On price, Apple looks like the clear winner. While Microsoft has not yet revealed Windows 7's prices, it's hard to believe that the company would match Apple's $29 for a single-user license to upgrade from Leopard or the $49 cost of the five-license Family Pack. According to a leaked Best Buy memo, for instance, the retailer will to Windows 7 Home Premium, but only for 16 days starting June 26.

Again, the analysts didn't think the numbers matter as much as some might think. "In the long term, [the price difference] has no impact," said Krans. "The challenge of Windows 7 is reaching those usability and performance standards that weren't met with Vista."

Silver, however, took a different tack. "I think the pricing of the next release [of Mac OS X] will be more telling," he said. "Is this release $29 because it's more of a Leopard refresh, and will the next release go back to $129?"

But he also saw some gamesmanship in play. "There could be some desire from Apple to force Microsoft to price Windows 7 more aggressively, and cut into their upgrade revenue."

From Krans' view, Microsoft would be smart to ignore the slings and arrows of Mac users bragging that Snow Leopard ships first and costs less. "What Microsoft needs to focus on, and what they are focusing on from all indications, is on what people want. And that's [an OS that is] quicker and lighter and gets what you need to get done, done."