Published: 2007.10.02 Purchasing PCs: XP or Vista? Microsoft has responded to the concerns expressed by UC and other clients regarding this timeframe by committing to extend the availability of XP on newly purchased PCs for another five months. Windows XP will now be available on an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) basis and from retail channels until June 30, 2008. This means that starting July 1, 2008, OEM PC manufacturers will no longer be able to sell PCs with Windows XP pre-installed. Only PCs with Windows Vista pre-installed will be available to purchase after that date. While this is welcome news, June 30, 2008 is still in advance of the timeframe within which many UCLA departments intend to transition to Vista. Therefore Software Central would like to remind everyone that UC departments with Microsoft Software Assurance coverage (via UC’s Microsoft Consolidated Campus Agreement [MCCA] participation or Select purchase) have the right to downgrade to Windows XP. Campus benchmarking estimates that it will take at least a half hour per PC to downgrade. Microsoft has set January 31, 2008 as the end date for Direct OEM and Retail License Availability for Windows XP. This means that starting February 1, 2008, OEM PC manufacturers will no longer be able to sell PCs with Windows XP pre-installed. Only PCs with Windows Vista pre-installed will be available to purchase. Because this deadline is significantly in advance of the timeframe within which many UC departments intend to transition to Vista, UC is attempting to get this deadline pushed back. We will send an update if this effort is successful. In the meantime, it would be prudent to prepare for the existing January 31, 2008 deadline. UC departments with Microsoft Software Assurance coverage (via UC’s Microsoft Consolidated Campus Agreement [MCCA] participation or Select purchase) have the right to downgrade to Windows XP. Campus benchmarking estimates that it will take at least a half hour per PC to downgrade. Software Sales Tax Guide California Sales and Use Tax regulations include a sales tax exemption for electronically downloaded software. These regulations are somewhat complex and include a number of exceptions. In concert with UCLA Tax Service, Software Central has developed a Software Sales Tax Quick Reference Guide to help departments understand how these regulations apply to the most common types of software purchases and when those purchases are exempt from California sales tax. See related links to download the guide. |
