$50 to Get XP On a New Dell

CWmike writes "Dell will charge customers up to $50 for factory-installed Windows XP on some PCs after Wednesday, according to the company's Web site. Buyers of the low-priced Vostro line of desktops and notebooks will pay $20 to $50 more for Windows XP Professional installed as a 'downgrade' from Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate than they would for Vista only."

Comments

It's like divorce

[Trigun]

it's expensive, but it's worth it.

Re:It's like divorce

[Vectronic]

Yeah, and the reason for the divorce?

She's gaining weight and trying to control you.

Re:It's like divorce

[GreyWolf3000]

I want the Operating System I married 5-7 years ago!

Re:It's like divorce

[192939495969798999]

And just like divorce, the one you switch to is lighter weight, less nag-y, and easier to use. In this case it is older but it also has more experience.

Re:It's like divorce

[g0bshiTe]

MS business model

1. Write software that works 90% of the time and crashes randomly 10% of the time (who cares the 10% is during critical computing)
2. Wait, release patches.
3. Release new version of OS so crappy the public will be happy to use the 90% ware and pay to downgrade
4. Profit

Re:It's like divorce

[hkgroove]

XP is officially a cougar.

Re:It's like divorce

[TeamSPAM]

I guess Apple will have to avoid using cougar as a code name for OS X. Don't want MS suing you for creating confusion in the marketplace.

Re:It's like divorce

[guruevi]

Still got a copy of your wedding picture? http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/wallpapers/wedding_1024.jpg

Re:It's like divorce

[kyz]

It'd probably be more solid if you filled it with cement... Microsoft already offer that:
http://www.geocities.com/rcwoolley/

It's an upgrade,

[El_Muerte_TDS]

why else would you pay more.

Re:Depends on what you do with that computer

[Anonymous Coward]

Didn't you hear? There are now 42 games for Linux.

Re:Downgrade?

[Anonymous Coward]

XP is smaller, faster, less buggy, and doesn't come encumbered with a ton of DRM crap. How is that a "downgrade"? The box art isn't as nice.

Re:Downgrade?

[Stormwatch]

I've been using Microsoft OSes since MS-DOS 3.2 (circa 1988), and I've never been nearly as frustrated, disappointed, and often outraged by an OS as I am with Vista.

I assume you have skipped WindowsMe.

I'm in the minority

[bondjamesbond]

In that my wife gets better with every "apt-get update && apt-get upgrade". Now if I could only do an "apt-get install tightass bigger-boobs".

Re:I'm in the minority

[Trigun]

It's time to change distro's. It hurts at first, but just looking a the new OS will increase your uptime.

Re:I'm in the minority

[Anonymous Coward]

I rooted her box.

Re:Hello! You get both operating systems.

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey look, this is the HOLY CRAP MS IS TEH SUCK party. You take your logic elsewhere.

linux

[the brown guy]

How much is this Linux that I keep hearing so much about. And yes, I am new here....

Re:Hello! You get both operating systems.

[sm62704]

Look folks, the reason for the extra $50 is simple. You get both a rabid dog, AND dogshit.

I know it's a lot more fun to make fun of the summary, than to commit Microsoft executives to an insane asylum. But if you actually use Windows, it's not so pathetic.

Re:Wasting money

[andrewd18]

Of course not. He'd never make it that far. The automated turrets are set to kill Microsoft employees on sight.

Re:Hello! You get both operating systems.

[Just Some Guy]

Yes, but you can't really market that as a benefit to Dell's customers. "Buy XP! Help MS cook the books for only $50!"