Windows 7 to be sold on USB drives ????

septprince · Jun 27, 2009

A new rumor has sprung up that suggests Microsoft is looking at a third alternative for sending out copies of Windows 7: USB drives. There are currently two known ways to move to Windows 7 without buying a new computer: via retail or via download.
The third solution would make it easy for users with netbooks without DVD drives, most of which are running Windows XP (as opposed to Vista), to upgrade to Windows 7. Of course, installation from USB is much faster than from DVD, so such an option could end up being adopted by a larger demographic. USB drives are still more expensive than DVDs to mass manufacture, however, so I doubt Microsoft would be happy with that.
CNET quotes an undisclosed source in its speculative report: "Microsoft is considering offering Windows 7 on a thumb drive to allow netbook owners to more easily upgrade their machines." Microsoft confirmed in February that all editions of Windows 7 would run on netbooks but never disclosed how those who already own the low-end computers could get the operating system on their system. The currently only known solution, downloading a copy and putting the installation on a USB drive, isn't a process many netbook users would be happy to do. If the USB drive option is skipped, most will likely have a friend or a tech support guy get the job done for them.
On another note, could this rumor somehow be related to StartKey, a Microsoft technology that was supposed to allow users to store entire Windows profiles and all their data on portable flash drives? Many criticized it in March 2008 but Microsoft has yet to acknowledge it, assuming it hasn't already been scrapped.

Rumor: Windows 7 to be sold on USB drives - Ars Technica
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grouchpunk08 · Jun 27, 2009

septprince said:
A new rumor has sprung up that suggests Microsoft is looking at a third alternative for sending out copies of Windows 7: USB drives. There are currently two known ways to move to Windows 7 without buying a new computer: via retail or via download.
The third solution would make it easy for users with netbooks without DVD drives, most of which are running Windows XP (as opposed to Vista), to upgrade to Windows 7. Of course, installation from USB is much faster than from DVD, so such an option could end up being adopted by a larger demographic. USB drives are still more expensive than DVDs to mass manufacture, however, so I doubt Microsoft would be happy with that.
CNET quotes an undisclosed source in its speculative report: "Microsoft is considering offering Windows 7 on a thumb drive to allow netbook owners to more easily upgrade their machines." Microsoft confirmed in February that all editions of Windows 7 would run on netbooks but never disclosed how those who already own the low-end computers could get the operating system on their system. The currently only known solution, downloading a copy and putting the installation on a USB drive, isn't a process many netbook users would be happy to do. If the USB drive option is skipped, most will likely have a friend or a tech support guy get the job done for them.
On another note, could this rumor somehow be related to StartKey, a Microsoft technology that was supposed to allow users to store entire Windows profiles and all their data on portable flash drives? Many criticized it in March 2008 but Microsoft has yet to acknowledge it, assuming it hasn't already been scrapped.
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I think that would be a bit expensive. I mean ubuntu is a free OS, but they make you pay if you buy it on a flashdrive in the stores, I really don't see the companies getting big into using flash media as a distribution method until it becomes much cheaper. I mean it costs literally pennies for them to churn out a dvd, but it is significantly more for a Flashdrive to be flashed with data.

Iknewitwin7 · Jun 27, 2009

Where's the source link?

septprince · Jun 27, 2009

i did`nt gave the link because we not allowed to post links in Discussion thread Anyways:.

Rumor: Windows 7 to be sold on USB drives - Ars Technica

Lordbob75 · Jun 27, 2009

This options was actually offered with XP, though I don't know anyone that used it.

A 4 gig Flash Drive is running at under $15 now (US) so they could simply add that to the cost and ship it that way. Would actually cost them the same or less (providing they have a good way of putting it on there.).

Though I wonder if someone could contact M$ and offer to install it on Flash Drives. They would have to be able to charge a different price and pick up the profits, but I would do it. Might make good money if you could get BestBuy to let you sell it. M$ would still make money, so no issue there....

