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Microsoft offers users $100 credit on a new PC to switch from XP
Geekwire ^ | 3/21/2014 at 10:35 am | Blair Hanley Frank

Posted on 04/04/2014 7:06:45 AM PDT by null and void

Microsoft really wants people to stop using Windows XP.

The company launched a new promotion that offers XP users $100 off the purchase of a new PC that costs more than $599 through the Microsoft Store from now until June 15. Buyers will also get 90 days of free support and free data transfer from their old XP-powered PC.

Microsoft is ending support for XP, which has been around for more than a decade, in April. That means any security flaws found by attackers after that point won’t be patched, leaving users who are still clinging to their old computers open to attack.

For people who prefer in-person service, they can also trade in their old XP machine at a Microsoft retail store, where an employee will help them transfer their data on-site.

The company previously offered a $50 Microsoft Store gift card to switchers, but it seems like that offer didn’t quite do enough to spur sales. Now, users will be able to get a straight discount on their computer purchase. That’s good news for consumers who are avoiding a switch from XP because they’re worried about spending hundreds of dollars on a new PC.

Still, picking up a Windows 8 device could be a hard sell for people who have been using XP this whole time. Microsoft has changed the design of its operating system quite a bit since 2003, and using Windows 8 will take some getting used to.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: bitterclingers; microsoft; ms; opensource; windows; windowsxp; xp
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To: bigheadfred
Circumnavigating like Magellan is sorta kinda like an adventure. Sorta. Kinda.

Yeah, but Magellan got killed in the Philippines. I'm using 7. To hell with 8.

21 posted on 04/04/2014 7:36:11 AM PDT by trubolotta
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To: null and void

You should switch because every time you go on the internet “people” can see what operating system you are using to access the contents of their web server. As such you potentially could be targeted by hackers who could exploit vulnerabilities in XP.

As Director of IT for my company I can tell you that the differences in the new interface have been grossly exaggerated and most people can learn how to navigate Windows 8 in about 15 minutes. Anything I can do in Windows 7 I can do just as fast in Windows 8.

Furthermore because it was designed to run on mobile devices Windows 8 is “less bloated” than Windows 7 and more stable and robust than XP.

As far as I am concerned all the Windows 8 hate is a case of the blind leading the blind. The only problem you might have is if you have devices that lack Windows 8 drivers but if this is the case it is likely you will also have problems with Windows 7.

If anybody should decide to go with Windows 8 and has problems feel free to IM me and I will try and point you in the right direction.


22 posted on 04/04/2014 7:39:42 AM PDT by thejokker
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To: oh8eleven
Vista was crap, of course. I've been running a PC and a laptop on Vista for over 7 years ... no problems. What's your beef? Vista being crap is another myth. Poor driver support and underpowered systems was the problem most people had with Vista. Vista is only slightly different than Windows 7 and far more stable than XP.
23 posted on 04/04/2014 7:42:27 AM PDT by thejokker
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To: winner3000

I think it is more an issue of cost.

It is very very very very difficult for users to move over their accumulated software from point a to b. If it was easier and MS did not make so many frustration blocks, it would be more attractive to upgrade faster.

(ie just moving harddrives etc.)


24 posted on 04/04/2014 7:42:30 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: null and void
I have an old clunker that I might agree to turn in...for Windows 7.I'm avoiding W8 like the plague...just as I avoided ME and Vista.
25 posted on 04/04/2014 7:43:39 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Stalin Blamed The Kulaks,Obama Blames The Tea Party)
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To: thejokker

I don’t go on the interwebs with my Windows laptop, nor on the Windows side of my iMac.


26 posted on 04/04/2014 7:49:14 AM PDT by null and void (I don't mind getting older, but I hate wearing out!)
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To: null and void
Build your own and save much much more. It can be tricky for those who
are unknowledgeable about building a Puter, but there are tons of sites and
tens of thousands of techies out there to help.
27 posted on 04/04/2014 7:54:52 AM PDT by MaxMax (Pay Attention and you'll be pissed off too! FIRE BOEHNER, NOW!)
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To: null and void

as I sad two weeks ago: “add a zero”


28 posted on 04/04/2014 8:02:34 AM PDT by bigbob (The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Abraham Lincoln)
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To: thejokker

Actually, poor driver support and excessive resource utilization requiring a computer upgrade does in fact = “Crap”.


