Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Offers Vary

People buying certain Windows Vista certified computers from October 26 2006 until March 26 2007 with Windows XP preinstalled are qualified to get a voucher for a free or discounted upgrade to Windows Vista when the new operating system become available. Details of the Windows XP to Windows Vista upgrade, officially called Express Upgrade to Windows Vista, vary depending on PC manufacturers and retailers.

It is reported that there will be “nominal fees” in upgrade scheme, such as additional shipping, handling, and other fees. According to the ZNet, the upgrade path under the banner of “nominal fee” is:

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to Windows Vista Home Premium;
Windows XP Professional to Windows Vista Business;
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to Windows Vista Business; and
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition to Windows Vista Business 64.

The Express Upgrade coupon also entitles the bearer to 50% discounts of the following upgrades:

Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic; and
Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Premium.

But certain PC vendors say that even XP Home to Vista Home upgrades will be free.

NotebookReview.com reported that HP customers in the U.S. won’t have to pay a shipping and handling fee on the Vista upgrade disk when it becomes available, including upgrade from XP Home.

A Gateway spokesperson, according to the Arstechnica’s report, said that “the upgrade is totally free of charge for customers who buy PCs direct from Gateway, via both phone and Web, while retailers are handling the Vista Express upgrade program at their discretion, based on Microsoft guidelines.”

On the other side, Dell representative said the company will charge customers a $45 fee to upgrade to Vista Home from Windows XP Home edition when it comes out. However, if they upgrade from Windows XP Pro or Media Center there will be no upgrade charge fee, but shipping and handling will be charged.

Sony charges Windows XP Home upgrade to Vista Home Basic, and XP Home to Vista Home Premium, for $50 and $75 respectively. Other Sony Vaio laptop and desktop PC Windows upgrades included in Express program are free of charge.

Any Acer Windows Vista Capable or Windows Vista Premium Ready PC bought between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 includes an Express Upgrade to Windows Vista once it become available. The prices were not provided at the Acer’s website.

According to Jim Wong, senior corporate vice president at PC manufacturer Acer, upgrading XP Home to Vista Basic isn’t good solution.

“The new Vista experience you hear of, if you get Basic, you won’t feel it at all. There’s no Aero graphics, no Media Center, no remote control,” said Wong in PC Pro’s report.

Other computer manufacturers, which were listed as participators in Express Upgrade to Windows Vista are Lenovo, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Nec and others.

The reports say that another element that can’t be factored in to a coupon-based upgrade like this is how willing the average users will be to install an operating system by themselves.

Official Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Page: Windows Vista: Express Upgrade
ZDNet: Another Microsoft stumble - Vista coupons | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com
NotebookReview: Microsoft to Offer Vista Express Upgrade to PC Buyers Starting this Thursday
Arstechnica: M-Dollar: Dell, Gateway, HP announce Vista Express Upgrade plans
PC Pro: PC Pro - Acer About Vista Home

I love Windows I do, cuz I have used Linux and truly do not like it having said that . Im not happy with vista and will keep my Xp Prof, the main reason is cost of course but also vista dose not offer customize colors and or other dress it your way functions, they have focus on security and media and ,thats good I wanted groovi (lol) things like changes alot of them like you get from wincustomize without having it as an extra software…….well vista needs only one model( prof )and a good price for everyone say like 199.99 and thats it…not six or seven versions and/or upgrades.force people to insralle anew and call it day. ok bye!