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No XP Reprieve; Windows 7 Release Set
CWmike writes "Microsoft has laid to rest rumors that it might reconsider pulling Windows XP from retail shelves and from most PC makers next Monday. Microsoft's Bill Veghte wrote to customers reiterating that June 30 would be the deadline when Microsoft halts shipments of boxed copies to retailers and stops licensing the operating system directly to OEMs. However, Veghte did leave the door open to all computer makers, even the largest, who want to continue selling new PCs with XP pre-installed. 'Additionally, Systems Builders (sometimes referred to as "local OEMs"), may continue to purchase Windows XP through Authorized Distributors [such as Ingram Micro] through January 31, 2009,' he wrote in the letter. 'All OEMs, including major OEMs, have this option,' said Veghte. At the same time, Microsoft confirmed Windows 7 would ship in January 2010. Who, if they have not already, would install Vista now?" Microsoft has said they will post the letter, but it's not up yet.
10.5 was such a bitch for me and my Macbook Pro. Keyboard issues, slow loading, not waking from sleep, windows disappearing. God, it was my first Mac experience and I was thrilled for the month up to the Leopard release. They've since fixed the issues... but I still feel foolish for rushing out for the new OS and now it's being updated already. I really like how their computers and electronics work (happy owner of iPod and upgrading to iPod 3g) but I really felt dicked over with my first experience. But I would buy their product again. Even with the issues which slowed my system down considerably for a month or two, when it's working right it's a beautiful thing.
I have had a great experience with 10.5. I originally bought my macbook with 10.4 and elected to upgrade. For me, 10.5 has been completely stable and useful (and I did an upgrade as well). I use 10.4 at work and find it frustrating because of the little features in 10.5 that I miss, like quicklook for example. The biggest upgrade plus for me has been Time Machine, very happy with it. Saying that, I did look through all the features of 10.5 before I purchased it. If 10.6 doesn't have anything in it I think I will use, I won't be buying it.
Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
Tons of joe sixpacks have XP boxes that have been infected, and/or won't boot at all.
Money is tight, and was when they bought the XP box, but some will go out and buy a new PC with Vista (no choice in their mind, and never heard of linux).
Windows 7?
They don't have a clue, and wouldn't wait if they had the money to buy a laptop, desktop now.
That pickup truck takes lots of expensive gasoline, so the few that have to buy a new PC are doing so for kid's school, or to replace the XP box that has shut them out of the internet.
They get Vista.
Not only are the ferocious icons optional, but they're off by default.
and if you cant get windows xp in time you can always check out and support ReactOS
And which devices do you mean, Mr. Astroturfer?
As far as games go, Linux has better games support than Vista. If you want games, you buy a console: Wii or PS3. The PS2 is still outselling Xbox. Console for games, linux or mac for work.
Apple switched hardware architectures from 10.3 to 10.4. They rewrote their networking stack from 10.4 to 10.5 (admittedly, there were a few issues in the new stack related to wireless). They're going to change to a different filesystem from 10.5 to 10.6.
It's not the degree of change that's the issue, it's the degree of architecture. Windows is built by separate teams that build layers and components that somehow have to be fit together, resulting in a hodge-podge of programming API's that's a nightmare to keep supporting. OS X seems to have a more centralized vision, with a programming API that is mostly consistent, and probably way easier to maintain.
It also helps that mac developers are more willing to rewrite software (basically because the ones that aren't were weeded out a few transitions ago). When apple wants to make some radical change, like dropping support for an entire API, or moving to a different CPU architecture, the developers just go along with it. On windows they'd scream bloody murder.
Actually, I believe the date, because of this quote: "our approach with Windows 7 is to build off the same core architecture as Windows Vista."
Translation: Windows 7 will be Vista SP2 with a few shiny bits attached. It will be on time, and pointless.
And yes, my pedantic tendencies bother even me...
Dude, I think I can see my house from here.
At least from my experiance with dell UK it depends on the machine, on some it's free on others it's chargable and on others it's not availible at all.
also for some reason there are some machines that they refuse to sell you vista buisness with so you have to buy ultimate to get the downgrade rights.
note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
Since the 'leaked' Windows 7 alpha's say they're NT6.1, I think you're right.
But WinXP is not available on the least expensive Dell's. The cheapest laptop, home or business, is $499. Vista only.
2K is not a consumer focused OS
The quality of the service depends on what line you decide to go with.
If you go for the crappy low-end (Inspiron and Dimension), which are meant to price-compete with Gateway, etc... then yes, those come with crappy service.
If you go for the good stuff (Latitude and Optiplex), you get entirely an different support channel, one that I've had zero trouble with in the 7+ years I've been using them to supply businesses and individuals with computers.
I like this part of his announcement.
"As a result, our approach with Windows 7 is to build off the same core architecture as Windows Vista so the investments you and our partners have made in Windows Vista will continue to pay off with Windows 7. Our goal is to ensure the migration process from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is straightforward."
In other words they are going to finish Vista.
The Vostro 1000 laptop starts at $399 and is available with XP ($99 surcharge).