Dell and HP bow to customer calls with XP downgrade availability
by Stevie Smith - Apr 28 2008, 12:24
Dell and HP use Vista downgrade license to offer Windows XP to customers beyond Microsoft's June 30 end date. Credit: Microsoft.
Despite growing consumer pressure for a reprieve, American software giant Microsoft Corp. remains on course to retire its Windows XP operating system (OS) from retail this coming June 30.
However, that impending removal and Microsoft’s staunch refusal to listen to the pleading of XP fans hasn’t stopped certain computer manufacturers from finding a way to cannily circumvent Microsoft’s plans.
More pointedly, Net reports have revealed Dell will continue to sell and support Windows XP for its business customers via the Windows Vista downgrade licensing option that exists through the Vista Business and Vista Ultimate editions of the Redmond-based company’s latest operating system.
A company spokesperson has said that Dell will preinstall XP Professional as an accessible downgrade on select Latitude, OptiPlex and Precision computers for those customers who outline their desire to have it -- and at no extra cost. Of course, the purchased Windows Vista edition will also be included on a separate installation disk for whenever the user wishes to eventually perform the necessary OS upgrade.
Dell will apparently offer the downgrade licensing option on select Vostro and XPS gaming rigs, although a small charge will be required to do so.
Not alone in its pledge to continue supplying Windows XP, Dell is joined by Hewlett-Packard (HP), which has said that it will offer its business customers the preinstalled XP operating system on a variety of desktops, laptops and workstations for at least another year beyond the June 30, 2008 cut off.
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