MSFT: Microsoft, Industry Partners Offer Early Holiday Gifts to PC Buyers Around the World

Microsoft Corp. today announced programs to provide holiday shoppers with low-cost upgrades to Windows Vista™ and the 2007 Microsoft® Office release with the purchase of a new Windows Vista Capable personal computer. Microsoft is working with participating computer manufacturers and system builders that plan to sell PCs loaded with Windows® XP or pre-installed with 2003 Microsoft Office software to make the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Technology Guarantee programs available to consumers and small businesses from Oct. 26, 2006, through March 15, 2007.

“Our customers can shop for a new PC with confidence this holiday season because of the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Office Technology Guarantee programs,” said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. “These programs ensure people will have a great experience with their Windows XP-based PCs today, and an even better one when Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release become available.”

A number of computer manufacturers worldwide have confirmed plans to participate in the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista program. PCs carrying the Windows Vista Capable logo may be eligible for the program, but upgrade offers will vary among PC makers. The upgrade to Windows Vista may be offered for free or at a discounted price (shipping and handling charges may also apply), and customers should check with PC makers for their specific offers. Consumers can also visit http://www.windowsvista.com/expressupgrade for more information.

Microsoft will be working with participating smaller PC makers, known as system builders, to provide customers with upgrade discount coupons for Windows Vista with the purchase of a qualifying Windows Vista Capable PC. The offer will vary by region, but in the U.S. upgrades from Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to Windows Vista Home Premium, and upgrades from Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Business 64, will be offered for a nominal fee. Upgrades from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic and to Windows Vista Home Premium will be offered at a 50 percent discount from the boxed product upgrade price, plus the cost of shipping and handling.

Microsoft will also enable customers to upgrade to comparable editions of the 2007 Microsoft Office release when they purchase PCs pre-installed with qualifying Microsoft Office 2003 software. For Microsoft Office purchases made through participating computer manufacturers in qualifying locations, customers will receive upgrades to comparable 2007 Microsoft Office release products for the cost of shipping and handling when the product becomes available. For purchases of Microsoft Office through a system builder, customers will need to provide valid proof of purchase and cover shipping and handling costs associated with the upgrade. Customers in North America will receive a coupon with the purchase that must also be submitted.

Similar programs are available on a region-by-region basis for Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows XP boxed product. Customers should check with their local retailers to learn more about specific programs.


For all holiday purchases of machines loaded with Windows XP, Microsoft recommends that buyers consider Windows Vista Capable PCs that are designated Premium Ready, and specifically such PCs loaded with Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. PCs that are designated as Premium Ready can deliver the core Windows Vista experiences, plus features such as the Windows Aero™ user experience and Media Center.* For more information about what version of Windows Vista is right for them, buyers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx

“Dell customers can rest easy knowing that the Windows Vista™ Capable PCs they buy from Dell now and during the holidays are ready to run the operating system when it becomes available. An investment in a Dell desktop or notebook now will continue to pay off in the future.”

- John Medica, Senior Vice President, Dell Product Group
Dell Inc.

“Customers in the market for a notebook PC this holiday season should take comfort in knowing that Fujitsu already offers a complete line of Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs. By purchasing a Fujitsu LifeBook notebook that carries the Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready label, they are protecting their investment because they can be confident that the notebook is ready for Windows Vista and eligible for an upgrade to Windows Vista when it is available.”

- Paul Moore, Senior Director, Mobile Product Marketing
Fujitsu Computer Systems Corp.

“Gateway Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs come with the assurance that they can be upgraded to Windows Vista, thanks to Microsoft’s new Windows Vista Express Upgrade program. We’re pleased to be able to assure our customers that the Gateway Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs they purchase for the holiday season will also let them experience the many benefits of Windows Vista when it’s available.”

- Kenneth Walker, Chief Technologist
Gateway Inc.

“HP and Microsoft are committed to developing technologies that provide new ways to experience life, so HP has chosen to provide customers shopping this holiday season with the opportunity to fully experience the benefits of the upcoming Windows Vista platform for free on select HP systems, through the new Windows Vista Express Upgrade Program. HP engineers have worked extensively with Microsoft to develop Windows Vista, so customers can have the same level of confidence in their Windows® experience as they do in their HP technology, and the assurance that every aspect of the computing experience will be more satisfying, more relevant, more valuable and even easier to use than ever before.”

- Mike Larson, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Americas
Personal Systems Group
HP

“Sony is committed to providing our customers with the best PC experience possible, and as such will be strongly supporting the Windows Vista Express Upgrade campaign by offering a free upgrade to the appropriate version of Windows Vista across our line of eligible VAIO computers.”

- Mike Abary, Vice President of VAIO Product Marketing
Sony Electronics in the United States

“Toshiba is poised to support Microsoft’s initiative by offering a variety of Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready notebook computers to foster an effortless transition to the new operating system for our customers.”

- Terry Cronin, Director of Marketing, Digital Products Division
Toshiba America Information Systems

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

*Some functionalities require specific hardware components.