ASUSTeK Computer is joining other manufacturers in offering a free upgrade to Windows 7 on a number of its PCs as more details about the rollout to the Vista successor emerge.

Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo have already said they will participate in the upgrade program, where customers who purchase Vista machines can, until the release of Windows 7 in late October, receive a free or low-cost upgrade.

ASUS’ offer will include its Eee PC 1101HA and Eee PC 1005HA netbooks, but the free upgrade doesn’t apply whether the buyers of those machines initially chose Windows XP, Windows Vista Home Basic, or Windows Vista Starter Edition. A variety of ASUS desktop and laptop models additionally are included in the offer.

25-License Limit

Other details for the new OS are being revealed. Upgrade plans for businesses will allow only 25 licenses for Windows 7, after which companies will need to obtain Software Assurance maintenance contracts.

According to

news reports, customers in Europe will see prices within 40 and 100 percent more that U.S. customers will pay. In Japan, there are reports that the limited number of discounted Windows 7 upgrades, which went on pre-order sale on Friday, have already sold out.

A special two-week promotion in the U.S., with a limited number of pre-orders for a low-priced upgrade, is doing well. Last week, the software giant said it would offer through several retailers, such as Amazon, an upgrade from Windows Vista or XP to Windows 7 Premium at $49.99 or to Windows 7 Professional for $99.99.

Microsoft said the normal purchase price for the Home Premium upgrade will be $119.99, compared to $129.99 charged for Vista. The Windows 7 Professional Upgrade is $199.99, and the Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade costs $219.99.

The scheduled release for Windows 7 begins Oct. 22. Retail prices for the full…

Original post by dhiram