Dell appears to be cashing in on the unpopularity of Windows Vista
Dell charging to downgrade to XP
/v3-uk/news/1985558/dell-charging-downgrade-xp
19 Jun 2008, Iain Thomson , V3
Dell is to stop selling new computers with Windows XP from today unless buyers spend an extra $50 to downgrade their operating system.
Customers looking to buy models from the company's Vostro line will be offered Vista Business, but Dell will downgrade the system for an extra $50.
Some of the company's XPS gaming systems will also carry a charge for the downgrade.
The move will raise eyebrows, since Dell may be seen as trying to cash in on the unpopularity of Microsoft's latest operating system.
Dell was one of the first companies to offer a free downgrade service to customers, primarily aimed at small businesses reluctant to make the move to Vista.
Microsoft has said that it will stop selling XP licences and boxed software on 30 June, although it has already extended the lifespan of the operating system.
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Do you agree?
Umm....verification?
I hate to call shenanigans on this, but I see no difference in the pricing. The Vostros are now defaulting to Vista Home Basic as the "included" OS, but the option for XP is listed as follows:
"Genuine Windows Vista® Business Bonus-Windows® XP Professional loaded [add $99]"
That pricing is the same as it ALWAYS was; the description has just been updated to include Vista Business. On every Dell that I've purchased for over 2 years, I've had to tick the option to upgrade to XP Pro for $99. How are things any different now?
I *do* see a second option to have XP loaded, and THAT option is $50 more than usual, but the Vista license is for *ULTIMATE* and not Business. Of course it's going to cost more!
This just seems like blatant FUD to me.
Posted by senway, 19 Jun 2008
Totally BS
I have 5 Dell PC's, all relatively new. The latest one came with VISTA Home Premium which I soon learned is a piece of crap. I contacted Dell to get XP and got their 'party line' - extra cost to downgrade to a reliable OpSys. They wouldn't budge nor provide a complimentary replacement for me, who I thought WAS a pretty good customer. Not anymore. Dell is PC non grata around here now.
Posted by pcaddict44, 22 Jun 2008