New Dell laptop - 9" screen

Not yet out - but supposed to be under $500!

Windows XP - still lives?

It looks though, that Microsoft may not be able to kill off Windows XP yet.

From CNet news:
"It seems that Michael Dell is breathing new life into his company.

A year ago, Dell was brave enough to backtrack on its Vista-only policy for consumer machines. It also showed some independence from Microsoft by offering Linux to consumers. And again, Dell is innovating.

Fact 1: As of June 30, large computer manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard can no longer offer Windows XP preinstalled on new computers, though Microsoft has said it would consider re-evaluating the deadline if there's enough customer demand.

Fact 2: Anyone who buys a copy of either the Business or Ultimate versions of Vista is entitled to also get Windows XP Professional. Each computer manufacturer decides whether, or how, to implement this.

Until now, consumers who exercised their right to get XP Professional when they purchased Vista got a computer with Vista preinstalled and an XP image CD in the box (an image CD is very different from a retail Windows CD).

Dell's innovation? It will do the XP image installation for you. It may not sound like much, but the net result is that the computer leaves the factory with Windows XP Professional on it, rather than Vista.

Deadline? We don't need no stinkin' deadline."

This means:
1. You will need to order XP Pro - which is $99 more than XP Home which most people order.
2. Probably you need to order from Dell Small Business models.
But having done that, you will get XP Pro installed on your desktop or laptop when it ships.

HP and Lenovo have also announced that they will follow suit with their laptops and desktops.