Microsoft has "accidentally" listed the pricing of the high-end consumer versions of Windows Vista on its Canadian Web site. The Windows Vista Ultimate packet was priced at $450. Microsoft.com Canada posted a price list for Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Home Premium, but the page was pulled from the Web site soon after news of pricing leaked.

The list quoted the price for Windows Vista Ultimate as C$499 ($450.18), while Home Premium will be C$299 ($269.71). An upgrade to Vista Ultimate will cost C$299 ($269.71), while an upgrade to Home Premium will cost C$199 ($179.51).

Microsoft acknowledged in a statement that it "inadvertently" posted Windows Vista Canadian retail prices on its Web site, but then removed the information. The company plans to reveal the official U.S. pricing for Vista when it makes available the first release candidate of Vista sometime before the end of September, Microsoft said.

Windows Vista Ultimate is a new edition of Windows that includes all of the multimedia capabilities currently available in Windows XP Media Center Edition, as well as a new 3D graphical user interface called Aero and security features that make it a good fit for small businesses as well, according to Microsoft.

Windows Vista Home Premium also will include Windows XP Media Center Edition's multimedia functionality, as well as the Aero interface.

Microsoft has said it plans to urge customers to purchase premium versions of Vista in favor of Windows Vista Home Basic, the entry-level version for U.S. consumers.