"Dude, You're Getting a Dell" with Windows XP, for How Much?

Posted 12/10/2008 at 2:47pm | by Mark Edward Soper

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If you want to downgrade a Dell PC in the Inspiron 1525 notebook or 530 desktop line with Windows Vista to Windows XP, it's going to cost more than the $20-50 premium we told you about last summer for other Dell models. How much more? The difference between systems in the Inspiron 1525 and 530 series with Windows Vista and those with Windows Vista Bonus with Windows XP is $150. That's a huge difference, but the reason why isn't really Dell's fault, TG Daily reports. It's all about which Vista versions permit downgrades - and how much they cost.

So, what's going on? These models are normally shipped with Vista Basic SP1 or Vista Home Premium SP1, neither of which include downgrade rights to Windows XP. So, to get Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, which do offer downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional (XP Home's not an option, alas), you must upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, which accounts for the extra cost.

If you want to run the numbers yourself, head over to the Dell Inspiron laptops store or Dell Inspiron 530 desktop store and see the choices. Note that if you select the Vista Bonus option, Windows XP Professional is preinstalled and you get the disc for the version of Vista you selected (Business or Ultimate) for installation later.

So, how do you feel about XP downgrades these days? Who has the best deal on downgrading to Windows XP? Hit Comment and tell us about it.