Microsoft Says Vista Will Cost as Much as XP

Microsoft Corp. said its Windows Vista operating system would cost as much as comparable Windows XP editions, from $199 for Vista Home Basic to $399 for the Home Ultimate edition.

Upgrades from XP will range from $99 to $259. The company expects most consumers to buy the $239 Home Premium edition.

It also expects strong sales from Windows Vista Business, the equivalent of Windows XP Professional.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft said it planned to release Vista, already more than two years late, to corporate customers in November and sell the software to retail customers in January.