Dell: Order a Vista PC and get it with Windows 7
Dell has come up with a novel way to allow customers to pre-order machines with Windows 7.
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Under its Windows 7 Free and Easy program, launched on Monday, customers can order a Windows Vista machine now, but elect to have Dell upgrade the PC to Windows 7 before it ships the computer. As a result, customers can order now and get their machine right around the time Windows 7 ships.
It's kind of the reverse of programs that PC makers did after XP could no longer be sold on most new PCs. In that case, computer makers, including Dell, allowed users to order Vista machines that were pre-downgraded to Windows XP.
Dell's latest offer is more about convenience than price. For some time now, those who buy a Vista machine with Home Premium or above have been eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7. However, that requires a user to sign up and upgrade the machines themselves. The Dell program eliminates that step.
Of course, one could also just wait until October 22 and just get a Windows 7 machine without the semantics. But who likes to wait?
(Credit:
CNET News)
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
actually i was just quoting the commerical with the 4 year old girl 'using' win7. I thought it was cute. Though the apple comment did push me a bit.
side note.. im buying a mac in the coming days/weeks.. my students are asking more and more questions related to software on their mac and id love to be able to support them... i dont like that i cant support them 10% of the time simply because they use a different platform then im used too
When did you start trolling MS-related articles so much? I understand you're a Mac fan, but why do you insist that what works for you must work for everyone else?
With all due respect, that's just FUD. In what way does a Macintosh treat you like a kid? Windows, frankly, treats me like a kid more than a Mac does. For example, why does Windows ask you if you are sure that you want to delete a file if it is only going to be placed into the Recycle Bin and can be restored?
What platform you choose is up to you, of course, but talking nonsense about others because you choose something else is just idiotic.
Plus Dell is already on the record saying they're not going to charge US customers anything for the Windows 7 upgrade, even when they ship the media to you. But off course you already knew that, so please spread your FUD elsewhere.
$700 or $1,100 ?? your choice!
http://www.mouseprint.org/2009/10/01/hidden-fees-discovered-for-free-windows-7-upgrades/
"The up to $17 shipping & handling OEMs may charge is obviously only applicable if they separately mail you a physical Windows 7 media if you already bought a Vista machine."
...which would obviate the "free" portion, now wouldn't it? Note that I never mentioned Dell specifically. ;)
"The article clearly says Dell will be installing Windows 7 at factory."
...so you get to wait a couple of weeks before your computer shows up, or it arrives with Vista + upgrade 'rights'. Yay?
Apple even charged me $50 to service my iPod Touch.... which was covered by their warranty. Go figure.
The media fee you mention is just another example of ways for an OEM to grab whatever money they can, however they can.
It should be made clear that this has nothing to do with Microsoft. This is only the choice of OEM's to charge such a fee.
Mind you, I wouldn't use Windows 7 unless you're a very advanced user until October 22, 2009, mostly because on that date the peripheral manufacturers will officially release software drivers that work specifically with Windows 7.
Unfortunately, the PC will come with XP installed and no chance of an upgrade to Windows 7 until next year.
My Win98-WinXP-Win7-BackTrack PC gives me no head aches.
So, your problems with Win's must be a cheap hardware / user thing.
No disrespect meant. Just IMHO.
(yes, Win98... for really old games)
PS: I have the RC version of Win7 or whatever is called and it is kinda nice. Way better than Vista (even though my Vista laptop never gives me problems...).
However, I entirely agree with Vegaman - it is not long to wait now unless you absolutely must have a PC today, in which case you will have little choice but to do the upgrade yourself.
- by Mike Acker October 6, 2009 4:34 AM PDT
- tee hee, I'll order a confuser with Win-7 WHEN all my favorite apps are available in 64-bit editions and NOT BEFORE. Go Dell
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(36 Comments)a more serious question though is this: Is any computer system that lacks effective security worth anything at all? or is it just a liability?