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Software Microsoft Shows Off Windows 7 Packaging in More Detail
Jason Mick (Blog) - June 25, 2009 9:25 AM

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28 comment(s) - last by DonkeyRhubarb.. on Jun 29 at 7:30 AM

Microsoft's new OS box features a leaner, recyclable case, and now only two parts inside. The company says it emphasized simplicity for Windows 7's packaging. (Source: Microsoft)

Simplicity is the goal with Microsoft new OS packaging

Microsoft's Windows 7 is the mostly highly anticipated software release of the year. Built on the solid underlying guts of Windows Vista, Windows 7 provides the graphical flash and trim performance that Vista somewhat lacked. The new OS has already seen millions of installs of its release candidate and is drawing comparisons to such beloved versions of Windows such as 98 SE and XP SP3.

The company had previously provided a peak at their box art. Now Microsoft Windows team member Brandon LeBlanc has posted a Windows blog about the packaging for the new OS.

He says the goal was to provide a "fresh" feel and emphasize simplicity. He states, "We approached the packaging for Windows 7 the same way we approached the product – by listening to what our customers told us they wanted: make it a simple clean design, easy to open, and reduce waste."

The packaging is now more standard opening like a standard DVD case, with a removable seal at the top. Inside the package are only two elements -- a paper sleeve and a "simple" Getting Started Guide.

The new packages weighs 37% less than Vista's packaging and is now recyclable.

The packaging is drawing relatively positive reviews from the blog's commenters. Writes one user, "Pretty neat looking, definately (sic) better than the retail Vista packaging, which I always thought was fancy but a bit unnecessary."

Windows 7 will go on sale October 22.

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I miss the days...

By Boze on 6/25/2009 9:45:20 AM , Rating: 5

...when my software came with printed manuals so thick you could beat people to death with them.

*sigh*

I am a dinosaur, I know...

RE: I miss the days...

By Proxes on 6/25/2009 10:02:18 AM , Rating: 2

Remember SWotL's (Secret weapons of the Luftwaffe) manual? It was like reading a history book.

Now the manuals don't even have accurate game play information in them. Or like with Spore, you had to buy the Collector's edition to get a printed copy.

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RE: I miss the days...

By fishbits on 6/25/2009 10:24:09 AM , Rating: 2

Have to say, truly amazing manual. Really revved a person up for the game.

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RE: I miss the days...

By Ryanman on 6/25/2009 11:08:45 PM , Rating: 2

Homeworld's manual came in PDF form, but had a 200 page story and a hefty tactical guide thrown in.

Not to mention the game itself was one of the most compelling I've ever played.

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RE: I miss the days...

By Einy0 on 6/25/2009 10:52:06 AM , Rating: 2

Ever see Jane's F-15, it came with 2 manuals(Basic and Advanced). Advanced was like a novel. I know personally the manual was very accurate. I think if you read the thing cover to cover you'd have a decent shot at actually taking off in a real F-15. Landing now that's another story... I miss the old super detailed fighter flight sims. Those where games that tested you. It wasn't about twitch reflexes, it was about skill, knowledge and practice.

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RE: I miss the days...

By MrBlastman on 6/25/2009 11:13:09 AM , Rating: 3

Miss? Why don't you still fly them? Falcon 4.0 is still widely flown with its latest modifications:

FreeFalcon 5 and OpenFalcon. Both are amazing, both really up the graphics detail and also improve the realism immensely. Both are free to download and well worth your time.

Stop your worrying now and start flying!

www.freefalcon.com

www.f4support.com

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RE: I miss the days...

By MrBlastman on 6/25/2009 11:14:56 AM , Rating: 2

SWOTL had an awesome manual and so did BOB (Battle of Britain) the predecessor of SWOTL. Bob's manual was I think one of the thickest I had ever seen at the time it came out (which was around 1989 I think).

Darned fine games for the time...

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RE: I miss the days...

By Bender 123 on 6/25/2009 11:15:20 AM , Rating: 5

We should replace RTFM with RTFOPDFM

Read
the
Frakking
Online
PDF
Manual

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RE: I miss the days...

By Flunk on 6/28/2009 3:16:39 PM , Rating: 2

I remember that, I just did what I still do with manuals... throw them out. Now think of all the paper savings.

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RE: I miss the days...

By DonkeyRhubarb on 6/29/2009 7:30:46 AM , Rating: 2

Did you see the manual Falcon 4.0 came with? It was like an encyclopedia!

