VARs Saying No To Vista?
You all know The VAR Guy isn’t impressed with Windows Vista. But recent coverage in CRN and Redmond Magazine suggests the channel has widely rejected Microsoft’s operating system upgrade.
Let’s start with the chatter from CRN. Although the 25-year-old trade pub misidentified Dell Inc.’s corporate name, this article provides some lively quotes from VARs who are retreating to Windows XP. And over at Redmond Magazine, Mary Jo Foley explains what’s dragging Vista down.
For most VARs, the wait is on for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (anticipated delivery: 1Q 2008). And for a few folks willing to break from the pack, there’s always Mac OS X and Ubuntu Linux — The VAR Guy’s two favorite operating systems these days.
As a tech consultant to small businesses, I’m amazed by the number of customers who specifically ask me for Windows XP systems rather than Vista. Vista isn’t a disaster. but it certainly is not driving spending on new PCs.