Check out the New Windows 7 Packaging

TechOutsider said:

I doubt dropping a DVD on the floor would damage it, unless you do it until the DVD physically cracks/breaks. Liquids don't damage DVDs for the most part.

You've never heard of scratched disks? With a sleeve with one end always open a simple drop on the floor could easily see one little piece of debris get caught in it right up against the side of the disk you don't want anything touching. ut oh! ssccratcchhh... aw crap!

Not everyone has a nice carpeted floor under their station for things like "ESD"! and other factors while running or working on cases. A good impact on the side of a disk extended slightly out of a sleeve can pose a problem if the disk ends up with a crack in the material. Stranger things have happened!

And what happens if you should happen to see something(any liquid actually) spilled on a cardboard which still amounts to paper sleeve? It ends rather soggy fast! At least a plastic casing can be wiped off and even washed clean and dried if that should happen.

("gee? now where did that disk sleeve slip off to I wonder? if I had a slightly larger plastic casing... )

Personally for storage & safety I would want the plastic case as for reasons stated above.
I got a LOT of DVD's & I want my Windows 7 Ultimate investment to stand out from the rest of them!
It will make it easy to find.

I wonder if you'll be able to copy the DVD without DRM removal programs?
Would be good because I really don't want to use the original for anything other than to make my installation disk Copy!

I've done this with every single game & OS I've ever owned. Keeps them Safe & in Excellent condition!

The case packaging is fine, for those who think it is too much then listen to this..

Would you rather have a bulky case and protected disc, or a small case and a broken disc so you have to go out and buy a new disc, and run the chance of that breaking too?

I look at that and make the comparison to what XP came in. At least MS smartened up for 7 rather then the lame sleeves previously used for XP! Even the Vista OEM disks came in a smart plastic case inserted into a sleeve rather then only a sleeve.

For those unsatisfied with the new box take a look at the selection of XP and Vista even open faced sleeves no less seen at Newegg.com - Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Vista 32, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Media Center, Linux

Now look at their own promo for 7 seen at Newegg.com - Pre-Order your Windows 7 Now!

nice cases! the Home Premium green retail case is mine! :)