Dell started supplying Linux (without Windows) to its customers a while ago. Now it’s started supplying XP instead of Vista. What does that mean?

What happened is the OEMs revolted in the background and forced Microsoft’s hand. This is a big neon sign above MeII saying ‘FAILURE’. Blink blink blink. OK, MeII won’t fail, they have OEMs whipped and threatened into a corner, it will sell, but you can almost hear the defectors marching toward Linux. This is a watershed.

— Microsoft admits Vista failure, By Charlie Demerjian in Beijing, The Inquirer, Saturday 21 April 2007, 12:20

Demerjian says another big sign is that Gates went to China and announced a $3 price for Vista, down from about $300. Continue reading →