Vista pre-load

[zzyss]

Just wondering, do pre-installed versions of the O/S have the option of a free upgrade if purchased after a certain time? I have seen with retail versions that as you get closer to the launch, if you buy the O/S it comes with a free coupon to upgrade to the latest version when it's released.

How close to the Vista launch date will that happen?

Also, do you think it will be possible to buy the pre-load from Lenovo once Vista launches? (whenever Lenovo starts loading Vista onto their TPs)

[bill bolton]

How close to the Vista launch date will that happen?

Given the Gartner Group comments on Vista progress, its not going to be any time soon!

More Windows Vista delays predicted

Cheers,

Bill

[DIGITALgimpus]

Just wondering, do pre-installed versions of the O/S have the option of a free upgrade if purchased after a certain time? I have seen with retail versions that as you get closer to the launch, if you buy the O/S it comes with a free coupon to upgrade to the latest version when it's released.

Historically yes, but in most cases you have to completely install the prior OS and then upgrade (ugh). Unless you have a pretty good OEM install. That won't work with Thinkpads because of how the installer works (because it installs to HPA which installs it).

So you will likely be able to use an upgrade, but you need to have XP installed. Making a re-install ugly.