Microsoft\AMD tour

[Spike]

I'm confused, why is $189 high? Thats like getting windows 7 for free... any way you slice it thats a good deal, unless you have a legit or are ok with a non-legit way of getting windows 7 for free anyway.

I'm seriously tempted as this is exactly what I wanted for my HTPC upgrade... BTW, anyone know if you have to pay tax with that?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Terzo
Price has been posted, it is $189 for the kit (Win 7 Ultimate, Athlon II 620 quad-core, unspecified Asus mobo w/785g IGP).

link

The Microsoft / AMD Ready To Launch Tour DIY Kit is eligible for purchase only by registered attendees of the launch tour. The DIY kit contains:

* One full version Windows 7 Ultimate Not For Resale (NFR) copy
* AMD Athlon II X4 620 quad-core processor
* Asus motherboard with AMD 785G integrated graphics chipset



Please Note:

* Each attendee is eligible to purchase only one kit
* To redeem the kit, make sure you carry a printout of the confirmation of the kit purchase to the event. The kit will be handed out at the venue at the end of the event only upon confirmation of purchase
* No refunds will be handed out for kits purchased
* None of the payment being charged is towards the Windows 7 Ultimate NFR copy included in this kit
* If you are not a member already, by purchasing this kit you are agreeing to be registered as member of the AMD Partner Program.

A few things:
First, what is the AMD partner program?
Second, the link shows the product as out of stock. Does that mean it's sold out already, or that it hasn't gone on sale yet?

Bleh shows OOS for me as well.

 

[isekii]

Was anyone here able to purchase the bundle ?

 

[Darkstar757]

This is a good question. As soon as I saw the link it was listed as OOS.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Originally posted by: Spike
I'm confused, why is $189 high? Thats like getting windows 7 for free... any way you slice it thats a good deal, unless you have a legit or are ok with a non-legit way of getting windows 7 for free anyway.

I'm seriously tempted as this is exactly what I wanted for my HTPC upgrade... BTW, anyone know if you have to pay tax with that?

Gotta love my MSDN account. I have been running Windows 7 Ultimate for around a month and a half. Full version.

 

[danteoz]

Honestly $189 is better than the AMD/M$ tech tour bundle....If I remember that was almost $300 3 years ago. I registered for Chicago. I would guess that when it gets closer to time to go they will make it available to buy. The last one, you got a ticket that had a code on it to put in and then you could buy it and have it shipped afterwords. I didnt like waiting for it though, so hopefully it will open up purchases soon.

EDIT: nvm avaialble now get em fast.

 

[wayliff]

For me it shows like 2k units available...I am near Tampa.
So one has to buy the stuff online and you get at the show?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Patrickz0rs

Originally posted by: Spike
I'm confused, why is $189 high? Thats like getting windows 7 for free... any way you slice it thats a good deal, unless you have a legit or are ok with a non-legit way of getting windows 7 for free anyway.

I'm seriously tempted as this is exactly what I wanted for my HTPC upgrade... BTW, anyone know if you have to pay tax with that?

Gotta love my MSDN account. I have been running Windows 7 Ultimate for around a month and a half. Full version.

And I plan on getting a technet account here soon so I too will have my virtually unlimited copies (ok 10 for each type but thats basically unlimited in my case ) of windows, office, etc... as well. However, that does not take away from this deal seeming like a decent deal, especially to those who would pay $100+ for a copy at best buy.

 

[dabuddha]

So does this mean I can go near the end to pickup my kit or do I have to attend the whole day?

And what exactly does this mean?

Payments made for the DIY kits do not go towards the copy of the Windows 7 Ultimate NFR copy included in this kit

 

[danteoz]

usually they open registration at the beginning and you will need that stuff by the end. Although they seem to be doing this one different from the last one I attneded so my guess is if you wanna try to go at the end, be my guest.

As to the quote I'm unsure as well what that means exactly. Maybe its because the copy is free with attending? Who knows...

 

[imported_rudy311poo]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
So does this mean I can go near the end to pickup my kit or do I have to attend the whole day?

And what exactly does this mean?

Payments made for the DIY kits do not go towards the copy of the Windows 7 Ultimate NFR copy included in this kit

i would guess its means your are paying strictly for the Mobo/CPU and that copy of windows is "free" so it doesn't look like they are selling it.

 

[jaysz]

Ok, well I am sorry that I posted this deal and I humbly apologize, in hindsight this is not HOT at all, at best imho is lukewarm. First off I was not crazy about the
CPU they chose but it is their game and they can choose the items according to what they want to accomplish, however to charge going rates for the hardware
and add in Win7 which pretty much any of us can get for $20-30 with the various student discounts as the supposed bonus just doesn't do it for me. I will not
be going, they are essentially telling you that no portion of the purchase price is going towards Win 7, Microsoft is dishing that for free, so why
pay going rate for hardware we do not get to choose, it just baffles me.

 

[Terzo]

It's still worth posting, technically it's a free copy of windows 7 ultimate with purchase of an amd mobo/cpu combo. I agree that locking us down to a set motherboard and processor sucks, especially when you're basically paying retail for them, but I'm sure some people will consider it worthy. You could always buy the pack and sell the amd components at a loss. In that case you'll effectively be buying win 7 at a huge discount....I just don't think it's worth the time or effort. Especially when there are many alternate ways to purchase the OS for less money or even free (student discounts/technet/win 7 launch party).

 

[compcons]

This is not worth giving up a whole day for some free software. I think MSDN subscriptions are $200 now and I don't need any more hardware.

The past deals where you could score Server 2008 and SQL Server for free were hot. The Old Opteron 246/mobo/server 2003 enterrpise x64 was hot. Hell, even the Opteron 165/ Tyan// Server 2003 x64 was hot. This is not all that great.

For the money:
1) Go pick out hardware you want (fry's combo perhaps).
2) Hit up someone in the Windows 7 for student thread and beg for some lovin'. Pay them $20 to get you a license perhaps?
3) or spend the money for an MSDN account and get whatever MS software you want.

EH

 

[Wreckage]

I went to the last AMD/MS event. In fact that's where I got my copy of Vista from. It's a good show. Usually other vendors there as well and they generally give out lots of prizes.

 

[Dynamyck]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
I went to the last AMD/MS event. In fact that's where I got my copy of Vista from. It's a good show. Usually other vendors there as well and they generally give out lots of prizes.

I think at the very least they should have separated the Win7 copy from the AMD hardware and given it away for free for attending the event. A whole day event to shell out $189 to buy an average CPU/mobo bundle with Win7 tossed in is quite a sacrifice.

AMD will be showcasing the Radeon HD 5850 also. Hopefully they'll give a few away as prizes, or maybe they intentionally/unintentionally forgot to include it in this "attractively" priced bundle and toss it in. Now that would be sweet....

 

[lokiju]

Is it just me or does $189 not seem like that hot of a deal?

I'm still going but will not be buying the kit.

Hopefully it'll at least be educational and maybe they'll give away some free stuff.

 

[amdhunter]

I am going on company time so it would be a shame not to go. I'll probably pick up the bundle anyway just for the hell of it.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I am going on company time so it would be a shame not to go. I'll probably pick up the bundle anyway just for the hell of it.

Same here, no point in not going

 

[Cardio]

It was OK..nothing to write home about. The MS presenter was very good. Learned a thing or two about 7 I didn't know. Wanted to know a couple of things about 7...they didn't know.

The thing that always puzzles me at these things is that they always have pretty much low-end hardware on display. Even worse, their computer displays look like they were built by RATS. Wire hanging everywhere with no care what so ever taken. You would think with Microsoft and AMD they would want things to look 1st class. Most likely they don't even know the difference. The highest tech hardware there was a multi-monitor race car demo with 3 19" monitors. It looked dinky to say the least! With monitors as cheap as they are now days, why not a state of the art multi display using the 5870 showing it's potential to drive some desirable displays. If you were spending my money like this you would be looking for work. The travel costs alone make the hardware costs irrelevant. Actually, they get virtually all of the display goods free. I guess you have to have someone who knows what to ask for and how to set it up.

 

[Lead Butthead]

So for those that went already, what IS in the bundle? I am sure many of us have seen the pic already, but would like confirmation on which MB is in the bundle.

 

[deaner]

Originally posted by: Lead Butthead
So for those that went already, what IS in the bundle? I am sure many of us have seen the pic already, but would like confirmation on which MB is in the bundle.

Went to the Dallas event yesterday, did not purchase the bundle prior to the event. At the event, they announced that you can purchase the DIY Kit up until lunch, event website does say otherwise. SO, for the copy of Win 7 Ultimate, 32 & 64 bit, I figured why not.

Here is the MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131406

I'm sure most people know the X4 620...

I thought the event was entertaining and pretty informative, especially if you are a hardware geek. The AMD boys where super detailed and informative about their current line up and new Desktop / Server SKU's - and some detail regarding their 2010 release's.

Eyefinity display was sweet - they had two setup's. One running HAWK, the other GRID, I think, some racing game, couple of years old? Both setup's running a 5870, three 20" monitors on both I believe. On-line Video does Eyefinity no justice, in person was pretty amazing.

Give away's - pretty nice. However the GEM was AMD gave away one of their "TWKR" (tweaker) CPU's - the last one that sold on e-bay for charity was like $11K I think.

I enjoyed myself -

 

[Sensai]

What kind of giveaways do they have? the board in the kit is MATX?

 

[deaner]

Originally posted by: Sensai
What kind of giveaways do they have? the board in the kit is MATX?

Yep MATX...

Giveaways's - Asus EEE PC, two 955 X4, TWKR CPU, motherboards, bunch of Win 7 Ultimate, TV Tuners, Wirless mouse & keyboard, HTPC case...

I'm sure it will vary by Location.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: deaner

Originally posted by: Sensai
What kind of giveaways do they have? the board in the kit is MATX?

Yep MATX...

Giveaways's - Asus EEE PC, two 955 X4, TWKR CPU, motherboards, bunch of Win 7 Ultimate, TV Tuners, Wirless mouse & keyboard, HTPC case...

I'm sure it will vary by Location.

how many people showed up to the event ?