Ballmer: you can buy Vista and downgrade to XP for free
While Apple is encouraging its install base to upgrade to the latest version of the Mac OS X operating system, a new sales pitch by its Redmond-based rival to the north recommends that customers unhappy with Vista take a step in the opposite direction 'for free.'
Speaking at an event Tuesday in the nation's capital, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said his company's licensing policy allows for customers to install the previous generation of Windows should Vista not impress.
"Customers get both," he said. "I don't know how you can do better than getting both."
Baller's comments were in response to a question about whether Microsoft will continue to market retail copies of Windows XP for mainstream PCs beyond its scheduled June 30 expiration.
The Microsoft headman explained that his firm holds no such plans because any customer who wants to purchase XP after June 30 can just as easily buy Vista and trigger its built-in downgrade option.
Earlier this week, the software maker said it would extend the shelf life of XP for installations on "nettops" -- it's term for ultra-low cost desktop systems -- for an undetermined amount of time. That followed an earlier move to continue selling the six-and-a-half year old operating system for ultra portable notebook systems for up to two more years.
InformationWeek's Paul McDougall points out that a number of PC makers, including Dell, already offer business systems that have been "pre-downgraded" from Vista to XP. Though that raises the question, he says, about the accuracy of the sales figures Microsoft has provided for Vista.
"In April, the company said it had sold more than 140 million Vista licenses since the OS became available to the public early last year," he wrote. "But Microsoft did not indicate what percentage of those Vista licenses have been downgraded to XP."
Ballmer egged in Hungary last month.
Ballmer, 52, also told those in attendance at the event Tuesday that he expects to retire from running the world's largest software company within the next "9 or 10 years," at which time the eldest of his three children will be on the way to college.
Speaking at an event Tuesday in the nation's capital, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said his company's licensing policy allows for customers to install the previous generation of Windows should Vista not impress.
"Customers get both," he said. "I don't know how you can do better than getting both."
Baller's comments were in response to a question about whether Microsoft will continue to market retail copies of Windows XP for mainstream PCs beyond its scheduled June 30 expiration.
The Microsoft headman explained that his firm holds no such plans because any customer who wants to purchase XP after June 30 can just as easily buy Vista and trigger its built-in downgrade option.
Earlier this week, the software maker said it would extend the shelf life of XP for installations on "nettops" -- it's term for ultra-low cost desktop systems -- for an undetermined amount of time. That followed an earlier move to continue selling the six-and-a-half year old operating system for ultra portable notebook systems for up to two more years.
InformationWeek's Paul McDougall points out that a number of PC makers, including Dell, already offer business systems that have been "pre-downgraded" from Vista to XP. Though that raises the question, he says, about the accuracy of the sales figures Microsoft has provided for Vista.
"In April, the company said it had sold more than 140 million Vista licenses since the OS became available to the public early last year," he wrote. "But Microsoft did not indicate what percentage of those Vista licenses have been downgraded to XP."
Ballmer egged in Hungary last month.
Ballmer, 52, also told those in attendance at the event Tuesday that he expects to retire from running the world's largest software company within the next "9 or 10 years," at which time the eldest of his three children will be on the way to college.
Comments
Our office still won't upgrade to Vista. We can't afford the downtime should something run amiss, which is pretty much bound to happen to at least one installation of Vista. However, I at least applaud Micro for having the option for downgrade (not that they would have much of a choice for the riots that would ensue).
Ballmer egged in Hungary last month.
I'm wondering what this has to do with the article, but it was pretty funny nonetheless. If you notice, a bunch of the students have Macs.
But what about those of us who bought systems with XP recently because we knew Vista was crap?
should have bought a mac?
But what about those of us who bought systems with XP recently because we knew Vista was crap?
What of it? Didn't you get what you wanted?
But what about those of us who bought systems with XP recently because we knew Vista was crap?
You got XP without paying for Vista to get it. Beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick--except insofar as using Windows at all is a lot like that to begin with!
How much did the pay the guy that came up with this? Where do I send my resume?
take a step in the opposite direction 'for free.'
Sorry Guys, I just couldn't resist - again!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc
Ballmer, 52, also told those in attendance at the event Tuesday that he expects to retire from running the world's largest software company within the next "9 or 10 years,"...
The real question now is, can Microsoft survive the next 9 or 10 years???
"One more thing! Today we bring you the new iPhone. But don't worry, for those who don't like GPS, 3G, and some really bitchin' video conferencing capabilities you can push this reset button on the back of this phone and it will instantly become the generation 1 iPhone."
"I don't know how you can do better than getting both."
By getting none?
This means we're going to have a ton of people in the store wanting to install XP on the Vista machines they just bought, unfortunately, a lot of those machines contain components with Vista Only drivers.
This is so very true!
Talk about a lack of confidence in your own product!
In spite of Microshaft hyping up Vista to the public, behind closed doors the guys at Redmond, WA also read the reports about Vista. They know businesses are not happy and Vista is a lemon. This is why there is so much talk coming from Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates about Windoze 7 which at the end of the day will be nothing more than Windoze Vista 2nd Edition.
There is no way Steve and Bill can have real confidence in Vista. Windoze 7 so far also fails to impress. If Windoze 7 is also a flop this will truly ring the death knoll for M$.