29 posted on 04/04/2014 8:03:18 AM PDT by Justa
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To: thejokker; Justa

No, Vista was and is crap And I love XP and 7 (Still avoiding 8 and will continue to do so until they pry 7 out of my Puters!)


30 posted on 04/04/2014 8:06:10 AM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: oh8eleven

Slow.

Very.

Too much overhead.

Unless you make some mods to background jobs.


31 posted on 04/04/2014 8:06:22 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: null and void
This is a real touchy subject with me. I am using 7, but I have to keep an old XP machine around to run a few programs that don't work on 7.

Upgrade, sure if MS would recognize that some of us need to keep and access old files (some 20 years old) that are in programs that MS has abandoned. For example I have several hundred MS Works databases and spreadsheets. I occasionally need these files. I have converted some to PDF, but that takes time. Works databases can't be converted to anything useful. I'd run to 8 in a heartbeat if my old programs work.

32 posted on 04/04/2014 8:10:45 AM PDT by hiho hiho
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To: null and void

I bought my laptop through my IT pros. They were able to configure thing to operate much like XP did. I don’t have the “tiles” on the screen and they later also helped me through the update to 8.1. I’d had the thing for over a year, but until XP was set to die, I stayed with the desktop. I also had to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse so I can use it the same way I did the old one.


33 posted on 04/04/2014 8:13:50 AM PDT by Emmett McCarthy
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To: Grams A

If you get a puter with windows 7 pro you can run XP in it and use all your old programs in XP mode.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7


34 posted on 04/04/2014 8:15:14 AM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
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To: thejokker

Just sent you a private e-mail...boring but need help.
Thanks...


35 posted on 04/04/2014 8:15:24 AM PDT by yoe
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To: oh8eleven

“I’ve been running a PC and a laptop on Vista for over 7 years ... no problems.
What’s your beef?”

I’ve seen Vista run very well on some computers, and extremely poorly on others. From what I’ve read & heard there’s a lot of overhead in Vista and it requires top notch hardware to run well. Most PC manufacturers were bundling Vista with PC’s that had no business running it.


36 posted on 04/04/2014 8:18:35 AM PDT by Tallguy
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To: oh8eleven; bigheadfred; null and void; winner3000

“I’ve been running a PC and a laptop on Vista for over 7 years ... no problems.
What’s your beef?”

I also had a pc with vista for 5-6 years, only problem i ever had was when adding music files for some reason vista liked to duplicate them in media player. A coworker had the same type of issue, importing pictures resulted in duplication.

I recently purchased a new PC due to an outdated processor and RAM limitations. The new PC came with WIN 8.1..................so far it’s been fine.


37 posted on 04/04/2014 8:21:17 AM PDT by V_TWIN
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To: shove_it

Try Ubuntu; its FREE! And EASY!

use the Windows Ubuntu Installer (Wubi)

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer

Does not touch your windows.

Needs 5 gig of hard drive to install.
For a machine of that vintage go with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (long term support) 32 bit.
Takes about 30 min to install depending on your internet speed.

When you power up the computer it will ask if you want Windows or Ubuntu.

If you do not like ;delete it, cost nothing but a bit of your time.


38 posted on 04/04/2014 8:22:10 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
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To: null and void
That means any security flaws found by attackers after that point won’t be patched, leaving users who are still clinging to their old computers open to attack.

Only if XP is allowed access to the internet.

If not, it is a damned fine utility OS and will be around until all the lights go out. At least, that's how I'll use it.
With XP, I have purchased my last MS product.

39 posted on 04/04/2014 8:23:21 AM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts (Truth sounds like hate...to those who hate truth.)
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To: oh8eleven
I've been running a PC and a laptop on Vista for over 7 years ... no problems.

I ran Windows ME for as long and rather liked it. As long as you kept it maintained and running smooth it was nice. WinXP is more resilient due to the NTFS so the switch was a no brainer. But no real complaints on ME.

40 posted on 04/04/2014 8:26:38 AM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts (Truth sounds like hate...to those who hate truth.)
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