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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.
Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
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.
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.