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June 23, 2008 9:50 AM PDT

Dell brings XP back for an encore

by Dan Ackerman

Just when you thought it was the end of the line for Windows XP (well, except for netbooks, individual system builders, etc.), mega PC-maker Dell has granted the operating system a reprieve, moving back the deadline ("extended by popular demand") for ordering one of a handful of XP systems until Thursday, June 26. Originally, Dell said the last day to order a system with an OEM copy of XP preinstalled was going to be June 18 but now says:

Per the Microsoft Windows Life-Cycle policy, Direct OEM and Retail License Availability for Windows XP will End-Of-Life (EOL) on June 30, 2008. To meet Microsoft's June 30 last-day-to-ship OEM Windows XP deadline, we are able to offer the opportunity to purchase a Dell desktop with an OEM Windows XP license until June 26 at 5:59 AM CT.

After June 26 you have the option to purchase Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate with a downgrade service to Windows XP Professional.

This option will be available on XPS 630, 720 H2C, and M1730 systems. After June 26th, Windows XP will no longer be offered on currently available Inspiron laptops and desktops.

After that, you'll have to go for the XP downgrade option, which involves paying for both XP and Vista, with Dell installing XP for you and tossing Vista in the box, so you can upgrade when you're ready (i.e., never).

New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan.
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by Raymond Lui June 24, 2008 5:45 AM PDT
Oh, please don't mislead anymore!

You DO NOT pay for both XP and Vista!

The downgrade XP option cost THE SAME as the Vista Business price.
Reply to this comment
by stringboy June 24, 2008 7:32 AM PDT
Dell is going to charge $50 for the XP install from Vista Business. That was announced last week (I think).
by guest86 June 24, 2008 9:02 AM PDT
Now I have 3 different kinds of XP version are Home Edition, Media Center Edition and Professional. I have 3 Computers with XP right now. Why XP is right for you? No crash everyday, freeze or slow down. More stable and smooth than Vista. Vista need dump out and keep Windows XP forever! Now to future(up to about year 2050 or more) I am very happy to have Windows XP! XP is rocks! Vista not doing any good. Lousy product on Vista. Why not Microsoft to throw Vista for free to Windows XP users who are complain on higher price right? Give these for FREE! I hope want get free Windows Vista and Windows 7. Because I waste money spend lot on new high performance computer for Gaming. About $4,000 on Pentium Dual Core 3.0GHz with 2 MB Cache, 2 GB RAM with 553 MHz, 250 GB Hard drive, 256 MB Nvidia 6800 with GDDR3, motherboard built in sound card and Ethernet. I did order from DELL. I really upset now. I need upgrade more powerful Quad processor, 4 GB memory RAM and higher video card with 512 MB to 1 GB. I will be ready to sue DELL and give me free upgrade hardware for my PC.
Reply to this comment
by Law2010 June 25, 2008 3:51 AM PDT
Guest86:

After reading your comment I actually HAD to post some type of reply. Maybe you should read what you wrote and you can see that it is very much an incoherent rant. Naturally, I would love to see you sue Dell. I am 99% sure you did not read the user agreement that you agreed to by keeping one of their computers over 30 days. It is virtually impossible to sue them and keep any money. That's right my incoherent ranter, you agreed to arbitration at the base sum of $5,000 to do it. Even if you were to win, it would be a Phyrric victory where you have gained little ground at a cost that out-weighs the gain.

Also, check your transition into suing Dell. It makes little sense. Maybe it was because "[you] really upset now," yeah, that is correct, you forgot the "am." Anyway, I hope that there is nobody from your business that sees you write like that. It would be a damned shame.
Reply to this comment
by Law2010 June 25, 2008 3:52 AM PDT
Guest86:

After reading your comment I actually HAD to post some type of reply. Maybe you should read what you wrote and you can see that it is very much an incoherent rant. Naturally, I would love to see you sue Dell. I am 99% sure you did not read the user agreement that you agreed to by keeping one of their computers over 30 days. It is virtually impossible to sue them and keep any money. That's right my incoherent ranter, you agreed to arbitration at the base sum of $5,000 to do it. Even if you were to win, it would be a Phyrric victory where you have gained little ground at a cost that out-weighs the gain.

Also, check your transition into suing Dell. It makes little sense. Maybe it was because "[you] really upset now," yeah, that is correct, you forgot the "am." Anyway, I hope that there is nobody from your business that sees you write like that. It would be a damned shame.
Reply to this comment
by TheManInDboX June 27, 2008 7:20 AM PDT
I own a personal copy of XP pro that i bought from Newegg.com about 2 weeks ago... I Installed it and it is sooooo much better then vista... My PC is by no means slow, but i had issues with vista claiming hardware failure that didnt exist... I have a intel core2quad processor, 4gb of memory, 3.26 visable, due to the 32bit OS... and a dual 8800gt video card setup. This machine i built by myself for 900 dollars... Once XP is completely unsupported i will most likely go to Ubuntu, (www.ubuntu.com) as that version of Linux is much better then vista, free, and has no major issues with hardware.. As for those stuck with vista, i feel your pain.. and wish you the best of luck...
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by engrpiman June 27, 2008 7:46 AM PDT
I use XP Pro , Ubuntu, and Vista Business. I switched to Vista and I find it fast and stable. I will admit that there are problem with vista but the same problems existed with XP with it first came out to. The last time I booted XP it took over 30 min , and I was forced to give up. Vista on the other hand seems to stay fast.

I would use Linux more but the lack of GOOD software is a problem. I would like to be able to install the MAC OS on my notebook but that sadly is not easy.

Instead of birching about Vista why not give it some time. After disabling all the useless features like UAC its runes just as fast with more features
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