Counting down to Microsoft's Windows 7 retail-price unveiling

Any day now, Microsoft should be going public with its long-awaited Windows 7 retail pricing line-up.

I'm thinking the unveiling should be this week,  especially given that the Windows 7 Upgrade program is slated to kick off by week's end. The Upgrade program will provide consumers and small businesses who buy Vista PCs with a voucher which will entitle them to a copy of Windows 7 once it is generally available, starting October 22.)

Microsoft is leaving some of the program details -- like how much participating PC makers can charge for the "free upgrade to Windows 7" coupons they are including with Windows Vista machines -- up to the OEMs. The length of time during which OEMs and retailers will make the upgrade coupons available is up to their individual discretion, as well.

Best Buy is expected to kick off the Windows 7 Upgrade program on Friday June 26. But, as the TechARP site notes in its detailed information on the expected program, while Microsoft has established general guidelines, there is still some wriggle room for retailers/PC makers.

Speaking of Windows 7 pricing, Microsoft's expected pass-along price increases is just one of the topics that Register software editor Gavin Clarke and I dish on and debate in the latest episode of our Microbite podcast. If you have suggested ideas you'd like to hear us pod upon in a future episode, let us know.