p2pnet - rss feed: Microsoft Vista ‘bait-and-switch”
p2pnet.net news:- A marketing campaign by Bill and the Boyz allowed PC makers to say their systems were Windows Vista Capable, “even when the computers could only run the most basic form of the operating system,” says a lawsuit filed against Microsoft.
“In sum, Microsoft engaged in bait and switch - assuring consumers they were purchasing ‘Vista Capable’ machines when, in fact, the could obtain only a stripped-down operating system lacking the functionality and features that Microsoft advertised as ‘Vista’,” the suit reads, states the IDG News Service, going on:
“The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, seeks class action status and asks for damages. The suit notes that the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million and that the size of the class likely exceeds 10,000 people.
“Many of the machines with the Vista label cannot run or poorly run Home Premium, the least expensive version of Vista that includes most of the heavily advertised features, the suit says.”
However, Microsoft argues it “conducted a broad effort to educate computer manufacturers, retailers and consumers about the hardware requirements to run different versions of Windows Vista,” IDG has Microsoft’s Jack Evans saying.
Also See:
IDG News Service - Class action suit: Microsoft used deceptive marketing, April 4, 2006
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
April 4th, 2007 at 10:39 am
I have had the opportunity to look at vista…What a nightmare to navigate around in….and if you think you are going to be able to have security …oh you get it alright…. you have to give your computer permission to do anything….I think that is taking it way too far….but as I have not bought this nightmare i consider myself lucky….and I won’t be buying it either…. Chow from Canada
April 4th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
In defense of Microsoft, not that I normally defend them, perhaps this isn’t a case of bait and switch on their part. If Dell sells a computer that is advertised as Vista capable, how is that Microsoft’s fault? The specifications for running Home Premium and Ultimate with Aero graphics, were out 6 months before the release. Finally, if something is “Vista capable” it doesn’t necessarily mean that it can run anything except Vista Basic.
My guess is that Microsoft is the target because the lawyers want a class action and might not be able to get it if they sued 400 puny manufacturers.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Whine, Whine.
“I bought the cheapest PC I could find with Vista on it, and it doesn’t have the bells and whistles!”
Oh give me a break!
What’s going to happen next? Maybe sue the airlines for not getting the comfy chair when riding economy?
Or maybe sue the car companies for not having the leather seating and DVD Player/Navigation system in the baseline car?
If these people baught the PCs at a store, I am sure they could have seen a demo machine to see what they were getting. If they baught it from the web, do research. If they baught it out of a PC magazine, also do research!
Sure, I know it really stinks that Microsoft has really limited the lower end versions of Vista (boy is that haunting our business now!!), but when you consider the other side of the coin, “I don’t need the multimedia and Aero interface, so give it to me cheeper”, who can blame them!
If you are going to complain, complain about the system’s Big brother like control over the user, and over stupification of the OS, so that it can support idiots like those who are suing them right now!
Just my two cents
April 5th, 2007 at 4:27 am
I agree. I don’t want Vista’s DRM-by-stealth on any machine of mine, but I read Microsoft’s ads and I thought a clear distinction was made between Vista Capable machines, and those able to use Aero. But I can imagine some manufacturers being less than honest about it.