Microsoft brings back Windows 7 'family pack'
Once again, though, the software maker bills the three-copy bundle of Windows 7 Home Premium as a limited-time, "while supplies last" offer.
Microsoft plans to again sell a "family pack" of Windows 7 that includes three copies of the Home Premium edition of the operating system.
Microsoft offered such a bundle when Windows 7 launched, but billed it as a limited-time offer. In less than two months, supplies had largely run out. The Windows 7 Family pack will go back on sale on Oct. 3 for a suggested price of $149.99. As before, the licenses are upgrade copies, meaning each computer already needs to be properly licensed for Windows XP or Windows Vista.
Once again, Microsoft is choosing to sell only a limited number of family packs.
"Don't delay," Microsoft said in a blog post Wednesday. "The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available soon while supplies last."
Microsoft also plans to start selling the family pack again in many other places, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia, though places outside the U.S. will have to wait until at least Oct. 22.
I have to say, creating scarcity out of a resource as seemingly infinite as ones and zeros is an impressive marketing trick.
Apple has a similar option with Mac OS X, though its bundle covers five computers in the same household and Apple has offered the option consistently since it first added it in 2002.