XP plus Vista upgrade coupon

[Beck]

I see some shops in the UK are selling XP home OEM that comes with a Vista
upgrade coupon.

Does anyone know how these upgrade coupons work?
Is this a free upgrade?
How do I get the upgrade?
Do I have to buy vista and then claim cashback or something?
thanks

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

You purchase a computer with Windows XP and ask the vendor for Windows Vista
Express Upgrade.

Learn more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/expressupgrade.mspx

 

[Beck]

You purchase a computer with Windows XP and ask the vendor for Windows
Vista Express Upgrade.

Learn more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/expressupgrade.mspx
--

Thanks for the link but it does not explain how the upgrade works.

 

[Henry Jones]

Sure it explains how the upgrade works. Just choose the vendor from the
drop down list and it gives you all the information.

But normally the coupon is good for an upgrade copy. Redeem it with the
vendor and pay a nominal shipping charge, then they send you the DVD.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Another thing is, it replaces the license for the copy of XP. Its similar
the Technology Adoption Program Microsoft had for XP Professional x64 where
you exchanged your XP Pro x86 license for XP Pro x64 within a given period.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Not quite. There is no computer being sold. You purchase an OEM copy of XP
and you get the Express Upgrade coupon. No computer. It works the same as
it does when you get an Express Upgrade coupon with a new machine, though.
NewEgg is selling the same deal.
See:
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems
for an example.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Don't bother buying XP OEM and an Express Upgrade coupon just to get the
Vista upgrade. Simply wait until Jan 30 and buy Vista OEM from the same
folks. The Vista upgrade you obtain with the coupon ships four to six weeks
AFTER Jan 30. That means you wait to mid-March for Vista. Buy the Vista
OEM on Jan 30 from the same people and you get it in whatever the shipping
time is.

The only reason this caught your eye is that Vista OEM editions are not
offered yet so it looks like a way to get Vista. Had you have seen an ad
for Vista OEM today you would never have considered buying XP OEM at all.
So wait. The prices for equivalent editions will be about the same.

Keep in mind that OEM copies are meant for people building computers, not as
a replacement for an OS already on your system. Also, unlike the retail
editions, you cannot transfer the license to another computer later.

 

[Beck]

Don't bother buying XP OEM and an Express Upgrade coupon just to get the
Vista upgrade. Simply wait until Jan 30 and buy Vista OEM from the same
folks. The Vista upgrade you obtain with the coupon ships four to six
weeks AFTER Jan 30. That means you wait to mid-March for Vista. Buy the
Vista OEM on Jan 30 from the same people and you get it in whatever the
shipping time is.

The only reason this caught your eye is that Vista OEM editions are not
offered yet so it looks like a way to get Vista. Had you have seen an ad
for Vista OEM today you would never have considered buying XP OEM at all.
So wait. The prices for equivalent editions will be about the same.

Keep in mind that OEM copies are meant for people building computers, not
as a replacement for an OS already on your system. Also, unlike the
retail editions, you cannot transfer the license to another computer
later.

Its nothing to do with seeing it now. I know it will not be available until
its available.
I was thinking more that I would actually save money doing it that way.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The cost for OEM XP and OEM Vista should be roughly the same for equivalent
editions. You will get the OEM Vista sooner.

 

[Roy Coorne]

The cost for OEM XP and OEM Vista should be roughly the same for
equivalent editions. You will get the OEM Vista sooner.

System Builder Editions, e. g.:

"Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows D DVD-ROM 1 User Euro 189,-

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows GB DVD-ROM 1 User Euro 189,-"

(D = German, GB = British English)

<http://www.alternate.de/html/detailSearch4CSort.html?cat1=046&cat2=101&cat3=000&vendorSelect=61>


FYI only

roy

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

It should also be noted that those entitled to the upgrade from XP Pro will
be entitled to Vista Ultimate and Business versions, and those with only XP
Home will not..