It is my opinion that there has been more controversy over Windows 7's pricing than any other aspect of its coming launch - especially with Apple to offer Snow Leopard upgrades for $29. If you act quickly, though, you have an opportunity to snag a copy of Microsoft's upcoming operating system free of charge.

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I just tried signing up for this and a heads up to any government employees. If you select "I'm a government employee," you'll get a follow-up menu listing all the prices of the items (including Windows 7) and given an option to either pay for them, or bring a letter from your ethics officer stating you can receive them as a government employee. Microsoft won't give freebies to government employees (against the law, y'know).

Would love to go but it's almost a 4 hour drive to where I need to go, 8 hours round trip. Long drive just to get a free copy of Windows 7.

Unfortunately with MS giving out free copies of Windows 7 it appears the Windows 7 courses have filled up way to quickly in many cities with individuals who are just looking for a free handout and are not necessarily directly in the IT industry, leaving many techs who would truly utilize it out in the cold.

I got put on the waiting list for Atlanta, but I am definitely attending the Miami event. WOOHOO! I'm such a geek :)

wow, LA is full and OC had just 1 seminar open. Barely registered in time.

Great! If U live in US...

exactly for all of us in the UK and the rest of the world still have to pay or buy a new computer with a free upgrade

Nice, but since I'm already prepurchased Windows 7 for home and they don't come into our area until November; I will have already been running it for awhile.

MS...It's always US only...isn't it?
I'm sure some of great IT techs does not live in US...only benefit to those who live in US...

IMO, the Windows 7 Upgrade for $50 is far better priced than Snow Leopard at $29. The latter is just a relatively minor upgrade to an existing OS, while the former is a completely revamped OS based on the Vista kernel.

What's more, SL can only be installed on Intel-based Macs, leaving the PowerPC users stranded. No such limitations for Windows 7. My old machine with a Pentium 4 2.4GHz Northwood, 2GB of RAM and a GeForce 6600 can run it pretty smoothly.

Those running Apple's Tiger or Panther need to buy the $170 boxed set. In contrast, a Windows 7 Upgrade disc can be used by anyone who owns a legit version of XP or Vista. That's 8 years of Windows purchases covered, vs only 2 years for Apple.

EDIT: Seems like they've run out of licenses for the $50 version. It now costs $120 for a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade. Oh well, it was good while it lasted...

Ya know, if the EU wasn't busy suing MS every other day, they might be more open to doing promotions like this there.

I was actually excited to sign up because I thought it was just going to be something that teaches the new features and basics of Windows 7 to the general public, BUT I found out that it's for IT Professionals. So I didn't bother. Besides, I'd be embarassed if I went there and got schooled by Microsoft and asked questions I don't know the answer too.

Registered for Pittsburgh, and so is my boss! This will only be my 2nd technology related conference, and I'm actually excited to hear the presentations as well (but of course a free copy of WIN 7 Pro is the main motivating factor).

Wow it seems Microsfot its doing its homework. They know that a good(if not the best) way to promto W7 and get aout of that messy reputtion Vista brought is to promote its new OS, with conferecne such a these. And not only that, they are giving free copies of W7, not bad at all. I plan to attend the one in Miami, but here's what I dont get, you have to register for the event as an IT professional? I do know a lot about computers, but I also know I'm no IT Pro. Is this event only for IT professionals, or what?

So what happens if you live outside US your SCREWED. Hardly fair is it.

bitter much?

XP Home is going for $79.95 now! But Newegg probably doesn't ship overseas either. It's turning into a brooding abject bitterness now, isn't it?

Is this woth my while to attend if I'm an amateur programmer and tech geek? Anyone know what they will be talking about exactly?

Im signed up for it.. Anybody know if they are giving 32 or 64 bit versions of 7 Pro?