If I Don't Want MS Vista, Can I Order A Linux T61....

[IBMorBust]

...and load a legit copy of Windows XP (with key number) on it?

Lenovo is forcing me to pay a premium for a OS that I don't want - Vista (which I really resent).


Does anyone here foresee any problems with this approach?

I need to pull the trigger tomorrow.

TIA.

[SHoTTa35]

well why not then just order it with XP Pro? If you already have a XP license you wanna use then i guess but it would probably be the same price and then that way you will have 2 keys to use. 1 for this machine and 1 for another later on somewhere down the road.

[IBMorBust]

well why not then just order it with XP Pro? If you already have a XP license you wanna use then i guess but it would probably be the same price and then that way you will have 2 keys to use. 1 for this machine and 1 for another later on somewhere down the road.

It's an extra cost option.

I guess that says something about how popular Vista is, huh?

[msb0b]

Let's compare apples to apples. XP Pro's equivalent is Vista Business. Microsoft and Lenovo has always priced Vista Business and XP Pro at the same price point for as long as I can recall. You can see for yourself on Lenovo's CTO page.

Currently, Microsoft is offering downgrade rights to the users that purchased Vista Business or Ultimate pre-installed on their computers. The Vista license entitles them to use XP Pro without paying for an extra license. Apparently Lenovo is bundling XP Pro recovery discs with qualifying systems to facilitate the downgrade.

Linux-preloaded T61 is about $90 less than an identically configured model with Vista Home Premium. However, there are fewer options available. Specifically, you can't get discrete GPU on Linux-preloaded models.