Last week, we told you about Dianne and how she was absolutely sick of Microsoft lying about PCs being “Vista Capable” when they really weren’t. Again, just because that $300 eMachines computer has a “Vista Capable” sticker doesn’t mean it’s going to run the OS smoothly or with any cool features like Aero Glass. Well Dianne’s class-action lawsuit sure did spook Microsoft. Gates & Co. have now re-defined that these stickers truly mean. Before the lawsuit, this is how Microsoft described the stickers:
“Through the Windows Vista Capable program, Windows XP-based PCs that are powerful enough to run Windows Vista are now available from leading PC manufacturers worldwide, including Acer Inc., Dell Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Gateway Inc., HP, Lenovo, NEC Corp., Sony Corp., Toshiba and more. The Windows Vista Capable logo is designed to assure customers that the PCs they buy today will be ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista and can run the core experiences of Windows Vista.”
And after a lawyer gave them a telephone call:
“A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista — like the new Windows Aero user experience — may require advanced or additional hardware.”
Hmmm…looks like that second paragraph says something about “core experiences at a minimum.” Personally, I believe that sticker should be abolished altogether or consumers should at least receive a follow-up warning sticker that notes that the PC will not be capable of running all of Vista’s features.
Microsoft Redefines “Vista Capable” as Minimum Experience [Daily Tech]