Setting up a network in Sept. using XP Prof... Have a question

[Vinny]

After some research I see that my company cannot use Vista as its operating system for a number of software related issues.

We are, in September of this year, going to be purchasing 5 new computers that will be networked to a server. In September, will I be able to order new in the box machines with XP Professional installed? Or will it be Vista shipping on pre-built retail machines by then?

I'm confused to be honest on the kill date of XP, I hear mixed things. I know MS just shipped like 500,000 copies of XP, but if I buy 5 retail machines (say Dell for example) in September, will XP Professional be an option, or will I be forced into Vista and have to pay $300 per machine for an XP Prof. disc?

Thanks in advance for any help!

~V

[nocturnx]

As far as I could find Dell has already stopped selling PC's with windows XP. I would just call Dells tech support and ask to see what they say.

[systempat]

They are definitely still selling Desktops and Laptops with XP. On the Business side. You have lots of company in not converting company networks to Vista.
If you can't see it on the Web sites, contact DELL. You mave have to buy machines out of the business line, such as GX desktops and Latitude laptops. They are still selling a bunch of these with XP.

[Negeva]

Many OEM manufacturers are still selling XP. Some will sell you a machine with Vista installed and offer you a 'Roll-Back to XP' voucher; meaning you'll have to install XP yourself.

[Vinny]

G'morning folks!

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm fine with a "roll back voucher" and installing the OS myself, I've done that quite a few times... as anyone has who owns a windows box That actually sounds pretty good because I was worried I'd have to buy 5 copies of XP Prof. off the shelf at $300 a pop and then install them on the machines, whereas when you buy a retail machine it comes built into the price a little discounted... or so it seems, I may just be naive and it is actually $300 still from the retail box

My only concern is how late we're going to be buying the machines. Our new facility is being built as we speak, I was just checking in on the site in fact, and we won't be in until, as I said, Sept. I would love if the "roll back" option was still good, because I really don't feel like having my boss add an additional $1500 to the cost of the system.

If any brand, personally I really like Dell as they are easy to customize/upgrade on your own, is going to still continue to roll out business boxes with XP in say August, which would it be most likely? As I said I'd like to stick to Dell, but I'm not hard set on it.

Again thank you for the input! I'm going to look into some of the GX builds mentioned and see what Dell has behind the scenes on their website for just this issue.

Thanks!

~V

[ThePoor]

Dell and HP still sell computers with WinXP Pro. Because we just order more than 1000PCs from HP with XP Pro imaged.

[glc]

I believe you need to buy your machines before June 30th in order to get XP preinstalled. Otherwise you may have to buy them with Vista Business and get ahold of a XP Pro CD and back license them.

You can buy OEM XP Pro for around $140. The $300 price is for full retail.