XP's last chance saloon at Dell

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 24 June 2008 11:27

Opinion and Analysis

Windows XP is on its way out, though Dell will still provide it at a price. But be quick - your options are rapidly disappearing.

With Microsoft drawing the curtain over Windows XP's career on mainstream computers (it'll still be available for low-cost devices such as Asus' Eee series, the XO and other UMPCs), we're in a strange situation where Dell will sell you a Vista-based PC with a downgrade to XP.

It doesn't seem that long since vendors were selling PCs with XP preloaded with upgrade rights that could be used when Vista shipped.

Microsoft's position has historically been that a licence for one version of a product also covers its predecessors, something that kept many business buyers happy. For example, if they weren't ready to deploy the latest version of Office throughout the organisation, any new licences purchased could be applied to the old version without legal issues.

But after June 30, 2008, Windows XP will not be available as either a retail or an OEM-licenced product. For do-it-yourselfers, the XP system builder licence will remain available until January 31, 2009.

And from July 1, 2008, the previously mentioned downgrade rights for XP will only extend to customers on volume licensing programs.

Dell's decision to offer an XP download at additional cost drew some criticism in some quarters. To my mind, the amount charged is consistent with 'fulfilment' costs applied elsewhere in the industry where additional media is concerned.

The problem, such that it is, really lies at Microsoft's feet. Please read on to find out why I believe that to be the case.