Windows Vista Prices Leaked

It's always been difficult to communicate the true value of an OS to consumers, even to those that should know better. There are plenty of developer blogs to educate the more technically savvy on how much and what kind of work has gone into making Vista what it is, as well as countless independent articles on the differences between Vista's various editions, but anyone that was genuinely interested in having a complete and accurate picture would seek out that information on their own. It isn't the role of the archetypal "end user" to care about that beyond what's necessary, but those that claim to be above that level owe it to themselves to do their research, lest they look like total fools.

the one that came with my computer (both desktop and laptop) there's always the registering part but i always hit cancel, say never, or next time.

It's psychological. Humans are not naturally comfortable with spending large ammounts of money on small objects that don't look advanced in thier physical form. Of course, with computer equipment getting smaller and smaller this block is fading, but there is still something more corporeal about a small IPod than a peice of software. People know that it is an intricate machine, but when something is just a disc there is a part of the human psyche that isn't willing to spend hundreds of dollars on this little peice of plastic.

Meh... makes no difference to me personally. I'm happy with XP at home and will get Vista after a much-needed upgrade. I get a new laptop every year from the company so I'll be sure to get Vista Ultimate with mine. I can't wait!