Re: Can one still get XP installed in new laptop/notebooks from local retail stores?

ANTant@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On SOME computers, they can still be ordered with XP but only until June 30th (better hurry).

Yes, I'm trying! 13 days left... I think I will go to the local retail stores and see what is available, feel, touch, research online (good or bad models and if the option for XP is available), etc.

Computers shipped with Vista BUSINESS and ULTIMATE have (and will continue to have) "XP Downgrade Rights" ... you have a LICENSE to downgrade to XP, but you may not have actual media and drivers to actually do it. Therefore actually using this can be difficult to nearly impossible in some cases.

That is what worries me. Drivers and support. Who supports XP fully with the downgrade? If only specific brands and models, which ones right now? That's the difficult part.


I know MS wants to have all new laptops/notebooks with Vista from local retail stores (e.g., Best Buy, Costco, Circuit City). I was wondering if one can still downgrade the OS to XP SP2/SP3 preinstalled with software, drivers, and support?

Thank you in advance. :)

Dell is the best bet for full support of XP. IBM/Lenovo and HP/Compaq would also be good choices. Dell (cheap) IBM/Lenovo (Higher end, initial cost is up there). HP/Compaq (middle costs).

I am not precluding other brands, but based on technical support experience, these are what the big corps run with.

These brands are the 3 majors as far as corporate support and generally the easiest to deal with.
Personally buying direct from the manufacturer is preferable than a big box purchase.
Business class laptops also tend to be built with the road warrior in mind. Meaning they are built a little more solid and have less add-ons and needless bells and whistles they could become a hindrance if they fail.


.

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