~Lordbob

septprince · Jun 27, 2009

grouchpunk08 said:
I think that would be a bit expensive. I mean ubuntu is a free OS, but they make you pay if you buy it on a flashdrive in the stores, I really don't see the companies getting big into using flash media as a distribution method until it becomes much cheaper. I mean it costs literally pennies for them to churn out a dvd, but it is significantly more for a Flashdrive to be flashed with data.

it will definitely cost more. let see only time will tell what`s true and what`s not.

grouchpunk08 · Jun 27, 2009

If its to make it easier for netbook owners, why wouldn't MS just tell them download the iso and provide detailed virtual drive instructions? and MS could also keep track of the different user accounts, and allow someone who has purchased 7 already to redownload the iso whenever needed, like steam does for games. I think that would be a simpler solution, and cheaper

Lordbob75 · Jun 27, 2009

septprince said:
it will definitely cost more. let see only time will tell what`s true and what`s not.

Only $20 or so. 4 gig flashes are relatively cheap now. So maybe $15 for the drive, and another $5 because they had to pay someone to plug in 100 drives into a big USB hub and copy to them all

~Lordbob

grouchpunk08 · Jun 27, 2009

Lordbob75 said:
Only $20 or so. 4 gig flashes are relatively cheap now. So maybe $15 for the drive, and another $5 because they had to pay someone to plug in 100 drives into a big USB hub and copy to them all

~Lordbob

But then again, thats 20 x like a billion or however many copies they issue out, unless it be a thing where you have to request it. I don't think they could handle that type of expense and have any unsold. If they are going to do it, then having it on a request basis would be the way to go.

Iknewitwin7 · Jun 27, 2009

Lordbob75 said:
This options was actually offered with XP, though I don't know anyone that used it.

A 4 gig Flash Drive is running at under $15 now (US) so they could simply add that to the cost and ship it that way. Would actually cost them the same or less (providing they have a good way of putting it on there.).

Though I wonder if someone could contact M$ and offer to install it on Flash Drives. They would have to be able to charge a different price and pick up the profits, but I would do it. Might make good money if you could get BestBuy to let you sell it. M$ would still make money, so no issue there....

~Lordbob

I completely agree, this should be an option. They would sell more copies for those with netbooks.

Lordbob75 · Jun 27, 2009

grouchpunk08 said:
But then again, thats 20 x like a billion or however many copies they issue out, unless it be a thing where you have to request it. I don't think they could handle that type of expense and have any unsold. If they are going to do it, then having it on a request basis would be the way to go.

That would indeed work much better. Just add the twenty to your order, no big deal.

~Lordbob

septprince · Jun 27, 2009

grouchpunk08 said:
But then again, thats 20 x like a billion or however many copies they issue out, unless it be a thing where you have to request it. I don't think they could handle that type of expense and have any unsold. If they are going to do it, then having it on a request basis would be the way to go.

Microsoft could gain an extra profit by selling a flash drive with there product.
It will be like hitting two birds with a single arrow for them.

DocBrown · Jun 27, 2009

How much does it cost to make the plastic box for the DVD's ??? :huh:

grouchpunk08 · Jun 27, 2009

McBlzr said:
How much does it cost to make the plastic box for the DVD's ??? :huh:

Prolly around the same amount it costs to make the plastic casing that flashdrives come in.

septprince · Jun 27, 2009

Any Microsoft employee viewing this thread please answer..

Iknewitwin7 · Jun 27, 2009

grouchpunk08 said:
Prolly around the same amount it costs to make the plastic casing that flashdrives come in.

Yep, the cost of a thumbdrive, no matter how you look at it, would be more expensive, then a DVD

FullyLoadedMan · Jun 27, 2009

McBlzr said:
How much does it cost to make the plastic box for the DVD's ??? :huh:

Plastic Box??

I heard that the Windows 7 Ultimate box is made out of Unicorn Skin

Airbot · Jun 27, 2009

septprince said:
i did`nt gave the link because we not allowed to post links in Discussion thread Anyways:.

Rumor: Windows 7 to be sold on USB drives - Ars Technica

That's not true, if you post an article from someone else in any forum, you'll have to provide the source link with it, quote it and post only part of the article, not the whole thing.

You just can't post links for torrents or illegal download links.

septprince · Jun 28, 2009

Airbot said:
That's not true, if you post an article from someone else in any forum, you'll have to provide the source link with it, quote it and post only part of the article, not the whole thing.

You just can't post links for torrents or illegal download links.

My mistake.

Wont happen in future.

Windows 7 to be sold on USB drives ????

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