If you love to tinker with Microsoft software, you really should have a TechNet Plus subscription. For $349 ($249 to renew), you get a year-long subscription that gives you the right to download, install, and activate just about every piece of software that Microsoft makes: every edition of Windows Vista (including Ultimate and Enterprise), Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, every member of the Windows Server family, nearly every member of the Office family, and a slew of tools.
You can get more details on this TechNet Plus overview page, but what you won’t find there is this $100 off coupon, which I found courtesy of Kevin Remde. Enter the coupon code TMSAM08 when you place your order, and that $349 first-year price tag shrinks to $249. (Sorry, this offer is good only in the U.S., and it expires in May 2008, so don’t wait too long.)
A few more details:
- The software is licensed for evaluation only, but it has no time bombs, so even if you choose not to renew, you can continue to use it. (Want more details about licensing? Read this FAQ.)
- You also get access to beta software, such as Windows Server 2008.
- Each annual subscription includes two complimentary Professional Support incidents, which would normally cost $59 each.
- You get access to managed newsgroups, where you’re guaranteed an answer within one business day.
I’ve been a TechNet subscriber for three years, and it’s really a fabulous deal. In fact, for the work I do it’s indispensable. More questions? Hit the comments and ask away.
Technet is a great idea. I have been using it for the past year. It is nice to have access to each version of their software. I run a small tech support company and it is nice to have access to these programs without having to pay full licenses for each.
I bit and ordered it. Thank you VERY much for that coupon code.
I would also note that it appears that you need IE to actually order it. Scratch that. I can’t read tonight. It’s been a rather long day today. Too many people today calling me about their Comcast issues. (nothing to do with Bittorrent, just setup issues) I’ll just say that when you start to buy it, it’s a bit confusing. Just go ahead and hit the blue Buy now button. And ignore my rambling.
If you are a current subscriber and you renew, do you get 10 additional activations for the test software you download?
Ryan, you don’t get additional activations with a renewal. You just get continued access to the product keys you already have plus all new downloads.
How would this be different from an MSDN Universal or something of that ilk?
Serdar, the two main differences are price and licensing. The cheapest MSDN sub is $699 and it doesn’t include any Office programs. You’d have to read the FAQ to see the licensing differences. Basically, though, MSDN is for programmers and TechNet Plus is for implementers and testers.
I believe the amount you quoted for Professional Support is only partially correct. Professional Support for IT Pros is as much as $259 per incident for any Microsoft product, including Enterprise products. I believe the $59 number you quoted is strictly for Windows Vista support. It’s actually a better deal than you’d think.
Thank you very much for the information! I’ve thought about getting an MSDN subscription, but I couldn’t really afford it. This seems more in line with my needs.
I often think Microsoft doesn’t try hard enough to educate more tech-minded customers about the differences in their various product offerings… Or, perhaps, they just make it too complicated. The plugged-in corporate MS drone knows all about the distribution channels, but the IT entrepreneur spends hours researching their web site, trying to figure out what meets his needs in a cost-effective manner.
OEM licensing is a good example of this. Most retail stores won’t sell an OEM license to a poor schmuck who simply needs to reformat his HD. But he threw away his backup CD or —more likely — never even got one. Geek squad double-dip: ka-ching! (Sorry to rant.)
I have to say, that for an online transaction with nothing physically being transferred, it’s taking MS long enough to do anything with the order.
Bryan, I had the same problem. It took about 3 days before I got the subscriber ID from them.
Thanks Brad! I’m almost at the 48 hour waiting point.
I’d like to hit the servers before the weekend when my kids start grabbing bandwidth. :-O
I’m sold, Ed. Does the package include Home Server?
Look forward to hearing you on Windows Weekly soon.
Alex
Perhaps I’m too obtuse to understand the FAQs I read for this MS program, but it seemed to read that the save and print functions don’t work within these available applications. Am I wrong?
Bill, I would need to see a link to understand what you’re referring to, but I can assure you that the software you get through this program is absolutely identical in every functional way to the versions you would get at a retail store.
Alex, alas, the program does not currently include Windows Home Server. That may change in the future, but not for now.
Ed, Many thanks for clear, simple, to the point TechNet explanation. Thanks to this, I’m going to sign up.
Ed,
Home Server or no, I’m signing up. Thanks for the coupon code and thanks for all the information you provide on Microsoft.
Great job on the Laporte-Thurott podcast. Looking to your MediaSmart Server first look webcast later this month.
Alex
Ed: Does this include Office for Mac?
Sue, it does not include Office for Mac, sorry to say.
Nice to see Microsoft haven’t spotted that there is now over $2 to the £ – the UK price is £283.39, even taking away the 17.5% VAT that is still $498. So I wont be getting it any time soon. Something like £199 would be more like it.
Ed, thanks a bundle for this! I read the FAQ’s and EULA- I’m a little confused. Say I wanted to set up 10 machines in my Lab to dual- boot Vista with XP, and have Office installed on all of them. Where am I getting the COAs or activation codes? I update all of the machines through Windows Update, and make images of all the Hard Drives. What happens if I forget to renew my subscription a year later? Do these boxes implode or lock up? Just want to make sure I understand B4 plunking any $250- But if this is true, it’s a terrific investment!