Headsup Laptop buyers

[acropolite (Phil)]

Anyone contemplating a laptop buy, Myer are clearing the Toshiba A200/M200 models at bargain prices. I just picked up an M200 2G core2 (M200Q00) with Vista Business, DVD burner, wireless, USB, Firewire, bluetooth etc for $995. Vista Business includes a free upgrade to XP Pro (they call it a downgrade, but we know better). The salesman wasn't even aware that this offer came with that model. If you're after a laptop this may be the last chance you'll get to buy an XP compatible machine. If you're buying, make sure its one of the models with the XP (vista business) option.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Thanks for the heads-up, I may be in the market for a laptop. One thing: I'm confused and worried about your comment "this may be the last chance you'll get to buy an XP compatible machine". Will future laptops not support XP? I always assumed I could put whatever OS I liked on a laptop - well any version of Windows or any flavour of Linux anyway. Please don't tell me I'll be forced to downgrade to Vista.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Thanks for the heads-up, I may be in the market for a laptop. One thing: I'm confused and worried about your comment "this may be the last chance you'll get to buy an XP compatible machine". Will future laptops not support XP?

My guess is that means that producers of new hardware wont see a need to create XP driver software.

[Adsyadsman (Adam)]

Microsoft has officially stopped offering XP as an OS on new OEM machines. So even though XP is still available, manufacturers will now gradually stop offering XP with their new equipment.

[leon]

I reckon XP supported software will be around for quite some time yet.

Leon

[Ian Robinson]

Nothing to stop you from uninstallng VIsta and installing XP Pro (SP3) instead if you have it from another older system (on a CD with key).

[acropolite (Phil)]

Nothing to stop you from uninstallng VIsta and installing XP Pro (SP3)

There's no problem with that, but many of the manufacturers aren't writing drivers for XP and you can't buy XP any more.

[marki]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

Nothing to stop you from uninstallng VIsta and installing XP Pro (SP3) instead if you have it from another older system (on a CD with key).

Microsft make you get a new reg number if the new system is significantly different then the original system it was first activated on. Not really a problem as it does not cost anything but it is annoying as they will not activate XP unless you swear that the OS has been removed from the original machine. That said I have got all my stuff to work well on Vista and once you turn off the annoying user account control it is a nice platform to work from.

Mark