Saturday, September 22nd 2007
Microsoft Allows PC Makers to Downgrade to Windows XP
While Microsoft is still pushing Vista hard, the company is quietly allowing PC makers to offer a "downgrade" option to buyers that get machines with the new operating system but want to switch to Windows XP. The program applies only to Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions, and it is up to PC makers to decide how, if at all, they want to make XP available. Fujitsu has been among the most aggressive, starting last month to include an XP disc in the box with its laptops and tablets. Under Microsoft's licensing terms for Vista, buyers of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate Edition have always had the right to downgrade to XP, but in practice this could be challenging. Try the full story here.
Source:
CNET News
25 Comments on Microsoft Allows PC Makers to Downgrade to Windows XP
It runs with the same functionality as XP SP2 as far as Im concerned.
The only real issue is the performance difference, which is negated after some careful tuning.
The fact of the matter is that Windows is probably the most comprehensive OS out, and at the same time doesnt require any skill to install or operate like some of the free OS's used by members of these forums. Any large software package is bound to have bugs. Nevertheless, Id still rather be using XP. It just seems so much more responsive, maybe because I havnt played with the services and whatnot yet. But that doesnt make it buggy, its just bloated.
When XP came out everyone was saying exactly what they're saying now about Vista.
Vista works perfectly for me, and with my PC I don't have to care about performance, so I don't need XP.
If OEM's want to offer XP beyond that date they shouldn't be hassled. So if MS wants to give them a deadline how about the OEM's and the consumers getting together and giving MS til Jan. 31st to get Vista right or else....;)
:toast:
Vista is their most secure OS ever and guess what thats the numero uno reason why the requirements are so high besides the Aero effects of course.
I didnt see any performance increase unless working on something with a phenomenal file size loaded into RAM. They have every right to do that.
Its just a matter of disabling services in msconfig.
Services like - Security Centre, UAC (User Account Control), Windows Defender, Windows Firewall etc. Takes a minute or two to find them in the list then its all sweet.
Like I said, the main issue is performance. And thats only due to things like superfetch that keep important/commonly used processes in RAM even when they are not being used.
This is how you overcome the performance hurdle of Vista...tweakhound.com/vista/tweakguide/page_7.htm
It is US the consumers that need to start demanding MS to step up to the plate and supply to us what they have already proclaimed to be.....otherwise it is misleading the consumer in plain english.
MS is no different from any other company....we must hold them accountable to their claims and advertisements.:toast:
And we as consumers have the right to hold them accountable to provide us what the originally proclaimed. They need someone that will not turn a head to the poor CR that MS has been putting out with Vista. SP1 that has more bugs than the original OS. Well, it was rushed out the doors.
We burn AMD or Intel or even MB companies when they do this type of bullsh*t, so MS is no different. Holding them accountable it the most logical thing to do as consumers. Ohterwise we loose, plain and simple,
If I bought a car with major defects, would I drive the car until they fixed or figure out how to repair them, no I give it back and demand them to fix it, give me a loner until it is fixed and then get my car back when it is repaired or get another car if it is to problematic....(lemon law)
So MS has given OEM's a loaner ....XP until they repair Vista....if they don't....the loaner is extended or the OS replaced, of financially compensated. Holding MS accountable is the right thing to do.:toast:
I wasnt saying they have the right to not provide what they originally promised, I was saying that they have the right to tell OEM's to replace their product anymore. Remember that Windows is a licenced product and not one owned by the purchaser. If Microsoft wants to put some muscle into the market, so be it, every successful company does it at some stage.
All I was saying is that MS should be held to the same expectations that they hold everyone else to.
Releasing an OS with minor bugs is to be expected to a point,
IMHO, MS should have an OS upon release, tested and working with minimal to no problems. Compatibility and performance after paying $$$$ for Vista Ultimate should be the least of my concerns.
I guess I am old school, releasing or providing a service/ product that are less than optimal for my customers; I personally have never done and won’t.
MS worked on Vista for a good 3+ years, and now recommend dropping back to XP temporally? I guess I will wait to jump into Vista for a good while.
and if there was, believe me, not only I would be using it. :toast: