Redmond is offering discounts on Windows 7 upgrades to some, but not all, Vista users. U.S. customers who pre-order a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium will pay just $49.99, and those who select the Professional version will pay $99.99.

But there's no equivalent deal for Windows 7 Ultimate, the logical upgrade for Vista Ultimate users, who'll have to shell out $219.99 for the top-of-the-line version of Win 7.

For Vista Ultimate users, Microsoft's pricing plan is the ultimate insult. At Microsoft's , the Comments section today seethed with the wrath of unhappy Ultimate customers.

For instance, "Jim" griped:

"This is a load of crap! I bought VISTA ULTIMATE 2 years ago and have fought the problems since. I have tested 7 since it came out in beta and am not getting a reduced Price as sort of an I'M SORRY from Microsoft for buying Millenium #2 in Vista Ultimate. We hardcore MS buyers (not piraters) and testers should get a big discount on 7 Ultimage! But we don't even get early discount pricing?"