professional users—is priced at $399.

These prices are for new licenses for Windows Vista; many users will acquire Windows Vista with the purchase a new computer, or by upgrading an existing Windows license. Amazon is also selling upgrade licenses to Windows Vista Home Basic for $99.95, Windows Vista Home Premium for $159, and Windows Vista Business upgrades for $199.

Both new licenses and upgrades are available for pre-order now via Amazon.com. Windows Vista for Business is scheduled to be available in November, while the consumer versions of Windows Vista aren't scheduled for release until January; however, no ship dates have been confirmed by Microsoft.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced it will market six different editions of Vista—Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate, plus a stripped-down Starter edition for developing markets. Microsoft is also expected to develop Media Player-free versions for the European market, and possibly a separate edition for South Korea; the company faced ongoing antitrust battles in both markets.