Windows Vista, Office 2007 upgrade coupons offered

Microsoft Corp. has announced programs to provide holiday shoppers worldwide with low-cost upgrades to Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System release with the purchase of a new Windows Vista Capable personal computer.

Microsoft is working with participating computer manufacturers and system builders that plan to sell PCs loaded with Windows XP or pre-installed with 2003 Microsoft Office software to make the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Technology Guarantee programs available to consumers and small businesses for purchases until Feb. 28, 2007.

Customers can start sending their redemption request and have until March 31, 2007 to redeem.

"Microsoft decided to come up with the Technology Guarantee programs for those who cannot wait to get their hands on Vista and Office 2007, and we thought that the holiday season is the perfect time to launch this program," said Chay Saputil, Windows Client product manager of Microsoft Phils.

"The Tech Guarantee programs ensure that people will have a great experience with their Windows XP-based PCs today, and an even better one when Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release become available. It’s a way of making them anticipate for the best that is yet to come with Windows Vista," Saputil added.

A number of computer manufacturers worldwide have confirmed plans to participate in the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista program.

PCs carrying the Windows Vista Capable logo may be eligible for the program, but upgrade offers will vary among PC makers.

The upgrade to Windows Vista may be offered for free or at a discounted price (shipping and handling charges may also apply), and customers should check with PC makers for their specific offers. Consumers can also visit http://www.microsoft.com/philippines/expressupgrad/ for more information.

Microsoft will also enable customers to upgrade to comparable editions of the 2007 Microsoft Office release when they purchase PCs pre-installed with qualifying Microsoft Office 2003 software.

For Microsoft Office purchases made through participating computer manufacturers in qualifying locations, customers will receive upgrades to comparable 2007 Microsoft Office release products for the cost of shipping and handling when the product becomes available.

For purchases of Microsoft Office through a system builder, customers will need to provide valid proof of purchase and cover shipping and handling costs associated with the upgrade.

Ferdie Macatangay, product manager for Office of Microsoft Phils., said, "Customers can expect an increase in productivity and efficiency in their work like never before with the use of the 2007 Office."

Microsoft Phils. will be working with certified partners and system builders to provide customers with upgrade discount coupons for Windows Vista with the purchase of a qualifying Windows Vista Capable PC.

Upgrade coupons will be given out to those who buy XP Home and XP Professional. The upgrade is only free for XP Professional but for XP Home, the customer will need to pay an additional $49 (about P2,450) for Vista Home Basic and $79 (about P3,950) for Vista Home Premium. Both upgrades exclude the cost of shipping and handling which is about $20 (about P1,000).

"We are optimistic that these upgrade programs will boost our PC sales during the Christmas season. It is also an effective way of getting our customers excited about the new Windows Vista operating system," said Wilhelm Uy, business unit manager of Glee Electronics and Neo Computers.

For all holiday purchases of machines loaded with Windows XP, Microsoft recommends that buyers consider Windows Vista Capable PCs that are designated Premium Ready, and specifically such PCs loaded with Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

PCs designated as Premium Ready can deliver the core Windows Vista experiences, plus features such as the Windows Aero user experience and Media Center. For more information on what version of Windows Vista is right for them, buyers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx.

Mannasoft Technology Corp., Microsbase Inc., Bitstop Inc., Nexus Technologies Inc., Ng Khai Development Corp., and Neo Computers are just some of the Microsoft certified partners in the country that are participating in the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Technology Guarantee programs.