Unlike the digital version of In Rainbows, this box set has several high fixed prices depending on which format you choose: downloadable MP3 (320 Kbps, $70), a CD box set ( 7 discs, $80), or a 4GB USB drive (WAV files and artwork, $160). It's odd that the CD box set costs half as much as the USB version, despite containing the exact same musical data.
I did hear 3 out of 5 people who pre-ordered the new Radiohead album ordered it for free.
That and the CD box set will have higher res. artwork than is possible on most printers, to most it will be infinitely more appealing and even costs more to produce. The markup on the MP3 and USB Stick version would be huge.
The CD box set looks like good value, presuming it's a nice box set. It's still way more than I'd pay but it isn't too unheard of from a collectors point of view. Then again it does lose lots of value not containing their entire back catalogue (including "In Rainbows").
It does illustrate well how completely out of touch music companies are with how people expect their music to be delivered today.
