Forced Vista Purchase

It seems that most notebooks for sale out there is only available with Vista while a lot of software vendor don't support it officially yet.

The same hardware was available with XP just weeks ago, so why can't we buy it anymore and just wait for the right time for an upgrade. Vista seems nice software but why can't we buyers select when we will upgrade?

I am surprise so few complain, as it really is an annoyance when you replace a broken, stolen or tired notebook and have no intention to loose time reinstalling and repurchasing licences you already own.

Shouldn't XP still be offered and Vista upgrade option available for let's say 6-12 months so we can upgrade when ready?

 

I think you can still chose between XP and Vista on Dell's Latitude series laptops, not sure though.

 

It's because Windows Vista is now todays "current Microsoft Operating System." Consequently, retail stores have to offer the "current operating system" for your computer, rather than offer "yesterday's" with an upgrade option. Because if anything goes wrong with your "upgrade" then you can blame them. If it's bad support, you can blame the manufacturer instead =)

And Microsoft...lets not forget microsoft.

But then again, nothing's perfect with new operating systems. Just think this:

Windows XP. ------------> Windows XP SP1 -----------------> Windows XP SP2

 

Thanks for remembering to put an option for "I don't care, running Linux."

 

But unfortunately will pay for Vista if you buy a new notebook...

 

Oh! People are complaining, I am sure! I know am and trying tos see what my options are if I get a custom build! Many of us may complain with our feet as a result of this forced Vista purchase program - walking right out the PC door and into the Apple world. I had thoroughly researched the Mac vs PC option for my business needs and had decided that I was going to stay PC with this purchase. But now since there is this forced Vista purchase I have reopened the question about going Mac this time around.

 

Vista still feels like in a test stage. I already had 4 program compatibility problems, and had numerous crashes attributed to nothing on my notebook. Wonder how the preinstalled Vistas will fare.

 

This is silly.

OEMs always put the latest version of the OS in their machines, whether it is Vista or OSX 10.4.8 or whatever. This has been the way of it for a LONG time, and it is not going to change because a few want otherwise.

So let's knock off the "forced Vista purchase program" nonsense. By that logic Apple has a "forced OSX purchase program".

 

Well, I think the complaint is that Windows XP has been all but abandoned in the retail sector. Vista has been officially released for what? A month? It's still buggy, and PCs are still being sold with 512MB of ram, which can't properly support Vista.

To the OP: I've heard that you can still get Windows XP from Dell. Can't off their website, but if you deal over the phone you can get XP. Not sure how long that'll last though.

 

I chose yes because I think it's got a few useful features and looks good; not however because "It's new so it must be good".

 

Don't care....own a mac.

 

Most business class notebooks, as business user much prefer compatibility to having the latest, will offer XP at least for the time being.

 

Vista is perfectly match with Thinkpad with that translucent black theme. Beside my overall experience with Vista is good. No slowdowns, no driver problem. Everyhthing is fast and stable.

 

Thanks a lot M$ for releasing this bug-master of an OS.

Also thanks for not letting me wait until bug-master has been tamed -- and

allow me to pick up Windows XP on any new system I buy.

 

Last time I checked, you choose the hardware. Hardware manufactures choose what operating systems to offer their customers. Choose the notebook manufacture that doesn't offer Vista only, or will allow to ship with no OS.

Most often you'll be able to get a notebook cheaper (from a big name manufacture) with Vista pre-installed than an à la carte machine which offers no OS or an OS of your choosing. Buy the cheapest one and blow Vista away if you don't want it.

 

I'd much prefer to be able to choose between the operating systems I want, and only pay for that.
So I think all manufacturers should offer a choice between at least XP, Vista and no OS, so you can get your own.
That avoids making you pay for somehting you don't want and gives you freedom of choice.

 

I voted for "I don't care, I'm running Linux," but I could have easily gone another way. I still have to use Windows for some things, and I would much prefer Windows XP, so if I had to buy a new computer, I would prefer to have the option to choose XP and then just dual-boot with Linux or run XP in a VM with Linux. I was also very tempted to choose the OS X option, but I'm pretty sure my next machine will be a Mac, so I really don't care if they start offering them on PCs.

 

Personally, It really does not matter to me what OS is preinstalled, as I always reformat anyway. When I buy my next HP with Vista, I will definitely be giving it a fresh install of XP.

 

I got my system without an OS from Powernotebooks, I'm sure other smaller builders will do the same (and even some larger ones will ship with FreeDOS if you look hard enough), and there are even places like www.system76.com that will ship you a laptop pre-loaded with Linux, everything verified to work.

 

I like Vista..

But I haven't had a problem with it (yet).

That being said you wont see corporations move to Vista for a very long time.
Compatibility is everything.

I do feel you should be able to choose but I know the OEM's have pressure to move over and at some point MS just wont issue anymore licenses.

 

New OS's are pushed on the consumer market to quickly establish an installed base, which in turn greatly reduces the amount of time to resolve the issues with the OS, more users = more problems discovered and reported. Its simply the nature of the beast. The same thing happend with XP, and will most likely happen again after Vista runs its course.

 

The reason why name-brand vendors are including Vista with all new systems is because they have to or will face severe consequences from Microsoft.

http://digitimes.com/systems/a20070215PD222.html

 

Well for one, the consumer has to take responsibility at some point and do research.

As long as Vista works with all the hardware on the pre-install machine, along with the pre-install software and the new MS software like Office. Then it's really the consumers fault that his/her printer, scanner, camera or 3rd party software that they already have at home or purchased separate is not compatible with Vista.

It would be kind of stupid to continue with XP on a mass scale being MS would have to keep up with support for a much longer. Only new gaming machines still have pre-installed XP.

Me personally, I have a 70/30 feeling using Vista. I had to uninstall it tho due to to many of my hardware not playing well with Vista.

 

I don't like the options presented in the poll.

I don't think a choice should be given.

Its a new OS, bugs will be fixed.

No choice has ever been given for an MS OS, once its released new computers will be sold with it. Don't like it? Buy a bare bones notebook without an OS and install XP or build a desktop and do the same thing.

 

I agree with usapatriot. Lets analyze the choices:

Translation: Choose me and you're calling yourself an ignorant newb. Sweet!

Translation: I'm the choice you should select! Choose me! Me! Me! Me!

Translation: Rebel against MS! Vive la revolacion!

Translation: For those of you who can't find a choice you like, settle for me!

...

So where's the pro-Vista choice sans the implied put down?

 

vista is not buggy ... the third party software IS...

just get a hold of an xp for 3-4 months... time will sort everthing out...

and stop *****in' about microsoft... they're top 5 in my book... i bought windows xp retail 5 years ago. I've switched 3 laptops and 2 desktops since then... microsoft has been there for me all the way... all that for 250$ in FIVE YEARS... that's 50$ a year... and now i can upgrade to VISTA... and i will... in 6 months... because... it WILL last me another 5-6 years

 

Well, that's because kids are growing up now-a-days with polls in the main street media like this:

Bias is the name of the game.

 

Unfortunately you have a point.

 

Of course it was biased since I was frustrated to have no choice just a week after the Vista announcement.

There are a lot of business users who like to buy some more exotic laptops than the standard issued Thinkpad or Dell Lattitude (all available under XP). The VISTA only configs are severely limiting our choice and is a bad policy from the industry.

 

microsoft isn't forcing anyone to do anything... vista IS the next step... if apple would support my hp laptop i would buy macosx and IF linux were a decent alternative... i would install that...

Vista works... end of story...