Being in the IT industry, I’m often asked to help people with their computer issues from time to time. Lately, I’ve noted that I’m being asked by many people about how to get a computer with Windows XP rather than Windows Vista. It seems that if you walk into Best Buy and other big box stores, all you see is Vista everywhere with no sign of XP. So, if you don’t want your next computer to come with Windows Vista, what are your options? My suggestion is to buy a computer from either Dell, HP or Lenovo. All three companies still sell Windows XP on their computers and they make the process dead easy.
In the case of Dell, your best option is to check the small and medium business section of their website as that gives you the the most options as to desktops and notebooks with Windows XP (both home and pro editions). The home and home office section of their website also offers computers with XP, but you’re restricted to a few models. So your best to stick to the small and medium business section.
In the case of Lenovo, it’s even easier. Most of their models come with a choice of XP or Vista. So it would be in your interest to browse their website to see what they have on offer. Chances are they have something that will fit your needs.
HP mirrors Dell by sticking any of their XP offerings into their small and medium business section, but they take it one step further. They offer no options for XP in their home section. At least Dell has a few options in their home section and Lenovo offer some consumer level products with XP as well. In my mind, that’s a bonus point for both Dell and Lenovo as they at least offer something for people who want to shop in the home and home office space.
Remember, Microsoft has set XP’s lifespan to June 30th 2008. So if you want a new computer with Windows XP, you need to move quickly. But at least you have options for your next computer.
Ballmer Says Vista “A Work In Progress”
Posted in Commentary with tags Microsoft, Vista, XP on April 18, 2008 by itnerdMicrosoft CEO Steve Ballmer was quoted in this article as saying that Vista a “work in progress,” acknowledging some of the mistakes Microsoft made in rolling out the latest version of Windows and hinting that they’re considering keeping XP on the shelves a bit longer for people who still don’t want to upgrade (like MOST PEOPLE).
“In the meantime, we have some customers — a lot of customers — using Vista. A lot of customers. And we have a lot of customers that are choosing to stay with Windows XP. And as long as those are both important options, we will be sensitive and we will listen and we will hear that. I got a piece of mail from a customer the other day that talked about not being able to get XP anymore. We responded, XP is still available. And I know we’re going to continue to get feedback from people on how long XP should be available. We’ve got some opinions on that, we’ve expressed our views.”
The only reason to keep XP on the shelves is because the revenue stream from Vista isn’t as good as Ballmer had hoped. So he needs some way to keep the cash coming in or his shareholders will get really mad at him (read: He’ll get replaced). After all your only other choice if XP goes bye-bye is to buy a Mac.
Oh wait… People ARE buying Macs in ever increasing numbers according to this story. Seeing those numbers must make Ballmer want to throw a few chairs across the room.
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