It has been five years since Windows XP was released on the market. Now, Microsoft is ready with their newest release Windows Vista. Vista has been highly anticipated in the computing world for quite some time, which makes its release extra special for PC users. Microsoft plans on released a version to their corporate customers on November 30th of this year, and then to their regular consumers on January 30, 2007.
So should you wait and buy a computer after January 30th to make sure you get the new operating system?
Maybe. Microsoft announced a little while ago that they will be making upgrade versions of Vista available to people who have recently purchased, or are running the newest and most updated version on XP for a small fee. If you are currently running the home edition of XP you can also purchase Vista at a 50% off discount.
What if I already have XP but just want to upgrade on my current computer?
Unless your current computer is one you plan on keeping for quite a while you may want to hold off on purchasing a copy of Vista. The program license is only able to be transferred to one computer in its lifetime. That means if you buy it for your computer now, and then get a new computer in a year, your second computer is the last computer your Vista CD will work for. XP made it possible to transfer ownership to as many different PC’s as you wanted. By limiting your usage of the CD. Microsoft helps prevent abuse of the system, but also can make using the program difficult to the average consumer who upgrades their computer system often.
You can pre-order Vista from most computer manufactures now, and then have it delivered to your door on January 30th when it becomes available to the public.