Windows Vista: Coupons, vouchers, and when Asus will start pre-loading on new Ensembles.

Ok, I'll be upfront, this is a total work in progress, but I want to make it official.

Everyone is questioning the availability of Vista with it's January release and the recent press release stating that Microsoft would like to get Vista on new systems for Christmas time, with the retail launch in January and the start of some sort of free upgrade coupon or voucher starting sometime before the start of the holiday season. There is nothing official coming from Asus in terms of what's going on, however I would like to keep you up to date and give you a little perspective from the last OS change, of which I'm fairly confident I'm the only one in the forum who had to live through it.

First, I just looked back and my emails from the WinME to XP Pro change and I was remembered it all wrong. I thought I recalled free upgrades being offered by Asus, but in fact that did not happen. It just so happened that back then we only had I think 3 models in the US at the time, one configuration of each, and very little stock. It turns out that Asus took what stock was left, ripped the WinME stickers off them, and then formatted and reinstalled XP Pro and the appropriate bios' on all the stock they had left. At the time, that was probably only 60 systems (20 of each model)...... Then the next day we simple had xp systems. They did not offer any retroactive discount and never put out any vouchers prior to that.

I can't see them doing the same thing now with the stock levels they currently have. I also don't know what their plan it. I made it clear to them that we need to know what's going on because a good chuck of customers may wait until January or later to buy a new system with vista if there isn't going to be some incentive to buy sometime in Q4.

To date, I haven't gotten much from Asus but an email this evening shed a bit of light on the understanding of the subject..... Basically they said that a Vista upgrade can not be offered yet because it's not released and to check with Microsoft about any sort of coupons or vouchers that we speak of.

That utter misunderstanding only leaves me to believe that Taiwan hasn't passed down the orders yet, or they're just completely in the dark and have no plans... I'm hoping there will be more information soon though. The information passed out on the web in news stories was picked up as soon as it was released from Microsoft and apparently no ODM's and OEM's had prior notice.... some were just quicker to respond. We'll see if there is news within the next two weeks.

 

Thanks for the update. The program isn't supposed to start until Oct 26 or something so there is hope yet.

 

I'm sorry - I've been trying to keep up with this OS upgrade program but don't know what's going on. Where can I read more about it?

~ Brett

 

First people waited for Yonah.. Then people waited for Meron.. Now they are waiting for Vista.. Do people every actually buy PCs?

Thanks for keeping us updated! Having customers that know what is going on is the best way to sell stuff, of course. I hope Taiwan decides what is going on soon, and shame on Microsoft for making such announcements before speaking with the ODM/OEMs...

 

You wouldn't believe at the number of people who are perpetual waitlisters.... seriously. I know I've mentioned this before, but it's almost become a slight joke around here.... we have one person who has called for years... I think it's at least three now and they're actually serious about buying a system, but once what they wanted comes out they're already looking to the next thing and just waiting for that. After a while it became a little funny and I think this person started out waiting for the W1n back in the winter of 2003.... about a half dozen system releases since and I think they're going to be waiting for Santa Rosa in the spring.....

I don't get it..

 

It's quite easy, people always "want" the "best". So, they will wait to get "the best." Even though, they don't need the "best" they still "want it."

Of course that is only my "assumption," at "best." Either that, or people have tons of time to wait to get the "best." Or just time.

 

See, that works with other things.... like maybe in the collectable world... like maybe a car that you're waiting for just the right combination of things... But even there, you wouldn't wait and wait while your current car died and you're taking a bus to work while you just wait and wait for that perfect thing.

In the computer world a quarter is equal to probably a year or more in the car world. If your computer is dying, there becomes a point where a new system may make you more productive - therefore make you more money and your life easier. So, taking all the time looking and looking and wanting "the best" is one thing, but when you're set on something and then it comes out as you expected and then you stop and hear about something thats coming out in another 6-8 months, and do that again and again for years.... that's borderline pathetic. If you're in a position where your current system is fine and you can do this for years - why were you doing it for all that time to start with? I know I get on people who hear about asus for the first time on Friday and want us to pick out the right system for them on Monday and want the system by Wednesday..... but there's such a thing as too much information and when it gets to the point where your lack of productivity isn't just coming from your aging computer, but your years of researching a new one - that's bad.

