Rating: 
Summary: Awesome software value
Review: An excellent value for everything you get. Fot the reviewer that asked why the price goes up, it costs more to produce every year...just like cars, bread, coffee, etc. Why does your pay go up every year?
Rating:
Summary: It's simple the most powerful software subscription on earth
Review: Are you a serious professional developer that creates software for multiple windows versions or international languages, like me?Almost 3 years ago, my company bought this subscription for me, and I have to tell you it has helped me to solve so many, many troubles I encounter as a programmer. Like the day some users reported our application was failing when running on a Windows XP Pro + Office XP both in Simplified Chinese... Try to solve that without MSDNU!! Need to install the latest SQL Server version, or use .NET Architect, or Windows 2003?? Almost *every* software Microsoft sells is now yours, no kidding... It's absolutely unbelievable they sell MSDN Universal at almost the same price of Visual Studio .NET. Buy MSDNU instead, believe me! I'm always surprised when they add new software (like Virtual PC, Great Plains, Visio, or 64-bits versions of Windows), but it's sad when they stop sending old software (Office 2000, etc). Some of them are still available on subscriber downloads online (like the old MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1 or NT). Now, I have to tell you: each year you need to pay the renewal fee. It's no joke. But I can't imagine working without this subscription for an entire year. Also, there are just too many CDs...Buy the DVD version! You'll need to burn a bunch of ISO images for some of the operating systems, but that's just when you need to use them on a PC with no DVD. Some DVDs are bootable, and present a menu for you to select the proper Windows installation. I *really* like that I can download a special product from the subscriber downloads online website, even before it's released to stores. It's very useful when you bought just the English subscription and now you need to install a Portuguese version of Microsoft Office, for example. Today I'll download the latest Longhorn Community Preview. Yahoo! This makes my programming job so fun. You can switch to a different language pack during the year, with no problem; or order extra CDs. It's like having Microsoft at your feet..!
Rating:
Summary: nice little stocking filler
Review: get your company to buy it, your a loony if you buy it yaself. However any serious development team need it.
Rating:
Summary: Can't do without it
Review: I can't imagine trying to do Windows development without the full Universal subscription. This is what separates the professionals from the amateurs. People complain about the expense, but then they happily endure the expense of NOT having it - namely, contracting a well-equipped professional (me) to do their development for them. I leverage the MSDN into many times its initial cost year after year...even when working on strictly Unix projects. The Microsoft customer service is excellent...even when you are a difficult customer that wants versions of things in Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, and Basque.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Product, Poor Purchase Experience
Review: I had the same problem as one of the other reviewers, my activation number was already in use, so I had to talk to Microsoft and send it out by a carrier (Top of the box, invoice & subscription card). When they received it, they called me at my office and noticed that I wasnt on the U.S. Even though I was going to receive MSDN in Texas, they told me that if I was to use this product in México I would be violating the license agreement. They didnt even told if there was a similar product for foreign countries... So now, my Subscription belongs to another person in Texas. Bu.
Rating:
Summary: Good Product, Poor Purchase Experience
Review: I had the same problem as one of the other reviewers, my activation number was already in use, so I had to talk to Microsoft and send it out by a carrier (Top of the box, invoice & subscription card). When they received it, they called me at my office and noticed that I wasnt on the U.S. Even though I was going to receive MSDN in Texas, they told me that if I was to use this product in México I would be violating the license agreement. They didnt even told if there was a similar product for foreign countries... So now, my Subscription belongs to another person in Texas. Bu.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent product, poor subscription process.
Review: I really couldn't do without MSDN Universal, however it sometimes seems like MS don't want people to subscribe.
My activation code was rejected (no reason given) and after having to make an overseas call to find out why I'm told that I must fax the form in (no other option is given)... I have no fax, so that would have meant another £200 outlay just for this one item. I kept trying with the online registration instead, and after a few hours it suddenly decided to accept my registration.
The problems don't stop there, as although your 12 months subscription starts from the moment of activation, you're not actually allowed to use it for the first 2 weeks as they won't send you your subscription ID for 10 working days (no reason for this is given) - this effectively means you're only getting an 11.5 month subscription not a 12 month one.
I think the product is very good value (Visual Studio Enterprise alone costs the same as the subscription), but the registration experience is extremely poor.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't imagine not subscribing to this
Review: I wonder if people realize what a good value MSDN Universal is(?) Besides being such a tremendous resource. I use a hefty chunk of the software contained within, but by no means all, and I still consider it an amazing value. Each year I use a little more, learn a little more, etc. I have never regretted the price. This is essential stuff imho. MSDN comes in many 'shapes and sizes,' with probably one variation to fit your needs/budget too. Universal fits my needs. There's academic pricing available on MSDN also I believe. Arguably there's no reason for a private individual to subscribe to MSDN Universal each year. Also, don't take their support events too seriously (you get four freebies with Universal); they don't exactly jump to help - it seems more like "if we find something that can help you fine, if not oh well."
Rating:
Summary: Essential tool for any Microsoft developer
Review: If you develop software for Microsoft platform, you can't live without it. On this package you will get everything, form Windows to Visual Studio, passing by all the servers and productivity applications from Microsoft that are relevant to our work. Also, with this package you can get things before they hit the shelves. I got Visual Studio .NET 2002 one month before its launch, Windows Server 2003 almost one month too and Visual Studio .NET 2003 more than two weeks before it. You receive tons of documentation, SDK, samples and help material... A must have.
Rating:
Summary: "Activation code already being used"
Review: MSDN is probably essential if you develop software for Windows, but I had a problem activating my subscription online. The activation page says my subscription number is currently being used. Be prepared to mail in your activation request (no fax, no web), sending in the activation card, the top of the box, and invoice. After paying over two grand, I still need to wait up to 10 days to start using my subscription. Looks like there is a security problem with the activation numbers. For the cost of the subscription, it should be quicker to activate, notwithstanding the securty issue. After all, Microsoft seems to be letting someone else use my subscription for free--why not me too?
| 
