Microsoft has said it plans to cut the cost of its Windows Vista operating system sold at retail outlets.
Although no exact date has yet been given, Microsoft said price cuts would be introduced in 70 countries.

In the US, the cost of the most expensive version, Vista Ultimate, will be reduced to $319 (£161) from the current retail price of $399.
Analysts said Microsoft was aiming to boost the number of customers upgrading to Vista, which was introduced in 2007.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7270757.stm
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Cost of Vista Ultimate in UK . from Amazon ,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Vista-Ultimate-PC/dp/B000KCIA5A ,
an unbelievable $671 USD (£344.98 )  still I guess it is expensive to ship a CD across the pond 
                               

Yeah computer parts and O/S's are about twice the price of USA ,
I would still be on Win Me , if a local charity haden't given me Xp pro ,as gift for unpaid work helping old folk to get on line and suport ,
so no Vista  for me either ,
But I will admit I look at Mac  from time to time , and also Linux ,
but I wan't an easy ride , my puter is a working tool , nothing more ,
and not a thing I get excited about ,
  but then my main  car is 33 years old , it gets me from A to B without any problems , so why change ,
G/F's are a different thing altogether , some of the later models seem well built  , but I ain't sure on the reliability , so I will carry on testing ,