IBM Recommends Windows XP

If you shop online for a new Windows computer, every manufacturer recommends Vista on their web site. For home use they all suggest Vista Home Premium, for business use, Vista Business gets the nod. All the manufacturers sell other versions of Vista of course, most if not all sell Windows XP too, yet their websites universally recommend Vista Home Premium or Business.

Except IBM.

Yes, IBM no longer plays in this game. Back in 2005, IBM sold their personal computer division to Lenovo.

However, IBM still sells their old notebook and desktop computers, albeit as "IBM Certified Used Equipment".

As shown in the screen shot above, IBM recommends Windows XP Professional for their refurbished computers. Most of the personal computers (they also sell refurbished servers) are, in fact, running XP Professional, though a handful are running Vista.

Why is IBM the lone wolf?

A cynic might say that since most of their refurbs are running Windows XP, it's marketing. Or perhaps the web page in question simply hasn't been updated in over a year. IBM has no love for Microsoft, so maybe it's just a cheap shot.

But, could it be that since they are no longer in the personal computer business they can offer an honest opinion? After all, in August Lenovo decided to go with Windows XP rather than Vista for the upcoming 2008 Olympics. Quoting Computerworld (Vista, wireless sidelined from core Olympic IT roster):

"Windows XP was chosen to run on all PCs handling chores vital to the Olympic Games and has been installed on most of the PCs delivered by Lenovo Group Ltd. Vista will be used only on PCs in Internet lounges set up for athletes to use during the games.

The Olympic Games require mature, stable technologies, said Yang Yuanqing, chairman of Lenovo, during a briefing in Beijing. The Olympic Games aren't a place to try new technologies because of the size and importance of the event, he said. Everything must work smoothly."

The man has a point.

See a summary of all my Defensive Computing postings.

[dmuzaf]

Could it be that IBM recommends Windows XP over Vista because most of the refurbished machines don't have the power to support a fully functional version of Vista?

[darcydj]

Thats not actually true. If you turn off alll the fancy video features you will find that the Vista kernel in most cases will run fast and more efficiently that XP. Its still not as stable as XP though

[Leria]

That is what I was thinking as well. I haven't seen one new IBM machine in Best Buy or anywhere else for years, and I think that Vista is not a 'new technology' anymore.

Hell, I'm running it on the machine I am typing on right now, and most of the 'problems' I have had are of my own creation!

[RicABlair]

I agree with all three of the others. Vista was not chosen probably because older machines can't handle Vista. Even more likely is installing Vista means paying more royalties while XP has already been paid for with the original install. If you're in the market for a "certified" PC (or previously owned) then you're probably scrimping and not likely amenable to paying extra (built into overall cost) for a new OS. As noted, Lenovo has not been highly recommended anywhere for quite a while...except here.