Dell Re-Adding Windows XP Option on PCs

Whoa, did someone listen? 2,400 of you (and counting) weighed in on why you aren't upgrading to Windows Vista on a prior blog post of mine. Dell's IdeaStorm saw a flurry of calls for alternative OSes on its computers, a sign of rampant dissatisfaction with Vista. Dell listened once, announcing it would offer Linux as an option in the near future. Now it's listened again: The company has said it will offer Windows XP as an option on home computers once again.

This move is just the latest sign of trouble for Microsoft's new OS. Despite breathless claims of superior sales through some awfully creative mathematics, most analysts have pegged the actual numbers as disappointing. The reason is pretty simple: People just really hate Vista.

The details are a little hazy as to which machines would have XP as an option, but I'd think with a phone call you ought to be able to get XP preloaded on just about any Dell computer you want to buy. Microsoft is playing this off as standard operating procedure, of course.

What I'd love to see next: More vendors getting in on this XP revival movement. HP, Toshiba, Gateway... how about it? Make some waves and tell Microsoft you don't want to be pushed around by being forced to sell your lovely PCs with their busted OS. And of course, I'd still like to see Microsoft reintroduce Windows XP formally, or at least extend the amount of time it will be sold and use it as the basis for a hasty replacement for Vista. If you feel the same way, you can continue to add your comments to my open letter to Microsoft!

LINK: Dell brings back XP on home systems