Great Deals at Microsoft: Mech 4 $30, Crimson Skies $30, WinME $35!!, IntelliExplorer $50, Precision 2 $30. MORE! Also Free 2-day shipping!

[MontyBurns]

Enter Microsoft's online store through:

http://shop.microsoft.com/thankyou/gift2.htm

When you place items in your cart, you'll see the rebate. (Ignore what the main page says about minimum purchase requirements... doesn't apply to this). All prices include 2-day shipping.

WindowsME Upgrade: $34.95
Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance: $30
Crimson Skies: $30
Intellimouse Explorer: $50
Sidewinder Precision 2: $30 (awesome joystick, great for Crimson Skies)

Basically you get $25 off any $50+ game. I have no idea how long this sale lasts.

Note that the discount tops out at $25, so if you want more than one game, place sep. orders.

EDIT: Also found WinME. That's a great price on the upgrade. Going for about $50 everywhere else.

 

[MontyBurns]

Also, the new Strategic Commander works out to be $40 after the discount, and you can get the Internet Keyboard Pro for $30. Both are about $10 cheaper than the lowest price elsewhere.

 

[wjones]

For WinME upgrade, you can order it from Staples for $30 (after $20 off $50 coupon). Someone is FS/T forum selling the WinME upgrade for $25 shipped.

 

[MontyBurns]

I don't think you'd get free shipping from Staples, though, since it would bring your order total to under $50. So the price would end up being about the same, I think.

 

[Unsickle]

What's the deal with WinME upgrade? I heard that you can do a fresh install with it instead of "upgrading"?

 

[ygreenkitty]

In answer to your Staples question: The $50 limit for free shipping is BEFORE the coupon, not after. You don't lose your free shipping when you apply the coupon.

My question is about this description of the ME version at the Microsoft site:
"Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition English Version Upgrade North America CD 98/98SE Promotional Encryption Coded Software"

What does the Encryption Coded Software mean/do?

 

[Shippy]

Pretty much all of the Windows upgrades (95,98,98se,ME) will allow you to do a clean install. At sometime during the installation, it will ask for the previous version's disk (IE for WinME upgrade, it'll ask for ANY win98 cd) check it then continue with the install. The only time a person should buy the full version is if they don't have any windows installed.

 

[Jamey]

I disagree shippy. I always buy full versions (OEM to save money). I build new systems about once a year, and I like to be able to give a copy of the OS with the system (dugh). If I bought the upgrades, I would have to either do something illegal by copying the disc and giving either the original (mine would be illegal) or the copy away (that would be illegal). If you buy OEM full versions (which can usually be had for around the same as upgrades), you avoid this problem entirely. With Win ME upgrades @ $25, that might would warrant considering the software disposable. In that case, I could see justifying the upgrade purchase, but not your lack of consideration for OEM full versions.

As to the Staples deal, I believe all $20 off $50 purchase coupons are expired. A $10 off of $40 that is usable either at your local B&M or by calling a CSR is available. If I am wrong about the $20/$50 coupons, please correct me, I would be interested knowing about them.

 

[MontyBurns]

As for "encryption coded software:" A lot of the stuff on their site has that in the description. I'd guess it has to do with the level of encryption built in, and has something to do with exporting the software. That, or maybe you need to know a secret password to get it to run.