06/16/2008, 6:40pm, EDT
Monday, June 16thDell announces deadline for Windows XP laptops
Dell recently announced the last day to purchase one of the company's Inspiron laptops, desktops or workstations with an OEM Windows XP license, which is due to expire on June 30 as per Microsoft's Windows Life-Cycle Policy. Buyers have until June 18 to purchase computers thus equipped, and have the option of buying Windows Vista Business or Ultimate with a downgrade service to Windows XP Professional thereafter. This news confirms earlier reports that the PC and laptop maker will not offer Windows XP pre-loaded onto its products past the Microsoft-imposed deadline.
The downgrade option will be available until the end of January of 2009, and is offered by Dell as well as Lenovo. The downgrade option will be available for Dell's XPS 630 gaming PC, XPS 720 H2C powerhouse, and M1730 laptop systems.
The Life-Cycle Policy has Windows XP Professional, Tablet PC Edition, Professional x64 Edition, Home Edition and Media Center Edition licenses ending on June 30, 2008, with system builder licenses expiring on January 31, 2009. The only exception revolves around ultra low-cost PCs, which will involve an OEM end date of either June 30, 2010 or one year after the general availability of the next version of Windows, whichever is later.
Microsoft will still offer technical support for Windows XP Home and Media Center edition operating systems until April of 2009.
Filed under: computers, industry, software
Other story tags: Microsoft, Dell, Windows, Vista, Windows XP
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What a joke
To all those that complain about what they think is missing with the iPhone 3G or with a Mac Air,.....
Microsoft cares for you..... er....for your money. Just pay up and quit your bitching. Microsoft has your backside....... really.
Just keep bending over while you complain about how bad Apple is.....
Its just that funny.
en
Microsoft, gotta TRY to l
They are so desperate to show how many copies of Vister they are selling that rather than let PC's be loaded with XP from the manufacturer, they are condecending to let you "downgrade" to XP so yer friggin PC will behave.
Remember, there are lies, damn lies and statistics about Vista sales......
XP on Dell Mini-Notebook
I've been holding out for the Dell Mini Notebook. If it doesn't come with XP, I'll buy the MSI Wind instead. Isn't it funny that you have to "downgrade" to get a better OS?