Is it possible to still buy a brand new laptop with XP SP2 installed on it?

[uchulayi]

<p>Hi <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> Just a general query really in the light of all the problems I am reading about with Vista + EQ2. I want to buy a laptop and play EQ2 on it without having to go through all the hassle i am seeing in the Vista threads here. Simplest solution seems to me to get one with Windows XP SP2 operating system which I know works fine (well usually <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" />).</p><p>Having said that if Win XP SP2 is no longer available on brand new laptop, has any one managed to buy a laptop that plays EQ2 without problems installing, connecting, updating & playing? if so, can they please post the specs so i know what to look for?</p><p>thanks in advance!</p><p>(PS i am based in the UK)</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Asherlayi@Runnyeye wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hi <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> Just a general query really in the light of all the problems I am reading about with Vista + EQ2. I want to buy a laptop and play EQ2 on it without having to go through all the hassle i am seeing in the Vista threads here. Simplest solution seems to me to get one with Windows XP SP2 operating system which I know works fine (well usually <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" />).</p><p>Having said that if Win XP SP2 is no longer available on brand new laptop, has any one managed to buy a laptop that plays EQ2 without problems installing, connecting, updating & playing? if so, can they please post the specs so i know what to look for?</p><p>thanks in advance!</p><p>(PS i am based in the UK)</p></blockquote><p>Because of validation issues with running software my customers purchase business Dells, they allow you to do a downgrade to windows XP SP3, you pay for both the original OS - which in this case is Vista business and a cost for the downgrade to XP.</p><p>OEM versions might still be available but starting to see the case that vendors of newer hardware are not doing drivers for XP, this is curently on in the vertical market arena, but do not see it being to long before it starts rolling into the normal retail market.</p><p>If you plan on going to windows 7 when it releases later this year, be aware of the fact that the only upgrade for a XP box is a clean format and install, upgrades in place are not supported for XP.</p><p>Vista has come a long way since it's release, especially with the last service pack, if you pay attention to detail and follow a few simple steps, eq2 runs fine on it, personally multi-box on a couple of Vista Ultimate boxes</p>

[TSR-KenC]

<p><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Because of validation issues with running software my customers purchase business Dells, they allow you to do a downgrade to windows XP SP3, you pay for both the original OS - which in this case is Vista business and a cost for the downgrade to XP.</p><p>OEM versions might still be available but starting to see the case that vendors of newer hardware are not doing drivers for XP, this is curently on in the vertical market arena, but do not see it being to long before it starts rolling into the normal retail market.</p><p>If you plan on going to windows 7 when it releases later this year, be aware of the fact that the only upgrade for a XP box is a clean format and install, upgrades in place are not supported for XP.</p><p>Vista has come a long way since it's release, especially with the last service pack, if you pay attention to detail and follow a few simple steps, eq2 runs fine on it, personally multi-box on a couple of Vista Ultimate boxes</p></blockquote><p>Excellent information, Wingrider! I wasn't aware of some of those details.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p>What I am hoping to get some free time to test is the XP Mode licensed feature of windows 7 which is basicly a VM of Windows XP, hoping they improve the graphics support. It is only available on Professinal, Ultimate and Enterprise.</p><p>Surpisingly enough the release date is moving faster then expected, some people will have access to the production code by August 6th for testing us, not a evaluation or the RC, but RTM licensed code. A number of the 3rd party companies are going to be caught short with no windows 7 versions of their AntiVirus and Anti malware applications.</p>