Dell and Microsoft see Red

Dell and Microsoft have become latest companies to contribute to the Product Red campaign.

The two companies are collaborating on a line of PCs under the Product Red banner.

The Product Red programme is a group of companies that donate portions of certain products to help fund Aids research in Africa. The scheme was founded by U2 frontman Bono and philanthropist Bobby Shriver.

The PCs will all feature copies of Windows Vista Ultimate as a standard feature, and a portion of each sale will be donated to the charity.

The lineup will include special models of the Dell XPS One PC, M1330 and M1530 notebooks and the 948 printer. Contributions from the sale will range from $5 for the printer to $80 for the XPS PC.

"The Red business model is a powerful way for consumers to use their purchasing power to help bring about positive change in the world," said Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates.

"The combination of Microsoft, Red and Dell means consumers can help in the fight against AIDS in Africa by buying a great Dell PC that comes loaded with the best version of Windows Vista."

Dell and Microsoft are not the first consumer electronics companies to hop aboard the Product Red programme. Apple has been producing a line of red iPod Nano players for the charity since late 2006.