Another thing is... it's just a computer and it's just a grand or two. Regardless of what you get, in 2-3 years you're going to get something else. So if you wait for 2-3 years to buy it in the first place, it's got to be this huge loss when you replace it in a couple years from that point.... Heck, you can start researching your next system before that one even gets delivered......

 

Here's the original story:

http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/breakingnews.jhtml?articleId=193104349

And this is our sister site TabletPCReview's take on it:

http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=592

Basically XP Pro purchasers after October 26 will hopefully get a free upgrade to Vista. Not sure which version, but given the XP Home users get a discounted price for Home Basic and have to pay additional for Home Premium, the free Vista is probably only Home Basic with Premium extra. We'll have to see though since details are still a bit sketchy.

 

I say nobody should get Vista until it is actually proven to be stable.

This is Microsoft we are talking about for cryin' out loud.

 

Thanks

~ Brett

 

I will probably wait a year at the least. I doubt any games I want to play will be DX10 only. I didn't switch to XP until it has been out for about a year, maybe even two... Made things a lot easier when I did.

 

I don't know how the profit-driven reasonings behind the decisions of computer manufacturers work, but I think it's raher stupid from a non-profit, user's point of view to provide Vista as default installations as soon as it's available. Bugs are going to crawl through that OS for at least one year to come.

I personally would have a very difficult time buying a computer with a Vista earlier than one year from now. There are no decent drivers, almost every software will have a million issues on the new OS, there's going to be significant slowdown due to OS overhead. All in all, it's going to be awfully unproductive to try to do serious work from Vista... In fact I doubt I will ever install Vista on my current machine.

Then again, hype sells. And if it sells, manufacturers will push the product. Everyone wants to get "the best", even if that means they pay hundreds of euros or dollars extra for something they will never use, even if that supposed "best" will give headaches instead of helping them at all.

Just see the Merom and 64bits frenzy for a clear example, if you doubt what I said. That doesn't cause any headaches, but Vista will.

Don't get me wrong, I'm also affected by this bug, but I try to keep it within reasonable limits... I will not use Vista until I'm sure it's actually useful.

 

Smart people wouldn't want Vista until the first service pack....... however starting now, there are going to be a great deal of people who won't buy a computer without it.... so they wait.

Once Vista gets released, no one will be able to sell a computer without it - same reason.

So either that makes the majority of peoples stupid, or huge risk takers..... Anyone who knows and anyone who controls productivity of small to bis business knows that they won't upgrade until both SP1 of a new OS (for their own personal system) and after that - when the software they use at work gets upgraded and is proven to work on it.

Now, upgrading from Win98 or WinME to XP really should have been a no brainer... yes, there were problems, but it was still better than using either of those OS's.

 

I think most people are just ignorant about computers, I am continuously shocked by the number of people that EXPECT their computer to not work and behave erratically. I think Vista has all the hallmarks of a rushed/incomplete release though, Gartner was saying back in may that they didn't expect it before late Q1 early Q2 of '07 and Microsoft was dropping hints that that would probably happen.

All of a sudden though it's going to be on new machines in time for christmas and a Jan '07 general release... I don't buy it, the OEM's got together and strongarmed Microsoft to get something out the door for the holidays because they were worried that not having it would hurt their sales. That means that MS either managed to finish an OS a few months before it was going to, or it hurried up and kludged a fix to the worst problems and is going to ship it anyway, and given their history my money's on option 2.

 

Hey Justin are you talking about me I've been looking at Asus for a long ass time but never actually bought one. At one point I got an HP laptop but that thing got returned to Costco right before 6 months was up. Right now I'm mostly concerned with screen so thinking about IBM flexview or the V6va. I don't want old technology but if it's a deal then I'll just buy it. I have a desktop for games, laptop is for Internet/programming/work/demonstrations/presentations. I need an impressive looking system for impressing business folks, and women

 

I think Asus never updates their website because they know they could never compete with you guys anyway...seriously congrats, you guys (resellers) are really on top of your sh*t here and I appreciate the incredible detail you supply on both facts and lack of facts.