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A good start!

By Bender 123 on 6/25/2009 9:31:34 AM , Rating: 2

I hate to complain about anything being cheaper, but I was hoping for the final price to be more along the lines of the pre-order price.

On the other side, I cant wait to see the OEM Win 7 pricing from Newegg, so I can order the customary Molex Y adapter for $.49...I must have fifty of those things from doing OS upgrades for friends.

RE: A good start!

By Spivonious on 6/25/2009 9:38:09 AM , Rating: 4

You don't need to order hardware for OEM copies anymore. You haven't had to for years.

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RE: A good start!

By Bender 123 on 6/25/2009 9:42:33 AM , Rating: 4

Yes, but its just a custom...like not stepping on the lines in baseball and the like. I have done it for so long, that the Y adapter is almost a requirement to me.

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RE: A good start!

By crimson117 on 6/25/2009 10:40:06 AM , Rating: 1

Pricing details:
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/...

quote:
So here’s the low-down on pricing for Windows 7. The estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

- Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
- Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

- Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
- Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

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Check these prices!

By fvbounty on 6/25/2009 10:05:24 AM , Rating: 1

Well with these prices you can have W7, $200, $300 and $320 for Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. I hope the oem is cheaper or you better get the pre order price! Here's the story...

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090625/D991NCD0...

RE: Check these prices!

By ice456789 on 6/25/2009 10:11:48 AM , Rating: 2

From the story you linked from:

quote:
The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker said it will cost people $120 to upgrade their existing machines to the Windows 7 Home Premium version, $10 less than the comparable Windows Vista package. Upgrades to the Professional and Ultimate versions will cost $200 and $220 respectively, the same as Vista.

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RE: Check these prices!

By fvbounty on 6/25/2009 10:17:07 AM , Rating: 2

There's been a lot of talk of W7 being a lot cheaper than Vista on a lot of different sites, there are going to be a lot of long faces if this happens, I guess $10 is a big discount....LOL

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RE: Check these prices!

By Moishe on 6/25/2009 1:05:18 PM , Rating: 3

I don't see the big deal.
if you pay $200, you're getting 3-5 years of great service and free upgrades. That's a fair price.

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Spelling fail?

By eddieroolz on 6/25/2009 11:56:36 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
provided a peak at their box art.

Seriously, no proofreading before hitting the submit button?

RE: Spelling fail?

By Moishe on 6/25/2009 12:57:02 PM , Rating: 2

What??? Peek isn't like peak?

Some people are just not good at spelling, grammar, etc.

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RE: Spelling fail?

By nct on 6/25/2009 1:05:59 PM , Rating: 3

Those people should probably consider a career other than journalism.

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Read in the voice of Allen Iverson

By ice456789 on 6/25/2009 10:31:36 AM , Rating: 5

We're in here talking about packaging. I mean, we're talking about packaging. Not a game, we're talking about packaging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

Alternatively you can read in the voice of Jim Mora.
Packaging?!? Don't talk about packaging. You kidding me? Packaging???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-eavMSBnk

SP3???

By gcouriel on 6/25/2009 10:19:44 AM , Rating: 2

Since when was Windows XP SP3 so beloved??? i thought SP2 was the beloved edition, and SP3 was an afterthought. don't get me wrong, it was a good OS until i moved over to Vista SP1, but really? it was beloved?

RE: SP3???

By Flunk on 6/28/2009 3:18:58 PM , Rating: 2

People are stupid, they seem to pine for the last version of everything. I remember when SP2 was the devil and no one would install it.

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???

By bwmccann on 6/25/2009 9:45:02 AM , Rating: 1

How is this news? Next up, Mcdonalds changes the way your kid's Happy Meal is packaged.

RE: ???

By Boze on 6/25/2009 9:47:13 AM , Rating: 2

McDonald's isn't tech-related. Now if McDonald's comes up with an online ordering system so you can place your order, then go pick it up, that's tech news.

Although the staff there would likely still find ways to screw up orders and put disgusting pickles on my cheeseburger, even with the "No pickles" radio box checked...

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Let's not forget

By djc208 on 6/25/2009 9:37:03 AM , Rating: 2

It's also probably cheaper. The simple, less waste, recyclable aspects are all positive, but I'm sure MS was more than happy to implement these suggestions since it means less cost on packaging vs the people who wanted OLED screens on the front of the case with interactive demos of the OS. Especially after Apple somehow "forced" MS into lowering upgrade prices.