Microsoft Windows 7 is now available in Saudi Arabia. The prices are (from Jarir Bookstore).
- Windows 7 Home Premium Full 469SR ($125).
- Windows 7 Professional Full 889SR ($237).
- Windows 7 Ultimate Full 949SR ($253). (thanks Zeyad).
These are full editions and not upgrades or OEM (system builder) versions. The full version of Windows 7 all allow you to choose between 32 and 64-bit, so you will get both in the same package.
Windows 7 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) also known as System Builder is now available and can be found at computer hardware stores (Olaya computer market in Riyadh). OEM versions are available in 32 and 64-bit editions. So unlike the regular edition you need to choose when you buy it. The prices are:
- Windows 7 Home Premium OEM (32 or 64 bit): 460SR ($123).
- Windows 7 Professional OEM (32 or 64 bit): 565SR ($151).
- Windows 7 Ultimate OEM (32 or 64 bit): 765SR ($204).
Windows 7 Upgrade version is not available in Saudi Arabia at the moment.
Arabic version is not available until now, Jarir said maybe in 2 weeks. Also if it is like Windows Vista then you are forced to use one interface language (Arabic or English) with no ability to switch the interface language unless you have Windows 7 Ultimate. If this is true then it is an idiotic practice by Microsoft, they should support 2 languages in Saudi Arabia on all Windows editions.
Thanks @dubayan for the info.
Jarir “bookstore” is having a promotion on Dell Inspiron 15.
The specs are: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz, 4GB DDR2 (according to Dell, it’s dual channel), 320GB hard drive (I assume 5400rpm), 15.6″ (WLED with 1366×768 resoultion according to Dell), dedicated 256MB VRAM (more on that later), DVD+R/RW (8X DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R DL according to Dell), High Definition Audio 2.0, Wireless (802.11n from Dell’s site), Bluetooth and WebCam.
Video card is not specified on the ad, but looking online I found that the video card is ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD4330 with 256MB and you can read more information and benchmarks about it here.
The deal includes a 3.5G HSPA USB modem, one month data subscription with STC (1GB bandwidth, includes the free SIM card), a notebook bag (a bit obvious really) and a “Learn Windows Vista & Office” training DVD.
The deal costs 3,999SR which is very good for the specs. Of course you should be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7.
That model “Dell Inspiron 15″ with that CPU “Intel P8600″ were not available in the US so you cannot order it online. It is available from Dell Singapore for $1,878.45 which is 4,853.76SR so it is a decent deal.
In this series of posts I will profile different global technology brands and provide info on how to acquire them in Saudi Arabia. We start with Logitech, one of the best computer peripheral companies in the world.
Currently, Logitech’s only distributor in Saudi Arabia is supposed to be “Mishaal Alsudairy Office for Commercial Services”. Again with Saudi Arabia technology sites: bad design, redirects to another URL mso.dinpl.com and outdated information (Gitex Riyadh 2007).
You can buy Logitech devices from Jarir Book Store (a book store not selling books? no comment from me there!) but they are overpriced ( a $54/205SR mouse is sold at Jarir for $80/300SR). The other method is to just buy from Amazon and ship using a service such as Aramex or myus.
Looking around the Internet I found that Logitech was looking for a new distributor in Saudi Arabia according to ITP: Logitech set to appoint new Saudi distribution. But that was as old as May 28, 2007 and no new updates.
“We are currently looking at the possibilities of expanding our distribution channel to get closer to the market there as the retail sector is developing so much” said Robert Van Der Vegte, director Benelux and MEA at Logitech. “Saudi Arabia is the second biggest market in the region so it is time now for us to seriously and professionally go after that market” he said.
It’s been over a year, Mr. Robert. Have you found a new Logitech distributor in Saudi Arabia already?
Do you use Logitech devices? Feel free to share your experience on their hardware. Originally posted on khaled.us.
The Western Digital TV HD Media Player is now available in Saudi Arabia. You can can buy it at Jarir “Bookstore” and it cost 449 SR. I have seen the media player in other stores in Riyadh’s Olaya computer market.
Maximum PC reviewed the TV HD media player and gave it 8/10.
The device delivers much higher video resolution than most media players, all the way from 480i using the composite video port to 1080p using HDMI (576p, 720i, 720p, and 1080i are also supported via HDMI). The WD TV supports a host of video formats, codecs, and containers, including AVI, H.264, QuickTime, VOB, and Matroska.
Update: I should have known that Jarir Bookstore links expire so fast.