Not only that Windows Vista will not drive up PC prices, but it is actually the other way around. In fact, the absence of the operating system from the market contributed to limiting the princess of new computers. Moreover, the prices associated with the Vista versions designed for original equipment manufacturers contribute to keeping the princess of new machines at the existing level.

In this context, the Vista prices for OEMs are close to those delivered by Windows XP. Windows Vista Home Basic for OEMs will feature a price of $99.99, while the retail version will sell for $199. Windows Vista Home Premium will come with a price tag of $119.99 for OEMs while customers will be able to purchase the retail version for $239.00.

The situation is similar with Windows Vista Business that will have a $149.99 price tag for OEMs, down from $299.00 for the retail version. Windows Vista Ultimate, designed for the high end of the market also features a reduced price of $199.99 for OEMs which is considerably lower than the $399 which customers will have to pay for the retail variant.

"No, Vista won't add to the price of PCs," estimated George Shiffler, a research director at Gartner. "Prices will, in fact, fall, but that's forged by larger forces in the market, such as saturation and an attempt to expand the market, not Vista."

But of course that - as part of Microsoft's marketing push of Windows Vista and new machines - customers are able to buy PCs with a Windows Vista Express Upgrade program, and be eligible for an upgrade to Windows Vista from Windows XP at a considerable discount.