[olug] Laptop options.

[Sam Tetherow]

Phil Brutsche wrote:
> Dan Linder wrote:
>   
>> I thought companies like Dell/HP/IBM/Compaq/Toshiba/etc were bowing to
>> pressure and keeping XP as an option, but I sure can't find them (HP sales
>> support gave me ONE model that could be ordered with XP).  If they went to
>> Best Buy, will BB have any WinXP models?
>>     
>
> If you want XP (any flavor) on a brand-new laptop ignore the cheap-a$$
> consumer-oriented garbage.
>
> BB won't carry what they're looking for. Same goes for NFM, OfficeDepot,
> OfficeMax, or any other brick-and-mortar place.
>
> As far as Dells go, you can still order the business-oriented Latitude
> D-series laptops with XP. I'm sure the business-oriented HPs and IBMs
> will be much the same.
>
> There is also the option of the Dell Factory Outlet:
> http://www.dell.com/outlet
>
> Personally, if I were going to get a Dell I would go with factory outlet
> regardless - there is a quite substantial $$$ savings, and the factory
> outlet Vostros, Optiplexes, Precisions, and Latitudes have the exact
> same 3-year NBD warranty as their brand-new counterparts.
>
> You might find a consumer-oriented Inspiron with XP; if you don't see
> what you want right away, have patience. The factory outlet inventory
> changes hourly.
>
>   
>> My other option is to pay the Microsoft tax twice and purchase a copy of
>> Windows XP to install over Vista.  I'd rather the put that additional $100
>> toward other upgrades, but XP is a definite requirement for this solution
>> and that might be my only route. :-(
>>     
>
> If you have XP Pro media and a machine with Vista Business you can
> downgrade Vista Business and be 100% legal.
>
>   
Do you have any reference to the legality of that? I know if I suggest 
it to some people they are going to want it in writing somewhere. Also 
would this allow for concurrent on the same machine either as dual boot 
or via virtualbox?

Sam Tetherow
Sandhills Wireless