Amazon.com has made a variety of Windows Vista versions available for pre-ordering. The Internet retailer has also accompanied the Microsoft operating systems with a release date: "This item will be released on January 30, 2007. Pre-order now."

According to the prices posted on Amazon, which may suffer alterations by the actual launching date, the Vista variants designed for home users cost $199 for Windows Vista Home Basic and $239 for Windows Vista Home Premium. In this context, Microsoft is delivering similar pricing schemes for Vista as it does for the various XP versions geared toward home users. The prices are also comparable when it comes to the high-end segment of the operating systems. Windows Vista Business is on sell for $299 and Windows Vista Ultimate for $399.

Additionally, Amazon.com has also revealed a list of prices addressing eventual upgrades of the OS: Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade, $99.95; Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade, $159; Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade, $259 and Windows Vista Business Upgrade, $199.

Microsoft has declined to comment on the prices, but Amazon representatives acknowledged the fact that the prices are derived from the Redmond Company's pricing sheet.