The first result from the Dell IdeaStorm site has finally been implemented, but it doesn’t have to do with Linux. In fact, it has to do with another operating system…Windows XP. Just when you thought that Dell had completely phased Windows XP out they have now started to bring it back for consumers.
I remember checking out the Dell site shortly after Vista launched and noticed that they had switched everything over to Vista. A few weeks later they decided to bring back Windows XP for business users, but still had Vista as the only option for home users. As a result of the IdeaStorm site Windows XP has been added back onto the following computers:
- Dell Inspiron Notebooks: 1405, 1705, 1505, 1501
- Dell Dimension Desktops: E520, E521
When visiting those pages you’ll see a quick comparison chart (pictured above) between Windows Vista and XP…with Vista taking the cake. The systems all include Windows XP Home Edition with an optional upgrade to XP Professional for $149.
I am happy to see Dell listing to the feedback of their users, but they are definitely trying not to promote Windows XP. To choose from Windows XP systems you either need to use the direct links above, or on some of the Dell pages you’ll see a small link in the sidebar that says “Still looking for Windows XP?” that you can click. I thought that they could just add XP to the list of operating systems to choose from when customizing a computer, but apparently they didn’t want to do that? The only reason I know of why they did that is because they didn’t want someone inadvertently choosing XP just to find out later that their new computer didn’t come with the latest operating system.
I’m happy waiting for the next version of Windows after Vista, as long as Xp is supported.
I think there will be a lot of people that just stick with XP until the next OS after Vista is released. It turned out to be a great operating system. Although, I just recently made the upgrade to Vista and I am enjoying it. It’s got a lot to offer.
I have read quite few articles and some people are referring Windows Vista to Windows ME as a steeping stone for the real operating in the near future. I will be keeping Windows XP on the main PC but my laptop is Ubuntu 7.04 Only
Yes! I was looking for this to happen by some vendor. Dell just got my next laptop business. Thanks, Ryan.
Thanks for noticing we have responded, again, to our customers on Ideastorm and will offer XP as a choice. Great advantage of the direct model is that we can do this for customers configuring their computer versus the computers already on store shelves where customers do not have this choice.
By the way this is not the first idea we have implemented from Ideastorm. Here are some others where we have moved based on the feedback:
- demote buttons were added to the site;
- we now have a Dell blog in Mandarin, and soon other languages;
-dell.com will soon feature additional product pictures, as well as a beefed up “help me choose” section;
- we expanded the Plant a tree program
- we provided the upgrades for the xps 700 owners
- and we are moving forward on offering more choices for Linux installed on desk tops and note books
Thats just a few of our actions to date.
No problem Ed!
I don’t know if I would go as far as to say it is like Windows ME. I had used Windows ME and it was horrible…you could never seem to stop if from crashing. Windows Vista has yet to crash on me and handles itself very well, but I still think that all of the complaints are coming from people having application compatiblity troubles.
@RichardatDell: I didn’t notice that you had implemented other ideas from the IdeaStorm site because the “In-Action” page hadn’t been updated with all of those changes. Of course, those aren’t anywhere near the caliber of bringing XP back or introducing a Linux laptop/desktop lineup.
My first real operating system was Windows ME and i always seem to get BSOD most weeks , personally i have never had BSOD on XP. but its good to see companies listening to the customer