Despite consumer resistance to Vista, its compatibility problems, extra hardware requirements and high prices Microsoft has decided to stop the supply of Microsoft Windows XP by the end of this year.By early 2008, Microsoft’s contracts with computer makers will require companies to only sell Vista-loaded machines. “The OEM version of XP Professional goes next January,” said Frank Luburic, senior ThinkPad product manager for Lenovo. “At that point, they’ll have no choice.”

In a recent post on its Direct2Dell blog, Dell reaffirmed to concerned customers that it wasn’t about to force small business users — who typically purchase PCs piecemeal, rather than in large enterprise-style orders — to shift to Vista, which has experienced a less-than-stellar reaction from many buyers because of driver issues and moderately beefy hardware requirements.

“Dell recognizes the needs of small business customers and understands that more time is needed to transition to a new operating system,” the post read in part. “The plan is to continue offering Windows XP on select Dimension and Inspiron systems until later this [northern] summer.”

“From a local perspective, the post was a reminder more than an announcement,” Dell ANZ corporate communications manager Paul McKeon told APC.

There’s general agreement amongst PC resellers that Vista has provided a minor boost to PC sales, but hasn’t produced blockbuster numbers. A similar story applies in the retail space. Figures from marketing consultancy GfK suggest that after an initial sales surge, around 1500 copies of Vista are now being sold through Australian retailers each week, according to a recent report in the AFR.

While Dell’s post suggested it wouldn’t be promoting Vista systems to the home market, manufacturers still have the option of selling RelXP-based systems for consumers this year.

Source: APC Magzine

Did you buy a computer from one of the above big brands and faced lot of problems. You must have called there tech support for help? How was the response? Were they willing to help you? Or were they fulfilling there responsibilities? It is time to spit all the problems you faced with the company’s tech supports to Vocal Laboratories, a company that helps other companies improve customer service by surveying customer calls. After all you paid them!

Next time you have a technical problem with one of these computer manufacturers, call the numbers below instead of the normal technical support number. The call will go to Vocal Labs and get forwarded to the company in question. Within an hour after the call is over, Vocal Labs calls you back for a 2-minute interview.

The numbers are:
Apple: 800-894-3218 (instead of 800-275-2273)
Dell Technical Support: 800-894-3639 (instead of 800-624-9896)
Gateway Technical Support: 800-894-3552 (instead of 800-846-2301)
HP Technical Support: 800-871-4439 (instead of 800-474-6836)

Related:
HP Ruining Its Name

Source: Consumerist