Microsoft is scheduled to bury Windows XP today — basically forcing Windows customers to buy Vista instead. Yet, Dell’s channel blog actually has the guts to show VARs how to continue offering XP to customers. Don’t underestimate the significance of Dell’s move.
Yes, the so-called XP loophole — which enables customers to receive XP even as Microsoft forces Vista onto systems — is well-known.
But Dell’s decision to promote the licensing loophole (in this Dell channel blog) is a significant one. As Dell states simply:
The short version is that Dell can sell what we’ve branded “Windows Vista Bonus” which allows us to preinstall XP Professional with a Vista license (on select system categories). This lets customer’s upgrade to the Vista platform when they’re ready. And yes, Dell will support both OSs.
Read between the lines, and Dell is basically saying that it no longer fears Microsoft. The customer — rather than recently retired Bill Gates — now calls the shots in the PC market. And Dell continues to promote customer choice to its corporate buyers and channel partners.
Remember: Dell actually had the nerve to introduce Ubuntu Linux on selected PCs and laptops — the very year that Microsoft began shipping Windows Vista.
Some folks argue that demand for Windows XP remains strong because it’s such a solid operating system. That may be true for some customers. But The VAR Guy argues that XP remains a contender because Vista has been such a major disappointment.
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Hi Joe, great story and so very true, I learned about this 2 weeks ago and I am actually promoting it in the Calgary Small Business market on my company blog http://www.itmatters.ca/blog to attract new business to our company.
We still have many clients that have applications that just don’t run on Vista yet and also a number of clients that don’t buy into Vista because of the PC/Mac commercials. As an entrepreneur I need to deliver what my clients want as well.
Vista is a great product, I have been running it for quite sometime now and it does everything I need it to do.
Cheers
Stuart Crawford
IT Matters Inc.
Calgary, AB
http://www.itmatters.ca
http://www.stuartcrawford.com
Hey VAR Guy,
I wanted to stop by and say thanks for continuing to read our channel blog, and also to say that I appreciate your angle on the chatter that’s been occurring around this post. We work hard to evolve our content and, again, appreciate the support we’ve gotten so far. Our message that we’re listening has been met with a lot of skepticism, but we’ll continue to drive it home the only way that makes sense, by continuously evolving our program.
Hey There: The VAR Guy has been off-line quite a bit this week, rumored to be riding roller coasters at Dorney Park in Allentown, Penn. But he’ll be back in full-force next week. In the meantime, thanks for the note, MBukowski.
- TVG
What absolute nonsense! Microsoft have stated in the press the types of PCs that can continue to be sold with Windows XP. Dell aren’t doing anything Microsoft aren’t already allowing them and everybody else to do.
Further more Dell have had Linux options for a long time. They basically killed their desktop option in the past. The recent Ubuntu offers are so hard to find for those not used to navigating the back corridors of Dell.com it’s little more than a token gesture.
Ubuntu is also only available on a handful of systems. Even though there are far more compatible systems in the Dell product range. I’m pretty sure Linux gamers (yes they do exist) would appreciate an XPS 720.
So reading between the lines Dell are every bit Microsofts bitch that they were before Vista.
Um, The VAR Guy begs to differ with Aikiwolfie. Dell couldn’t make ubuntu systems easier to find: http://www.dell.com/ubuntu.
It’s that simple to get started with Dell/Linux at a time when MSFT would love to pressure all PC makers to stick entirely with Windows.
Then the Var Guy needs to look at life from a Windows users point of view and take his Ubuntu tinted glasses off. Go to Dells main sales page. Dell.com and see if you can find any Ubuntu PCs in the main line up!
Nope none there! Where’s the link then? Oh it’s buried way out of sight in a pull down menu. At least it is on the UK page.
How many people are going to type in “http://www.dell.com/ubuntu”?
Dell could make Ubuntu systems easier to find. They could sell them on the main page along with everything else instead of forcing Ubuntu users to navigate the back corridors of Dells web site to conduct shady sneaky clandestine deals behind Microsofts back.
HP, Asus and Acer don’t seem to have a problem with openly selling Linux. But when pushed on the question on IdeaStorm Dell fumbles the answer with the good old Microsoftie excuse “supply and demand”.
Demand for Linux driven systems is was big enough for Microsoft to strike a new deal with Asus to make sure Windows XP gets more than it’s fair share of the market. How many Eees have Asus shifted now? I think demand is plenty big enough.
Perhaps the Var Guy should push Dell on the issue of Ubuntu still not being sold openly on Dell.com along with everything else. Dell does specialize in customizable orders. Surely they should at the very least be able to add it to the OS options for compatible systems? Which also happens to be one of the most requested ideas on IdeaStorm. The Var Guy should check it out.
Aikiwolfie: You raise a few good points re: Dell needing to improve the way that it promotes Ubuntu preloads.
But let’s not bury Dell for having the guts to take some solid steps forward.
1. Web promotion: Anybody who goes to Google.com and searches “Dell Linux” will get paid/sponsored page links from Dell to easily search for systems.
2. Vista Alternatives: Doesn’t Dell deserve a some credit — at least a little??? — for introducing Ubuntu preloads THE VERY SAME YEAR that Vista shipped? Gutsy move.
Remember the world of Windows 95, when Dell and other PC vendors didn’t have the nerve to change a single desktop icon because of Microsoft’s power?
With all those thoughts in mind, The VAR Guy does agree with you that Dell could do a better job promoting the Ubuntu PCs. But ironically, the company wants Linux to be a “slow burn” on the desktop. Why? Not to kiss up to MSFT. Instead, Dell doesn’t want to support a bunch of Windows consumers who embraced Linux only to struggle with the new OS.
The VAR Guy doesn’t necessarily with Dell’s decision to keep Linux desktops somewhat hidden on Dell.com, but he understands the reasoning.
I haven’t buried Dell. I’ve always given the credit where it’s due. They don’t deserve as much credit here as the Var Guy thinks until they implement Ubuntu on the desktop and notebook properly.
Remember Dell has actually been offering Linux like this for about 10 years. All they’ve really done is add a new distro to the line up. They did take some positive steps in the process. Like offering LinDVD which isn’t a standard Ubuntu application.
But it’s still not consumer Linux implemented the way Dells customers voted for it on IdeaStorm. That isn’t stopping Dell lapping up the credit in the press though.
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