But really, what the hell, the Asus Canada website still doesn't have the S96J/Z96J, Z62J, F3F/Jm, Z35, VX1, I could go on...these models are already months and months old. Would it kill them to hire a university intern to keep their friggin site up to date?

 

thanks for the links as well

 

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it's "pathetic", but the perpetual waiting game is something some buyers can't help. Some people are just "informed" buyers, which probably works great for them when buying just about everything except computers. The landscape for computer equiment changes so fast *AND* the knowledge is *ALWAYS* leaked. It wreaks havoc with this certain type of consumer, because they're used to waiting 6 months. 6 months is (like Justin said) 2 years in most other industries. So they wait, and the cycle continues.

I buy a new computer every 12-18 months, so I don't mind just buying. I'll hold off if something new is imminent, but won't wait more than a month or 2 for it. Each to his/her own. I have a friend who is one of the perpetual waiters, he only ends up buying when his machine is so outdated he has to, but at least he finally pulls the trigger.

-Ryan

 

Nope, not you... at least I don't think it is.

 

Well, here it is.... Buy a notebook, tablet (including umpc) between today, October 26th, 2006 and March 15th, 2007 and recieve a free upgrade to Microsoft Vista. The breakdown can be seen in the .pdf below, but basically, I'm going to break it down by model.

All systems with XP Home will NOT be eligible for a FREE upgrade, but rather will have some sort of upcharge to get Vista Home Basic or Home Premium. This includes the models below:
All A series models (except the A8js, A7c), All F series models (except F3jc-AP052P, F3jm), W5f, W5fm.

All systems with XP Professional or Tablet Edition will recieve a FREE upgrade to Vista Business. There will be a nominal shipping and handling charge though. This includes the models below:
All W series models (except W5f, W5fm, W2jm), S6f, V6j, R1f (tablet), R2h (umpc), F3jc-AP052P, F3jm, A8js, A7c

All systems with XP Media Center Edition will receive a FREE upgrade to Vista Home Premium. This includes the models below:
The W2jb

It looks like the site that you'll actually be making the orders on won't be up until December, but it appears that the above is what you'll be eligable for, and yet it looks as though you'll be able to swap to a different version if you want, there may just be some sort of upcharge to do so. Since all of the Merom models are currently shipping with XP Pro and not XP Pro x64 - I think if you want to get the 64bit version of Vista Business, there may be a charge...... However, if Asus had installed XP Pro x64 on the Meroms, it would have been a totally free upgrade..... although the notebook would have probably cost a bit more from the factory as well.

http://www.proportable.com/promo/rebates/ASUS NB VISTA Upgrade Program.pdf

Hope this is what you've all been waiting for... I honestly just got it 20 minutes ago and up until this morning Asus still claimed not to know anything and insisted on answering everything with "Vista will be out in January".... Contact me if you need any sort of help... customer of ours or not.

 

After all the emails, im's, and pm's... this has sat for two hours without a response?

 

So if I ordered a W3Jp on 10/21/06, but it isn't shipping out until tomorrow, that means I'm ineligible?

 

If you ordered it from us, our invoice date on advanced orders is the shipping date. Otherwise, I can't exactly answer your question. Just saying that everyone's going to be different, but technically the minute you hot the confirm button and your credit card company shows a hold - that's technically the purchase day..... so if it's at 11:59pm on a Friday evening..... even if the notebook isn't shipping till Monday afternoon or even Tuesday... the technical purchase date is that Friday....... but there's room to play....... There's just not really room to play with systems that have already been delivered.... even then, there's a little bit discretion.

 

You just made my day with that information PROPortable.

I'm just hoping you can answer one slight question. Do you know if the new Merom W3J will ship with XP pro or XP pro X64? I'm assuming that since the W3J has a 64 bit processor it would be better to upgrade to Windows Vista Business x64, which according to your link requires XP pro x64 on the system.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the timely update.

On the 64-bit issue, I though Vista was going to be shipped with both the 32-bit version and 64-bit version on the same disc and that the correct version would automatically be installed based on your CPU capabilities. So a Merom would default to the 64-bit version at no extra cost unless chosen otherwise. Maybe they've changed there plans. There was also a plan to include all editions and versions of Vista on one uber-DVD so that all you'll need to upgrade would be the correct license and confirmation with Microsoft although that would probably make illegal upgrading too convenient.

 

Again.. I believe I answered this above... Asus has never used XP Pro x64 and they aren't shipping it with the other merom models.... and no it's not shipping with the new W3 which I can confirm.

But again, what I said was that you'll be able to upgrade to the x64 version, but there will be some sort of cost. I can't image it'll be like the cost to go from XP Home to Vista Business..... but there will be a charge... my guess is that the charges may be like the current XP costs below.

XP Home OEM = $85
XP MCE OEM = +$25
XP Pro OEM = + $50
XP x64 OEM = +$55
XP Tablet OEM = +$65

So, based on those prices, the 64bit version might just be $5 more... but then again, it might not cost anything... or maybe as much as $25... but it's probably not as much as we might fear it would be.

Also, based on these prices, XP Home buyers (say a new W5fm owner), should be able to pay somewhere around $65 plus a nominal shipping fee to get the Vista Business x64 version.

Those are just my guesses.... but either way I really don't think that would be unreasonable and I'm probably high (not on drugs, but with my dollar figure).

 

Well, if Microsoft was confidient in their security features... it would be cheaper for them to sell one disc at the cost of the media (maybe $10 or something) and then when they got the disc home they could choose which version they want and then go online and physically pay for the the appropriate license...... but that could piss some people off and might not be a good idea anyway.... especially having to make two transactions..... but it would be a lot like most software..... most trial versions of everything out there are actually the full versions, you just can't install anything but the trail without purchasing the license....

Makes sense to me.......

 

Just as a couple side notes:

1. A lot of people aren't picking up the fact that Asus has issued these free vista upgrade documents for purchases after 10/26... just want to let people know it is going on...

2. Microsoft announced today that retail sales of Vista will start on January 30th..... Those of you with the free upgrades may get yours prior to this, but I wouldn't count on it...... We should be getting systems that will ship from the factory with Vista after the Chinese New Year.... so probably towards the end of February.

 

thx for the update justin..
anyway, in taiwan, a8js is media center edition based now..
i think i'll buy it in december this year. I'll just take the free upgrade and i'll try using vista in december next year..

 

I don't think I understood you..... but ok... glad to hear it.

 

Any choice on upgrading to Vista Ultimate? I think Business will be okay for most users, but it would be nice to get both the Media features (TV output, recorded shows, etc) and the Business features (VPN, Remote Desktop, etc). I wouldn't mind paying a little extra to get everything.

 

Yeah, they'll be an upcharge as mentioned.

 

When does the upgrade program starts?

 

Question for you Justin.

I just bought another notebook... XP pro... didnt get the vista upgrade certificate serialized number thing. Is there a way to get it?


cheers


Insane

 

Do we need some kind of coupon/certificate in order to get vista upgrade? I didn't get anything like it when I bought my Asus??

 

Yeah if you follow the link on the asus web page you'll be taken to a webpage with askes if you have a serialized coupon, if not the page only allows you to email them and thats where your browsing finishes. If you have the number though then you can put your model number in, COD and date of purchace and it will create a order for you. Guess where i got stuck


insane

**EDIT** Ok i did something pretty stupid!!
i selected that i had a lenvo notebook and it allowed me to just enter my COD and date of purchase all good. One little problem, I've got to send my receipt to lecvo to get authenticated before the order will do through. Stupid me, I should have just waited for Asus to have been part of the list. Now I'll have to fax/email them and see if i can cancel the order. although it does say that I'll only get billed after january and after my purchase is validated, and since I dont have a lenvo that should fail and I should be ok..

****, that wasn't smart :|


Insane