Vista vs. XP

Additional Information

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For a limited time, get Windows^® XP Professional preinstalled when you purchase Windows Vista^® Business Bonus for $99*. Available on all Desktops and select Laptops. Offer excludes Vostro^TM 1310 and 1510 Laptops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Windows Vista^® Business and Windows Vista Ultimate offer new features designed to help you focus more on what’s important – your business. However, some businesses may not be ready to transition away from Windows XP^® , and Dell can help ease the transition. Below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.

Is there any way to get Windows XP after June 18th?

What are Windows Vista "Downgrade Rights"?

Can I downgrade on my own?

If I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?

I don’t need Windows XP Professional, but I still want Windows XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?

What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista?

Is there any way to get Windows XP after June 18th?

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Customers may continue to get Windows XP Professional by purchasing a PC with Windows Vista Business BONUS or Windows Vista Ultimate BONUS, which allows Dell to exercise "Windows Vista downgrade rights" on your behalf by preinstalling Windows XP Professional and providing the installation disc for either Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate so that you may transition to Vista when you are ready.

What are Windows Vista “Downgrade Rights”?

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Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased). For customers who decide to exercise Downgrade Rights on their own, however, please note that Dell will only support the pre-installed operating system. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP.

When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see an option called “Genuine Windows^® Vista Business BONUS” and “Genuine Windows^® Vista Ultimate BONUS.” With these options, you may purchase the licensed rights to Windows Vista but have Dell pre install Windows XP Professional. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows XP Professional as well as the media for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the pre-installed Windows XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista.

Can I downgrade on my own?

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Yes, you can as long as you have your own Windows XP Professional media (i.e. from a prior purchase). However, Dell’s standard policy is to provide technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own as this can be a complicated process.

If I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?

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No, with this option Dell will provide technical support on both Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate (depending on which version you choose).

I don’t need Windows XP Professional, but I still want Windows XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?

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No, Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP MCE both End-of-Life (EOL) on June 30, 2008 and do not have the capability to transition to Windows Vista (i.e. these licenses do not include Downgrade Rights provisions). Microsoft created that capability only with Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium are unable to downgrade to Windows XP.

What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista?

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You will use the Windows Vista DVD provided to you to install Windows Vista on your computer. If you upgrade and then realize you’re not quite ready for Windows Vista yet, you also have the freedom to go back to Windows XP Professional using the Windows XP Professional CD provided with the downgrade service.

Overview
Learn More about the Power of Vista
Still Want XP?

Pricing, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice and are not transferable. Offers may not be combined with other discounts or promotional offers. Taxes, fees, shipping and handling and any applicable restocking charges are extra, vary, and are not subject to discount. Offer valid only for end-user customers and not for resale by customer. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, omissions, or consequences of misuse of site and its functions and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors. Refer to your invoice for final information regarding order detail, including tax & shipping amounts. Prices have been rounded to the nearest dollar for online display. Additional terms and conditions may apply. All sales are subject to Dell's Terms and Conditions of Sale located at www.dell.com unless you have a separate written agreement with Dell.

• Windows Vista Premium Ready1 PCs include at least 1GB system RAM2 and 128 MB graphics memory3
• To help further optimize the Windows Vista experience, Dell recommends Premium Ready1 PCs be configured with 2 GB dual-channel (2-DIMMs) system RAM, a Dual-Core processor, a 7200 rpm Hard Drive and at least a 256 MB discrete graphics card.

1 Based on currently available information from Microsoft. Requirements subject to change. Windows Vista has not been tested on all user configurations, and may not be compatible with some hardware devices and other software. Dell systems must be configured with a minimum of 512MB system memory (RAM) for "Windows Vista Capable" designation. Systems which meet only minimum requirements for the "Windows Vista Capable" designation will not provide the full benefits of "Premium Ready", including the Aero interface. Some Dell systems may not meet the requirements for "Premium Ready," no matter the configuration. Aero and other premium benefits not available with Windows Vista Home Basic.
Please visit www.windowsvista.com/getready for more information, including complete system requirements.

2 Initial testing indicates that while single channel systems can run Aero, system performance may depend on applications, and minor system or driver changes could affect Aero performance.

3 If the GPU uses shared memory, then no additional graphics memory is required beyond the 1 GB system memory requirement. If the GPU uses dedicated memory, then 128MBminimum is required.Dell recommendations based on Performance Testing from Office of the CTO, Dell, October 20, 2006

4 Where wireless access is available. Additional access charges apply in some locations.

Note - Not all Windows Vista™ features are available for use on all Windows Vista Capable PCs. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run the core experiences of Windows Vista, such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. Some features -- like the new Windows® Aero™ user interface – are only available in premium editions of Windows Vista – and require advanced or additional hardware. Check www.windowsvista.com/getready for details.

*Limited time offer. Pricing subject to change. Does not apply to Vostro™ 1310 or 1510 laptops.