If you are living in the European Continent, gear up to pay double the price what Americans will be paying for Windows 7. This is Microsoft’s plan when it releases Windows 7 on October 22nd. The Home Premium which is likely to be the most popular of the three will be priced at Euros 119.99 in the European Union and GBP 79.99 in the UK which is part of the European Union but is still using its own currency. These prices are equivalent to $168.66 and $132.14 in the US at current exchange rates. Customers in the US will be paying only $119 for the same software after a two week pre-order sales discount expires on July 11. That is 41% extra the EU residents will be paying and 10% extra UK will be paying.

When we talk about the prices of the other editions, Windows 7 Professional will be sporting a price tag of Euros 285 or $400.60 and GBP 189.99 or $ 313.84. In short, that will be twice the amount what US residents will have to pay which is $199.99 and UK will be 57% more. With Internet Explorer 8 chucked out of Windows 7, the European customers will be in fact paying more for less because of regulator’s decision. Well I guess this will encourage black market products and piracy a little more. Regulators and their decisions, it is the customers who have to cope with all this.

[ComputerWorld]