No more Windows XP from Dell

[robr]

Just got this email. Probably other OEMs will have to follow suit as well.

Last chance to get Windows XP on select Dell laptops and desktops!
Per the Microsoft® Windows Life-Cycle policy, Direct OEM and Retail License Availability for Windows XP will End-Of-Life (EOL) on June 30, 2008. To meet Microsoft’s June 30 last-day-to-ship OEM Windows XP deadline, June 18 is the last time to purchase a Dell laptop, desktop, or workstation with an OEM Windows XP license(or while supplies last).

After June 18th you have the option to purchase Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate with a downgrade service to Windows XP Professional.

This option will be available on XPS 630, 720 H2C, and M1730 systems. After June 18th, Windows XP will no longer be offered on currently available Inspiron laptops and desktops.

 

[Miner]

Great,

Less than 18 months from the debut of Windows 7, provided it is delivered next year. Kinda makes Vista the Windows ME of the second half of the decade.

Miner

 

[DrVolkl]

I bought my first Mac just last month. Macbook Pro....and quite honestly, I kinda wish I had done so sooner.

 

[quack]

Great,

Less than 18 months from the debut of Windows 7, provided it is delivered next year. Kinda makes Vista the Windows ME of the second half of the decade.

Miner

Ha, I've been saying that to many of people. Vista is exactly ME. Microsoft hasn't been able to beat NT 5.0 (windows 2000) probably the best OS ever. (from MS anyway). I do like that Vista underneath isn't strictly cosmetic as it has some sick new API's added as well as a generous HW accelerated desktop too bad it doesn't work.

 

[jond]

I've been using Vista since the betas(for a long time now), and I will have to admit, I couldn't see someone who's not good with computers using it. It's just not polished enough.

ServicePack1 made me want to bash my laptop to pieces. It broke all kinds of things. I haven't had a MS service pack break anything in YEARS. So for now, I can't run any anti-virus because SP1 and symantec antivirus aren't compatable, and I can't use ANY USB. SP1 breaks all USB.

Good times....

 

[flaminio]

In my experience, buying a new computer with Vista (especially with SP1) is generally unproblematic. Especially from a vendor like Dell, you can be reasonably assured that the hardware drivers match up well with the Vista OS.

The big problems with Vista are that it runs like a pig and is generally incompatible with most all older hardware. Upgrading an XP machine to Vista is an exercise in frustration and futility.

But a new machine, with a fast multicore processor, gobs of RAM, and working drivers? Vista's just fine.

 

[Miner]

In my experience, buying a new computer with Vista (especially with SP1) is generally unproblematic. Especially from a vendor like Dell, you can be reasonably assured that the hardware drivers match up well with the Vista OS.

The big problems with Vista are that it runs like a pig and is generally incompatible with most all older hardware. Upgrading an XP machine to Vista is an exercise in frustration and futility.

But a new machine, with a fast multicore processor, gobs of RAM, and working drivers? Vista's just fine.

Generally I'm with you. Specifically my HP Media Center came with Vista installed and ran fine until I tried to install SP1. No matter how much I tried, the install would fail. New drivers for everything, hours on the computer w/HP and MS to no avail. I did end up "restoring" to the as shipped, then the new drivers and finally SP1. I suspect the Intel RAID controller was the problem. Since SP1 it has run fine.

2 of my 3 actively used computers run Vista and I'm fairly happy with it. I keep my notebook w/ XP for device compatability like my HP (and Xerox) printers. I don't dislike Vista. It is, however a bit of a disappointment. Win2000 was a great system, just didn't have the polish for typical users. XP is the polished version of 2000 and is my vote.

They are all better than Windows 2.0!

 

[Cairo94507]

I will never buy another Dell machine just becasue of Vista. They talked me into it in October telling me XP was gone by the end of the year and no issues at all with Vista. I have had nothing but software compatibility problems since. Dell told me "to bad" when I called and complained.
I just bought a 24" iMac and can't wait for it to arrive.

 

[flaminio]

I have had nothing but software compatibility problems since.

I just bought a 24" iMac and can't wait for it to arrive.

Good for you. Do let us know how well your Windows applications run on the Mac OS now, won't you?

 

[Cairo94507]

They have a dual core processor and software to run all of the windows applications-so they tell me. I will let you know when the rubber meets the road. Of course one of the biggest complaints is software that is supposed to run with Vista, does not.

 

[flaminio]

They have a dual core processor and software to run all of the windows applications-so they tell me.

That software is just an emulation program like Parallels. You'll still be running Windows. You could've run Virtual PC (free) on your Vista machine and installed XP in the virtual session to acheive the same effect.

 

[NeoNSX]

In my line of work Vista has been nothing but a pain with stupid little things. Like networked printers which go offline for no reason, stand-by mode which doesn't wake up, problems installing anti-virus software, the list goes on. MS can sugarcoat it all they want, but vista is the best-selling MS OS only because its being forced on everyone. Unimpressed.